Many memories from my childhood are at City Island. We've been loading the car with family to drive…read moreto the Island for decades. It's not a summer without sitting outside having great seafood with a drink in your hand. Johnnys and Crab Shanty are the top favorites.

Although I've only been to City Island a couple of times, I thoroughly enjoy the seafood and…read moreItalian restaurants out here. A few of the places are nearby each other, however, a couple of places such as Seafood City are walking distance away. I did not encounter any harm or discomfort while hopping from one restaurant to the next. It takes a little while for the bus to arrive while in City Island. Otherwise, absolutely worth taking a trip to at least once.

It's a mess nowadays. There is only trash and scaffolding…read morein there. Not worth the effort to get there

This is where they filmed the iconic scene of the Joker played by Joaquin Phoenix dancing down the…read morestairs. The community painted it, and added something at the top, so it doesn't look like the original steps anymore. There's 132 steps if you want to go up and down the stairs, and a great way to exercise. A cool historic landmark, but be careful at night. Not very safe to go there at night. Check out my full video on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3TCVP0J4e0/?igsh=MWxiM2J5ZWJycWE0NQ==

Welcome to the hustle and bustle of Chinatown. Food is plentiful. You'll find a good selection on…read moreeach block. It's handy if you know the language. However, there are many languages spoken here. Mandarin and Cantonese are the most prevalent in most cases. You can't go wrong with a restaurant choice in this area. Prices are very reasonable for food.

This is a very legit Chinatown both in terms of size, proximity to the city, and the foot traffic…read more There's tons of restaurants and stores and locals and tourists alike. There's tons of authentic cuisine and Instagram traps alike with a mix of grocery stores and apartments in between. There's multiple streets that are so busy that they are almost pedestrian streets.

Such a beautiful area of Manhattan! I'll admit that I've spent more time on the Upper East Side,…read morebut the little bit of time that I've spent on the west side has been equally enjoyable. The Upper West Side is an affluent neighborhood that's located on the west side of Central Park (hence, upper "west" side). The architecture is stunning and I'm sure the real estate is expensive because, well... it just looks like it would cost a fortune to live here (you can correct me if I'm wrong). This neighborhood is filled with tons of restaurants, bars, mom & pop shops, museums, and beautiful street art. And of course, it's right next to the beloved Central Park. Definitely an area that I want to continue to explore during my future visits to New York.

Even though I live on the East Side I occasionally wander over to the Upper West Side to hang with…read morefriends at a bar or restaurant. Love the main stretch of Broadway where you'll find all types of shopping, stores, bars, movie theaters, and places to eat. There are famous museums in the neighborhood such as the Museum of Natural History, also Lincoln Center for Arts, and Riverside Park where I've done some races at. Plus, at many of the cross streets on Broadway they have seating areas with benches which I think is pretty cool. We've sat and chatted on these as traffic drives by in each direction. I do like that this part of town has kept much of it's old school architecture especially with its brownstones which are such an iconic NYC thing. As such, apartment rentals usually average on the higher side here as compared to the East Side/Yorkville area. The main MTA subway 1,2,3 Red lines serve this neighborhood, along with the A, B, C, D Blue/Orange lines.

Why would you want to visit or stay in a neighborhood that Patti Smith says feels a living museum?…read more Hugged by Greenwich Village at the north (Houston), Little Italy to the eat (Lafayette), Tribeca and Chinatown to the south (Canal), and Hudson Square to the west (6th Ave), the farmland turned into an affluent enclave, with the highest concentration of cast-iron architecture in the world in the 1800s. As the rich moved north, the district became NYC's premier retail, entertainment, and "hospitality" corridor (1850-1880) to industrial manufacturing center, especially garments and textiles (1880-1960) to target for demolition for a highway project. But then the artists came in, the reports claimed the area was vital, and preservationists protected it, allowing it to become the international center of the avant-garde art world in the 70s and 80s. Today, the neighborhood allegedly functions as a major upscale international shopping district, despite the fake handbags on blankets on the illegal sidewalk sales. I got a good deal on a Kartier watch. So, the vibe is rigid, geometric, heavy iron meets Belgian cobblestones, for a grounded and old feeling in contrast with the soaring ceilings, oversized windows, and wide open floor plans that flood the area with pale, northern light, which gives it the historic but chic museum feel. Plus, there is a lingering cool factor, a quiet swagger, rooted in the creative rebellion. If SoHo were a cocktail mixed from southern California neighborhoods, it would be 40% Los Angeles Arts District (structurally and historically), 34% Abbot Kinney/Venice (hyper-curated indie retail and open-air runway feel); 25% Old Pasadena (living museum feel), 1% Hollywood (the touristy-heavy trashiest parts locals avoid). But, my wife and I love it because of the location and the many shops, restaurants, experiences, and bars within a square mile. Check my reviews on Dominique Ansel, Trader Joe's, Polo Ralph Lauren, Uniqlo Soho, a Target boutique, Lucia Pizza, McDonald's, Aviator Nation, 260 Sample Sale, Softside, $1.50 Pizza, and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Plus, within walking distance: Hamburger America and Emily (Greenwich Village), Prince Street Pizza, Thai Diner, and 7th Street Burger (Nolita), Solita Soho Hotel, Ceres, and L'Industrie Pizzeria (Little Italy), Au Cheval, All Blues, and Best Western Soho Hotel (Chinatown), and the Ghostbusters Fire Station, Roxy Hotel, and Bubby's (Tribeca).

Put on my walking shoes and off I am to SoHo. Shopping at unique boutiques. Feasting my eyes with…read morestimulating street art and art galleries. Savoring at enchanting coffee shops and iconic restaurants. I love it here! CHEERS!

probably better in the summer or spring there's no water in it and there's only two statuesread more

It's on my way to work and when I have the time I like to just chill and look at it. Gives off an…read moreuber tranquil vibe that takes the edge off. In nicer weather it's a great place to hang out and enjoy an outdoor coffee.

Thanks Katey for having me over at this in-person Yelp event. It makes me miss the time when there…read morewas an in-person event like every week or so pre-COVID. This particular event included small bites and two complementary drinks (or you really smoozed the bartender and she hooked you up). Although they specifically mentioned don't expect to make a dinner out of this, I was able to fill up my stomach to make it into a meal (without sliders as those kept running out every time I went up). Oh well. I enjoyed the new people I met along the way (hope to see them again at other events) and hopefully we will see more in person events going forward.

Haven't been to a in person restaurant event in awhile so this was a real treat! Thank you Katey…read moreand STK! The event was on the outdoor patio with the food/cocktails on the side of the patio area with a few cocktail tables set up. We lucked out with the weather it wasn't too hot and not rainy. The tables were set up with fun yelp summer swag like fans, sunglasses, and keychains. Foodwise there was large cocktail shrimp, truffle fries, mini tuna tacos, burgers, tater tots, beef quesadilla?, burger. We were given two drink tickets and they had some of their signature cocktails. My favorite item was the truffle fries they were crispy with a nice subtle truffle oil. Unfortunately, the food ran out real fast in the beginning and the area with food wasn't really staffed which saw people just waiting. Decided to just grab a cocktail while the food was being refilled and had the cucumber cocktail that was a nice light summer drink. Would have been nice to have either waters at the labels or at the bar area as after a 30 minute walk, food, and drinks, I was definitely thirsty and a mocktail option as there were a lot of people at my table that didn't drink. Didn't get a burger the first time, but everyone at my table did and it was quite pink for them. Tried the line a second time and was able to grab one of the few items left i.e. the burger - which my version was very well done, but I prefer a medium rare, so that was my least favorite item and the bun was a bit too overpowering. I enjoyed all of the other appetizers. The event was initially meant to be cocktail style inside but stk had it moved outside, I think the cocktail style might have worked better to mingle and be in the vicinity of the food/cocktail areas. Think having those two areas separated ended up seeing staff refill the food towards the end of the event, which was too late and I doubt many people noticed. Overall, it was a fun event that I was grateful to attend! Thank you

Carroll Gardens is a beautiful neighborhood in Brooklyn filled with brownstones, most with iron…read morefencing surrounding a small green space in the front of the house. Thus the naming. The area, originally settled by Italians, is very popular due to its highly rated elementary school & beautiful brownstones on tree lined streets. Many have been totally renovated on the interior with some sadly renovated as pricey apartments. Some have remained in the family over the years. Restaurants choices are plentiful, both in the neighborhood & further down Court or Smith into adjacent neighborhoods. Before the pandemic there was a plethora of fun shops along Court Street in the heart of the neighborhood. Court & Smith are main arteries that features shopping & restaurants. I'm sad to report that my restaurant of choice for pizza was a casualty of the pandemic. Also a victim was a fun clothing store. There's easy walking access to the Subway Station. Serious grocery shopping requires a vehicle to get to the nearby Whole Foods in Gowanus, Union Market, Trader Joe's (with extremely challenging street parking), Wegmans, Costco, etc. Fairway in Red Hook was a huge store with a beautiful view from the parking lot. I haven't been to the store that took its place. Shopping via vehicle comes with the additional challenge of finding street parking to get purchases inside. It's easier for small quantities or taking someone along to stay with the vehicle (obviously parked in a no parking area) while the other takes the groceries inside. Gourmet Fresh on Court Street is a small store with a limited selection. But it's fine for quick pickups. Speaking of street parking, it's not easy to find a spot on the narrow one way streets. It's especially challenging on alternate side parking days. Most people double park then rush to get a good spot when the time period ends. When I was taking my Grandson to preschool in Williamsburg we would have to circle the blocks continuously waiting for a spot to become vacant. Young children don't have much patience for that. One becomes extremely experienced at judging the size of an opening between parked vehicles. Difficult parallel parking quickly becomes an expertise. Carroll Park has something for every age kid with basketball courts, playgrounds & spaces to bike, scoot, take batting practice and such. There's usually someone friendly to visit with on a bench. Carroll School is directly across the side street. All that said, if the prices of the brownstones hadn't gotten so steep I would buy one in a minute. It's a great neighborhood.

3.0 stars, Carroll Gardens and it's not because I don't love you but I have a few bones to pick as…read moreof late (okay, the last several years). I am old enough to witness the profound changes that continue to take place, yet young enough to predict what's to come (at times allowing me to gesture "gasp"). In the attempt to remain fair, here's my humble review/opinion: The Good: 1) CG has always been a visually gorgeous (charming brownstones) and safe neighborhood. 2) A selection of very good restaurants with just about every cuisine in close proximity 3) Very convenient, accessible and a short ride to Manhattan 4) Borders other great 'hoods such as Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO and Park Slope. 5) No need for a car 6) Diversity of many backgrounds, religions and cultures There's a little France feeling to it. 7) Some of the nicest, artistic and intelligent people within a community 8) Family friendly 9) Some of the best local flavor specialty food shops and bakeries The Bad: 1) Outrageous and insane increase in real estate. Come on, enough already as people are being priced out. Some old timers bought these brownstones for a mere $2000 way back when. 2) Over development. Do we really need more luxury high rises? Some are eyesores and doesn't fit in. 3) Very overcrowded. I realize CG is trendy but I sometimes have to allow a couple trains to go by because I can't squeeze on during morning rush hour. 4) Due to the unreasonable real estate conditions, smaller, independent merchants have been driven out and being replaced by huge franchise businesses. We don't need more CVS or banks. In fact, we lost two bookstores in 2016. 5) Citibike docking stations. I know biking is efficient, healthy and environmentally friendly but no more! People need space to park their cars--you know the machinery with 4 wheels 6) A parking nightmare 7) The loss of a tighter knit community feeling. 8) The residence of some rude and self entitled individuals The Ugly: 1) Way too overpriced with a continuation in that trend 2) The endless MTA track work and changes that disrupt an entire commute on weeekends and even weekdays. There's been too many occasions when my commute has taken 90 minutes! You'd think I was traveling from/to CT. 3) Oftentimes, neighborhood reeks of excessive pot. I'm sorry but I don't like drugs---enough already! Please shape up a bit more Carroll Gardens. With your extreme face lift, I sometimes don't recognize you anymore. I realize this requires a community effort. Yet, I still adore you.