My first visit to The Crosby Connection came by way of an early afternoon craving for espresso. The neighborhood lunch nook had always intrigued me, so I stopped by for a quick pick me up. Twenty minutes later I returned to work with a banana, a mango, a new friend named Joe, and oh yes…the espresso, curiously served in a plastic-to-go-soup-container. The espresso was at least a double shot, if not more and the fruit was free of charge, as was Joe's story about the car crashing into the Swatch Watch store down the block. This is surely a familiar experience to anyone who has visited the crack-in-the-wall, take out window sandwich shop, and an experience that has kept me coming back for more. Since my first visit I have returned on numerous occasions, and have indulged in more than just espresso and fruit. Besides the many freebies, Joe, the owner, chef, and counterperson of The Crosby Connection, dishes out some killer sandwiches and interesting surprise daily specials. The last sandwich I had there was the aged prosciutto di parma hero, served on crusty 7 grain bread and layered with fresh smoked mozzarella, tangy sundried tomatoes, red and yellow sweet peppers, mixed spring greens, and balsamic vinegar and green vegan oil. As if the hulking sandwich wasn't enough, Joe just happened to be serving barbecued chicken that day, and he insisted that I try a piece to tell him what I think. Grilled on a hibachi, sitting on the sidewalk in front of the tiny store, the piquant, caramel colored chicken was tender and juicy on the inside and perfectly charred on the outside. "To dry?" Joe asked. "No," I replied with my mouth full, "Delicious Joe." I washed the barbecued chicken down with a glass of home brewed iced-tea; you pour it yourself at the makeshift beverage counter. When I went to pay, Joe threw in a banana and another glass of iced-tea, not bad for $6. On other visits I have tried the creamy tuna melt on flavorful semolina bread and the veggie sandwich, chock-full of grilled vegetables and fresh melted mozzarella on a hard Italian roll. None of the sandwiches are over $6, and every one is guaranteed to satisfy, and made to order (you can create your own if you'd like). Several small tables are available on the sidewalk, and if you choose to sit down, Joe will bring your order over to you when it's ready. I prefer to stand by the counter and watch Joe in action. The miniature kitchen is just big enough for one person to work in, but Joe moves gracefully around the cramped quarters, cooking up those delectable sandwiches, telling his stories as he cooks, and keeping The Crosby Connection a special place to visit. (PS…On my most recent visit Joe told me he plans on offering a Fall Dinner Menu filled with just-heat-em-n'-eat-em meals…)

it's in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. the menu is endless and prices endlessly cheap. i especially like their seafood celection (though do "frog legs" count as "sea food"? more like "pond food" i'd say). i don't like frogs anyway, but their calamari is really good. and i know cuz i'm korean!!

Really great Crepes. Nice atmosphere. What else can i say? Sit out on the tables outside, watch the Village people go by, and pig out!!

if you like latin music... and latin american food... and wanna combine the two in a cool setting... go to ESPERANTO!! it's cheap-ish, almost always crowded (= festive atmosphere) and right by all the cool bars on Ave. C

When I was asked where is the best Russian restaurant in New York, I would never tell anybody to go to Brighton Beach. I believe that the best place is right there, in Manhattan, in the Village. This is not a typical noisy and glitty Russian restaurant. Cafe Anyway is located in a basement, there are only 6 or 7 tables, and it is quiet and dark. There is live music (just a guitar, or a singer, or a flutist) every evening. And the food... It is not exactly typical Russian food, it is more like fusion cusine based on Russian food. The best things are crepes and soups. Make sure to order fish (sturgeon!) soup! You will want to return just for that! The portion is huge, you can make it your meal! And mushroom soup is almost as good

Sandobe sushi has the ebst sushi I ever tried. And I know what I am talking about - I am addicted to sushi. On tiny balls of rice they serve huge pieces of the freshest fish. Sandobe also has the most creative House rolls, all of which include rice and crab meat - and about half a dozen other ingredients. They look so good, you'd feel guilty to eat them! And the best part - it is not expensive too (you'll spend about $13 per person). West Side Sushi is another branch, menu is identical. Oh, and the best time to visit them - Tuesday night, there will be no line, and they get fresh fish on Tuesday.

Aside from the fact that Lenny Kravitz filmed one of his music videos here, Café Habana should be known in New York for its mouth-watering Cuban food. The cute little diner-style café offers everything from a crisp cactus salad to grilled plaintain drizzled in a sweet honey-glaze for dessert. But the best thing on the menu is the grilled cobs of corn smothered with butter and chili pepper that cost $3.50 a pair. Can you say delicious?

I was debating what category to put this review under. But then I thought back to my meal last night and realized that, whether or not you're in the mood for watching a film in the adjoining theatre after dinner, it's the dinner part of this double-feature that you can't miss. <p> The "updated classics and sophisticated American favorites" served in the restaurant made for one of the better meals I've had in a while. I was tempted by the "dinner and a movie" $30 special (among lots of specials they do. Valentine's Day, for example) but was glad I opted for chosing my own dishes - seafood seviche to start and then grilled and braised duck - presented in that 'let's see how high we can pile the food'-fashion that seems to be popular in NY these days.

A must have been and will always come back place for anyone who loves (Italian) opera! On three nights a week, students of the Julliard School of Music take over this Italian restaurant and share their love for opera super hits like "O Sole Mio" and "La Donna e Mobile". Accompanied on the piano by a 70+ Hungarian pianist, 5-8 singers take their turns and give homage to their musical legends from 9 pm till way after midnight. It's the music, not the food that will make you come back, so make sure to go on a night with live singing.

A tiny piece of England is tucked away in this shoebox size cafe. Sausage rolls, welsh rarebit and yorkshire pud, just like home, not an Americanism in sight. Next door you'll find a great store that stocks all your faves (Crunchie and Flakes for me!) Even Liz Hurley visits when shes in town