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little gems
my treasure chest of some amazing places that are underrated or unknown :)
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60 Places
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Jing’s 5-star review: This restaurant is a little gem hiding next to a gas station on Queens Blvd! We had the tacos rancheros (steak) and pollo quesadillas (chicken) for two and it was enough to feed three. Everything was fresh, filling, and authentic. Service was great as well - our waitress/hostess was sweet and attentive. Prices are very very reasonable, cheap if you consider the quality and quantity of food. Items typically range from $9-12 each. The decor really transports you back to a time when you are enjoying the simple pleasures of life, like food and family. Place is clean, even their bathrooms, and unique with a rustic and vintage feel. The Q60 bus also runs along Queens Blvd so if you're craving for a cozy and delicious Mexican meal, take the bus here or park a few blocks south. And yes, they do accept credit cards! -
Jing’s 5-star review: Oh boy, this is like the funkier version of the coffee house in Friends but with alcohol, a good playlist, and a crazy mix of holiday and vintage decorations. They even have circuit boards and disco lights in the bathroom! Cocktails are picture perfect and only $10 but a bit on the overly sweet side. Can't believe a place like this exists in real life! Also: Cash only! -
Jing’s 5-star review: Did you know that the first attempt to build a subway line underground used pneumatic tubes, aka tubes that moved a single subway car using compressed air and a large vacuum? For many reasons, including political and financial, the project was shut down after a few months. How cool would it be if it had been implemented and been further developed in the past century...! Another fact that blew my mind was the competition between the different railroad companies before they were unified by the City. Lettered trains were operated by BRT, Brooklyn Rapid Transit, and numbered trains by IRT, Interborough Railroad Transit. BRT cars were one foot wider than the IRT cars and built for comfort and luxury whereas IRT cars were built for speed and efficiency. The difference in sizes prevented their competitor's cars to fit in their own platforms and tunnels. That is some nasty yet ingenious rivalry! These were just two of the MANY fascinating facts our guide, Katherine, shared with us on our tour at the New York Transit Museum today. Their tours are free with your $7 admissions ticket and offered three times a day (highly recommend!). They begin in the "lobby" by the ticket booth and then take you downstairs to the platform where the vintage subway cars are on display in the tracks. We were able to catch the last tour at 3pm, which left us only about 10 minutes afterwards to explore the rest of the exhibits before they were closing for the day (5pm). But no regrets at all because Katherine was incredible and we each walked away with an unforgettable experience as we learned about how each subway car on display came to be and evolved as problems had arisen. She also gave us a very detailed and engaging history of the NYC public transportation system as we sat down in the old train cars. What a unique experience! Please do yourselves a favor and go check it out! Perhaps come earlier so you can catch an earlier tour (I believe 1pm) or to explore the exhibits on the upper level above the train platform before the 3pm tour. -
Jing’s 4-star review: This tiki bar is awesome and a great way to welcome the warm weather this weekend! With a name like Zombie Hut, I thought it would be horror-themed but instead it has a lively and warm ambience. + outdoor patio in the back was open + friendly bartenders + couches and small wooden tables for groups in the back + tiki-themed decor all around the wooden walls to take you away from city life + clean bathrooms + drinks were all under $10 each + FROZEN ZOMBIE cocktail was sweet with sugar on the rim and tasty yet strong + pitchers with ice-cold water and plastic cups at the end of the bar for your convenience + free board games + gotta try the Scorpion bowl and tiki shots next time! - some games missing pieces, like the dice - group tables aren't really well-attended so sometimes the empty cans/glasses from the previous group are still there on the table but at least they have a trash can nearby -
Jing’s 4-star review: Wow, I didn't know there was a small supermarket in Astoria that sold European grocery and snacks! Prices are a little higher than their American counterparts but that is expected. They accept credit cards with a minimum purchase of $10 ($15?). Aisles are wide for browsing and don't forget to grab some marzipan chocolate bars here! -
Jing’s 5-star review: Little Collins is indeed a small little coffee shop hiding in Midtown. I haven't tried their coffee yet but they add foam art to their customers' lattes! I'm definitely coming back to get myself one of those. For sandwiches (~$10 each), I've tried their House Cured Salmon, Sauteed Shrooms (with avocado), and Schnitzel (chicken, hummus, caramelized onions). The Salmon sandwich is my favorite! I took one bite and was blown away by how tasty and fresh their salmon was! Plus, they didn't skimp out on it like some places do. The Shrooms and Schnitzel were yummy and flavorful as well. For dessert, I've tried their olive oil bread and the Sweet Uncle Fred (banana bread, walnuts, honey, fruits, ricotta topping). They were both moist yet held itself together well as you chewed through the soft texture. If you can find a seat, go for it. They have 4 high tables for two and a small area (another 4 seats) by the window. Otherwise, take the food to go and enjoy! -
Jing’s 5-star review: A great little sushi place near the Skyview Center in Flushing. The waitresses were incredibly sweet and welcoming. The only free table for us was missing a chair and our waitress insisted on carrying a spare one to the table for us. She was also very attentive to our tea (had a nice yummy burnt flavor to it!). Just for fun, we decided to order both the King Salmon sashimi ($3/piece) with the regular Salmon ($1.50/piece). They are of the same size but right away you notice that the King Salmon doesn't have the white stripes across the fish. It had a softer and less chewy texture, almost melts on your tongue. However, it tastes less refreshing than the regular Salmon. I think my tongue actually prefers the cheaper one haha :D We also had the Volcano roll, eel avocado, salmon avocado, and spicy tuna. They all tasted fresh and had a crunch to them which I enjoyed. I also love their chairs! They're so comfortable and modern! -
Jing’s 4-star review: One of the best sushi places in the Bayside / Oakland Garden area. Their sashimi is fresh and served in an ice bowl (with a light bulb underneath that changes color!) Special rolls are 3 for $30, including the Lobster Tempura, which was our favorite. Unfortunately, you can't get multiples of the same roll. Each sashimi order comes in 2 medium-sized pieces. They also have free delivery if you live in the area. Otherwise there's a fee. Our sashimi didn't taste very fresh by the time it arrived. Wish it came with an ice bowl too. Highly recommend for dine in only! The place is pretty trendy and intimate for dates or small groups. Waitress service can be a hit or miss. But ample parking space in the rear lot! -
Jing’s 5-star review: red velvet cake balls! cookies n cream cake balls! (not a fan of their carrot cake balls though.) moist, rich, and addicting! i still dream about them every night. -
Jing’s 5-star review: I like this cafe a lot. It's very cozy with a homey vibe. They have a variety of seats, from couches to tall tables with high stools. The staff are also very friendly and open to conversations. They even bring your order to your table so you can relax after a long day. I highly recommend their hot chocolate! It's smooth and sweet with the perfect amount of sugar! Unlike other cafes, it does NOT taste like it's made from a Swiss Miss instant packet. Usually their hot chocolate does not come with any latte art but they were able to draw a flower on mine. Their hot espresso drinks do. They also warm up their scones before they serve it to you, which is sweet of them. -
Jing’s 4-star review: Do you love macarons? How about a MACARON CAKE with some white chocolate pieces on top!? That's right! And it tastes like a macaron too. It's about the size of your palm but I do not recommend eating it alone unless you have a huge sugar craving, which I did. I had their Cocoa blend hot tea with my cake, as recommended by one of the sweet staff members. It smells like chocolate and goes down with a subtle and smooth chocolate aftertaste. They also have other delicious looking [vegan] cakes and chocolates. The chocolate bites at the far end of the glass display are $2 each, which is insane. I also really love the ambience and seating here. It feels so comfortable and cozy, a perfect place to escape into after a long day (or for a quiet study break). P.S. $10 credit card minimum. -
Jing’s 4-star review: WOW! My boyfriend and I ordered two platters to share (takeout). Small sushi platter and sashmi deluxe bento box. The bento box was wrapped with a bag of ice. We practically stuffed our faces and stomach until there was no room left. Our order came with 5 pairs of chopsticks and 4 bowls for their miso soup (in 3 cups). I'm pretty sure they didn't know it was just for the two of us. We're such fatties, heh. _ sushi platter ($40) -- 2 regular rolls and 21 pieces of sushi (we had eel, salmon, and red clam) _ sashimi box ($20) -- about 30 pieces of sashmi (we had salmon and white tuna) $60 for 2 people and their fish definitely tasted more fresh than the ones offered at buffets! We were both unable to move after such a gratifying dinner. What a STEAL! -
Jing’s 4-star review: ~$4 a slice of GOOD pizza that fills you up. I had no idea the crust was whole wheat until I read these reviews! Honestly, I go in and pick a different slice randomly every time (been there ~6 times) and always enjoyed their food. -
Jing’s 5-star review: This place is AMAZING and I'm not even vegan or vegetarian! I like to eat meat but came here at a friend's recommendation. Ziggy burger, Philly steak, Classic veg burger (prefer Ziggy though), Sweet potato fries, and don't even get me started on the Vanilla ice cream milkshake! I'm DEFINITELY coming back here the next time I'm in Philly! -
Jing’s 5-star review: This place is a hidden gem! LITERALLY! Located across the street from a correctional facility in a deserted part of Long Island City is this old industrial warehouse hosting a variety of indoor sports! They have paintball, laser tag (apparently a zombie-themed one), and archery tag! My friend gathered a large group of us to go for archery tag. Some of us had never touched a bow and arrow before but they have a little corner outside of the field where you can practice shooting. Then onto the games! Archery tag is quite similar to dodgeball where you have 2 teams and try to shoot the opponent players (or their bows) to eliminate them from the field. If you catch an arrow that is aimed for you, you can bring a teammate back to life (haha). We got about 3 five-minute breaks throughout the hour (hour and half?). Don't worry, the arrows are foam-tipped and don't really hurt. However, it is still possible to get bruises the next day (and to have very VERY sore legs as if you were doing squats for an hour). We also each got a face mask to protect our heads. Our belongings were stored in lockers that are free to use but cost $2 for renting a lock unless you happen to have one on you. Overall, this is a must-try experience! Just remember to bring a lock, check-in on Yelp for a 10% discount, and do not wear flip-flops. -
Jing’s 5-star review: This venue is beautiful! They host a variety of events including films, performances, comedy sketches, and FREE live music. BAM Cafe is located on the second floor of the Peter Jay Sharp Building and is opened Friday and Saturday nights (6pm-11pm). Last night (Friday 9pm), White Prism performed some of their catchy, breathy synth-pop songs. The audience were all nodding to the beat, some even stood up to shake their shoulders! I can't believe this was a free performance! At 8pm, around the time we arrived, the tables were about half occupied. By 9pm, they were all filled. So my recommendation? Come early, take a seat, have a drink, and enjoy the ambiance :) -
Jing’s 5-star review: Best Sunday brunch deal ever! $25 pre-tax/tip for 1 drink and unlimited oysters, brunch food, and dessert (from Financier Patisserie). Before I came here, I did not like the idea of eating raw oysters. Now, I'm that monster who waits in line and takes every single oyster until my plate is full. Then I go back for a 2nd and maybe even 3rd round if I'm not too stuffed from their regular brunch food :)
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Jing’s 5-star review: The staff here is amazing and I have walked away with a pleasant tea experience every time! Not only are they knowledgable about their teas and in running the store but they have such a personal and inviting aurora around them. They greet you when you enter the store, offer you a free sample of the tea they have currently brewed (it's hot but not to the point where it'll burn your tongue), give you a 30-second mini tour of their place if you look a little lost (or baffled by their wide selection like I was), and let you sniff as many tea leaves as you want. You never get the feeling that they're there to make money off of you. David's Tea is both a cafe AND a tea shop. You can order your drink (~$4) and they'll brew it for you on the spot. They offer different types of sweeteners: sugar, agave, steavia, honey, etc. Can be made hot or cold, with or without milk. They also sell tea leaves by the ounce and teapots, mugs, infusers, gift sets, etc. Their Cold 911 is also helping me recover from my congestion! It's peppermint, juniper, and eucalyptus tea! Highly recommend if you're feeling a little sick. They also have a rewards card and holiday promotions! -
Jing’s 5-star review: I could drink their Ice Mint Green Tea with sugar every day if I lived nearby. Perfect balance of sweet and bitter with an aftertaste that rolls on your tongue after each sip. The first time I came here, I got their glass bottle but ended up not really using it for any artsy or storage purposes. So the next 3 times, I got their cup, which holds 4 ounces more and for the same price! I think I even upgraded to a large for extra $1. Staff is really sweet, always saying Thank You after you poke a straw through the cup and leave. Maybe one day I'll be brave and try their other flavors but I just love their Ice Mint Green Tea a little too much. -
Jing’s 4-star review: I found this place through Yelp and was surprised at the low-average ratings. For a hotel rooftop bar, this lounge is quite easy to get to. The Courtyard Marriott is right on the corner of 35th St & 7th Ave and the elevators are only a few steps from the entrance. No awkward walk or confusing turns through a hotel lobby and no need to remember which floor the rooftop is on (sometimes it's not always on the highest floor) because there's a R button on the elevator panel for Roof. Exit the elevator and you're greeted by a pretty chic and modern lounge/bar. Half inside and half outdoors. The empire state building (ESB) is right in FRONT of your face! I haven't gone to many rooftop bars but I would bet my money that this place has the BEST VIEW of the ESB. You could also look down into the streets and see people walking! The tables outside were all labeled Reserved, which was confusing but the server told me to grab any seat I like and removed the sign as they were reserved for much later into the night. She was great and accommodating, checking up on us throughout the night. Most of the people here were dressed in jeans and hoodies, really chill and cool place to hang out! Their menus consist of cocktails, higher end beers, and bar food. They're all pretty pricey but worth it for the view and ambience! It would truly be a hidden gem if they had happy hour or drink specials. -
Jing’s 5-star review: Came across this pharmacy randomly and decided to walk in to pick up some items and fill a prescription. Wow! First thought, it's a little cramped. Second look, damn they have a TON of stuff I thought I could only purchase from Amazon.com! The pharmacy is in the back of the store and if you thought the front of the store was crowded, it gets worse back here especially when there's a line. Fortunately, the pharmacist and staff are very efficient and really know what they're doing. They're also a lively and warm bunch. Good people and good pharmacy. -
Jing’s 5-star review: Came here for 2 people on a Saturday (adult night) and was immediately impressed upon entering! This place looks spacious and cozy at the same time with their art and craft supplies neatly arranged against the walls and tables for kids to show their creativity! Super clean and colorful. Restrooms are in the basement (take elevator). Upstairs (take stairs) are more tables, where they host adult night. They also serve wine if you're interested. Staff are friendly and wonderful, always eager to grab more paint for you when the bottle is running out. For $30 total, my boyfriend and I each got to pick a piece to paint. We were there from 7 to 9pm but there weren't any time restrictions as many people were still painting away by the time we left. We placed our finished pieces on a cart for them to fire in the kiln and picked it up a few days later. Would definitely come back for another adult night! FYI: some of their colors are "speckled" so be aware of that before you start painting. It comes out very nicely after it has been glazed. Be sure to ask if you're only interested in having a solid color for your piece. -
Jing’s 4-star review: This little bakery/HK diner will set you back to the 1990's with the faded "No poker playing" handwritten signs around. Their baked spaghetti are comforting especially when I'm hungry with an upset stomach. Their bubble tea is very powdery and artificial tasting, do not get. It's by the LIE in a very residential area so plenty of parking nearby. -
Jing’s 5-star review: I love this HIDDEN (literally) gem! Anable Bar & Grill is an outdoors venue with picnic tables along a fence that separates ground from water. It appears to be a backyard behind a warehouse. Everyone orders at the Bar and you are given a receipt to take over to the Grill (few steps away). A gentleman will remind you of your order number and point at the digital display of the current order. On a Saturday night, this place was pretty crowded but there were empty seats deeper inside and around the corner of the building. Food - check (Bison Burger was yums, so was Chorizo sausage, ~$10-15 each) Drinks - check (bottled & draft & cocktails) Music - check View - double check! (NYC manhattan skyline + Roosevelt Island) - simply GORGEOUS Crowd - very diverse and chill (even kids here!) - GREAT vibe! Bathroom - errr... inside building with long line outside -
Jing’s 5-star review: Great local spot for zumba in a small but renovated dance studio in Jackson Heights by the 82nd Street 7 train station. The first class is FREE and there's a discount on their packages if you decide to purchase one after the first class. Otherwise drop-in's are $10 each, which is still very affordable. The studio fits about 10-15 people and is located at the end of the second floor hallway of a shared building. There's a small waiting area outside of the studio in addition to the floor bathrooms (which are surprisingly clean but often out of toilet paper so you have to ask the receptionist). Cici, one of the zumba instructor, is the BEST. I highly doubt I can find another instructor like her! Her passion for dancing is contagious as she guides us through the energy-pumping Latin (sometimes American) music. She greets everyone individually before class begins and incorporates dance moves that build community. This could mean partnering up with someone else for one dance step or grouping us all in one line as we power walk to the front of the mirror and strike a pose. She runs around the studio at times to give us double high fives or to encourage us to sing along to certain words of the song while we're jumping. There's a lot of personal attention in the class but you never feel embarrassed when you can't follow along to the steps (like me) because the environment is so family-like. She also whistles or claps her hands to indicate when we're switching steps and starts off each song with easy moves before building on them. You can tell she loves teaching just as much as she loves dancing. You sweat A LOT throughout class (need to bring towel and water!) and I always wake up a little sore the next morning but she makes it feel more like a dance party than a workout. Zumba is a great way to burn those calories and Cici makes it all the more enjoyable. This place is a true hidden gem. If you're interested in zumba and live nearby, there's really no reason to NOT give this place a try. They also offer other types of zumba and fitness/dance classes like kickboxing, hip hop dancing, and salsa. NOTE - They have different zumba instructors (check their schedule online). The others are good too but Cici is my favorite and the reason why I'm giving it 5 stars. -
Jing’s 5-star review: We came here as a party of 4 for their weekend brunch. Online timed (2-hour time slots) reservations and full payment (including tax/tip) are required. For a total of $45 per person, we enjoyed an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet on their garden rooftop. We lined up in front of the McKittrick Hotel and were ushered into a large and dark elevator about the size of a room. Our host was very welcoming and shared stories with us about the hotel. The rooftop garden is BEAUTIFUL. It's somewhat enclosed on the top, which made dining very relaxing on a sunny summer day. The live music is fun and interesting as they sing about food. Our favorites were the fried chicken with the peppered honey glaze, roasted zucchini, and smoked salmon. Dessert was high quality as well with an assortment of fruits and pastries. Our brunch tickets also come with 1 mimosa each and unlimited soda/juice. When we were done eating, there was no need to ask for the bill. We simply walked down the stairs and were accompanied down a smaller elevator by a friendly staff member who politely asked if we enjoyed our meal. Their service here is really from beginning to end. -
Jing’s 4-star review: They sell little egg ball waffles here! In a VARIETY of flavors! I haven't had them since I was 10. Brought back lots of memories. Yummy Yummy definitely lives up to its name. What a cheap ($2.50) and great find in Chinatown! -
Jing’s 5-star review: Quality stationary and other odd yet highly functional household goods for CHEAP prices! Reminds me of Muji without the Muji price tag. Traffic is one-way as the store is set up in a maze. This can either be a hit (if you want to see everything in one go) or a miss (if you forgot something and had to go back for it). -
Jing’s 5-star review: I LOVE this rooftop bar! We came at 5pm on a Sunday and were the only ones there for the next half hour or so. This means we got THE couch at the end of the bar and watched the sun set behind the faint Manhattan skyline. The food and drinks were DELICIOUS and made our evening even more memorable. I remember having the Gone Guavas cocktail and highly recommend it! We devoured their taiwanese snacks (popcorn chicken, braised pork belly buns, scallion beef pancake), which screwed up our dinner plans but no regrets! Staff were sweet and attentive, happy to take photos for us. Definitely coming back especially since this year's weather is in the 70s for November! I can't wait! This is a great new spot for Flushing! (There's also indoor seating for when the temperature drops.) -
Jing’s 4-star review: $11 for a smoothie!? HOLY CR@P! That is expensive but the drink was sooooo good. I decided to splurge one evening after coming out from a yoga class in the neighborhood and was so relieved to find a hidden juice bar inside of Macy's (8th floor by Athletic section and elevators)! I went with one of the staff's favorite, the Hawaiian Healer** and have been on a smoothies (and soup) crave ever since. **pineapple, banana, mint, cinnamon, coconut water, agave for sweetener, and ginger to taste
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