Restaurant Stayed open During Black Friday “Waiting”

As we all can imagine that due to the online revolution and the power of the Internet, this Black Friday was very weak, in the sense as compared to previous years: there was not as many lines and as many people waiting for stores to open, especially on Staten Island (Yes we hear in the news what happened in other cities and not to mention how people over there acted…..) Anyways let’s get to the point since the previous is not about food, but we did manage to do a Huge Whereyoueat Promotion by trying to target every place with people waiting and giving out our calendar (We have gave out 700+ Whereyoueat Calendars), We have tried (Target, P.C. Richards, and all the other main shopping plaza’s on Staten Island..) out of all of these only Circuit City & Best Buy had any real lines, what ever happened to the spirit? 

While on Black Friday promotion tour, We have spotted a restaurant that has stayed open during the night to feed everyone waiting in line at Best Buy, We were even offered slices by people eating at the lines and that is when we discovered where the food was coming from.  “Villa Monte, Richmond Avenue” same plaza as Best Buy was serving delicious warm pizza.  At the same time we realized that the menu was missing from Whereyoueat.com, so we have already included some photos in this post, and the menu will be added very shortly (Before Tuesday), The menu is actually an update of all the other Villa Monte’s (3) on Staten Island which will be included for Tottenvile & the one located on Arden Ave.

We hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving, Huge saving during Black Friday and hope the holiday spirit can be lifted a bit next year with business doing bigger promotions to attract bigger crowds.

Sushi John Closes – Again???

Wow, it seems that the old Hana Bistro place has closed down again, this time it was Sushi John and the owner was very kind to tell his customers and us that they were closing… Just Kidding, nothing was said or mentioned, just one day did not open…  

We feel it would be right for restaurant owners to at least give some sort of warning to there customers that they will be closing soon (Unless of course it is in the process of being sold).  It would prepare all customers in advance and keep them from being angry at you.  What if John decides to open up another place on Staten Island?  Sushi John would be remembered as a honest and loyal business, what happens now?  You decide, for now we still have a few sushi places left in this area, Below is a link to all Sushi in the Zip code of 10306.

http://whereyoueat.com/NY/StatenIsland/10306/Japanese.html

Village Maria – Sidewalk Cafe Pizzeria – Calamari Slice

 

As voted previously, Village Maria on Nelson ave has won the “Best Specialty Slice”.  We finally have couple of photos of the view and the delicious looking & tasting calamari slice.  This slice had no special treatment, meaning it was not prepared for the photos, we just asked for 2 slices and took the photos “Secretly”, and here it is.  This slice has put this restaurant into the “Staten Island HOT SPOTS Lists” which can be navigated to from the right hand navigation.

Looking at it makes me want a slice now.  Here is the link to the Menu & Photos of this restaurant: Village Maria Restaurant Page

Finally a bit of Island Restaurant News

New pizzeria coming to Richmond Ave/Arthur Kill corner where we used to have Emiliana’s (lasted for about 3 months).  Stratta, previous manager of Joe & Pat’s, Maybe we can get some Thin Crust around this area? Don’t know when this will be opening but we can all begin to wait (The sign was just posted outside about 3 days ago). 

In the same area Planet Wings, the franchise that is already running on Hylan Blvd and Forest Ave has recently opened up right next to All-Star-Cafe, The menu will be coming very shortly.  The owners of planet wings seem to chose great location and at the rate they are going will probably be opening one in the court house area (10301) sometime in the next few years. 

We are also patiently awaiting the grand opening of Lava Lounge, mentioned a few months ago which will be replacing the old Waterloo (Bar), this time it should be a Restaurant & Bar.  More on this to come when they open up.  For now, if I missed any other restaurant news, please comment.

Darina Cafe – Private Catering Party Review

Maybe a little bit out of the ordinary review coming from Whereyoueat, this time we have reviewed a private party event at Darina Cafe. 

The Menus & Photos Located:  Darina Cafe Menu Page

Food: Delicious
Presentation: Excellent
Service: Up to par
Overall Sum-Up:  A comfortable dining room makes this place perfect for (Around 50 people) private party.

The Review:  Darina Cafe is on the Russian cuisine side and the appetizers were set-up when all the guests arrived.   You are able to chose your own menu before hand to see what will be laid out on the table.  The food was overloaded, tremendous number of cold appetizers which includes salads, seafood salads, shrimp cocktails, eggplants and other small sides which already filled everybody up (No we didn’t start yet).�
Soon after there was dancing/music and speeches/toasts going around to get everybody in the mood for the party.�
More food was already coming out and this time it was Warm Appetizers: Mussels, Shrimp, Fish (Boneless, the only way I like it).  During the party there was enough breaks for more dancing and really felt relaxed and non-rushed at all, kind of felt like an at home party, the whole crows was not wild but just right and you can always thank the restaurant for creating that type of feeling for all the guests.�
Continuation on the food:  The entrees were beginning to come out, (Shish-Kebabs, Chicken Kebabs, Lamb Chops & Some warm pastries (Russian cuisine consists of many Mediterranean items).
We were all overstuffed by then but for some reason everyone seemed to find room for dessert, actually there was two desserts.
(1) Cakes, all different kind such as chocolatey moose swirls, banana style pastries…
(2) The Ice Cream: Warm Blueberry and Apple Pastries with ice cream piled on in the middle.  (Just the perfect ending).

This was my Sisters Birthday Party, So I had to include a picture.

There was plenty of food to take home.  The whole setting was nice and every person received a small Gift Bag (Chocolate with Mini Cognac bottle).  We had a live band (Must be hired separately) but the restaurant owner will help you arrange this.  The balloons that you see in the pictures were all custom and also arranged without the restaurant.  (If interested in finding out where we got those balloons, or for any other inquiries, contact me, Alex: Alex@Whereyoueat.com)

We hope your dining experience was as pleasant as ours. Thank you for reading and until next time: WhereYouEat.com

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Holiday Gifts from WhereYouEat – OUT OF STOCK

NOTICE:  We are not shipping out any more gifts for the next few months.  (We have ran out of stock due to the numerous requests that we did not expect) We thank everybody for there input and feedback and who ever requested a gift pack will be receiving it shortly. 

From Previous Post:We are offering Free Calanders (2009), Magnets, Pens, T-Shirts and Bumper Magnets, and a fewGift-Cards to supporters of WhereYouEat.  Email: support@whereyoueat.com  with Items you are interested in, Your Address and we will send you a Gift Pack.  Another Note: We appreciate all the support we recieve from our local visitors and also would appreciate any suggestions you may include with your e-mail.