Sister BBQ: Live Korean Cooking, You Make the Food

After discovering that Korean BBQ restaurants cook food at your table, I just could not wait to try the only Korean Restaurant on Staten Island.  Sister BBQ located on Bradley avenue brought this concept to the island a couple of years ago.  We arrived at the location Sunday afternoon and were not really pleasantly greeted,  the place was not openly welcoming to us and if it wasn’t something we had to try, we would have left before ever sitting down.  But the excitement of trying something new just kept us there as we found our way to the table (Located in the room to the left).  Please know that the main dining area serves regular food and to enjoy the experience of live cooking you would have to specifically request BBQ room.

We begin to look at the menu and the server shows us the BBQ portion which we should be ordering from.  Very confused at this point as the menu just states the meals available without any specifications on what is included, we confirm that it comes with a side of rice.  We decide on a a Fresh Sirloin BBQ and Thinly sliced Tenderloin Beef.  Soon after ordering, our server prepares the broiler and brings out 9 plates of sides, a basket of lettuce leaves and 2 sides of rice.  The excitement really starts to set in, while the meat is sitting ready to be cooked.

One entree is placed on the stove which is round  to help remove most of the oil which is drained through openings all around. We start to sample some of the sides, the cabbage with some special sauce was very delicious, sticky rice was used as a side.  While the meat was cooking the server starts to cut up the pieces and lets us know we can start eating.  Starting to put some meat in our dishes, we grab a lettuce placing some meat inside adding a few different sides from the plates, dropping some sauce and taking a bite.  Very Impressive, Very Tasty and Very Unique.  The service becomes more welcoming at this point, the presentation of all the food was unbelievable.  After finishing our first entree, (Sharing is a must as the server was only cooking a single meal at a time) comes our Thinly Sliced Tenderloin Beef and laid out on the BBQ.  Sides included are a bit spicy but have very good flavor, includes items such as Garlic, Broccoli, Cabbage, Onions, Been Sprouts, Jalapenos, Radish which made the meal as good as it was.  Every bite was enjoyed and tried with different combination.

The experience at Sister B.B.Q is a must, very enjoyable especially after we got over the (Not-so-welcoming-service). The presentation was unbelievably impressive.  And don’t mistake this with a “Hibachi” joint as the concept is different.  In this  BBQ place, the food is cooked in front of you, but you make the food and make the flavor you like.  The food all around was very Fresh, Quality Meats and nicely cut lettuce for making wraps, Sauces were impeccable, A bit spicy from some sides but made the food as good as it was.

Overall Sum-Up:  Without a doubt I would give this restaurant 5 stars but the unwelcoming service has to be taken into consideration for review appraisal. I would recommend this place to anyone for the experience, flavor and taste.

• Atmosphere:  Very casual style dining area.  Not much design, but for some reason it just fits in what it does and we felt very comfortable sitting at the table.
• Service: The service is what brings this place down a bit, especially upon first entrance.  Although after the food is being cooked and we start praising how good everything looks the server becomes more pleasant.
• Food: Delicious, Fresh and very unique.  You make the food, you make the flavor concept.  Sides, Meat, Sauces all were very impressive.
• Presentation:  A Wow Factor on Presentation, we were not expecting that we would receive the sides when we first ordered.  Cooking was to perfection right in front of your eyes, server cutting the meat was done excellent.
• Star Rating: 4.5

Sharing Notice: Not sure if it’s possible to eat here without sharing meals as they seem to cook a single entree at one time, which would probably make a non convenient wait if not sharing.  But either way sharing is very comfortable.

Click here to View the Menus and Photos of Sister BBQ.

Hokkaido a Neighborhood Classic

No wonder Hokkaido is a Neighborhood Classic, with wonderful service, utmost quality food and presentation, this restaurant is a sure hit with the locals.

The quality of sushi and preparation in Hokkaido is Top Notch, the recommendations by our server was just right and on point.  Everything from the Appetizer, the Specialty Rolls all the way to the Dessert could not be better.  It was Sunday afternoon when we decided to grab something different for lunch and decided to go into Hokkaido.  The atmosphere is kind of small and tight but for some reason we felt perfectly fine and comfortable at our dining table. We were seated promptly and presented the Menu.  While placing the drink orders the waitress has suggested a few appetizers.  Since one of us likes Seafood and the other likes Vegetables, we both agreed on the Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura while still deciding on the main course.  The waitress asked us what type flavor we like and gave suggestions for the specialty rolls (Golden Dream and the Spicy Dancing Kani Roll).

At first we were very impressed by the Appetizers with the tempura giving off a melt in your mouth feeling.  Then, our Specialty Rolls came out and our jaws dropped from how good the presentation was. I had a bite of the Golden Dream:  Shrimp Tempura, Avocado topped with mango, served with pineapple sauce which I now consider a delicatessen.  (I am actually looking at the photos while writing this review and it’s reminding me even more of what I am missing right now).   Onto to the other specialty roll, wrapped in a pink (seaweed?)  (never seen one of these before), this roll comes with the spicy sauce in the middle and was definently another delicatessen which I can’t wait to have again.  The problem next time will be deciding to stick with the same rolls we already tried or hope the other rolls under the chef’s specialties will be as good.  Also when we were placing the order, I was a bit worried that one roll would not be enough, but the waitress insisted these specialty rolls are very filling and she was right.

The best finish in a Japanese Restaurant is the Fried Ice Cream,  as I could remember it is much better then many other places I have tried.

Let’s get to the Sum-Up

• Atmosphere:  On the Smaller side dining area makes a very cozy and comfortable dining feel.
• Service:  Top Notch service, excellent recommendations.
• Appetizer:  Delicious presentation and perfect portion size.  Just right to open your taste buds.
• Chef’s Special Rolls:  Wow Factor presentation and flavor.  A pure delicatessen for the Japanese Cuisine.
• Overall Sum-Up: Hokkaido surpasses regular quality standards and breaks the barrier in Japanese Cuisine.  Even the person who is not a big Sushi Fan has enjoyed the meal and complimented how everything tasted.
• Star Rating:  Five Quality WhereYouEat Stars.

View the Menu and Photos for Hokkaido

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Henny’s Steakhouse: Words Cannot Describe

Wow, Amazing, Delicious, Fantastic, Perfect, Five Full Stars and a “Hot Spot” listing through the directory can simply sum-up this long awaited return of the Island’s famous Steakhouse Restaurant Review.

Upon arriving at 7pm, our reservation time, we were seated promptly at a round table in the main dining area.  You can choose to come a little bit before and enjoy the bar scene in the lounge area.  This is my second time visiting, but unfortunately did not have my camera the first time around and did not have enough time to enjoy the bar, however I can say that this is a wonderful place to hang out a bit before the food.

The menu offers a straight forward “Steakhouse” cuisine, which is great because they know what they specialize in and make sure they get it done right.  The menu does offer a few items for the patrons who aren’t fans of steaks, offering a few options from fish, chicken and lamb to fulfil the appetite to those. 

Let’s get to the Review:

• Service (Tuesday: Since we have dined on a Tuesday, we can not write about the service on Weekends):   The waiter came around a few minutes after we settled down and placed the courtesy bread, crackers and butter on the table then came soon after  to take orders for the drinks and gave us a few more moments for the salads and appetizers. Soon after he came with some great suggestions for the entrees as well as a “Today’s Special” list.  We were provided some clean replacement  linen napkins during the meal.  The appetizers and food all came within great timing and we were very satisfied with the service. 
• Atmosphere:  Read the Walk-Around Here.
• Food:
  Calamari Appetizer:  Great portion size and had really good quality.
  Salad:  Huge portion which was enough for all 5 people at the table and once again tasted great. This was the “Blue Cheese Salad”
  Atlantic Salmon (Henny’s Style):  Salmon pan roasted with Artichokes, Fresh Tomatoes, Garlic and Capers in White Wine Pan Sauce. I simply could not hear enough how amazed my mother was while eating this.  The portion and the price is definitely a steal.
  Pan Roasted Rack of New Zealand Lamb:  Roasted in Garlic and Herb crust comes with asparagus and baked potato. 
  Burger (8 0z): We had to cut it in half to be able to eat it.  I can say this is probably one of the “Largest 8 oz” I have seen.  (Not trying to be funny, but most 8oz burgers I have ordered for some reason come half the size? It was greatly enjoyed it.
  Todays Special (Trio Pork):Ribs, Beef, and more pork with sweet potato fries, biscuit and coleslaw.  This was simply a huge portion size and the few bites I took were great.  More then half of the meal went home to be enjoyed the next day.
  The Steak (Saved the best for last): (16oz Angus, Center Cut Ny Strip Steak):   Everybody at the table was jealous, everyone tried a bite of the steak and probably began to regret not getting one,  after all it is a Steakhouse.  It is kind of hard to describe a steak but I will try.  It was cooked perfect (Med/Well), just enough thin red in the middle to still keep the flavor and juiciness of the steak.  It was far from dry, far from chewy, simply amazing all around.  This steak was by far one of the best steaks I ever tasted since my career with WhereYouEat.

Overall Sum-up:  Everything from the Service, Food and Atmosphere (Quality) is indescribable.  Before Henny’s first opened the doors there was a lot of hype, and many people began requesting information on when they will open.  At that time we had no clue why.  When they opened we did a “Walk-Around” and saw why you guys couldn’t wait for them to come back with the quality of the establishment.  Once again, we see why everyone missed them while they were gone.

1. Menu, Information and Details
2. Restaurant Walk-Around

Pros: Great Food, Amazing Steaks, Large Appetizers, Supreme Service.

Dina’s Hideaway: Bar w/Grill Review: Absolutely Delicious!

Dina’s Hideaway has just recently opened the doors after a full renovation from the previous neighborhood bar and grill that existed.  The second we collected the menu to add it to our database, we knew we had to give it a try.  The menu is very unique; especially the “Piegati: Folded and Grilled Round Panini Bread” which I have not yet seen on any other restaurant establishments menu.  While adding the photos the bartender has created a few drinks and included one of there signature “The Hideaway” this is the blue drink you will see in the picture.

Let’s get to the review: Usually we allow some time for a place to establish itself before we would review it, but because of the “Piegati” that I noticed on the menu, and always in the mood for something different, We had to come in almost right away and give it a try.  The day we arrived the bar was full and the crowd seemed up beat, thankfully a few tables in the back were free.

The Drink: “The Hideaway” is the signature drink for Dina’s Hideaway, which is developed by a Bartender “Pam”, and had a delicious taste, sweet but not too sweet, just right.  You could taste a bit of Gin but do not have all the ingredients.  This drink alone is worth a try at this establishment.
The Food:WoW! I think the picture can easily sum this up.  Just the look of the Piegati had my taste buds rambling,  We ordered two.  “The Jen” which included Grilled Chicken with House made pepper, Fresh Mozzarella and Pesto Mayo.  “Southwest Barbecue” which had Grilled Barbecue Chicken, Pepper Jack Cheese, Grilled Red Onion, Grilled Corn and Chipotle Mayo.  Both were served with delicious home made potato chips (Recommend by the waitress) we had a choice of others but the way she described these “Home Made Chips” we didn’t even think twice.  They included some special sauce which was just an amazing addition to dip the Potato’s and the Piegati itself.  The food is simply delicious and hope it stays just the way it does.
The Service: Great Recommendation, A personal waitress for the tables which helped with service being quick and personal attention being given.
The Atmosphere: The redesign adds a fresh look and feel to this establishment and is organized very properly.  Bar is located at the entrance, with tables sitting to the right side and also has a small dining area in the back (Where we sat).

Overall Sum-up:  Amazing Drink list, a very unique menu (Recently updated), absolutely delicious food and great sauces, supreme signature drink and a very comfortable neighborhood atmosphere.

Rating: 5 Stars
Notice: As of June 04, 2010, Dina’s Hideaway is no longer serving food.  The kitchen is closed until further notice.

View Menus and Photos of All Staten Island Restaurant on WhereYouEat Menu Directory

Lobster House Joes Review

This Casual Restaurant offers great food with a great dining room at a very reasonable price.
Rated by whereyoueat: 5 Stars.

              The dining room is nice and simple, it works just right to make it feel like a “Lobster Shack” Lobster House. It features a tank with live lobsters which are available at all times. The meal I am reviewing is the “Joe’s Special” Mussles, clams, calamari, shrimp and all the other good stuff served with pasta on the side. This is a true meal you can enjoy at anytime, Wait time was not long at all about 10 min (During Lunch), price was very fair for all this seafood. The whole place has a pleasant atmosphere even when it gets crowded there is enough breathing space for each table.

The Review:

The Food: Well the picture can probably describe 1000 words?  But if you are a “Seafood Lover” how could you not like what you see?  Yes, it does taste as good as it looks and I hear many people are not able to finish this, I sit there “fishing” for every last shrimp that is covered in the “White Wine Sauce”.  This meal is rated 5 Stars in overall presentation, taste & flavour and portion.
The Service:  Alway’s good.  I visit Lobster House Joe’s very often (For Lunch) and sometimes for dinner.  Service is always very attentive and there when you need it.
The Atmosphere:  A decent size comftorable atmosphere.  This place is a casual restaurant and presents itself in that way. 
Overall Sum-Up: Great Food, Great Service, Large Portions, Great Presentation and a great Casual Feel establishment puts Lobster House Joe’s in the “Hot Spot” listing of WhereYouEat. 

Restaurant Information:

Joe’s Lobster House Menu, Information, Photos and User Reviews

Laceys Bridge Tavern; Amazingly Delicious

Laceys Bridge Tavern has made the “HOT SPOT” Lists on the Website
The Menu is located:  Lacey’s Bridge Tavern Restaurant Menu

The title actually sums up the review and the only words that you can actually say for this place.  After word that Lacey’s Bridge Tavern will be participating in the “Restaurant Month” of January and the numerous positive write-ups by the Staten Island Advance brings us to try this place and see if the positive reviews are really worth something.   Whalla: What we find out is this is a true hidden gem on Staten Island.

Before we get to the best part:   This place features a moderate size bar with bar tables right after entering, Has a full size dining room which is out of the ordinary from a regular restaurant and the design, decor and tradition gives this place a traditional American feel which you can enter at any time including a Family Dinner, Date, Lunch Time Stop By and even a Business Meeting.

The Menu & Specials: Offers a few Italian Dinners, has a lot of Seafood specials such as 1$ Jumbo Shrimp (These are really large & tasty), Clams Specials for lunch.  Do to a continental menu feel we have classified this restaurant as “American” even with the many Italian entrees offered.

The Food: Chicken with Prosciutto topped with Eggplant and Mushrooms with a side of REAL Mashed Potatoes.  Before the food was also a delicious warm basket of different kinds of breads with three dipping choices (Oil, Butter & even Hummus).  The food was excellent, everything from the bread to the delicious lunch. This was probably one of the best meals I have ever tasted yet. I have also tried two jumbo shrimp and both were as delicious as the rest of the meal.

Overall Sum-Up: Enjoy this restaurant, the atmosphere and the seafood specials as well as all the delicious entrees and please write a few of your own user reviews on there menu page to see if you had the same experience.

 

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

Village Maria: Pizzeria: Calamari Slice

The Calamari Slice. Of Village Maria.

A Staff member of whereyoueat media company has been stopping by Village Maria http://whereyoueat.com/NY/StatenIsland/10308/TakeOut/VillageMaria.html and kept trying the calamari slice to see how consiistant they are.  Here is the details: This slice is always available.  We rate it Five Full Stars under the regular review.  We are putting five stars under this review.  This is by far the best slice of pizza “Specialty” That we have ever tasted, everybody from the Whereyoueat State Island crew (6 Employees) have tried this slice and hands down agree it is the best tasting consistent slice on Staten Island. 

What we mean by Consistent: Many pizzerias have a wonderful slice available at a time, we try it, a few times it is good, a few times it is better, a few other times it is not there, not available, not as good.  This pizzeria wins as it is always available, latest creation.  Out of 57 Pizzerias tested, nobody else had a readily available calamari slice on hand with no wait (Other then the 2 minutes to warm up). 

Whats Next: This restaurant will be presented with a WhereYouEat Award for the calamari slice.�
Future Prizes: We have not seen a Shrimp slice or Lobster Slice yet? Do you know a pizzeria that makes this specialty? If so please type a comment in this blog, we will try it for one week straight, then everybody tries it and we will possibly add it to a Whereyoueat Review!!

For Now: Enjoy the Calamari Slice found at Village Maria, Nelson Avenue, Great Kills, Staten island, New York, 10308

Island’s Famous & Best Tasting Pizza List

This list was compiled by Whereyoueat Staff Members which went out on a pizza run after following much advice from neighborhood friends & co-workers.
This list does not neccessarily require a restaurant to be reviewed, as it is impossible to write a legit review for a simple takeaway.

Deninos: Voted best tasting pizza for longest time: http://whereyoueat.com/NY/StatenIsland/10302/DineIn/Deninos.html

Joe & Pats: Voted best thing crust pizza:
http://whereyoueat.com/NY/StatenIsland/10314/Both/JoePats.html

Costco Pizza “Fresh, Fully Loaded”: Voted best overstuffed Pizza:  No menu, but give it a try…

Grandma’s Original: Voted best Grandmas Slice:
http://whereyoueat.com/NY/StatenIsland/10305/TakeOut/GrandmasOriginal.html

Village Maria Pizzeria: Voted: Longest Running Famous Calamari Slice – Best Tasting
http://whereyoueat.com/NY/StatenIsland/10308/TakeOut/VillageMaria.html
There is review of this slice under Restaurant Reviews.