Food Reviews
I am an occasional traveler of going to New York. But recently I've come to especially like Harlem. As you may already know, there are new dining restaurants, retail stores and everything in between. So, if you're looking to stretch your dollar, Harlem can't be beat. In addition, I've also included food reviews for other restaurants I enjoyed dining at. I hope you find these reviews helpful. Be sure to return back to my site, as I will be adding additional reviews of restaurants I will be trying in the near future.
Mo-Bay's Restaurant 17 W. 125th Street Harlem, NY
Caribbean and Southern Food (Good for couples, singles) Price range from $5-$12.95 for appetizers Entrees from $13.95-$21.95
http://www.mobayrestaurant.com
Mo-Bay's is located in the heart of Harlem right off of 125th St. Outside before entering the restaurant it is nicely decorated with palm trees to give you the impression of being in the Caribbean. Upon entering, expect to be greeted by a friendly host who will seat you into a laid back cozy atmosphere. They have live entertainment most nights with vocal singers and a band. On Friday and Saturday nights, consider making reservations for a good seat. The dishes my sister and I tried were Jamaican inspired "Curried Chicken" and "Curried Goat." The portions were generous. It was very authentic in taste. The dish had just enough curry and was not overpowering, well seasoned and with a little spice. The side choices were varied but with our dishes we got the traditional rice and peas and sliced plantains that were sweet. In addition, this restaurant also has vegetarian entrees. They are prepared similar to the meat entrees except it is replaced with a soy protein mixture. I have personally have not tried these, but if it is seasoned the way the meat entrees are, they you should be in for a pleasant treat. You can also order tropical drinks to accompany your meal. I'm not much of a drinker, but if you order any of their drinks you won't need to order a lot of them. The drinks have plenty of alcohol content in them. You get your money's worth without it being watered down, as some restaurants are known to do. If you have room for dessert, they have plenty of options. Included is the famous Jamaican inspired "Rummy Rum Cake" and southern favorites such as "Peach Cobbler" and "Sweet Potato Pecan Pie." All in all, this is a good restaurant you can go to for a nice evening out, complete with entertainment with no cover charge.
Manna's Soul Food Restaurant and Salad Bar 2331 8th Avenue, Corner of 125th Street Harlem, NY
(Casual buffet style) Family friendly Food weighed by the pound $4.49 food $5.49 meat
http://www.mannasrestaurants.com
If you are in the immediate area of 125th, and you're looking for something quick and delicious to eat, Manna's Soul Food Restaurant and Salad Bar is where you want to go. I'm not a big fan of buffet food, but I would have to say this has changed my mind. Entering the restaurant is fast paced, with customers piling their containers with the option of many food choices. The staff was constantly bringing out more food, as the demand was high for that day.(I went there on a Saturday afternoon.) Choice of food was good. Traditional southern favorites of fried chicken, lima beans and ham hocks and collard greens were among the many choices to be had. When I got my container, I tried to taste a little bit of everything. This was a challenge considering they had a wide range of dishes. Nevertheless, I piled as much food as I could. My container was lined up with fried chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens, garden salad and sweet candied yams. Let me give you my taste results for all of this abundance. The fried chicken is delicious! It was crispy, not salty and well seasoned. You know I had to douse it with a little bit of hot sauce, which made it more to my liking. The collard greens were flavorful and tender and the baked macaroni and cheese was also good. It had just enough cheese mixture, which had a golden brown top. The candied yams, melted in my mouth. Now if you're not into eating too heavy, there is a wide selection of the salad bar. The selections include, shrimp and crab meat salads and avocado salad are just a few of the many selections. There is also a selection of fresh fruit salad to pick from. If you must have dessert, or if you want to grab for later, you can purchase desserts for $3 per serving. Selections include banana pudding and varied homemade cakes. Manna's Soul Food Restaurant and Salad Bar is a great bargain, when you consider all of the food choices that are available.
B. Smith's Restaurant 320 West 46th Street New York, NY
Southern food-varied cuisines Appetizers $8-$12 Sides $6Petite & Entree salads $8-$27 Entrees $16-$34
http://www.bsmith.com/restaurant_ny_home.php
B. Smith's restaurant is located in the Theatre district in Manhattan. I had the pleasure of dining here once on one of my weekend trips to New York. The atmosphere is upscale. The place is known to have celebrities who frequent her restaurant. At the time I went, which was dinner, the lighting was dimmed and the tables were lit with white tea candles, which created a serene atmosphere. The staff was attentive, and asked if we wanted drinks, while we decided on what to order from the dinner menu. Her menu is very diverse in ethnic cuisines, ranging from southern barbecue ribs, Thai chicken wings to pasta. I ordered a special she had at the time, which came complete with entree and dessert. It was a delicious balsamic grilled chicken, which sat on a bed of cheese grits. Garlicky sauteed spinach topped off this dish. For my dessert, I chose bread pudding. It was a pleasure to eat, which was served to me warm, sweet and had a buttery taste. It had the right blend of cinnamon and spices and this wonderful dessert was topped with a premium vanilla ice cream. B. Smith's restaurant should be considered when you don't mind indulging and spending a little more on a dinner with a great atmosphere. The portions are not overload, but I think is enough for the normal eater. If you're more of a big eater, consider getting an extra side to bulk up your meal. During theatre shows, it is recommended to make reservations to secure seating.
The Pelican Restaurant Gloucester Avenue Montego Bay, Jamaica
Caribbean, Jamaican and American Cuisine Average main course $20 It has been a few years, since I've been back to Jamaica. But, I have nice memories of the food I ate at this wonderful restaurant. The Pelican Restaurant is located on the popular hip strip of Gloucester Avenue, which is in downtown Montego Bay. The atmosphere of this restaurant is very inviting. When I went, there was an indoor waterfall, which was relaxing to listen to. Our waiter was friendly and very helpful on helping us make a decision on what to order from their diverse menu. My sister ordered the grilled red snapper. She is sometimes particular when it comes to her food, so she asked the waiter if this particular dish could be spiced up even more and if they could add additional sauteed onions. The waiter was more than happy to oblidge her. When she got her grilled snapper, it came with an Escovitch Sauce" to pour on top of the fish. (An escovitch sauce is pickled vinegar seasoned with spices.) She said it was delicious. The chef cooked it to her perfection. I on the other hand, had a shrimp dish, which was deliciously seasoned with Jamaican spices. To accompany our food, we had plantains, rice and peas. This restaurant serves authentic Jamaican and Caribbean food. In addition it also carries traditional American food. The Pelican Restaurant should be one restaurant you should try if you are visiting Montego Bay. It has a great location, great service and good food.
Naked Fish Restaurant Route 9 Westborough, MA
Family friendly, couples, singles) Latin/Spanish inspired food Appetizers $6.95-$12.95 Entrees $15.95-$26.95
http://www.nakedfish.com
I like having dinner at this wonderful restaurant from time to time. It is located in western Massachusetts off of Route 9, which is easy to access driving. The atmosphere is very cozy with a contemporary feel. While you're waiting for your order to be taken, you'll hear Latin music playing in the background. Looking at the menu, you will have a wide variety of choices. They are known for their seafood and fish dishes, but on many occasions I have had their "Mojo Steak Tips." For my sides I chose the grilled string beans and sauteed golden "Maduros" plantains. The steak tips were tender and flavorful. The Mojo sauce which topped them had enough seasoning and was delicious sauteed with roasted peppers. The grilled string beans were another delight. They had a smoky flavor and a specialty seasoning. The golden plantains were also very good. They were sweet and tasted like they were cooked in a wonderful butter sauce. If you're looking for a a nice cocktail to go with your dinner, this restaurant has many. I ordered a frozen drink called "Latin Love" which tastes like a frozen daiquiri with a little more punch. They have other frozen drinks such as "Tropical Sunset" and "Habana Colada." If you like to dine at this restaurant, but are not in the Westborough area, they do have other locations in Framingham, Danvers, Lynnfield and Waltham.
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