Busy Bee Bagel Cafe

One word to describe this place, HORRIBLE! I know it doesn't take a chef to open a restaurant/cafe and I'm usually determined to find the positive attributes of new eateries in the neighborhood but this place has none. Of course I never read the reviews of an eatery before ordering but after I received my order the anxiety was overwhelming. Unfortunately, ALL of the reviews were bad! Not one single good comment. Coffees that were too strong, bagels that were rock hard, lox cream cheese that was missing lox, orders that took over 2 hours or were incomplete and all things I could relate to. At Busy Bee Bagel Cafe $22 will get you two grilled chicken salads and 2 medium smoothies if you can withstand the hour and a half wait time. The salads smelled of garden bushes, all lettuce, about 3 slices of cucumbers cut into 4 tiny pieces each and what appeared to be a sprinkle of shredded carrots. The chicken was 4 over cooked strips of cold pan grilled chicken with the fat still attached to some pieces leading me to believe this chicken was not properly cleaned or prepped. The dressing that came along with the salads were prepackaged style. The smoothies arrived at separate times, one with the order and the other was taken back by the delivery guy who forgot to give it to us when he first arrived. We also received no straws for our watered down smoothies. The berry madness smoothie was disgusting, I've had better smoothies from McDonalds and the Bush Doctor. It had no flavor, very bitter as if there was only one type of berry that might've been spoiled and heavily diluted with water because it was very runny. The Power Punch smoothie tasted like blended protein powder, nothing more, nothing less. I give them a 1 on a 1-10, how did they even think they could open a restaurant with this makeshift food?

Instagram!!!!

Why stop at reviews? Check out the latest from trendy restaurants/dishes to what I'm chef'n up in the kitchen!! Follow my Instagram: Marys_Mouthwatering

STK Rooftop

Exquisite dining, exhilarating nightlife, live dj and an inviting crowd is exactly what you'll find at STK Rooftop in the Meatpacking District. Nestled on the cobblestone filled Little West 12th street this restaurant is definitely a gemstone! I know you're probably wondering how did I end up in a steakhouse when I don't eat beef however the main attraction is not always the best or only attraction. I was seated across from a warm fireplace I could peer out of the one sided windows watching the folks pass by who couldn't see inside. My waiter arrived shortly, warm baked bread in tow. I decided to start off the night with a highline mojito and shrimp Rice Krispies as my appetizer ($16). My absolute favorite dish is the Parmesan herb stuffed chicken which was served over a summer succotash ($26). I ordered two sides (at around $12 a piece) the creamed spinach & the creamy Yukon potatoes and topped my meal off with a glass of white wine (Pinot Grigio $15). The wine list wasn't too extensive but there was enough choices to offer a variety. The best thing about STK is that it's open until 2 am in the morning on Friday & Saturday. My next trip will definitely be to try the brunch!

We're crossing the bridge!!!

Bite Outta Brooklyn will now feature reviews from restaurants in Manhattan! Check back for weekly updates!

Tea Lounge

Let the aromas of herbal bliss lead you right through the doors of Park Slopes Tea Lounge. This neighborhood favorite has evolved over the last 10 years from a small coffee and tea shop into a full out lounge and go to place for everyone includinge moms, couples, singles and students. Open from 7am up until midnight most nights. Adorned with warm, cozy sofas, live entertainment for toddlers alike, fresh bread, bagels, croissants and scones. Don't let the blockade of strollers deter you from entering for that morning latte. The Tea Lounge is the go to spot for nannies and stay at home moms during the early morning to mid afternoon. During the evening into the night the Tea Lounge transforms into a new school 'joint' equipped with live musicians and different acts performing. You can grab a drink from the bar and relax. The prices here are very affordable and the wifi is free. Known specifically for their variety of over 60 different organic blends and varieties of fresh teas to choose from or other hot beverages including lattes, mochas, cafe au lait, even a Nutella breve! I decided to stop in at the Tea Lounge for a morning business meeting. I ordered one of the Toasties which basically is a grilled cheese and turkey sandwich ($6.25). The sandwich is fresh, made to order served with your choice of fresh bread, your choice of mozzarella or cheddar cheese, chilled veggie salad (purple onions, cucumbers, tomatoes & green peppers) and potato chips. For my drink I chose a small vanilla chai latte ($3.75). Personal tea pots are available at ($3) or for two ($5). Each tea bag is handmade, scopped and filled at the counter. So if you're in the mood for a step up from the norm of the hustle and bustle of Starbucks find yourself here.

Borough Restaurant

Formerly known as Bistro Lafayette, this snug restaurant and bar located on Franklin Ave in an up and coming section of Bed-Stuy on the borderline of Clinton Hills offers remarkable food but skimps on hospitality. Borough restaurant while dimly lit is both family friendly and also an intimate setting great for date night. Upon my arrival I waited patiently by the door only to discover that there was no hostess. After about 20 minutes I decided to grab the attention of the bartender who promised that she'd be right with me right away. After a few minutes she came from behind the bar and let me know that I could sit anywhere I choose, which happened to be the table nearest the window which hadn't been cleaned yet. I quickly found out that the bartender was also the hostess, the waitress, the server and the bus boy. After being seated I ordered the crab cakes ($10) and buffalo wings ($7.50) as appetizers. The buffalo wings served with celery, carrot sticks and a blue cheese dressing were excellent, well done and flavorful. The crab cakes however were not well seasoned, they were a little overcooked on the outside and undercooked on the inside. If they were paired with some kind of avocado salsa or even a traditional hollandaise sauce instead of tartar sauce it might have slightly revived them. As an entree I decided to go with the jerk 1/2 of chicken, mashed potatoes and string beans ($12.50). I was immediately impressed with the portion size, which I must say was an entire half of chicken that had been marinated overnight, along with the sides was actually enough for two to share. The chicken was cooked perfectly, tender, juicy and the blend of spices and flavors were mouth watering. The jerk sauce that was served alongside the meal was a bit hot but a great accent that I couldn't help but to dip the chicken in. The mashed potatoes were creamy and even though the server brought out salt & pepper no extra seasonings were necessary, even the string beans were fresh and crisp. The food overall made up for the lack of hospitality and the music kept the night alive. Borough is a great place to dine if you wanna catch the game, grab some drinks or step up from the generic mundane taste of your local Applebees. Borough also offers delivery, Saturday & Sunday brunch specials and happy hour drink specials. Hopefully one of my soon to be favorites as I'm definitely looking forward to trying everything on the menu!

M.a's Fish & Chips Plus

Brooklyn has extended its arms to welcome the highly anticipated addition M.a's Fish & Chips Plus to its Bed-Stuy family of restaurants. Nestled in amongst the ever expanding Nostrand Ave. and neighboring soul food, seafood and fast food spots, M.a's was sure to have some competition. I must admit that because this grand opening has been in the making for years I was expecting booming flavors, fresh fish and long lines, what I got however was completely different. When I ordered the catfish fingers and fries ($8) I definitely finished my fries, the homemade tartar sauce was excellent and flavorful but the catfish fingers were undercooked, lightly fried and still very moist inside (and not in a good way). Since I am aware of trial and error I decided I'd speak with the cooks/owners and wait awhile before I gave them another try. After about a month I returned and this time I was ready to chow down. I noticed desserts like cupcakes and pie had been incorporated into the menu. They also have different flavor iced-teas which are a bit on the sweet tea side and might need to be watered down if you're a diabetic. However, at $2 for a small and $3 for a large its well worth it. There are seats to sit and eat if you'd like to have your food to stay. you can also catch a show on their tv or enjoy the neighborhood with their large window seats onlooking the bustling Nostrand Ave. On my second return I ordered the whiting fish & chips ($7) because this is after all what their named for. Into my second bite of the fish,, before I added any tartar sauce, ketchup or hot sauce I realized that this was not fresh fish at all. From the texture of the fish I immediately knew this was frozen fish which is very unlikely for a restaurant that specializes in fish. On my most recent visit I stopped in to grab a tea and decided to try something different so I ordered the fried chicken breast dinner ($10.95) with macaroni & cheese and collard greens. There was a minimal wait for my food, the macaroni and cheese was skimped on the cheese and some of the noodles were really hard and the collard greens were good but had meat (smoked turkey) in them which I was not told until I inquired. All prices are plus tax (not including tax) and they only accept cash but they do deliver. With Halsey Street Grill just down the way offering better, fresher seafood at an affordable price and Magic Soul food coming to Nostrand soon M.a's may have to come up with some specials or rethink their whole menu as far as the pricng goes, there's too much competition to skimp on anything and I want people want their moneys worth. Hopefully they haven't tanked out yet, they have potential and I'm rooting for the underdog.