Jane L.

Time Square Brewery

you can't quite tell where you are. The decorations don't make an ounce of sense. There are lights on the walls that look like heat lamps. The food is overpriced. But when it comes to beer, this place rocks. I've met the brewer, and he's a super nice guy. Try the dunkle - it's GREAT.

PROS: great beer
CONS: weird atmosphere, food is too expensive

Mama's Food Shop

It really is the way your mom makes it: limited selection, heaping servings of comfort food (fried chicken, mashed potatoes, fish, green beans, meat loaf) served from behind a counter. that means no wait. and it also means pure deliciousness. one plate for ten dollars. Not terribly cheap, but Mama won't send you home empty handed--you WILL have leftovers.

Kate's Joint

Kate's Joint serves surprisingly good imitation meat. I recommend the buffallo unchicken wings. They also have a full bar, which is a good thing at any restaurant. They have a nice menu (not too big, but a good variety) and i can't say that i've ever gotten anything there that i haven't liked. it's worth a try. Draws a hipster crowd.

Crunch Fitness

This gym is not bad. They have a good amount of equipment and televisions. They also have bikes that have computers with internet hook up so you can check your email while you exercise. That's a little excessive in my opinion AND it's really hard to do. One time I saw Leelee Sobieski working out there.

Sunshine Cinema

Sunshine has a really friendly, laid back staff. They also have a good selection of art films and other films. On the weekends, they play old movies at midnight, they call this "midnight movies." The building is nice looking, like a real theater, and the seats are comfortable. It's a good place to go for a movie and popcorn.

korova milk bar

If you want to pretend you're in Clockwork Orange, or if you want to hang out with goth kids, go to Korova. They have lots of crazy milk drinks, and sometimes they have a drink special: a beer and a shot for $5. Some days it's rolling rock and jack daniels, and sometimes its Corona and Jose Cuervo.

Love Saves The Day

Every square inch of this place is packed with vintage something or other - comic books, furniture, clothes, magazines, books, toys and games. Definitely a fun and quirky place to check out even if you don't wind up buying anything. You can just look at it as a museum of sorts - if you love old things, you can spend several hours there easily.

Excellent Dumpling House

Excellent Dumpling House really is excellent. The food is so cheap and the service is sooooo fast! Hot tea comes with every meal, and they replace the tea pot after your pour yourself a cup. I recommend the vegetable dumpling soup (the soups are HUGE), but honestly, i've loved everything i've ever ordered there.

PROS: the best Chinese food i've ever had
CONS: cash only

Welcome To The Johnson's

Very aptly named for its 1970's living room / basement decor, welcome to the Johnson's isn't just trendy, but is also affordable. They have $2 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon every day. They also have a couple arcade games. Everything about the place screams hipster, and it tends to get crowded.

Tower Records Video Books

Their selection isn't amazing, but they have the best rental policy ever. It costs $1.50 to rent a VHS or $2 for a DVD for 3 days, and if by some chance you don't return it on time, they charge you another 1.50/2 every three days that it's late. And I believe on thursdays it's .99 cent rentals for VHS.

PROS: good rental policy
CONS: selection is not amazing