Lomzynianka Restaurant, Brooklyn (Greenpoint)

A little while ago, we mentioned a Polish restaurant in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn called Karczma. Well, as we had mentioned in that posting, Greenpoint is home to a good many Polish people, so you would think that there would be other Polish dining spots in the area. Well, there are, including one just north of McCarren Park (and a few blocks south of Karczma) called Lomzynianka Restaurant.

Located on bustling Manhattan Avenue, Lomzynianka is a fairly small place that serves simple, honest Polish cuisine. Prices are dirt cheap, with entrees generally being well under $10. Pierogies and blintzes are two of the specialties at Lomzynianka, but there is so much more on their menu, including stuffed cabbage, goulash, kielbasa, viener schnitzel, tongue, boiled hocks, and meatloaf.

If you have been to Lomzynianka Restaurant in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, please tell us about it by posting a comment here. Thank you!

Here is the address for Lomzynianka:
Lomzynianka Restaurant
646 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn (Greenpoint), NY, 11222

The phone number is:
(718) 389-9439

And here is the Web site for Lomzynianka Restaurant:
http://www.lomzynianka.com/

Killmeyer's Old Bavaria Inn, Staten Island

Contrary to popular belief, there are many reasons to visit Staten Island. Its tree-shaded streets, open spaces, beautiful waterfront views, and interesting shops and restaurants make it a borough definitely worth checking out. And speaking of restaurants, there is one on the west side of the island (very close to New Jersey as the crow flies) that is a must for lovers of historic dining spots and/or German food. Indeed, Killmeyer's Old Bavaria Inn is a classic old spot with a charming interior and an endless list of beers that would certainly be a hugely popular place if it were located in Manhattan,

Killmeyer's Old Bavaria Inn has an old-world atmosphere with a tin ceiling, old-fashioned hanging lights, and a festive overall feel. There is also an outdoor beer garden for when the weather is warmer. The menu at Killmeyer's Old Bavaria Inn includes such standards as potato pancakes, goulash, sauerbraten, rouladen, wienerschnitzel, and for dessert, apple strudel. And for beers, well, you have literally hundreds from which to choose, including a number of good ones from from Germany.

If you have been to Killmeyer's Old Bavaria Inn in Staten Island, please tell us about it by posting a comment here. Thank you!

Here is the address for Killmeyer's Old Bavaria Inn:
Killmeyer's Old Bavaria Inn
4254 Arthur Kill Road
Staten Island, NY, 10309

The phone number is:
(718) 984-1202

And here is the Web site for Killmeyer's Old Bavaria Inn:
http://killmeyers.com/

Johnny's Pizzeria, Brooklyn (Sunset Park)

Many, if not most pizza lovers who are familiar with Brooklyn probably know of such classic joints as Grimaldi's, Totonno's, Di Fara, and Spumoni Gardens. But buried within the streets of this enormous borough are some real neighborhood standouts that remain under the radar. One such place is Johnny's Pizzeria, an old-fashioned pizza joint in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn (between Bay Ridge and Park Slope). Johnny's is truly a local spot, having been in business since the late 1960s and catering to folks who live in the surrounding area.

Johnny's Pizzeria has a number of items on their menu (including heroes and pasta dishes), but it's really all about the pizza here, and folks can order either whole pies or single slices. In addition to the familiar thin-crust pies is something called a grandma pie, which is basically a square-pan pizza with a thin crust. They also have a thick-crust option, as well as white pizza, a lasagna pie, and a baked ziti pizza.

If you have been to Johnny's Pizzeria in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn, please tell us about it by posting a comment here. Thank you!

Here is the address for Johnny's Pizzeria:
Johnny's Pizzeria
5806 5th Avenue
Brooklyn (Sunset Park), NY, 11220

The phone number is:
(718) 492-9735

And here is the Web site for Johnny's Pizzeria:
http://www.johnnyspizzeria.com/

Tides Seafood, Manhattan (Lower East Side)

There are some truly great seafood restaurants in Manhattan, but many of them are so popular that it is nearly impossible to get a seat unless you have reservations. But if you are ever in the Lower East Side of the city, there is a seafood place that receives some very high praise and yet is far enough away from the crowds that it is possible to get a seat there on a moment's notice. The restaurant--Tides Seafood--is the hidden gem if there ever was one.

The atmosphere at Tides Seafood is uniquely appealing, as the layout of the place is funky and modern, and at the same time casual and comfortable. And the menu is every bit as impressive as the decor, with such items as mussels and chorizo stew, baked red snapper, bouillabaisse, roasted cod fillet, and fresh Maine lobster. Prices are a bit high for a casual seafood place, with entrees generally between $20 and $30, but the freshness of the seafood is probably worth the extra money. Please note that Tides Seafood is cash only, so make sure you hit the ATM before coming to this spot.

If you have also been to Tides Seafood in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, please let us know by posting a comment here. Thanks!

Here is the address for Tides Seafood:
Tides Seafood
102 Norfolk Street
Manhattan (Lower East Side), NY, 10002

The phone number is:
(212) 254-8855

And here is the Web site for Tides Seafood:
http://www.tidesseafood.com/

Il Toscano, Queens (Douglaston)

There are finds, and then there are finds. And Il Toscano in the wealthy outer regions of Queens (Douglaston) certainly seems to be one. This Northern Italian restaurant is popular mainly with locals from this beautiful part of Queens as well as other sections of Long Island's North Shore (including the aptly-named Gold Coast). It is an attractive, intimate little restaurant that has been around since the mid-1980s, yet is still mostly a hidden gem. And while it is more than 10 miles from the urban canyons of Manhattan, but really isn't all that difficult to get to if you're coming from Westchester County, the Bronx, or Connecticut.

The menu at Il Toscano features a variety of Northern Italian entrees (as well as some Southern Italian dishes), including duck confit spring rolls, baby chicken with Tuscan sausage, double-cut veal chops, grilled branzino (sea bass), spinach pappardelle, fettuccini with shrimp, spinach and cheese ravioli, and lasagna with with both bolognese sauce and bechamel sauce.

If you have been to Il Toscano in the Douglaston section of Queens, please let us know by posting a comment here. Thanks!

Here is the address for Il Toscano:
Il Toscano
4205 235th Street
Queens (Douglaston), NY, 11363

The phone number is:
(718) 631-0300

And here is the Web site for Il Toscano:
http://iltoscanony.com/

Sylvia's Restaurant, Manhattan (Harlem)

The Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan is kind of the "great unknown" to many visitors, even though it makes up a large section of the island. But to some, Harlem seems like a bit of a rough place, and one that tourists need not go to. This could not be further from the truth, as there is so much to see and do in this neighborhood, including museums, historic churches, interesting nightclubs, and some can't-miss restaurants. And one such restaurant is Sylvia's, a soul-food joint on Lenox Avenue between 126th and 127th Streets that has been around since the early 1960s.

Sylvia's Restaurant is all about southern-style comfort food, with the menu featuring items such as country-style slab bacon, salmon cakes, catfish fingers, chicken livers, baked ham, BBQ ribs, fried chicken, and collard greens. The restaurant also has some interesting desserts such as banana pudding, peach cobbler, and sweet potato pie. And for those who aren't able to get to the restaurant but would like to try some of their foods, a number of food products can also be ordered, including sauces, canned foods, spices, mixes, and soups.

If you have also been to Sylvia's Restaurant in the Harlem section of Manhattan, please let us know by posting a comment here. Thanks!

Here is the address for Sylvia's Restaurant:
Sylvia's Restaurant
328 Lenox Avenue
Manhattan (Harlem), NY, 10027

The phone number is:
(212) 996-0660

And here is the Web site for Sylvia's Restaurant:
http://www.sylviasrestaurant.com/

Cole's Dockside, Staten Island

Even though much of New York City is located on or near the water, it is not as easy as you might think to find a restaurant with good water views, especially if you are looking for a casual, inexpensive place. But there is such a restaurant on the east shore of Staten Island called Cole's Dockside, and its views are indeed quite impressive.

Cole's Dockside which has both indoor and outdoor dining, features seafood dishes in addition to traditional American cuisine and some Italian entrees. The menu includes fried calamari, crab cakes, duck rolls for appetizers, and penne vodka with shrimp, grilled tuna wasabi, Sicilian pork chops, filet mignon, and veal parmigiana for entrees. Prices are pretty reasonable, with most items being under $20 and a few being between $20 and $35.

If you have been to Cole's Dockside in Staten Island, please tell us about it by posting a comment here. Thank you!

Here is the address for Cole's Dockside:
Cole's Dockside
369 Cleveland Avenue
Staten Island, NY, 10308

The phone number is:
(718) 948-5588‎

And here is the Web site for Cole's Dockside:
http://www.colesdockside.com/