October 25, 2009

Joseph Leonard, 170 Waverly Place

The restroom in the cozy restaurant was reflectively cozy and tiny — this is the reason the pictures are so odd and blurry.  Despite the cramped area of the space, I did thoroughly enjoy the bathroom experience.  It was clean and cute and tidy.  I appreciated the q-tips and other semi-necessities placed neatly in the pretty shelves.  The photos and decor within the WC itself add to the homey atmosphere.

The food itself was truly great. The octopus starter was a bit overcooked, but had really nice flavors throughout.  Brussel sprout sides accompany any of the mains terrifically.  I went twice and had the skate both times, which I highly recommend. I also had a few bites of the steak au poivre, which was absolutely delicious.

All in all I’m not sure you can go wrong with any of the food here and I highly recommend it!

Bathroom rating: 4 out of 5 flushes

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October 7, 2009
wintercheck: Despite the graffiti, these bathrooms are exceptionally clean and pleasant. Well done, Cakeshop. Cakeshop, 152 Ludlow Street (nr Stanton) Been here, and I totally agree.  Sometimes the seemingly dirty bathrooms are actually sanitary and totally usable.

wintercheck:

Despite the graffiti, these bathrooms are exceptionally clean and pleasant. Well done, Cakeshop.

Cakeshop, 152 Ludlow Street (nr Stanton)

Been here, and I totally agree.  Sometimes the seemingly dirty bathrooms are actually sanitary and totally usable.

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September 20, 2009
Go GURL!

christinefriar:

Because life’s greatest adventure shouldn’t be finding a bathroom.

Don’t take life sitting down!

If you’re ever so desperate…

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August 21, 2009

Emporio, 231 Mott St (btwn Prince and Spring)

The restroom at this Nolita Italian restaurant was pretty cute.  Each of the two single-room stalls was nicely decorated with some good hardware, toilets and decor.  One thing that turned me off, however, was the pink soap.  I find it a bit sterile and hospital-like.  It doesn’t smell great and brings back some not great memories.  Otherwise I was pleased with this toiletspace.

The food, on the other hand, was a bit less than awesome.  To start I had a watermelon and beet salad.  It was light and refreshing.  Can’t complain really.  for the main meal I ate a pizza that had a seriously soggy middle.  I couldn’t pick it up and couldn’t even cut through it easily because it was so undercooked.  The ingredients topping the single pie were nice — mushrooms, sausage, onions and cheese.  Ultimately though, the wet and sloppy middle really turned me off.  The dining space was also very loud, so maybe only go there if you don’t want to talk to anyone or at least hear them.

Toilet Grade: 3.5 out of 5

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August 20, 2009
Radio City Wins 3rd Best Bathroom In America!

Radio City Wins 3rd Best Bathroom In America!

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August 10, 2009

Superdive, 200 Avenue A (between 12th and 13th)

The bathrooms at this college-y bar were standard and rest-stop-like.  From the pink hand soap to the roll of brown paper towels on the back of the toilet, there was nothing special about this restroom.  I could have been in any sort of McDonald’s or Burger King on the side of the highway.

The bar itself was pretty sub-fantastic in my opinion.  Was there a little while ago, but I don’t remember anything remarkable or that would make me want to come back. Oh well. But, if table keg service is something you’re into then go for it!

Total: 2 flushes

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August 9, 2009

Cookshop,156 10th Avenue (at 20th)

I enjoyed the restrooms here at Cookshop. They weren’t beyond fantastic, but they were decorated okay and worked.  Unfortunately the single restroom I went into was quite dirty with toilet tissue scattered along the floor and on top of the garbage can.  I understand this is the fault of other patrons, and not directly the restaurant’s fault, it is still up to Cookshop to maintain cleanliness and upkeep.  I really liked the sink.  I also appreciated that they used original floorplans and designs for the restaurant as artwork for the toilet.  All in all it was a solid experience.

Totals: 3 out of 5 flushes

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July 31, 2009
Gallery Bar, 120 Orchard Street (nr. Delancey) I have been to this bathroom before and thought not much of it.  Last night, however, I happened to look up and noticed the fun decorations on the ceiling.  The tiny unisex stalls in the bar are dimly lit with a reddish light, so it’s not quite easy to see much of anything when you’re in there (read: not good to re-do your makeup in).  However, if you crank your neck and look up, there is this fun photo collage of sorts in a makeshift lightbox that adds some fun photo “galleries” to your bathroom experience. With the added touch of photos, the final total is: 3 out of 5 flushes.

Gallery Bar, 120 Orchard Street (nr. Delancey)

I have been to this bathroom before and thought not much of it.  Last night, however, I happened to look up and noticed the fun decorations on the ceiling.  The tiny unisex stalls in the bar are dimly lit with a reddish light, so it’s not quite easy to see much of anything when you’re in there (read: not good to re-do your makeup in).  However, if you crank your neck and look up, there is this fun photo collage of sorts in a makeshift lightbox that adds some fun photo “galleries” to your bathroom experience.

With the added touch of photos, the final total is: 3 out of 5 flushes.

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July 30, 2009

It's a sad day...

I am saddened to learn that Max Brenner’s 2nd Ave (at 9th St) location is closing.  I am upset not because I will miss the brunch or the chocolate pizza, but because I will miss the terriffic bathrooms.  Within that vicinity, Max Brenner always provided the best, most clean, most luxurious restroom relief.  Without questions or harrassment from the wait staff or hostess I could always walk in without ordering a hot chocolate and use the restroom.  I love that.  Of course, I could go to Starbucks across the street, but it was often closed and if open it was undoubtedly dirty.  Alternatively, I could go to Veselka, but let’s be honest, that toilet is a closet.

So, I’m sad to see you go Max, even if nobody else is.  So long.

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July 21, 2009
Quinto Quarto, 14 Bedford Street (nr. Downing) This bathroom was absolutely cute and adorable.  Located in the rear of the similarly petite restaurant, there was a window looking out over the sink into a back garden area.  The country feel of the space was quaint and lovely. Aside from the nice restroom experience, the dining experience as a whole was not great.  The overly involved waiter became overly obnoxious when my dining partner, cousin Rachel, requested a simple addition to her pasta.  The waiter went on a five-minute long spiel about how the chef was from Rome and how dare she ask such an outrageous request at such an amazingly authentic Roman Italian restaurant.  After feeling completely put off by the waiter the food we did order came.  A sloppy mixed salad contained iceberg lettuce and some bits and pieces of carrot and cabbage that could have come out of a Dole prepackaged salad bag.  The pastas we each had were fine, but not worth another trip back.  In my opinion, just go to Mezzaluna, which is always great and will add chicken to and leave out the cheese from your pasta. Bathroom Grade: 3.5 out of 5 Flushes

Quinto Quarto, 14 Bedford Street (nr. Downing)

This bathroom was absolutely cute and adorable.  Located in the rear of the similarly petite restaurant, there was a window looking out over the sink into a back garden area.  The country feel of the space was quaint and lovely.

Aside from the nice restroom experience, the dining experience as a whole was not great.  The overly involved waiter became overly obnoxious when my dining partner, cousin Rachel, requested a simple addition to her pasta.  The waiter went on a five-minute long spiel about how the chef was from Rome and how dare she ask such an outrageous request at such an amazingly authentic Roman Italian restaurant.  After feeling completely put off by the waiter the food we did order came.  A sloppy mixed salad contained iceberg lettuce and some bits and pieces of carrot and cabbage that could have come out of a Dole prepackaged salad bag.  The pastas we each had were fine, but not worth another trip back.  In my opinion, just go to Mezzaluna, which is always great and will add chicken to and leave out the cheese from your pasta.

Bathroom Grade: 3.5 out of 5 Flushes

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