Located in the Mexicantown area, the outside appearance is deceptive, this gem is far larger than it appears from the street. With a banquet area used for dance parties and occasional concerts, this local legend serves up a diverse range of South American and Mexican dishes. Elda’s Special Guatemalan Combination is family favorite, including a stuffed poblano pepper in a wonderfully spiced sauce, a tostada, black beans, rice, and fried plantains, it’s quite a delicious balance of flavors. Also with a full bar, their evening affairs sometimes include a buffet dinner offering a delightful sampling of their fare. For a nice meal with friends or a special night out with that lucky someone, El Comal is a reasonably priced and quality choice. While not as known as other area eateries, this one is by far my favorite due to their more diverse menu. Sometimes the servers are distracted, but the wonderful meal makes me forget how long it took to get my drink.

This charming eatery is a family favorite, my wedding reception took place in their banquet room and I couldn’t have been happier. Priding themselves on the use of high quality ingredients, the menu offers a range of European favorites ranging from sausages and chicken dinners to the heavenly veal cordon bleu. A highly unique appetizer offering, the fried sauerkraut is a fabulous treat for the adventurous eater, crispy golden richly flavorful. Not for the calorie-conscious, their cakes are legendary. The black forest torte is a magnificent blend of moist chocolate cake with smooth creamy frosting and the most interesting twist of cherries. Their baker made a beautiful raspberry vanilla cake for my wedding, which was served alongside the black forest torte to rave reviews. The cakes at my wedding are still being discussed three years later, they were that good.

I ventured into this coney island expecting a quick bite to eat after a day at the mall. The long lines to get a table were followed by an exceedingly long wait for the lackluster waitress to halfheartedly take our order. The portions were small, but the food wasn't worth eating anyways. Poor service can be forgiven if the food is good, and bad food can be balance by kindly service, but this place doesn’t have a hint of either. The floors were sticky, as was the table. Had I not been famished, I would’ve walked out upon seeing the conditions. Don’t bother with this one, even if you can stomach the terrible food, the portions are too small and the service is wretchedly slow.

I’ve only witnessed someone completely finishing their dinner at Cedar land a handful of times, but everyone has given it a good try. Serving a Middle Eastern including fresh pita, perfectly spiced shwarma, and some of the best fattouch salad ever made, each meal in the dining room begins with a complimentary cup of lentil soup. Family owned and operated, regular customers are greeted warmly by the staff, who provide kind, quick service. A very clean and well-kept space, the decor is charmingly blended between Eastern and Western influences. As a special healthy treat, order one of their fresh fruit smoothies and enjoy the natural sweetness of strawberries and other fruits.

Polonia offers authentic Polish cuisine with a smile. Their wait staff, while sometimes not the most attentive, are generally very upbeat and attractive. Among favorite dishes they offer are the dill pickle soup, as featured on Emeril’s television show, and their homemade style pirogi. Serving luscious looking desserts that I’ve never had room left to try as well as Polish beers, this divine pleasure closes earlier than most restaurant, be certain to call ahead and make sure they’ll open before getting excited about the dill pickle soup. Reasonably priced, well staffed and serving absolutely delicious food, Polonia is a great local flavor.

As a general pet store, House of Pets is an average independent business. As far as their reptile selection goes however, they’re amazing. Stocking the latest in lights, supplements and other goods to maintain exotic reptiles and other small pets, this shop is among my favorites to browse. The beautifully well-kept animal displays attest to the care these creatures receive. The green iguana I purchased there has been praised as a beautifully bred example of her species by several veterinary professionals over the years. Having a good breeder makes for a great pet store, and the reptiles sold at House of Pets are healthy and selectively bred unlike those offered by major chain retailers or certain other local merchants. Genetic background can have a strong effect on the overall health and well being of any pet, and House of Pets knows this. Their animals are in clean and safe enclosures, and they offer fair prices for reptile lights, which these fabulous creatures need replaced frequently.

This absolutely one of a kind all-ages concert venue, coffee house and vintage clothing shop is a haven for local creative types, musicians and fashionistas. Hosting all ages shows in a variety of genres on most nights of the week, this is one of the more active venues in the area, and certainly the most diverse. While enjoying the talent of both local and nationally touring acts on stage, enjoy a coffee drink from the café, or a light snack. Their vintage clothing selection can be hit-or-miss, like any vintage shop, but the reasonable prices make it well worth a visit. The staff have always been quite friendly and eager to share news of upcoming events while providing excellent service.

The Value World Stores across the area are pretty much the same, and this is another of the reasonably priced thrift stores operated by the chain. This location is amongst my favorite thrift shops in the area however, due to it’s off-the-beaten-path location. Being set back from the road as it is, not as many people know about this hidden treasure. Well stocked with used clothing and small housewares, the selection is a ramshackle mess from time to time, but often a great deal can be found amidst the chaos. With patience, it’s a great place to find deals with trousers starting at roughly two dollars for example, but these deals require the work of wading through rack upon rack of outdated, worn or otherwise unsuitable items. For a thrift junkie, this is a great stop.

The dining room decor is lovely, but the lackluster dishes have swayed me away from Kowloon’s. A recent order included a pint of the most bland, lifeless cashew chicken that I’ve ever tasted, while my husband complained that his pork was tough and dry. Reasonably quick service on the carry out order, but the quality has gone downhill at this place over the years. While their dining room is a elegant and well decorated space, the food is plain and without flair in it’s flavor. Kindly service and attentive wait staff however do make me give a slightly higher rating than the cuisine on it’s own would merit.

Duke’s Hardware is a go-to store for those trying to maintain an older house. The odd piece of hardware in an uncommon size is no problem, this place has everything. Recommend this shop to anyone with a home improvement project and they will thank you for it. While other places may be cheaper on the basics, Duke’s has the impossible to find yet often vital parts the repair older homes or unique fixtures. Asking one of the highly knowledgeable staff at Duke’s can help you through most any project. The service is impeccable and quite well versed in the field, this isn’t just a hardware store, it’s a community resource.

Home of my favorite pizza on the planet, their Bianca pie is a to-die-for blend of white cheeses and a delicate touch of garlic on their finely made crust. The white pizza seems to be a uniquely New York dish, and Roadhouse offers the finest variation on this regional delight. The offer a wide variety of slices, showcasing their various specialty pies, for a very reasonable price. These large, topping-packed slices are plenty for a quick lunch. Offering more traditional Italian dinner fare as well, my husband is rather fond of their lasagna. Kindly, attentive staff serve customers from the behind the counter, while a small dining area is available for in-house enjoyment of their wares. Well kept, and offering excellent food, the Roadhouse has received several local awards for their pizza. A personal favorite, and highly recommended for their unique and delicious pizza.

A sharp and personable therapist, Dr Nauheim treats both adults and children from her well-kept office space. Highly recommended by local medical professionals and previous clients, Jamie is a great help to those needing a little counseling. Her rates are well within line for the caliber of her services, and her charming demeanor makes a therapy session feel more like a talk with a close friend. Dr Nauheim’s office manager is well versed in insurance company hassles, and will work diligently to ensure that your insurance provider is billed properly. Accepting most varieties of health insurance coverage and offering quality therapy, Dr Nauheim is amongst the finest providers of mental health services on the East End of Long Island.

Newly remodeled, this location is stocked with some of the finest second-hand clothing and housewares the East End has to offer. An amazingly large selection of clothing boasts many designer labels tucked into the racks, generally at very reasonable prices. Under new management, the old days of a dingy, messy store are behind this location, the staff is on top of their game and very knowledgeable about the stock. Offering additional discounts on most items on Wednesday, this shop is a great place for a thrift shop enthusiast. Vintage treasures and designer treats lurk in the massive stocks, to be found with great delight by shoppers at this fabulously well-stocked thrift store.

A typical New York diner, serving a wide variety of dishes, none particularly good, but all are passable. The service is kindly and generally rather attentive, and the owner has a great memory for repeat clientele, with a strong desire for customer satisfaction. Quick service, and fairly reasonable prices for the area, this diner is good for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Their omelettes are nicely done, and their rice pudding is just a delight. The generous daily specials vary, but include a full meal with a fabulous dessert in the price. Like most other diners, the Peconic Bay Diner offers a well-stocked bar as well. For a quick bite, this is a good reliable place to get a basic meal with kindly service.

This historic building is richly nostalgic, but without the appeal of good food it loses some ground. When I visited for lunch, the waitress was a bit grumpy. A charming ambience is set by the vintage diner’s historic nature, but the food was bland and without any flair. For a basic lunch or a quick snack, this may be an okay place to stop, if you’re only interested in filling up. Offering soups, sandwiches and other typical diner fare, this place is probably exactly as it has been for many many years, and will thus continue to be a favorite amongst East End residents and visitors alike for it’s historic appeal. For a serious hunger, this is not your place, but should you prefer a nice retro feel with your lackluster meal, it’s a passable stop.

Staffed with talented and dedicated professional artists, this is where the good ink comes from around the area. Well kept and clean, this shop is amongst some of the finer tattoo establishments in the world. Priding themselves on providing quality tattoos and piercing, the staff of Lucky Cat each have their own unique style. A glimpse through their portfolios will show that the art of tattooing is being practiced by skilled and creative professionals, with an emphasis on portraiture and realism. The stunning works of this location use high quality inks that will not fade like some other cheaper inks might, and the kind, caring staff will ensure that you are satisfied with the design before beginning work. An amazingly large selection of flash decorate one wall, while the skillful artists can also draw a custom piece upon request.

Located in the Tanger outlets, this favorite shop of young ladies takes advantage of it’s outlet mall location by offering a large selection of clearance items. While the front portion of the shop is just like any other Claire’s, offering cute accessories, novelties and fashion pieces, the rear of the store is packed to gills with discounted items. Often offering a ‘10 items for $10' deal on the lower-priced clearance items, this location is my favorite of the whole chain for their generous selection of bargain merchandise. The staff is very attentive and helpful should you be looking for something particular to match an outfit or add a little flair to your wardrobe, and well versed in current trends. The in-store music may be a little loud, but that’s the standard across the chain. This shop is a great place to find a cheap thrill, like a trendy new piece of costume jewelry or unique hair accessories to update your existing wardrobe.

This is the restaurant shown in the car commercial where the little kid leaps over the seat to run for restroom. Stepped in a rich history of serving the East End’s seasonal traffic, this charming diner is among my personal favorites. Their mashed turnips, offered as a side, are a unique and delicious choice that won’t been soon forgotten. A darling retro decor greets patrons upon entry. Be prepared for a line, though the wait is generally fairly brief. It’s worth the wait, there’s a reason this place is frequently crowded on the weekends. The finely crafted dishes are typical diner fare, but well presented and made of fresh, often local ingredients. Their pies are legendary, and are sold by the slice or as whole pies to be taken home. Open seasonally, the restaurant is closed in the quiet winter season, their seasonal breaks have grown shorter in recent years. Generally open until at least Thanksgiving, it is possible to serve their wonderful pies with your holiday feast.

A well-stocked shop offering unique clothing, adult items and smoking accessories, this one-stop shop is fairly reasonably priced and staffed by kind and knowledgeable sales personnel. A large selection of speciality gift wares decorate the first floor of this multi-level shopping extravaganza. Offering a large selection of quality body jewelry for piercing, as well as the largest variety of smoking accessories to be found in the area, this shop knows it’s market and serves it quite well. While their adult items selection may be small, the basics are covered and kept in the age-restricted area of the downstairs, along with the smoking devices. Out of view of the underage shopper, the mature items do not detract for the fashionable and fun offerings of their clothing and accessories departments. A true one-stop shop for the subculture inclined, Utopia is a great place to find a little something unique for oneself or a fabulous gift.

Treating exotic animals as well as cats and dogs, this vet clinic is among the finest in the world in terms of staffing. The caring and kind techs greet each pet warmly, and my iguana enjoyed the attention she receive with every visit. The doctors are very well versed in the care of exotics as well as more traditional pets, and offer honest, informed advice when giving a consultation. I referred a friend to their services when her ferret fell ill, and not only was she able to work out a payment plan with the office, they gave her pet an honest and complete physical before determining that while an expensive surgery was an option, the best interests of the pet would be better served by being put to sleep due to it’s painful condition. After giving my friend a moment to bid farewell to her pet, the vet offered a hug and explained that while it may be traditional to allow owners in the room for the procedure on cats or dogs, that the process her ferret would go through was slightly different and not something she should witness. The kindly and caring staff of this hospital have helped me find a quality pet sitter as well, their love for animals makes this animal hospital a real gem.