Meet your Google Places Neighbor: Alexis Ching

Editor’s Note: Now and then we'll spotlight one of our amazing Google Places reviewers. Both so you guys can start to get to know one another and so we can pull together and share our favorite local places. This week we introduce you to Alexis Ching of Brooklyn, New York.

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Originally from the Bay Area, Alexis moved to New York City almost 9 years ago after going to a small school in a small New Jersey town. While she does miss California sometimes -- especially West Coast oysters -- she’s never regretted her decision to move from NJ to NYC. In her spare time, she likes to knit, cook, watch films and make playlists. She also enjoys exploring various neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, including Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Fort Greene, the East Village, and Flushing.

Do you have any secret talents?
I can groom a horse from head to tail.

What's your favorite thing about sharing reviews on Places?
The brevity!

Share an ultimate insider tip for your city:
Skip the Statue of Liberty - ride the Staten Island Ferry or visit Governor's Island instead. You can still see her from either one. :)

If you could see any celebrity's reviews on Places, who would you choose and why?
Ryan Gosling so I can secretly stalk him (HI RYAN!).

What would your superpower be?
I'd want to be able to speak any language so I can haggle at street markets and order secret dishes. I like fish sticks.

So do we! Speaking of tasty bites, care to share some local favorites with us?

Beer Table - I love I love I love this place. Six different kinds of waffles for brunch, a great beer list and they are doing a lot of interesting events with different partners. If you're lucky to have Justin there, ply him with questions about the beers and food pairings. The man is a genius.

Bowery Ballroom - One of my favorite live music venues. Great shows, always chill.

Egg - Get there early and put your name on the list! The grits, scrapple and biscuits and gravy are winners. Actually, everything here is a winner. Take your sweetie, get a double serving of French press coffee and doodle each other's portraits as you wait for your food.

Soba-Koh - Uni ikura soba. And their tempura - so good. Great little spot with housemade soba!

Blue Ribbon - Bone marrow with oxtail marmalade. This spot is geared towards chefs so the food is excellent and it's open late.

Posted by Esther Brown, Manhattan community manager