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Born and raised in New York City, grad student Jason has been leaving his mark on the City for 25 years, especially down on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where he lives. A couple of his favorite neighborhoods include Chinatown, Midtown Manhattan, and Flushing, Queens.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I really enjoy exploring NYC, even though I’m from the city. Sometimes, I like to make myself feel like I’m a tourist (minus carrying any maps). There is so much to do and see on a daily basis that I don’t have the time to see it all.
What would your superpower be?
It would be nice if there were multiple clones of me. That way, I could visit all five boroughs at the same time. NYC has many hidden secrets that are just waiting to be discovered!
What's your favorite thing about sharing reviews on Places?
Expressing my opinions and hoping that people take my advice and actually visit some of those places. Some of the best-kept secrets can only be discovered by good word-of-mouth, and Google Places has provided this platform for users like myself to share with one another. Likewise, I discover new places by combing through other reviews by Google users and seeing whether it’s worth exploring that place.
Share an ultimate insider tip for your city.
Technically, Brooklyn Bridge, City Hall is the last and final stop on the 6 train, but you can actually stay on the train and discover a hidden station — yep, a hidden station! Conductors don’t usually announce this on the train — talk about keping secrets! — but if you stay on, they will give you a brief history of the old, rustic City Hall Station before looping back to the other side of the current City Hall Station. You used to be able to get off at the old station and take pictures, but that’s been closed to the public since 9/11. So just take pictures from the train, and you can tell others something they might not know.
What's the best Google Places event you've been to and why?
I’ve been to a handful of Google-sponsored events, and it’s difficult to say which is my favorite — all of them are fun! But I do want to give props to the very first Google event I ever attended, the 2011 “Galactic Star Groove”–themed Prospect Park Summer Soirée. It was there that I was first introduced to Google Places and got to know the team behind these fantastic and exciting events (Margarita and Esther, by the way, work around the clock to create these memorable gatherings). From that day on, I started to go back over all the places I’ve been to and write reviews for them. Who would have thought reviewing places could be so much fun — especially when it can get you invited to other exciting Google Places events and help you to discover new places along the way!
Aw, we loved that soirée, too. Prospect Park is one of our favorite NYC places. Care to share some of your other local favorites with us?
Prosperity Dumpling - Never leave Chinatown without trying Prosperity Dumpling. The place looks a little shady, but believe me, they have really great tasty dumplings. The place is extremely small, but they make one of the best dumplings here in NYC's Chinatown. There is always a long line for these tasty little treats, but it will zoom by real quick. Feeling hungry? For only $1, you can get five crispy dumplings. Their signature pork and chives dumplings always get people begging for more. Don't just eat the dumplings alone, add vinegar and hot sauce to them — it really brings out the taste of the dumplings.
Phebe’s Tavern & Grill - Phebe's is one of the best places in the city to get beer and wings for a really good price. There is a deal every day, so make sure you ask for the daily special! I find Mondays and Wednesdays the best, since that is when you can order a pitcher of beer and have 10 cent wings at the same time. Phebe's has a long history in NYC, more than 100 years, and continues to serve some of the busiest people in the city. The pub has really large windows in the front, so you can overlook the bustling street of Bowery. Bring a bunch of friends or coworkers for some good American food over booze, split the bill and it's amazingly cheap for everyone. Music from the background might be a little loud, but service is speedy and staff are always there if you need anything.
Dallas BBQ - It's true when they say that everything is BIG in Texas — food portions, that is! With various locations in NYC, you can pick one and enjoy good times with friends, families and coworkers. I had their famous ribs and chicken, and it was finger-licking good, literally. The meat just falls off the bones, leaving the bone clean. Like their massive plates of yumminess, they have gargantuan drinks as well. The prices are good — you really get a good bang for your buck. Grab your cowboy/cowgirl suit and head on down for some Dallas fun, because you are leaving this place with a "pork belly" tonight!
Rice to Riches - You don’t have to be rich to enjoy delicious rice. The name is Rice to Riches, but really, I'm thinking the rice is just made in a rich and savored way. It's safe to say that here you'll enjoy some of the finest rice pudding there is. If you are in the mood for some good dessert, I highly suggest this place. With so many choices to choose from, you probably want to just chill in here the whole day. The names for these different rice puddings are hysterical. Don't shy away from asking to sample a few, because believe me, it is difficult to decide what you want. Get one, or get a mix; I always prefer a mix since it will make you appreciate rice in a whole new way.
Posted by Esther Brown, Manhattan community manager
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