27 replies to this topic

[omnivorette]

It's in the middle of nowhere, and I don't think you want to be walking around in that nowhere at night.

And besides, I'll go again and I'll drive you...

[Wilfrid1]

I think I'm in love - also, I still swear it's about a ten minute walk from the end of the B/D line. Not that chauffeur service isn't most welcome.

Once you arrive at this low-slung, rambling, crooked house of an institution, you can see how it was once the center of a neighborhood, the remnants of which have ebbed leaving the Flash Inn kind of stranded. It's right across the river from Yankee Stadium, on the Manhattan side, and near - as an expert explained to me - where the Polo Grounds once stood. What was once a busy residential area has thinned out to a tangle of roads leading to and from the Macombs Bridge, and some remote projects buildings. Nothing else there except a garage.

But as soon as you step inside, what a welcoming, womb-like atmosphere. The bar, a four-sided, curving structure of formica and wood, is bathed in soft light and old Sinatra records. The bar-stools are like red plastic mushrooms. As you sip a stiff measure of bourbon, time stops.

With the Yankees playing away, the dining room was almost deserted. A few locals. The menu (now on menupages.com) is supplemented by a sheet of specials which, like the wine list, is handwritten. One of the Merenda brothers, the two sons of Tony Merenda, who founded the restaurant seventy years ago, supervises the kitchen. Ordering a selection of anti-pasti off-menu brought big platters of prosciutto, very good salami, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and olives. The pasta course was hearty: lobster ravioli in a lobster cream sauce were a little stiff, but the filling had flavor. Gnocchi were weightier than the "ethereal" versions much favored downtown - real rib-stickers.

The veal chop was mighty, although it certainly looked well on the medium side of rare. I dipped extensively into my Beloved's rich morass of lobster tails and shrimp stuffed with devilled crab. I ate a simple veal picata, the slices of meat tangy with lemon and capers.

Dessert was beyond contemplation. Out of the way, sure, but a destination of infinite charm, and I suspect rather rowdier on game nights.

[omnivorette]

I am so glad we sat at the bar for a while before going to the table. The bar is just something from another time...I love it.

Eyebrows remembered the bartender as our waiter from last time - who has worked there for 40 years.

I want to go back when the Yankees are in town, to see the scene. And of course, drink at that bar again. I'd like to spend some quality time sitting and drinking at that bar.

[omnivorette]

You are right about the subway - the 155th St. stop on the C/D is nearby.

Still, it was a pleasure to be your chauffeur. And I love that they let you park on the sidewalk right outside the door of the place.

Still, I would not want to walk it at night, unless with a few people.

And the park nearby that you were talking about is Jackie Robinson Park.

http://maps.yahoo.co...pass=&BFKey=put

[mitchells]

The big question is why don't more Yankee fans come here before games.

Went last Friday night prior to the Yankee - Met game and enjoyed it quite a bit. Parked at Yankee Stadium and took the 10 minute walk across the Macombs Dam Bridge. Surprisingly, the restaurant was very quiet with maybe 6 tables of Yankee fans in the place. We had a very pleasant waiter, Paco, who said he was working there 17 years. Very friendly and helpful.

The food, while not great, was more than acceptable. We shared a few Italian salads, had the shrimp with grilled smoked mozzarella and a number of entrees which included lasagna (very good), grilled snapper with lemon and fennell (simple and good), Penne a la vodka (pedestrian) and a special of shrimp, sausage and veal parm (good).

Like I said, why don't more people come here considering the other food options in and around Yankee Stadium? I went to the game on Thursday with clients. Because of time constraints, we had no choice but to eat at The Stadium. I bought 4 hot dogs, 4 beers, a bag of popcorn and a bag of peanuts and the total came to almost $75. Friday night, we had dinner for 4 at The Flash Inn with real food, a few glasses of wine and friendly service and it cost $150 all in. No comparison in value.

I'll definitely be going back to The Flash Inn.

P.S. I sent someone else here a couple of weeks ago. They parked at the restaurant and left there car there for the quick getaway after the game. There waiter offered to watch their car for them.

[Wilfrid1]

It's a lovely place. As a business, it puzzles me. I actually ate there when there was no game on, and it was deserted. One's assumption is that it gets busy when there's a game at the stadium - but not, surely, during a game. And apparently not before, either. Maybe after a game it's slammed.

A true family-run treasure, and I particularly like the circular bar.

As for the stadium, the prices are indeed a disgrace. What's more, not long into the game last Friday, concessions had sold out of regular hot dogs, only offering the jumbos (which are around ten dollars).

[Wilfrid1]

By the way, only another seven minutes or so walk from the stadium in just the same direction is Charles' Southern Kitchen. It recently occurred to me that that's a pre-game option too. Closes around the time the game starts, though.

[juuceman]

We usually eat at or get sandwiches to bring in to the stadium at Press Cafe, just north of the stadium. They have pretty good guacamole too, always makes for an interesting discussion in the stadium.

[SethG]

There's a quiet little pub called Stan's that isn't far from Yankee Stadium. It's a good place to go right before a game if you want to privately discuss the pitching matchups with your friends.

[Wilfrid1]

I prefer the place right across from the stadium, where you discuss nothing but make like anchovies packed in a can while passing bottles of Bud overhead.

[SethG]

I prefer the place right across from the stadium, where you discuss nothing but make like anchovies packed in a can while passing bottles of Bud overhead.

That's Stan's. I was kidding. Sorry, I should have used an emoticon.

[Wilfrid1]

Don't apologize, I was being a bit slow.

[Wilfrid]

How sad. This 1937 restaurant closed a year or so ago, and we didn't even notice. I kept meaning to go back.