"Perfect NYC Diner!. At first glance, The Flame delivers what you might expect: a fiery, fast-moving New York City diner providing the usual breakfast fare, delicious grilled burgers, and tasty international cuisine ranging from seared salmon to Sicilian pasta. But sitting in the cafe, you sense another kind of warmth. Though you may be just visiting NYC, the employees greet you with a smile and direct you to your seat. It doesn 't take long to realize that you 're surrounded by neighborhood regulars with discerning palates and exacting expectations, both of which seem happily met by the smiling staff.<br/ <br/ In a symphony of service, the staff gracefully take orders, present fresh, steamy dishes, and refill drinks; cooks and crew, in accents that still reflect the home country of more than a century ago, chat with servers about the orders and steal glimpses of happily feasting customers; the delivery staff dances in and out of the front door, making dozens of trips throughout the neighborhood every hour or two, while the manager carefully inspects a growing pyramid of pastries, awaiting the morning rush. <br/ <br/ Amidst the elegant hustle so appreciated by time-strapped tourists and locals alike, you notice that some of the regulars are slower-moving. Elderly or disabled, these guests are nevertheless warmly welcomed, comfortably seated, and graciously greeted by servers going out of their way to say hello and ask about their day. Not at all rushed, these guests are presented with special dishes, new items brought in by request or old favorites no longer on the menu, but still available for a friend. And that 's exactly what they are. The manager and servers refer to each one by title and by name. 'Did you get a seat by the window for my friend John? ' 'How about another soda for my friend David? ' 'Ah, my friend Thomas! Wait till you try the new dish! ' It 's no marketing gimmick, no dispassionate buzzword urged into usage by corporate strategists, but a heartfelt expression formed of delightful, sincere habit. <br/ <br/ The simple name seems to refer to more than the diner 's friendly atmosphere or its fiery grill; it seems to reflect the faithful light along the New York City shoreline that welcomes the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses, a light that glows as a city on a hill that cannot be hid. A diner that fills the stomach and warms the soul, The Flame shouldn 't be missed by anyone who might be hungry near 9th Avenue and West 58th Street.<br/ <br/ And the food? It tastes as good as it feels."
Banana Pancakes
