LICNYC checked out Blend a week or so ago. The place looks terrific -- contemporary style, open spaces, a good bar area and a warm dining room feel overall.

But the food! And the service! Maybe it was just the owner's "hey let me get all my buddies in here night and ignore the 8 paying customers" but, oh well.

The menu is actually pretty interesting. Empanadas and soft tacos and other Latin-themed items with variations that point in the upmarket direction. But all of us around the table were left wondering out loud about how they managed to make Latin food bland and seemingly unique creations feel cookie-cutter. Disappointing.

The larger theme is the war for LIC. Which way are things heading here in the hood, what with all these luxurious buildings and lovely restaurants?

Blend feels rather more "date night on Queens Blvd" and rather less "foodie destination on Franlkin Ave (between nowhere and faraway on the G line)".

Some will applaud this, surely.