Lakeside Waffles opens up next to the Oriental

So you're at the Oriental Theater watching an indie flick or listening to some live music and your stomach says 'What's up?' to your think-rock. You  can now satiate that hunger with a big, delicious waffle from Lakeside Waffles, the restaurant that  replaced Meltz, a grilled-cheese joint, at 4335 West 44th Avenue.

Lakeside Waffles is a breakfast-and-lunch concept started by restaurant newcomers Garrett Carlin and Aaron Mersmann. Their focus is on a plethora of waffles, with plenty of fruit toppings and even some savory entries, such as the Yoyo, with basil, bacon, brie, tomato, spinach and balsamic on the side. The prices range from about $5 to $8 a waffle.
Although Mersmann is still working part-time as a bartender for the hi-dive and Sputnik, the two partners found the time to create the menu completely from scratch. And despite their venture's name, Lakeside Waffles offers a variety of other items as well, including omelets. But this isn't your French chef's omelet, because it's cooked in the waffle iron -- something I really want to try.