Issue: What to eat tonight?
Rule: I never want the basic Chinese take out from across the street that my husband so enjoys. When I order in I want something more delicious than what I would make myself, something different than I even could make myself.
Application: Two recent take out endeavors jump to my mind. The first was recommended to me as a take out place by a loyal reader and was enjoyed last night- Ghenet. The second is semi-fondly remembered as I plan on when I can try it again- Campo de Fiore. Both places are solids dine-in options but sometimes it is simply too warm and cozy at home to venture out.
Ghenet is an Ethiopian restaurant on 4th Ave at Douglas Street. On a Saturday night its' dining room was full and customers were being whisked into a small back room with windows facing the street. The wait staff is perhaps the most beautiful staff in all of Park Slope. The lights are dim and the music is not intrusive. However, I took my meal to my coffee table and enjoyed a semi-private viewing of Elf. The best way to order at Ghenet has to be the combination platter. The platters are vegetarian or meat and serve every person at about $16 a pop. All meals are served on injera- a spongy and tasty bread made from a grain unique to Ethiopia. Injera is used as a vessel to eat the various meats and vegetables arranged on the plate. If you don't like injera- you are out of luck. I was curious about how eating this style of cooking would translate to a home, but it works out fine. All the vegetables (we got a spicy bean dish, lentils, collard greens and sting beans and carrots) and meats (doro wett- spicy chicken and siga wett- spicy beef) came in individual plastic containers which we spread on to our own plates on top of injera. The community aspect is gone but the flavors still remain. Also- if anyone is nervous to eat a new cuisine with their hands, then this is a perfect way to try. The flavors are clean and oh so delicious. Everything is delicately spiced enough to add a kick, but not to knock anyone out.
I have dined at the restaurant twice with a group and have had just as delightful a time as I had last night. At one point the restaurant was BYOB and I noticed a few beer bottles on the tables last night and no alcohol on the take out menu, so perhaps it still is. Bonus.
Campo de'Fiori: This new pizza place on 5th ave has been getting a lot of buzz, especially since it opened only a bit after Fornino opened just a few blocks away. They are entirely different restaurants with entirely different styles of pizza. Campo de'Fiori is based on the Roman style of pizza which is square, smaller than your average pie and with a thicker crust than other places. I ordered a single pie and a small appetizer for two eaters and found myself a little disappointed with the result for the price. The green peas and prosciutto side dish had been heralded by the Times and seemed right up my alley. When we received the dish I was surprised to see that it would not be enough for both of us to snack on fairly, so I really had to eat it all myself. Sorry. Our pizza was enough for two of me, but not me plus someone who didn't get much of a chance on the peas. We spent about $17 on the pizza and one serving of an Ethiopian combination platter was about twice as much food. It was a delicious pie but a pie elsewhere (including Fornino) could feed a few more for that price. Still, I was intrigued enough to want to go back when I feel like spending a little more money. Everyone at the restaurant was friendly when I picked up my food, however I faced a bit of a language barrier and my order took much longer to finish than I was told. Yet I am very optimistic for a good trip next time.
Conclusion: With so many dining options in walking distance the choices can be stifling. Sometimes the best option is to enjoy something made by expert hands in the comfort of your own home. I'd urge all of you to try Ethiopian as soon as possible. Try Ghenet in the comfort of your own home and then try it again at the restaurant for an awesome night of adventurous eating.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Rosewater
Issue: Where to dine with parents in town.
Rule: Dining with parents hopefully means that they are generous and wonderful and willing to pick up the tab. It also means parents are willing to go to a new place and are prepared to be wowed by Brooklyn cuisine. I knew just the place.
Application: Rosewater is a very special restaurant in my life. I have been fortunate to celebrate accomplishments and love with wonderful meals there. When my parents were deciding where to eat on their recent visit I knew it was time to take them to my special occassion restaurant.
Rosewater may be best right about now when the seasonal ingredients are so lovely. The menu was filled with tomatoes, apples, butternut squash and sweet potatoes. Rosewater uses "as much local, regional, organic and sustainably raised ingredients as the season will allow". This also goes for the wine list.
We started our meal in the traditional family way by ordering in a very, very leisurely fashion. First we take a long look at the wine and beer list and then a long look at the appetizer which we order seperately from our main dish. We may even sample a dessert and after dinner drink. Basically, we do it up. For appetizers the four of us split fried goat cheese with proscuitto, figs and honey. The sweet and salty combination was pretty darn great. We also had a small shrimp dish with delicious a delicious corn salad.
For main courses I chose the only vegetarian option on the menu- baked polenta with goat cheese, heirloom tomatoes, olive and basil pesto. It was crunchy, hearty and satisfying. It would have been nice to see one more vegetarian option especially with two fish options on the small menu. The other main dishes that we selected were the grilled pork loin with a giant onion ring alongside cabbage and apples. My nearly-vegetarian Mother looooved it. The duck breast was almost my selection and it was quite tasty with a smoky flavor and a nice mix of grapes and squash. Yes, grapes. We also had the fluke which was mild and flaky. For dessert we sampled a decadent pumpkin creme brulee and a chocolate fig cake. I also had a ruby port as a last minute final drink of the night.
Conclusion: Our meals were amazing without being overwhelming. The food was seasonal and simple but cooked perfectly to showcase the great ingredients. All the flavors were given their due. Our server was well-versed in all things wine and food related and very friendly. We were lucky to sit outside under the canopy and enjoy a perfect autumn night. My parents were duly impressed by the terrific meal and cozy atmosphere. (And the celebrity sighting of John Tutturo) We all got to enjoy an amazing meal and were delighted to share one of the best places in Park Slope with lovely up-staters.
Rule: Dining with parents hopefully means that they are generous and wonderful and willing to pick up the tab. It also means parents are willing to go to a new place and are prepared to be wowed by Brooklyn cuisine. I knew just the place.
Application: Rosewater is a very special restaurant in my life. I have been fortunate to celebrate accomplishments and love with wonderful meals there. When my parents were deciding where to eat on their recent visit I knew it was time to take them to my special occassion restaurant.
Rosewater may be best right about now when the seasonal ingredients are so lovely. The menu was filled with tomatoes, apples, butternut squash and sweet potatoes. Rosewater uses "as much local, regional, organic and sustainably raised ingredients as the season will allow". This also goes for the wine list.
We started our meal in the traditional family way by ordering in a very, very leisurely fashion. First we take a long look at the wine and beer list and then a long look at the appetizer which we order seperately from our main dish. We may even sample a dessert and after dinner drink. Basically, we do it up. For appetizers the four of us split fried goat cheese with proscuitto, figs and honey. The sweet and salty combination was pretty darn great. We also had a small shrimp dish with delicious a delicious corn salad.
For main courses I chose the only vegetarian option on the menu- baked polenta with goat cheese, heirloom tomatoes, olive and basil pesto. It was crunchy, hearty and satisfying. It would have been nice to see one more vegetarian option especially with two fish options on the small menu. The other main dishes that we selected were the grilled pork loin with a giant onion ring alongside cabbage and apples. My nearly-vegetarian Mother looooved it. The duck breast was almost my selection and it was quite tasty with a smoky flavor and a nice mix of grapes and squash. Yes, grapes. We also had the fluke which was mild and flaky. For dessert we sampled a decadent pumpkin creme brulee and a chocolate fig cake. I also had a ruby port as a last minute final drink of the night.
Conclusion: Our meals were amazing without being overwhelming. The food was seasonal and simple but cooked perfectly to showcase the great ingredients. All the flavors were given their due. Our server was well-versed in all things wine and food related and very friendly. We were lucky to sit outside under the canopy and enjoy a perfect autumn night. My parents were duly impressed by the terrific meal and cozy atmosphere. (And the celebrity sighting of John Tutturo) We all got to enjoy an amazing meal and were delighted to share one of the best places in Park Slope with lovely up-staters.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Black Mountain Wine Bar
Issue: Wine with some friends on a gorgeous day.
Rule: There are some late summer days where it takes all of your willpower to wait until the evening to find a bar where you can sit outside and sip rose. You literally wake up craving the small pleasure of a glass of wine with girl friends. Yes, I realize I sound like a bit of a tippler, but you all know this feeling.
Application: Black Mountain has always held a special place in my heart as a tucked away bar that looks like a perfect vacation home. In the winter there is a fire burning in the small fireplace, in the summer there are inviting Adirondack chairs out front. Chairs that are unfortunately not meant to be sat upon. What? The gorgeous chairs are only there to tease you into believing that you can sit in them with your wine glass and enjoy the pleasant weather. You cannot. You must sit inside. Luckily, the inside is delightful enough to almost make up for it.
When we arrived there were only seats available at the bar due to a private party. This furthered my disappointment because there happens to be one window seat that may be the best window seat in all of Brooklyn. Eventually the table opened up, the party went away and the four of us were seated at a table perfect for enjoying the cool breeze.
The menu is small but with a nice selection of wines by the glass. Most of us sampled the rose which was dry, not too sweet and local. My second glass was a crisp Sauvignon Blanch which completely hit the spot. The kitchen is open to the room which means you see the staff making whatever concoction is on special that day. There were about four specials this past weekend in addition to the small menu. There were plenty of cheeses to try but I opted for the banh mi salad due to my never-ending love of all things Vietnamese. The salad was a generous portion, but light enough to feel healthy and not heavy- a great compliment to the white wine. I have also tried the mushroom macaroni and cheese in the past and it is a perfect dish for a winter by the fire- luscious and hearty.
Conclusion: We had so much fun drinking wine and enjoying the day that we decided to skip the movie. Oh well, next time. But, come on, allow us to sit in the chairs outside!
Rule: There are some late summer days where it takes all of your willpower to wait until the evening to find a bar where you can sit outside and sip rose. You literally wake up craving the small pleasure of a glass of wine with girl friends. Yes, I realize I sound like a bit of a tippler, but you all know this feeling.
Application: Black Mountain has always held a special place in my heart as a tucked away bar that looks like a perfect vacation home. In the winter there is a fire burning in the small fireplace, in the summer there are inviting Adirondack chairs out front. Chairs that are unfortunately not meant to be sat upon. What? The gorgeous chairs are only there to tease you into believing that you can sit in them with your wine glass and enjoy the pleasant weather. You cannot. You must sit inside. Luckily, the inside is delightful enough to almost make up for it.
When we arrived there were only seats available at the bar due to a private party. This furthered my disappointment because there happens to be one window seat that may be the best window seat in all of Brooklyn. Eventually the table opened up, the party went away and the four of us were seated at a table perfect for enjoying the cool breeze.
The menu is small but with a nice selection of wines by the glass. Most of us sampled the rose which was dry, not too sweet and local. My second glass was a crisp Sauvignon Blanch which completely hit the spot. The kitchen is open to the room which means you see the staff making whatever concoction is on special that day. There were about four specials this past weekend in addition to the small menu. There were plenty of cheeses to try but I opted for the banh mi salad due to my never-ending love of all things Vietnamese. The salad was a generous portion, but light enough to feel healthy and not heavy- a great compliment to the white wine. I have also tried the mushroom macaroni and cheese in the past and it is a perfect dish for a winter by the fire- luscious and hearty.
Conclusion: We had so much fun drinking wine and enjoying the day that we decided to skip the movie. Oh well, next time. But, come on, allow us to sit in the chairs outside!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Get Fresh
Issue: What is the best place to enjoy the bounty of the season?
Rule: The markets are still full of late season corn and heirloom tomatoes- two of my favorite things and so all I want to do is be able to eat at a place where I can order that for dinner. I want to be able to enjoy a local seasonal meal that really shows off the food that looks so good every time I pass it at the market.
Application: Get Fresh used to be an interesting hybrid take out place with huge refrigerators that housed frozen meals as well as components for dinner that you could make yourself. They also had soups and sodas and cooking equipment. Some of the cooking equipment still remains as well as a few necessities including Stumptown Coffee, assorted beans and olive oils.
But moving on the to the meal, it really was the Best Meal I have had in months. Literally. I know, I know, I have not been posting that much since I have been going to a gagillion weddings and have not had much time to go out to eat. But still, I stand by this meal as one of the best in a long time. We started with two Vermont cheeses and Sullivan's bread with delicious lemony house-cured olives.
The rest of the menu is divided into awesome price fix meals and a small selection of a la carte entrees. However the best part is the vegetarian meal which is basically whatever looks amazing in the kitchen which means that each meal is different for each person that ordered it. And judging from the tables near by, it looks like many people order it. My vegetarian meal featured an amazing array of different vegetarian food across many ethnic cuisines. The hands-down best part was an amazing tamale that was contributed by the chef's mother. Besides the awesome purple tamale there was a tasty potato mash, house-made potato chips, wonderfully spiced tomato rice with corn and an awesome corn soup. The soup was light with pickled watermelons (who knew!) and a refreshing bit of cucumber. Corn soup can so often get bogged down with excessive heavy cream but this left me feeling satisfied and not gross.
Ryan ordered from the price fix menu and received scallops that were "cooked perfectly". The corn soup was his middle course as well- big hit. His entree was a pork belly with heirloom beans, potato puree and chorizo. There was a lot going on but it all balanced out wonderfully. Pork belly, along with roasted chicken are two consistent indicators of what any kitchen is capable of. Both meals could easily be too dry or not crispy enough. Not a problem here.
Oh, bonus- Get Fresh is currently BYOB. The staff directs you to local wine stores and is happy to keep it cool while you eat.
Conclusion: I want to go back right now. I want to request the tamale the next time I get the vegetarian plate and be pleasantly surprised by the rest of the meal. I keep thinking and dreaming about this place. I guess I will have to go back. ASAP.
Rule: The markets are still full of late season corn and heirloom tomatoes- two of my favorite things and so all I want to do is be able to eat at a place where I can order that for dinner. I want to be able to enjoy a local seasonal meal that really shows off the food that looks so good every time I pass it at the market.
Application: Get Fresh used to be an interesting hybrid take out place with huge refrigerators that housed frozen meals as well as components for dinner that you could make yourself. They also had soups and sodas and cooking equipment. Some of the cooking equipment still remains as well as a few necessities including Stumptown Coffee, assorted beans and olive oils.
But moving on the to the meal, it really was the Best Meal I have had in months. Literally. I know, I know, I have not been posting that much since I have been going to a gagillion weddings and have not had much time to go out to eat. But still, I stand by this meal as one of the best in a long time. We started with two Vermont cheeses and Sullivan's bread with delicious lemony house-cured olives.
The rest of the menu is divided into awesome price fix meals and a small selection of a la carte entrees. However the best part is the vegetarian meal which is basically whatever looks amazing in the kitchen which means that each meal is different for each person that ordered it. And judging from the tables near by, it looks like many people order it. My vegetarian meal featured an amazing array of different vegetarian food across many ethnic cuisines. The hands-down best part was an amazing tamale that was contributed by the chef's mother. Besides the awesome purple tamale there was a tasty potato mash, house-made potato chips, wonderfully spiced tomato rice with corn and an awesome corn soup. The soup was light with pickled watermelons (who knew!) and a refreshing bit of cucumber. Corn soup can so often get bogged down with excessive heavy cream but this left me feeling satisfied and not gross.
Ryan ordered from the price fix menu and received scallops that were "cooked perfectly". The corn soup was his middle course as well- big hit. His entree was a pork belly with heirloom beans, potato puree and chorizo. There was a lot going on but it all balanced out wonderfully. Pork belly, along with roasted chicken are two consistent indicators of what any kitchen is capable of. Both meals could easily be too dry or not crispy enough. Not a problem here.
Oh, bonus- Get Fresh is currently BYOB. The staff directs you to local wine stores and is happy to keep it cool while you eat.
Conclusion: I want to go back right now. I want to request the tamale the next time I get the vegetarian plate and be pleasantly surprised by the rest of the meal. I keep thinking and dreaming about this place. I guess I will have to go back. ASAP.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Brooklyn Public House
Issue: Get an outdoor seat in Fort Greene on the nicest night in the summer.
Rule: It has been eff-ing hot this summer. Too hot in fact to sit outside, which is a beloved summer tradition. So with one night below 80 degrees everyone in Fort Greene wanted a seat.
Application: We walked from Atlantic Terminal towards Fulton and then up Dekalb. Every single place we passed was packed with non-sweaty sitters enjoying the night air. Finally we spotted two empty seats at Brooklyn Public House on Dekalb. It is two doors down from Roman's (which is where I really wanted to go. Next time, buddy) and on a pretty busy corner with many cabs and a bus.
The beer menu was extensive but the wine list was not remarkable. There were no bottles and only a few wines available by the glass, but I guess this is a beer place. Shucks. My date got the big burger stacked high with two onion rings. Man, the onion rings were delicious- generously salted and peppered. The outside was a bit flaky which just encouraged me to eat it faster. After a long day eating junk food the Public Salad was deliciously refreshing. The three types of green were complimented with a light dressing and sweet apples.
Conclusion: A lovely spot for a bite and a view of gorgeous Fort Greene. A perfect meal would include something juicy and bad for you, along with multiple pints.
Rule: It has been eff-ing hot this summer. Too hot in fact to sit outside, which is a beloved summer tradition. So with one night below 80 degrees everyone in Fort Greene wanted a seat.
Application: We walked from Atlantic Terminal towards Fulton and then up Dekalb. Every single place we passed was packed with non-sweaty sitters enjoying the night air. Finally we spotted two empty seats at Brooklyn Public House on Dekalb. It is two doors down from Roman's (which is where I really wanted to go. Next time, buddy) and on a pretty busy corner with many cabs and a bus.
The beer menu was extensive but the wine list was not remarkable. There were no bottles and only a few wines available by the glass, but I guess this is a beer place. Shucks. My date got the big burger stacked high with two onion rings. Man, the onion rings were delicious- generously salted and peppered. The outside was a bit flaky which just encouraged me to eat it faster. After a long day eating junk food the Public Salad was deliciously refreshing. The three types of green were complimented with a light dressing and sweet apples.
Conclusion: A lovely spot for a bite and a view of gorgeous Fort Greene. A perfect meal would include something juicy and bad for you, along with multiple pints.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Fornino
Issue: Pizza! That is an issue all in itself.
Rule: Pizza outside of Pizza Town, Pizza Village, Pizza World or Pizza Hamlet and inside a restaurant must be of better quality. If I wanted just a regular slice, I would go to one of the above. But when I want the experience of restaurant pizza I want the pizza to be better, the crust thinner, the ingredients fresher and the toppings more unique.
Application: Fornino opened in Park Slope recently in the old Tempo. (And like Tempo, Fornino plans to open up a take out shop next door.) There is always a large crowd inside whenever I pass and they always look like they are having a wonderful time. The inside is set up similarly to the old restuarant, with a large bar taking up most of the front and a huge side dining room. We went on a weekday and there were no 3 tops in the side dining room so we were seated in the front room on a high table near the bar. There was not quite enough room for all three of us to eat at the same time, there was a lot of moving appetizers and wine bottles around in order to make the puzzle pieces fit.
We started with chickpea fries, oh yes, chick pea fries. They are exactly what you would imagine and completely delicious. One of the most crave-able things on the menu. We also had roasted beets which complimented the fries wonderfully. The three of us enjoying dinner were fully satisfied with fries, beets and two pizzas. For pizza we had a simple margherita with a rather meaty tomato sauce and fresh basil. The crust on the pizza was thin but super sturdy, there was no danger of chese and sauce sliding back down on to the plate. It was crunchy, salty and tasty. Our other pizza selection was a bit more adventurous, gorgonzola with pears. It was nearly impossible to only choose two pizzas from the large menu of amazing looking options. But in choosing one simple pizza and one a bit more adventurous we were able to get a good idea of what the kitchen could do. The gorgonzola pizza was sweet but sugary, it never tipped to the sweet side, always stayed savory. The gorgonzola balanced out the pears beautifully. Yum.
Conclusion: A bottle of wine, (a decent Gavi recommended by the bartender- our waitress didn't seem to know the wine selection so well) two pizzas and two appetizers only ran us only $26 each. An amazing deal for such quality food. I literally cannot wait to return. This heat wave provides an awesome excuse to eat out and not use the stove. Fornino- here I come again!
Rule: Pizza outside of Pizza Town, Pizza Village, Pizza World or Pizza Hamlet and inside a restaurant must be of better quality. If I wanted just a regular slice, I would go to one of the above. But when I want the experience of restaurant pizza I want the pizza to be better, the crust thinner, the ingredients fresher and the toppings more unique.
Application: Fornino opened in Park Slope recently in the old Tempo. (And like Tempo, Fornino plans to open up a take out shop next door.) There is always a large crowd inside whenever I pass and they always look like they are having a wonderful time. The inside is set up similarly to the old restuarant, with a large bar taking up most of the front and a huge side dining room. We went on a weekday and there were no 3 tops in the side dining room so we were seated in the front room on a high table near the bar. There was not quite enough room for all three of us to eat at the same time, there was a lot of moving appetizers and wine bottles around in order to make the puzzle pieces fit.
We started with chickpea fries, oh yes, chick pea fries. They are exactly what you would imagine and completely delicious. One of the most crave-able things on the menu. We also had roasted beets which complimented the fries wonderfully. The three of us enjoying dinner were fully satisfied with fries, beets and two pizzas. For pizza we had a simple margherita with a rather meaty tomato sauce and fresh basil. The crust on the pizza was thin but super sturdy, there was no danger of chese and sauce sliding back down on to the plate. It was crunchy, salty and tasty. Our other pizza selection was a bit more adventurous, gorgonzola with pears. It was nearly impossible to only choose two pizzas from the large menu of amazing looking options. But in choosing one simple pizza and one a bit more adventurous we were able to get a good idea of what the kitchen could do. The gorgonzola pizza was sweet but sugary, it never tipped to the sweet side, always stayed savory. The gorgonzola balanced out the pears beautifully. Yum.
Conclusion: A bottle of wine, (a decent Gavi recommended by the bartender- our waitress didn't seem to know the wine selection so well) two pizzas and two appetizers only ran us only $26 each. An amazing deal for such quality food. I literally cannot wait to return. This heat wave provides an awesome excuse to eat out and not use the stove. Fornino- here I come again!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
West Coast Edition
Issue: How to decide what the best meal of an 8 day eating trip was.
Rule: Celebrity chefs should not be given bonus points and Napa cuisine is not automatically better than anything in the city. The food should above all be tasty, the service should above all be friendly, the restaurant itself should above all be cozy and warm.
Application: The best restaurant we went to (out of a category including Bottega, Sella Donna, Mercedes, Hog Island Oyster Company, Il Cane Rosso, Bouchon, Nob Hill Cafe and a tiny Japanese place off Taylor Street) was Firefly in the Noe Valley neighborhood of San Fran. http://www.fireflyrestaurant.com/menu.html
Firefly was creative, seasonal and delicious. After many nights of crusty bread with either butter or olive oil or some combination it was refreshing to much on something a little lighter before settling in for the real meal. At Firefly the first food to touch your lips is a lovely puree of curried beans both light and yet substantial. The appetizers were varied and fresh and presented the hardest decision of the night. My husband and I decided on the white asparagus salad with rhubarb mache and pistachio coulis. It was perhaps the 4th dish with asparagus that I had consumed on the trip. (When they are in season and oh-so-good, you just need to go with it.) Besides the fried asparagus that I had at the hotel restaurant a few days earlier, this was the most interesting way to eat asparagus. I wanted to lick the plate. Our second appetizer featured cured sardines which we had noticed had been featured in a lot of other menus. Sardines are not for me. But I tried the cured sardines with zucchini pickles, tiny salad butter bean puree on a baguette. The sardines were salty and a little flaky, which to people who speak sardine means perfect. I focused more on the asparagus but my husband ate every last crumb.
I had peeked at the menu before arriving so I had already decided that I wanted the smoked tofu stuffed Chile relleno with red rice, grilled early season corn and mojo verde. (OMG I cannot even write this without salivating.) The smoked tofu was a perfect accompaniment for the hot relleno. The rice and corn on the side provided an excellent source of sweetness to balance the heat. There was so much food on the plate that it was impossible to finish. It is rare and a nice treat to have too much food to deal with. I ate as much as I could and didn't even get a minute to lift my head up from the plate and sample Ryan's fish dish. We unfortunately had to refuse dessert in order to avoid being rolled out of the restaurant.
The restaurant is divided into two rooms, with a big bar taking up most of the first room. The wine list was extensive with many bottles under $60 and many local California wines. Our server was knowledgable about the wine and led us to a delicious Chardonnay that went well with our dinners. All servers were attentive without hovering and friendly without being overbearing.
Conclusion: Best meal of the trip. So good, in fact that I cannot concentrate anymore and need to get myself a mid-morning snack that will somehow take me back to San Fran...
Rule: Celebrity chefs should not be given bonus points and Napa cuisine is not automatically better than anything in the city. The food should above all be tasty, the service should above all be friendly, the restaurant itself should above all be cozy and warm.
Application: The best restaurant we went to (out of a category including Bottega, Sella Donna, Mercedes, Hog Island Oyster Company, Il Cane Rosso, Bouchon, Nob Hill Cafe and a tiny Japanese place off Taylor Street) was Firefly in the Noe Valley neighborhood of San Fran. http://www.fireflyrestaurant.com/menu.html
Firefly was creative, seasonal and delicious. After many nights of crusty bread with either butter or olive oil or some combination it was refreshing to much on something a little lighter before settling in for the real meal. At Firefly the first food to touch your lips is a lovely puree of curried beans both light and yet substantial. The appetizers were varied and fresh and presented the hardest decision of the night. My husband and I decided on the white asparagus salad with rhubarb mache and pistachio coulis. It was perhaps the 4th dish with asparagus that I had consumed on the trip. (When they are in season and oh-so-good, you just need to go with it.) Besides the fried asparagus that I had at the hotel restaurant a few days earlier, this was the most interesting way to eat asparagus. I wanted to lick the plate. Our second appetizer featured cured sardines which we had noticed had been featured in a lot of other menus. Sardines are not for me. But I tried the cured sardines with zucchini pickles, tiny salad butter bean puree on a baguette. The sardines were salty and a little flaky, which to people who speak sardine means perfect. I focused more on the asparagus but my husband ate every last crumb.
I had peeked at the menu before arriving so I had already decided that I wanted the smoked tofu stuffed Chile relleno with red rice, grilled early season corn and mojo verde. (OMG I cannot even write this without salivating.) The smoked tofu was a perfect accompaniment for the hot relleno. The rice and corn on the side provided an excellent source of sweetness to balance the heat. There was so much food on the plate that it was impossible to finish. It is rare and a nice treat to have too much food to deal with. I ate as much as I could and didn't even get a minute to lift my head up from the plate and sample Ryan's fish dish. We unfortunately had to refuse dessert in order to avoid being rolled out of the restaurant.
The restaurant is divided into two rooms, with a big bar taking up most of the first room. The wine list was extensive with many bottles under $60 and many local California wines. Our server was knowledgable about the wine and led us to a delicious Chardonnay that went well with our dinners. All servers were attentive without hovering and friendly without being overbearing.
Conclusion: Best meal of the trip. So good, in fact that I cannot concentrate anymore and need to get myself a mid-morning snack that will somehow take me back to San Fran...
I'm back!
After a long spring full of wedding planning followed by the actual wedding and honeymoon, I am ready to devote myself back to laweatlaw! In the next few posts I will be IRAC-ing some West Coast restaurants that we sampled during our honeymoon in Napa and San Francisco.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
North Slope Nachos
Issue: Sometimes I just need nachos, ok? Where do I go when my craving gets so intense that I cannot walk more then 5 blocks?
Rule: I have never claimed to be a nacho purist. I like nachos with and without jalapenos, with cheese melted over a pile of chips, or placed delicately on 3 or 4, with chicken or with veggies. However, I will not stand for fake cheese. Oh no, that crosses the line.
Application: Los Pollitos II is on 5th Ave in Park Slope and has a mean mole enchilada but it does not use real cheese on the nachos. Nuff said. There was a time when the restaurant had entirely different nachos. There was a time when customers were able to sit outside with a margarita and enjoy delicious nachos and corn on the cob slathered in cheese. That time has passed. I don't know when the change made to EZ Cheez, but the strange concoction that is oozing off the chips is not what it used to be. Ugh.
Lobo is just a few blocks down on 5th Ave and always saves the day! A generous basket of chips is placed at the table upon arrival. Salty and crunchy but never too greasy, it is a sign of good things to come. The nachos are the size of half a taco with beans, cheese, jalapenos and additional fixings (chicken usually for us). Hold on to the basket of chips for additional scooping power to get the leftovers once the big chips are gone. Lobo is big in these parts for a delicious margarita that tastes like Christmas (blood orange with Cinnamon tequila- yum) but it has also become my go-to place when I want to enjoy a few nachos while sitting outside. Lobo seems quieter than Los Pollitos even though they are on similar corners, but Lobo's dining area is fenced in, which does make a difference.
Conclusion: Go Lobo. An ideal dinner for two is nachos and an assortment of the veggie sides to assuage the guilt of too many chips. The sides include a wonderfully garlicky spinach, a slightly lackluster creamed corn and some pretty delicious buffalo wings. It is more than enough food for two. Do not think that the chips and salsa alone will satisfy you (they may) just go ahead and order the nachos anyway. You will not be disappointed.
Where is your favorite spot for nachos?
Rule: I have never claimed to be a nacho purist. I like nachos with and without jalapenos, with cheese melted over a pile of chips, or placed delicately on 3 or 4, with chicken or with veggies. However, I will not stand for fake cheese. Oh no, that crosses the line.
Application: Los Pollitos II is on 5th Ave in Park Slope and has a mean mole enchilada but it does not use real cheese on the nachos. Nuff said. There was a time when the restaurant had entirely different nachos. There was a time when customers were able to sit outside with a margarita and enjoy delicious nachos and corn on the cob slathered in cheese. That time has passed. I don't know when the change made to EZ Cheez, but the strange concoction that is oozing off the chips is not what it used to be. Ugh.
Lobo is just a few blocks down on 5th Ave and always saves the day! A generous basket of chips is placed at the table upon arrival. Salty and crunchy but never too greasy, it is a sign of good things to come. The nachos are the size of half a taco with beans, cheese, jalapenos and additional fixings (chicken usually for us). Hold on to the basket of chips for additional scooping power to get the leftovers once the big chips are gone. Lobo is big in these parts for a delicious margarita that tastes like Christmas (blood orange with Cinnamon tequila- yum) but it has also become my go-to place when I want to enjoy a few nachos while sitting outside. Lobo seems quieter than Los Pollitos even though they are on similar corners, but Lobo's dining area is fenced in, which does make a difference.
Conclusion: Go Lobo. An ideal dinner for two is nachos and an assortment of the veggie sides to assuage the guilt of too many chips. The sides include a wonderfully garlicky spinach, a slightly lackluster creamed corn and some pretty delicious buffalo wings. It is more than enough food for two. Do not think that the chips and salsa alone will satisfy you (they may) just go ahead and order the nachos anyway. You will not be disappointed.
Where is your favorite spot for nachos?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Toby's Public House
Issue: Find a bar in the South Slope that will let us linger for a bit.
Rule: Many bar/restaurants have strict rules about how long you can sit at a table without ordering a ton of food. On Saturday I took my cousin and some of his friends on a tour of Brooklyn which ended in the South Slope. We wanted to sit in a place at the end of our four mile hike that wouldn't hustle us out, especially since it was before 6:00.
Application: We found Toby's on the corner of 6th Ave and 21st Street. We had heard about awesome pizza and a great location for South Slopers. During our long exploration of Brooklyn we had grabbed lunch so none of us were that hungry, but the pizza was impossible to resist.
The room is small but has plenty of outdoor seating available. There is only one bathroom and it is wallpapered with old Playboys. The wood burning stove is in the back of the bar, visible to all. This helps to make the wait time for pizza almost non-existent. As soon as we arrived (all 5 of us) we were gently warned that if a party came in that wanted to eat, we would be kicked out. It didn't happen until we had drank a few rounds and were prepared to go anyway. We had plenty of time to enjoy the interesting beer selection which included Toby's Cheap Beer (Killian's) as well as a Peak Organic Amber. The menu is small but the pizza is important and there are plenty of varieties to taste. We just had the simple margarita with delicious cheese and a thin but solid crust. Yum. I can't wait to go back and sample all the other pizzas.
The bar also had home made beef jerky. Normally something I avoid, but darn, it was pretty good. Salty and oddly sweet. I had 3 pieces.
Service was good and attentive. Our waitperson was friendly, a ball-buster and a bit over the top. I kept replaying the line from "It's a Wonderful Life" in my head. "We serve heard drinks in here for men who want to get drunk fast, and we don't need any characters around to give the joint 'atmosphere.'"
Conclusion: A lovely place to sit inside as the sub pours in, or when the weather is a little warmer, to sit outside and enjoy the quiet corner of South Slope. With friends who recently moves just around the corner, I am excited to go back there.
Rule: Many bar/restaurants have strict rules about how long you can sit at a table without ordering a ton of food. On Saturday I took my cousin and some of his friends on a tour of Brooklyn which ended in the South Slope. We wanted to sit in a place at the end of our four mile hike that wouldn't hustle us out, especially since it was before 6:00.
Application: We found Toby's on the corner of 6th Ave and 21st Street. We had heard about awesome pizza and a great location for South Slopers. During our long exploration of Brooklyn we had grabbed lunch so none of us were that hungry, but the pizza was impossible to resist.
The room is small but has plenty of outdoor seating available. There is only one bathroom and it is wallpapered with old Playboys. The wood burning stove is in the back of the bar, visible to all. This helps to make the wait time for pizza almost non-existent. As soon as we arrived (all 5 of us) we were gently warned that if a party came in that wanted to eat, we would be kicked out. It didn't happen until we had drank a few rounds and were prepared to go anyway. We had plenty of time to enjoy the interesting beer selection which included Toby's Cheap Beer (Killian's) as well as a Peak Organic Amber. The menu is small but the pizza is important and there are plenty of varieties to taste. We just had the simple margarita with delicious cheese and a thin but solid crust. Yum. I can't wait to go back and sample all the other pizzas.
The bar also had home made beef jerky. Normally something I avoid, but darn, it was pretty good. Salty and oddly sweet. I had 3 pieces.
Service was good and attentive. Our waitperson was friendly, a ball-buster and a bit over the top. I kept replaying the line from "It's a Wonderful Life" in my head. "We serve heard drinks in here for men who want to get drunk fast, and we don't need any characters around to give the joint 'atmosphere.'"
Conclusion: A lovely place to sit inside as the sub pours in, or when the weather is a little warmer, to sit outside and enjoy the quiet corner of South Slope. With friends who recently moves just around the corner, I am excited to go back there.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
School cafeteria food
Bleh, right? But is it really why we are all so fat? Everyone from Jamie Oliver to Michelle Obama is up in arms about the quality of food in our nation's cafeterias. Yes, it is gross and unhealthy, but can that really be the reason for our obesity epidemic? Get ready for a rambling rant.
I am a bit obsessed with food. I like to know where it came from and how long it took to get to me. Organic is better, local is best. It is obvious in my line of work that many children are not eating right. (Unfortunately, it is also obvious in my line of work that many children do not go to school.) Many children come to my office reeking of McDonald's and Popeye's. The elevators in court are often littered with french fries and smell of grease. This is what the impoverished in America eat. It is pretty gross. It seems like more and more we are fast-fooding our cafeterias as well. Instead of baked chicken, we have chicken nuggets that are as fried and greasy as ever.
I was captivated by this article in the NY Times a few years ago about carrots: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/17/dining/17carr.html?scp=1&sq=carrots,%20schools&st=cse The idea of all of those carrots going to waste to make baby carrots has stuck with me. It all seems linked together, doesn't it? instant, cheap food is nearly impossible to be good for you, but it is everywhere in poor neighborhoods. Check out the neighborhood food joints at a school in Bronx and ones in Park Slope- entirely different options. (side note- you can also check out the difference in Army recruitment offices in those neighborhoods- scary.) Although, Park Slope kids still seem to venture to pizza places. The point is, change needs to come on all fronts. School cafeterias, fast food restaurants outside the schools, how parents shop in grocery stores. Maybe grocery stores should post cheap and easy recipes above the onions. Maybe fast food restaurants could use organic produce and recycle their kitchen grease. Food stamps can be used at many farmer's markets now, maybe there should be a discount.
Ultimately, you can't get kids to eat stuff they don't like. But if they don't eat McDonald's, they won't know what they are missing. It needs to start early, and it needs to start fast. More fresh option need to be located around low-income areas, gym class is probably a good idea, and groceries need to be given a priority. That means that if parents can't afford pots and pans, we need to start a program that will give them pots and pans. Who's with me?
I am a bit obsessed with food. I like to know where it came from and how long it took to get to me. Organic is better, local is best. It is obvious in my line of work that many children are not eating right. (Unfortunately, it is also obvious in my line of work that many children do not go to school.) Many children come to my office reeking of McDonald's and Popeye's. The elevators in court are often littered with french fries and smell of grease. This is what the impoverished in America eat. It is pretty gross. It seems like more and more we are fast-fooding our cafeterias as well. Instead of baked chicken, we have chicken nuggets that are as fried and greasy as ever.
I was captivated by this article in the NY Times a few years ago about carrots: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/17/dining/17carr.html?scp=1&sq=carrots,%20schools&st=cse The idea of all of those carrots going to waste to make baby carrots has stuck with me. It all seems linked together, doesn't it? instant, cheap food is nearly impossible to be good for you, but it is everywhere in poor neighborhoods. Check out the neighborhood food joints at a school in Bronx and ones in Park Slope- entirely different options. (side note- you can also check out the difference in Army recruitment offices in those neighborhoods- scary.) Although, Park Slope kids still seem to venture to pizza places. The point is, change needs to come on all fronts. School cafeterias, fast food restaurants outside the schools, how parents shop in grocery stores. Maybe grocery stores should post cheap and easy recipes above the onions. Maybe fast food restaurants could use organic produce and recycle their kitchen grease. Food stamps can be used at many farmer's markets now, maybe there should be a discount.
Ultimately, you can't get kids to eat stuff they don't like. But if they don't eat McDonald's, they won't know what they are missing. It needs to start early, and it needs to start fast. More fresh option need to be located around low-income areas, gym class is probably a good idea, and groceries need to be given a priority. That means that if parents can't afford pots and pans, we need to start a program that will give them pots and pans. Who's with me?
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
My Buttermilk Channel
Issue: Is it better the second time around? This was a return trip for me, after taking a tour of BC a few months ago. This time there were 4 of us, not 5 as last time, a weekend instead of weekday, spring vs. fall. Many small differences. Will they lead to a big change?
Rule: Times improves all things. (Or does it?)
Application: In the fall we were sat at the long center table that we shared with a few other diners. The worst thing about the place was that we couldn't hear each other speak. Our group was not overwhelmed with joy for that visit. We had high hopes and were not blown away with the food or atmosphere. This was not an issue last weekend. We got a seat right away, just in time for the early bird special. Both times I have ordered salads but this one was better. I ordered the arugula salad, packed with extras including pomegranate seeds which provided a juicy kick. Ryan let me sample a bit of the signature buttermilk fried chicken with a delicious cheddar biscuit. It is definitely signature, unique, and tasty. My first bite was a bit dry, but my second was moist and spot on.
The cheese tray and Brussels sprouts were the highlight for me for sure. The details and small dishes are what makes this place special. One of the cheese selections is a Consider Bardwell which holds a special place in my heart as a delicious local cheese. Instead of bread with olive oil, we were treated to biscuits with honey. Yum. The cocktail list was inventive and about $10 each. Weekday specials also highlighted local products including the Red Hook Lobster Pound and Caputo's linguini.
Conclusion: The second time is the charm. Emphasis on charm. I discovered the little charms of the place, the eye turned towards local flavors, the wonderfully decorated bathroom, the ability to hear our conversations, the small outdoor seating, the fabulous slice of the neighborhood. It all added up to a better trip this time around.
Rule: Times improves all things. (Or does it?)
Application: In the fall we were sat at the long center table that we shared with a few other diners. The worst thing about the place was that we couldn't hear each other speak. Our group was not overwhelmed with joy for that visit. We had high hopes and were not blown away with the food or atmosphere. This was not an issue last weekend. We got a seat right away, just in time for the early bird special. Both times I have ordered salads but this one was better. I ordered the arugula salad, packed with extras including pomegranate seeds which provided a juicy kick. Ryan let me sample a bit of the signature buttermilk fried chicken with a delicious cheddar biscuit. It is definitely signature, unique, and tasty. My first bite was a bit dry, but my second was moist and spot on.
The cheese tray and Brussels sprouts were the highlight for me for sure. The details and small dishes are what makes this place special. One of the cheese selections is a Consider Bardwell which holds a special place in my heart as a delicious local cheese. Instead of bread with olive oil, we were treated to biscuits with honey. Yum. The cocktail list was inventive and about $10 each. Weekday specials also highlighted local products including the Red Hook Lobster Pound and Caputo's linguini.
Conclusion: The second time is the charm. Emphasis on charm. I discovered the little charms of the place, the eye turned towards local flavors, the wonderfully decorated bathroom, the ability to hear our conversations, the small outdoor seating, the fabulous slice of the neighborhood. It all added up to a better trip this time around.
Buttermilk Channel Guest Blog
As promised, we bring you Eric Mancini. Hailing from Providence, RI by way of Agawam, MA, Eric is a good eater, fun Monday night company, almost citified walker, and has a good eye for detail. Enjoy:
We spent a hot day wandering through the post-industrial playgrounds that are the more obscure neighborhoods in Brooklyn, through areas that are supposed to blow up any minute (aren't they all), walked literally off our feet on the last full day of my week long visit to the hippest place on earth. This is how we came to Buttermilk Channel. This trip was the culmination of a week of being whisked around the city to one landmark restaurant after another by my gracious hosts, and it loomed large, seeming as it did to embody so many of my conflicted feelings about Brooklyn. Serious food trying too hard to be a casual neighborhood experience. Historical names and places mined for design elements. New American cuisine that (though I love it) tends to be similar across trendy restaurants. Spaces that are beautiful but so self consciously designed to be so. Also, and this is the crucial part, food that is better than any restaurant within fifty miles of where I live.
We got in around 6:30 and were the last customers to sit down without a wait. The interior was refreshing: all simple cream colors that gave off a warm, welcoming light. Any weariness the four of us felt from the long day of walking drained away almost immediately with the first round of drinks and popovers - light and crispy with just a hint of honey. The ladies went the route of multiple small plates and salads while the guys voted the Buttermilk equivalent of the straight ticket: buttermilk fried chicken with cheddar waffles, as close to a signature dish as the restaurant has.
Most of the small plates were tasty – the brussel sprouts practically jumped off the plate with their seasoning, and the cheese plate had one certified superstar - Queso del Inferno from Vermont, a harder cheese with a great salty flavor like spicy pecorino. Some of the dishes missed – the fresh mozzarella itself was good but the butter soaked bread between each piece was soggy and overpowering. And the sweet potato and goat cheese croquettes were nicely creamy but without any big flavor payoff. It's telling that my fiance, a croquette fanatic, thought they were forgettable.
Though fifteen minutes later it was easy to forget even the better appetizers in full embrace of the chicken and waffles. Served in a neat pile, universally dark amber in color and balanced out with a bright white scoop of cole slaw, it was immediately clear that someone thought this dish through. The chicken had the expected outer crisp with the interior landscape of a slow roasted bird, dark and moist. The waffles were browned, unassuming. Both tasted good alone but didn't reveal themselves fully until they were bound up with the primordial glue that was the syrup. Dark as petroleum but thinner, it poured easily and soaked into the chicken. It wasn't entirely sweet; there was a flavor in there that I struggled to place afterwards. My best guess would be a type of balsamic vinegar. All these years living in New England seeking out the thickest, sweetest maple syrups and I had it all wrong.
No room for dessert, we headed to a tiny bar across the street to meet with friends, my tongue still probing around for more syrup. And as always happens, my original, cynical defenses are taken down in presence of the actual thing, the food itself. Then I'm forced to admit that my conflicted feelings are mostly posturing, with a slight hint of envy, and that I've eaten better this week than anytime in recent memory. Brooklyn has some truly great restaurants. I can't thank my hosts enough.
We spent a hot day wandering through the post-industrial playgrounds that are the more obscure neighborhoods in Brooklyn, through areas that are supposed to blow up any minute (aren't they all), walked literally off our feet on the last full day of my week long visit to the hippest place on earth. This is how we came to Buttermilk Channel. This trip was the culmination of a week of being whisked around the city to one landmark restaurant after another by my gracious hosts, and it loomed large, seeming as it did to embody so many of my conflicted feelings about Brooklyn. Serious food trying too hard to be a casual neighborhood experience. Historical names and places mined for design elements. New American cuisine that (though I love it) tends to be similar across trendy restaurants. Spaces that are beautiful but so self consciously designed to be so. Also, and this is the crucial part, food that is better than any restaurant within fifty miles of where I live.
We got in around 6:30 and were the last customers to sit down without a wait. The interior was refreshing: all simple cream colors that gave off a warm, welcoming light. Any weariness the four of us felt from the long day of walking drained away almost immediately with the first round of drinks and popovers - light and crispy with just a hint of honey. The ladies went the route of multiple small plates and salads while the guys voted the Buttermilk equivalent of the straight ticket: buttermilk fried chicken with cheddar waffles, as close to a signature dish as the restaurant has.
Most of the small plates were tasty – the brussel sprouts practically jumped off the plate with their seasoning, and the cheese plate had one certified superstar - Queso del Inferno from Vermont, a harder cheese with a great salty flavor like spicy pecorino. Some of the dishes missed – the fresh mozzarella itself was good but the butter soaked bread between each piece was soggy and overpowering. And the sweet potato and goat cheese croquettes were nicely creamy but without any big flavor payoff. It's telling that my fiance, a croquette fanatic, thought they were forgettable.
Though fifteen minutes later it was easy to forget even the better appetizers in full embrace of the chicken and waffles. Served in a neat pile, universally dark amber in color and balanced out with a bright white scoop of cole slaw, it was immediately clear that someone thought this dish through. The chicken had the expected outer crisp with the interior landscape of a slow roasted bird, dark and moist. The waffles were browned, unassuming. Both tasted good alone but didn't reveal themselves fully until they were bound up with the primordial glue that was the syrup. Dark as petroleum but thinner, it poured easily and soaked into the chicken. It wasn't entirely sweet; there was a flavor in there that I struggled to place afterwards. My best guess would be a type of balsamic vinegar. All these years living in New England seeking out the thickest, sweetest maple syrups and I had it all wrong.
No room for dessert, we headed to a tiny bar across the street to meet with friends, my tongue still probing around for more syrup. And as always happens, my original, cynical defenses are taken down in presence of the actual thing, the food itself. Then I'm forced to admit that my conflicted feelings are mostly posturing, with a slight hint of envy, and that I've eaten better this week than anytime in recent memory. Brooklyn has some truly great restaurants. I can't thank my hosts enough.
Monday, March 22, 2010
The Vanderbilt
Last week we have a mini restaurant week of our own when a friend came in to town, hungry to try some new cuisine. We will be welcoming him sometime this week as a guest blogger with his own spin on where we ate.
Issue: Which new restaurant in the area do we venture out to with a friend from out of town? Our friend has visited many times before and has kept himself advised of new movement in Brooklyn's restaurant scene from afar. Dinner on his first night had to be somewhere new and interesting.
Rule: It seems like new restaurant openings have slowed a bit in the last few months, but slow still means many new restaurants have opened during the winter. The Vanderbilt in Prospect Heights opened in the early winter of 2009 and boasted a nearly full bar area last Monday and about a half full back dining room.
Application: Whatever kinks may come with a new restaurant were not on display here. One of the most memorable highlights from this dinner (more on the delicious food later) was the amazing service. From the kind hostess who greeted us immediately, to the attentive waitress, to the quick food preparation and floating busboys and food runners, the service never missed a beat. Impeccable. At least three different people wished us well on the way out of dinner, always a good sign. Our waitress was attentive and available, but never cloying. All of meals came out in record time, and there was never a crumb on the table for more than three seconds. I really have to hand it to them.
The food was exceptional. The Michelin starred chef from Saul on Smith Street has created simple and delicious small plates. Our waiter recommended 2-3 plates a person, but that would be too much food. Instead, the three of us ordered one hors d'oeuvres, one charcuterie, two vegetable dishes, one duck dish and a delicious donut desserts.
The hors d'oeuvre and first item to arrive, in five minutes flat was roasted Brussels sprouts with sriracha, lime and honey. The sprouts were small and crispy with a sweet honey punch. In a word-yum. I tried to recreate it this weekend, but obviously couldn't reproduce, so I will have to go back. Again and again.
Next, we received the cauliflower soup which was mainly for me to enjoy on a rainy day. It was served with a caper-raisin puree that was unexpectedly wonderful. The soup had a thick consistency with actual crispy cauliflowers on the top. The caper-raisin puree added the salt and the sweet which is always a good combination.
While I was slurping up the soup we got the pork belly with lentils. I had high hopes, so I was little let down. Whenever I have pork belly now I think about the wonderful pork belly at Beer Table and nothing else has lived up to it. Vanderbilt's version had a crispy, sticky skin that got stuck in our teeth and not in a good way. (Is there a good way?)
We also got an artichoke dish which was wonderfully spiced and a hit with our artichoke-loving eater.
The duck confit special was the universal hit of the night. Served with a generous portion of spaetzle it was a lot of duck on a small plate. The duck was done perfectly moist and full of flavor. You can't really go wrong with duck confit, but we have all had it overcooked and bordering on dry. This was wonderful and every last bit of it was licked off the plate.
And finally, we got the delicious warm spiced donuts with pistachio ice cream for dessert. We were all stuffed from munching on the small plates, but I figured we could squeeze one more in. It was well worth it.
Conclusion: A wonderful entry into the new neighborhood places. During our mini-restaurant week we also went to Char 4, Buttermilk Channel, and Purple Yam and two of the best dishes of the entire week were the duck confit and the Brussels sprouts. That is saying an awful lot, as we ate like kings for a few days.
Issue: Which new restaurant in the area do we venture out to with a friend from out of town? Our friend has visited many times before and has kept himself advised of new movement in Brooklyn's restaurant scene from afar. Dinner on his first night had to be somewhere new and interesting.
Rule: It seems like new restaurant openings have slowed a bit in the last few months, but slow still means many new restaurants have opened during the winter. The Vanderbilt in Prospect Heights opened in the early winter of 2009 and boasted a nearly full bar area last Monday and about a half full back dining room.
Application: Whatever kinks may come with a new restaurant were not on display here. One of the most memorable highlights from this dinner (more on the delicious food later) was the amazing service. From the kind hostess who greeted us immediately, to the attentive waitress, to the quick food preparation and floating busboys and food runners, the service never missed a beat. Impeccable. At least three different people wished us well on the way out of dinner, always a good sign. Our waitress was attentive and available, but never cloying. All of meals came out in record time, and there was never a crumb on the table for more than three seconds. I really have to hand it to them.
The food was exceptional. The Michelin starred chef from Saul on Smith Street has created simple and delicious small plates. Our waiter recommended 2-3 plates a person, but that would be too much food. Instead, the three of us ordered one hors d'oeuvres, one charcuterie, two vegetable dishes, one duck dish and a delicious donut desserts.
The hors d'oeuvre and first item to arrive, in five minutes flat was roasted Brussels sprouts with sriracha, lime and honey. The sprouts were small and crispy with a sweet honey punch. In a word-yum. I tried to recreate it this weekend, but obviously couldn't reproduce, so I will have to go back. Again and again.
Next, we received the cauliflower soup which was mainly for me to enjoy on a rainy day. It was served with a caper-raisin puree that was unexpectedly wonderful. The soup had a thick consistency with actual crispy cauliflowers on the top. The caper-raisin puree added the salt and the sweet which is always a good combination.
While I was slurping up the soup we got the pork belly with lentils. I had high hopes, so I was little let down. Whenever I have pork belly now I think about the wonderful pork belly at Beer Table and nothing else has lived up to it. Vanderbilt's version had a crispy, sticky skin that got stuck in our teeth and not in a good way. (Is there a good way?)
We also got an artichoke dish which was wonderfully spiced and a hit with our artichoke-loving eater.
The duck confit special was the universal hit of the night. Served with a generous portion of spaetzle it was a lot of duck on a small plate. The duck was done perfectly moist and full of flavor. You can't really go wrong with duck confit, but we have all had it overcooked and bordering on dry. This was wonderful and every last bit of it was licked off the plate.
And finally, we got the delicious warm spiced donuts with pistachio ice cream for dessert. We were all stuffed from munching on the small plates, but I figured we could squeeze one more in. It was well worth it.
Conclusion: A wonderful entry into the new neighborhood places. During our mini-restaurant week we also went to Char 4, Buttermilk Channel, and Purple Yam and two of the best dishes of the entire week were the duck confit and the Brussels sprouts. That is saying an awful lot, as we ate like kings for a few days.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The Farm on Adderley
Issue: Where to go for a celebratory brunch with friends without breaking the bank.
Our friends Hilary and Jeremy got engaged recently and Ryan and I wanted to take them out to brunch to congratulate them. However, we are also trying to save money for our own impending wedding so we didn't want to spend a fortune. Plus, we live in opposite sides of the Slope which always makes me worry that one party is going too far out of their way for brunch. So after thinking it over we went with Ryan's suggestion of The Farm. It is in Ditmas Park, so a subway ride away for both parties.
Rule: See: James. Brunch is crazy in our neighborhood. Finding a table for four at 1pm is nearly impossible. And not feeling rushed is even more difficult.
Application: We arrived at 1pm and were told that it would be quite a while. Usually at this point you are forced to choose between sticking it out or walking down the block to the next place. However, the issue with Ditmas Park (and the biggest thing holding me back from moving there this instant) is a lack of variety. As their restaurant row grows, it expands with new cuisine, there is not much repetition. If we wanted to go to brunch we could go to Purple Yam for some entirely different Asian fare, or Connecticut Muffin next door and possibly be able to grab a seat with a coffee and muffin. The only similar brunch is Picket Fence, which is also crowded on a Sunday morning.
We weren't able to be seated until after 1:30, but the hostess was kind enough to take my number so we weren't confined to the small waiting area near the bar, or the freezing cold outside. A bottleneck instantly forms at the entrance to the restaurant creating a waiting problem and a bar seating problem. But the restaurant is much larger than it seems, especially when the weather is warm and the backyard is back in play. The seats are all interchangeable, creating a warm and comfortable environment. Like a farm. Although the place is busy and the line is literally out the door, the restaurant never succumbs to the desire to cram the tables in as closely as possible. Our four top was so distanced that we never heard any other conversations besides our own.
The Farm boasts one of the best brunch menus I have seen in a long time. It is nicely balanced with two salads alongside french toast and omelets. Our table ordered two substantial burgers, the bibb salad and the tuna salad sandwich. The burger was unremarkable but huge. It did come on an English muffin and with cheddar cheese, big pluses. However, the fries were a bit soggy and not at all interesting. The bibb salad was the most delicious salad I have had in a while. Pumpkin seeds gave it a nice crunch and the dried cranberries kept it a bit sweet. I also had a side of chocolate brioche that I witnessed a waiter going blindly from table to table trying to drop off, but missed me again and again. It was flavored with sea salt and butter, I mean... Whoa. Delish. Hilary loved that her tuna salad lacked heavy mayonnaise and was instead flavored with capers and roasted tomatoes. If I could do it again, I would order the same thing. If I could do it one more time, I would order the farmer's breakfast of scrambled eggs and home fries.
Conclusion: The wait can be terrible, but better planning would alleviate that problem. The total was entirely reasonable and treat-able. We all got coffee, but no delicious sounding drinks that make brunch more expensive than it needs to be. The atmosphere is friendly and the service is good, if a bit overwhelmed. Our waiter never tried to rush us in ordering even in spite of the long line. However, I did catch a few glances as we lingered over the check for a moment. It was almost as if we stayed for two more minutes we would have gotten a warning from the staff. The food was tasty, never mind that the burger was not so impressive, everything else on the table tasted great. All that means is that it deserves another trip out to Ditmas Park. This time at a more reasonable hour.
Our friends Hilary and Jeremy got engaged recently and Ryan and I wanted to take them out to brunch to congratulate them. However, we are also trying to save money for our own impending wedding so we didn't want to spend a fortune. Plus, we live in opposite sides of the Slope which always makes me worry that one party is going too far out of their way for brunch. So after thinking it over we went with Ryan's suggestion of The Farm. It is in Ditmas Park, so a subway ride away for both parties.
Rule: See: James. Brunch is crazy in our neighborhood. Finding a table for four at 1pm is nearly impossible. And not feeling rushed is even more difficult.
Application: We arrived at 1pm and were told that it would be quite a while. Usually at this point you are forced to choose between sticking it out or walking down the block to the next place. However, the issue with Ditmas Park (and the biggest thing holding me back from moving there this instant) is a lack of variety. As their restaurant row grows, it expands with new cuisine, there is not much repetition. If we wanted to go to brunch we could go to Purple Yam for some entirely different Asian fare, or Connecticut Muffin next door and possibly be able to grab a seat with a coffee and muffin. The only similar brunch is Picket Fence, which is also crowded on a Sunday morning.
We weren't able to be seated until after 1:30, but the hostess was kind enough to take my number so we weren't confined to the small waiting area near the bar, or the freezing cold outside. A bottleneck instantly forms at the entrance to the restaurant creating a waiting problem and a bar seating problem. But the restaurant is much larger than it seems, especially when the weather is warm and the backyard is back in play. The seats are all interchangeable, creating a warm and comfortable environment. Like a farm. Although the place is busy and the line is literally out the door, the restaurant never succumbs to the desire to cram the tables in as closely as possible. Our four top was so distanced that we never heard any other conversations besides our own.
The Farm boasts one of the best brunch menus I have seen in a long time. It is nicely balanced with two salads alongside french toast and omelets. Our table ordered two substantial burgers, the bibb salad and the tuna salad sandwich. The burger was unremarkable but huge. It did come on an English muffin and with cheddar cheese, big pluses. However, the fries were a bit soggy and not at all interesting. The bibb salad was the most delicious salad I have had in a while. Pumpkin seeds gave it a nice crunch and the dried cranberries kept it a bit sweet. I also had a side of chocolate brioche that I witnessed a waiter going blindly from table to table trying to drop off, but missed me again and again. It was flavored with sea salt and butter, I mean... Whoa. Delish. Hilary loved that her tuna salad lacked heavy mayonnaise and was instead flavored with capers and roasted tomatoes. If I could do it again, I would order the same thing. If I could do it one more time, I would order the farmer's breakfast of scrambled eggs and home fries.
Conclusion: The wait can be terrible, but better planning would alleviate that problem. The total was entirely reasonable and treat-able. We all got coffee, but no delicious sounding drinks that make brunch more expensive than it needs to be. The atmosphere is friendly and the service is good, if a bit overwhelmed. Our waiter never tried to rush us in ordering even in spite of the long line. However, I did catch a few glances as we lingered over the check for a moment. It was almost as if we stayed for two more minutes we would have gotten a warning from the staff. The food was tasty, never mind that the burger was not so impressive, everything else on the table tasted great. All that means is that it deserves another trip out to Ditmas Park. This time at a more reasonable hour.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Times Food Section
Most exciting things in the Wednesday NY Times food section:
1. Coffee!
2. Cheap food!
3. Honey Cakes! What are Honey Cakes?
4. Steak House!
1. The paper of record published an exhaustive and comprehensive review of coffee houses in NYC. It is especially interesting to read about beans being roasted in Greenpoint, and plans for more coffee beans to be roasted in and around Brooklyn. Cafe Grumpy in Park Slope recieves a star review. They are very serious about their coffee over on 7th Ave. No laptops are allowed and I believe even sitting is discouraged. Grab your coffee and get out. The coffee is of course delicious and strong. This cannot stop me from accidentally pronouncing it as Caf-ay Grump-ay everytime I say it aloud.
The article also cites Cafe Pedlar from the Frankie's guys in Cobble Hill. I have yet to check it, which is shameful because it is right down the street. Writing this is making me embarassed of my Dunkin' Donuts cup to my left.
2. Cheap food in LES? WHA?? No big surprise here, but the review of Carteles on East 6th Street makes me yearn for some chicken and yuca sancocho. And I don't even really know what it is.
3. What are honey cakes? At this point, I don't care. I just want to eat the chocolate covered one with marshmallows. Yum.
4. Review of Strip House. Steak is not really my thing, as I tend to vear to more vegetarian fare. However, the review does have it's own mouth-watering moments. Most of them refer to the decor and atmosphere. Mainly, it sounds like a pretty cool place. Anywhere with a signed photo of Thurgood Marshall tucked into the bar area is cool with me. The steaks and scrumptious sides sounds deliciously fatty. With steakhouse prices it may not be the best deal in town, but I certainly would recommend it to meat-lovers on a trip to NY based on this two-starred review (which may be as high as Sifton has gone in his relatively new role).
1. Coffee!
2. Cheap food!
3. Honey Cakes! What are Honey Cakes?
4. Steak House!
1. The paper of record published an exhaustive and comprehensive review of coffee houses in NYC. It is especially interesting to read about beans being roasted in Greenpoint, and plans for more coffee beans to be roasted in and around Brooklyn. Cafe Grumpy in Park Slope recieves a star review. They are very serious about their coffee over on 7th Ave. No laptops are allowed and I believe even sitting is discouraged. Grab your coffee and get out. The coffee is of course delicious and strong. This cannot stop me from accidentally pronouncing it as Caf-ay Grump-ay everytime I say it aloud.
The article also cites Cafe Pedlar from the Frankie's guys in Cobble Hill. I have yet to check it, which is shameful because it is right down the street. Writing this is making me embarassed of my Dunkin' Donuts cup to my left.
2. Cheap food in LES? WHA?? No big surprise here, but the review of Carteles on East 6th Street makes me yearn for some chicken and yuca sancocho. And I don't even really know what it is.
3. What are honey cakes? At this point, I don't care. I just want to eat the chocolate covered one with marshmallows. Yum.
4. Review of Strip House. Steak is not really my thing, as I tend to vear to more vegetarian fare. However, the review does have it's own mouth-watering moments. Most of them refer to the decor and atmosphere. Mainly, it sounds like a pretty cool place. Anywhere with a signed photo of Thurgood Marshall tucked into the bar area is cool with me. The steaks and scrumptious sides sounds deliciously fatty. With steakhouse prices it may not be the best deal in town, but I certainly would recommend it to meat-lovers on a trip to NY based on this two-starred review (which may be as high as Sifton has gone in his relatively new role).
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
sick day lunch
Issue: I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. Where can I go when I leave work early with a fever and nose that won't stop running? What can I eat to make myself feel a little bit better?
One of the perks of my job is that we have unlimited sick days. That's right. Unlimited. However, that makes me feel a bit uneasy taking them, like I am taking advantage of this great thing that we have. But last week I needed to take the hours. My brain was fuzzy and I was blowing my nose through all my court appearances. Not a good look for me. I needed to grab a lunch on my way out of work to enjoy while laying on my couch before taking another nap.
Rule: Sick day lunch should include soup, be warm, toasty and delicious. It shouldn't cost too much money either, you don't want to feel guilty on top of feeling sick. But it should be a treat. Something to look forward to on a day when you are counting down the hours until it is bed time again. So when I think sick day lunch, I think Brooklyn Larder.
Brooklyn Larder is owned by the wonderful and creative team behind Franny's, which is just a few steps away on Flatbush. It is filled with delicious olive oils, local chocolates, a large and tasty cheese selection, and a steady stream of wonderful prepared foods. But most importantly soups and sandwiches.
Application: Brooklyn Larder has a lunch special of a small soup and small sandwich for a bit over $9 with tax. Not the cheapest lunch special around, but certainly the tastiest. The soup and sandwich is definitely sufficient for lunch, sometimes I don't even finish them both.
There are a lot of delicious sandwiches described on the board behind the counter, but to qualify for the special you need to choose between the ham and cheese, or the grilled cheese. I always go with the grilled cheese with a full and complex flavor. The bread of prefectly salty and oily without being the least bit greasy. For soups the selection varies. I was really hoping for the chicken and barley or one of the tomato based soups when I went in last week, but instead they were serving onion soup. The chicken and barley is perfect for hang over or full dinner. The onion soup was as tasty as expected, salty and warm- perfect for a sick day. Oh the healing powers of salt.
The staff is friendly and so knowledgable. No question goes unanswered. The place itself is also friendly and beautiful. If I wasn't in a hurry to jump into my bed, Brooklyn Larder has a few seats and a huge picture window perfect for people watching while slurping soup. I could sit their all day.
Conclusion: In my pre-wedding spending freeze (no non-essential travel, new clothing, or happy hours) I have been trying my best to neglect Brooklyn Larder. But at my sickest, it is there for me. Even though I have tried to turn away from it because of my propensity to accidentally spend $80 when I go in, it is there to support and feed me. I am sure this won't be the last post about Brooklyn Larder. But for now, it the perfect place to grab a fortifying lunch on a slow afternoon.
One of the perks of my job is that we have unlimited sick days. That's right. Unlimited. However, that makes me feel a bit uneasy taking them, like I am taking advantage of this great thing that we have. But last week I needed to take the hours. My brain was fuzzy and I was blowing my nose through all my court appearances. Not a good look for me. I needed to grab a lunch on my way out of work to enjoy while laying on my couch before taking another nap.
Rule: Sick day lunch should include soup, be warm, toasty and delicious. It shouldn't cost too much money either, you don't want to feel guilty on top of feeling sick. But it should be a treat. Something to look forward to on a day when you are counting down the hours until it is bed time again. So when I think sick day lunch, I think Brooklyn Larder.
Brooklyn Larder is owned by the wonderful and creative team behind Franny's, which is just a few steps away on Flatbush. It is filled with delicious olive oils, local chocolates, a large and tasty cheese selection, and a steady stream of wonderful prepared foods. But most importantly soups and sandwiches.
Application: Brooklyn Larder has a lunch special of a small soup and small sandwich for a bit over $9 with tax. Not the cheapest lunch special around, but certainly the tastiest. The soup and sandwich is definitely sufficient for lunch, sometimes I don't even finish them both.
There are a lot of delicious sandwiches described on the board behind the counter, but to qualify for the special you need to choose between the ham and cheese, or the grilled cheese. I always go with the grilled cheese with a full and complex flavor. The bread of prefectly salty and oily without being the least bit greasy. For soups the selection varies. I was really hoping for the chicken and barley or one of the tomato based soups when I went in last week, but instead they were serving onion soup. The chicken and barley is perfect for hang over or full dinner. The onion soup was as tasty as expected, salty and warm- perfect for a sick day. Oh the healing powers of salt.
The staff is friendly and so knowledgable. No question goes unanswered. The place itself is also friendly and beautiful. If I wasn't in a hurry to jump into my bed, Brooklyn Larder has a few seats and a huge picture window perfect for people watching while slurping soup. I could sit their all day.
Conclusion: In my pre-wedding spending freeze (no non-essential travel, new clothing, or happy hours) I have been trying my best to neglect Brooklyn Larder. But at my sickest, it is there for me. Even though I have tried to turn away from it because of my propensity to accidentally spend $80 when I go in, it is there to support and feed me. I am sure this won't be the last post about Brooklyn Larder. But for now, it the perfect place to grab a fortifying lunch on a slow afternoon.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Brunch
Issue: Where to grab a quick and delicious brunch in the neighborhood for four without waiting an hour for a seat.
My parents were in town briefly on a Sunday and wanted something tasty that didn't require a super long wait. Usually my parents love the process of going out to eat. They like planning where to go, ordering the entrees only after the appetizers have been delivered to the table, returning to favorite spots and sampling new places. But we all had a hockey game to watch, so the timing was important.
Rule: Brunch in the Park Slope area can have an insane wait, especially when the snow starts to melt and seats become available outside.
People make fun of Park Slope for being all about babies and brunch. And, honestly, some of that critique is probably true. There are a ton of babies and there are a ton of places to get brunch. In spite of all the choices there is often a long wait for the best places. For example, I have never in my life been to Dizzy's on 8th Avenue without having to wait for at least a half hour. Yet, there are plenty of seats available at places where the selection is sub-par or the place is kind of ho-hum, but who wants to go there? Certainly not my parents.
Application: So we decided on going to James in Prospect Heights. After cataloging many restaurants while sitting in my apartment (Franny's, Flatbush Farm, Rosewater, Al Di La, Alchemy-mostly rejected because Ryan is tired of their brunch menus even though I think they are the best) we decided on James, with The Vanderbilt as a back-up, just in case there was a long line.
James is on Carlton Avenue in Prospect Heights, one of the prettiest blocks in Brooklyn. The owners live upstairs and grow herbs used for meals at the restaurant. I mean, come on! How cool is that? That is seriously right up my alley.
We arrived with a complete party and were told that it would only be a few minutes to sit. Score. We were able to quickly get four stools near the window and a drink menu while we waited for our table in the busy room to open up. This short wait gave us time to survey the room and marvel at the plants seemingly growing out of the wall, the amazing chandelier and the huge plant on the bar. All the decorations are over sized and yet fit very well in the room with high ceilings and a lot of charm.
For brunch I ordered the ricotta pancake with blueberries which I had planned on splitting with my Mom, who ordered the delicious and fluffy fritatta. Instead of eating them both evenly I devoured by sweet and light pancakes and ate a bunch of the fritatta as well. My Dad ordered the french toast stuffed with blackberry jam. OMG it is so good. He was suitably impressed. Ryan got the burger with yummy herb fries that were gone in 2.5 seconds.
My only complaint was a slight hiccup with our waiter who seemed a bit overworked (widely known side-effect of waiters working Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch) and misheard my drink order and forgot my Dad's coffee. Besides that the service was right on- quick, efficient and pleasant.
Conclusion: We were in and out of there, entirely sated and well fed within an hour. After all the back and forth about where we would end up, it was the perfect choice for a brief brunch that never felt rushed. James is also due for a special shout-out for the delightful brunch cocktails. I don't normally imbibe during brunch, but I couldn't resist the blood orange bellini. If I was into bloody marys, I am sure their version with jalapeno would have been an excellent start to a Sunday full of family, food and hockey. Go Canada.
My parents were in town briefly on a Sunday and wanted something tasty that didn't require a super long wait. Usually my parents love the process of going out to eat. They like planning where to go, ordering the entrees only after the appetizers have been delivered to the table, returning to favorite spots and sampling new places. But we all had a hockey game to watch, so the timing was important.
Rule: Brunch in the Park Slope area can have an insane wait, especially when the snow starts to melt and seats become available outside.
People make fun of Park Slope for being all about babies and brunch. And, honestly, some of that critique is probably true. There are a ton of babies and there are a ton of places to get brunch. In spite of all the choices there is often a long wait for the best places. For example, I have never in my life been to Dizzy's on 8th Avenue without having to wait for at least a half hour. Yet, there are plenty of seats available at places where the selection is sub-par or the place is kind of ho-hum, but who wants to go there? Certainly not my parents.
Application: So we decided on going to James in Prospect Heights. After cataloging many restaurants while sitting in my apartment (Franny's, Flatbush Farm, Rosewater, Al Di La, Alchemy-mostly rejected because Ryan is tired of their brunch menus even though I think they are the best) we decided on James, with The Vanderbilt as a back-up, just in case there was a long line.
James is on Carlton Avenue in Prospect Heights, one of the prettiest blocks in Brooklyn. The owners live upstairs and grow herbs used for meals at the restaurant. I mean, come on! How cool is that? That is seriously right up my alley.
We arrived with a complete party and were told that it would only be a few minutes to sit. Score. We were able to quickly get four stools near the window and a drink menu while we waited for our table in the busy room to open up. This short wait gave us time to survey the room and marvel at the plants seemingly growing out of the wall, the amazing chandelier and the huge plant on the bar. All the decorations are over sized and yet fit very well in the room with high ceilings and a lot of charm.
For brunch I ordered the ricotta pancake with blueberries which I had planned on splitting with my Mom, who ordered the delicious and fluffy fritatta. Instead of eating them both evenly I devoured by sweet and light pancakes and ate a bunch of the fritatta as well. My Dad ordered the french toast stuffed with blackberry jam. OMG it is so good. He was suitably impressed. Ryan got the burger with yummy herb fries that were gone in 2.5 seconds.
My only complaint was a slight hiccup with our waiter who seemed a bit overworked (widely known side-effect of waiters working Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch) and misheard my drink order and forgot my Dad's coffee. Besides that the service was right on- quick, efficient and pleasant.
Conclusion: We were in and out of there, entirely sated and well fed within an hour. After all the back and forth about where we would end up, it was the perfect choice for a brief brunch that never felt rushed. James is also due for a special shout-out for the delightful brunch cocktails. I don't normally imbibe during brunch, but I couldn't resist the blood orange bellini. If I was into bloody marys, I am sure their version with jalapeno would have been an excellent start to a Sunday full of family, food and hockey. Go Canada.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
NY Times food section
Here is what excited me most about today's food section:
1. ROBOTS: The front page article, entitled "Just Like Mombot Used to Make" is about cool robots serving the writer a granola bar. The Snackbot delivers food to real people in an effort to improve homo-robo relations. Amazing. (Little known fact- I love robots) There was also a restaurant in Japan that served ramen made by robots. When the restaurant gets slow the robots engage in friendly knife play with each other. Basically, certain people all over the world are trying to invent robots to, ahem, cater to our every food need. A little wild, yes, but a little exciting. Does anyone feel weird about this? Does anyone feel a little excited by it?
2. No. 7 is expanding: This restaurant is at the top of my to-go-to list. I've walked by several times and it always looks so warm and inviting. So it is terrific news that it is expanding to making subs at the Ace Hotel which would surely go well with the Stumptown coffee they are serving.
3. A new wine bar is opening on Cortelyou Road: Mimi's Hummus is expanding their enterprise with The Castello Plan just a few steps away. Ditmas Park is an interesting and quickly expanding culinary destination and this is sure to be a stand out wine bar. With a few great restaurants already open, a few great bars are needed. Right now Sycamore might be starting to feel some competition.
4. The Sifton review made me ravenous: The Times doesn't leave the island that often to venture to Brooklyn, and almost never makes it as far as Bay Ridge. So it was a delight to read a wonderful review (although only one star) of Tanoreen in Bay Ridge. It is a newly expanded restaurant that seems to be working out some kinks, but the food itself was terrifically reviewed. The hummus sounded perfect and although Sifton was surprised with the use of basil, it only added to my intrigue. Wonderful review and I can't wait to try it out.
1. ROBOTS: The front page article, entitled "Just Like Mombot Used to Make" is about cool robots serving the writer a granola bar. The Snackbot delivers food to real people in an effort to improve homo-robo relations. Amazing. (Little known fact- I love robots) There was also a restaurant in Japan that served ramen made by robots. When the restaurant gets slow the robots engage in friendly knife play with each other. Basically, certain people all over the world are trying to invent robots to, ahem, cater to our every food need. A little wild, yes, but a little exciting. Does anyone feel weird about this? Does anyone feel a little excited by it?
2. No. 7 is expanding: This restaurant is at the top of my to-go-to list. I've walked by several times and it always looks so warm and inviting. So it is terrific news that it is expanding to making subs at the Ace Hotel which would surely go well with the Stumptown coffee they are serving.
3. A new wine bar is opening on Cortelyou Road: Mimi's Hummus is expanding their enterprise with The Castello Plan just a few steps away. Ditmas Park is an interesting and quickly expanding culinary destination and this is sure to be a stand out wine bar. With a few great restaurants already open, a few great bars are needed. Right now Sycamore might be starting to feel some competition.
4. The Sifton review made me ravenous: The Times doesn't leave the island that often to venture to Brooklyn, and almost never makes it as far as Bay Ridge. So it was a delight to read a wonderful review (although only one star) of Tanoreen in Bay Ridge. It is a newly expanded restaurant that seems to be working out some kinks, but the food itself was terrifically reviewed. The hummus sounded perfect and although Sifton was surprised with the use of basil, it only added to my intrigue. Wonderful review and I can't wait to try it out.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches
Issue: Where can I go to get out of the cold in downtown Brooklyn and feel 100 miles away?
Winter is dragging along and sometimes I just want a brief escape from the cold and the court during lunch. I want a place where I can linger (But not past two, don't want to be late to intake!) to warm up. This place also needs to transport me up and out of Brooklyn.
Rule: There are a million places to eat within 10 blocks of the courthouses in downtown Brooklyn. However, many are packed with fellow lawyers and judges. And let me tell you, we lawyers love to gossip about those fellow lawyers and judges, so trying to eat a meal while surrounded by them does not make for a pleasant dining experience. Atlantic Avenue is close enough to be completely walkable, but far enough away that most lawyers and judges won't trek there for lunch. So I recently paid a visit to Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches on Atlantic, just off Smith.
Application: Nicky's is only a few brisk blocks from the courts, but it is filled with local residents on their lunch break, students and Mom's with their kids. On my last visit I did sit next to two lawyers who blabbed on about their firm, but that was my only encounter with law folk in any of my visits. The sun shines bright through the big front windows into the slighly underground restaurant. I can imagine on a rainy day it is even better and warmer and awesomer. Customers order at the front and in approximately 4-5 seconds a steaming, fragrant bowl of pho appears before you with cilantro, lime and Sriracha. It is easy to tuck into a corner of the small restaurant and focus on only the pho in front of you. There are only about 10 chairs available in the room, but it never feels crowded. The bowl of pho is gigantic with a plentiful side dish of additions to pour into the soup. The dish is served hot, but never burns. The bowl magically contains its heat throughout the entire lunch break.
The room is quiet and all other customers can be easily ignored. Perfect for a get away lunch in the middle of the day.
Conclusion: An easy escape from midday Brooklyn. Many of tables are one top or two tops, no loud groups of lawyers prepping their cases or complaining about judges sitting three tables away from them. If the pho is finished before the alloted break time is done, then a quick stroll up Atlantic to windowshop or grab a cupcake is totally warranted as a nice finishing touch a real lunch break.
Winter is dragging along and sometimes I just want a brief escape from the cold and the court during lunch. I want a place where I can linger (But not past two, don't want to be late to intake!) to warm up. This place also needs to transport me up and out of Brooklyn.
Rule: There are a million places to eat within 10 blocks of the courthouses in downtown Brooklyn. However, many are packed with fellow lawyers and judges. And let me tell you, we lawyers love to gossip about those fellow lawyers and judges, so trying to eat a meal while surrounded by them does not make for a pleasant dining experience. Atlantic Avenue is close enough to be completely walkable, but far enough away that most lawyers and judges won't trek there for lunch. So I recently paid a visit to Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches on Atlantic, just off Smith.
Application: Nicky's is only a few brisk blocks from the courts, but it is filled with local residents on their lunch break, students and Mom's with their kids. On my last visit I did sit next to two lawyers who blabbed on about their firm, but that was my only encounter with law folk in any of my visits. The sun shines bright through the big front windows into the slighly underground restaurant. I can imagine on a rainy day it is even better and warmer and awesomer. Customers order at the front and in approximately 4-5 seconds a steaming, fragrant bowl of pho appears before you with cilantro, lime and Sriracha. It is easy to tuck into a corner of the small restaurant and focus on only the pho in front of you. There are only about 10 chairs available in the room, but it never feels crowded. The bowl of pho is gigantic with a plentiful side dish of additions to pour into the soup. The dish is served hot, but never burns. The bowl magically contains its heat throughout the entire lunch break.
The room is quiet and all other customers can be easily ignored. Perfect for a get away lunch in the middle of the day.
Conclusion: An easy escape from midday Brooklyn. Many of tables are one top or two tops, no loud groups of lawyers prepping their cases or complaining about judges sitting three tables away from them. If the pho is finished before the alloted break time is done, then a quick stroll up Atlantic to windowshop or grab a cupcake is totally warranted as a nice finishing touch a real lunch break.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Purple Yam
Issue: How do I check out a (relatively) new and a hip restaurant in a (relatively) new and hip neighborhood and not spend a fortune?
I try to check out a new restaurant about once a month, and in order to keep up with the buzz it sometimes requires a trip to other parts of Brooklyn.
Rule: New and hip restaurants are opening up all the time in New York. All the time. They also close all the time. All the time.
I read somewhere once that 90% of restaurants that open in New York close within a year, much higher than the national average. Even tried and true restaurants close frequently (see: Olive Vine in South Slope, Miracle Grill on 7th Ave, Tempo on 5th Ave, the list goes on) after years in the business. But every single time I open the Times food section on Wednesday I get a flutter of excitement reading about the new and noteworthy openings and chef changes in local restaurants. One such relatively new addition is Purple Yam in Ditmas Park.
Application: Ditmas Park is a lovely neighborhood of huge mansions off the Q train. I got off one stop early to leisurely walk down Rugby Road to enjoy the scenery. Cortelyou Road is an increasingly hopping main street with an excellent flower shop/bar, a big co-op, a hummus place and other basic trappings of urban life. Purple Yam is one of the newest additions to this bustling strip. We made reservations for a Wednesday night and definitely needed them. The place was bumpin'. Maybe people had just been wasting time, waiting for a Fillipino/Asian Fusion restaurant to open up and now they finally have the chance. We were seated at a comfortable booth near the back with a view of the open kitchen-always a plus for me. The menu does a really good job of explaining what the dishes are while leaving a little bit of mystery. I always feel like too much of an idiot at restaurants with menus printed in another language to ask the waitstaff exactly what I am eating, so it usually forces me to be more safe. Which is weird, I know. But not here, almost everything on the menu has a small description next to it, which encourages guest to be a bit adventurous.
For starters we split a shrimp and scallion pancake special along with a large bowl of kimchi fried rice. Both were plenty enough food between 4 people. The kimchi rice was spicy and sticky and delicious. The pancake has small chunks of shrimp that never overwhelmed the overall flavor of the dish.
For my main course I got a bibimbap, which is one of my most favorite dishes in the world. I loaded on all the fixings and made is as spicy as possible. However, even with all the sauces poured on, it was still a little on the dry side for me. Bright, full flavors, fresh vegatables, tasty rice, but just a little dry. Having it without any of the sides would not be encouraged. I also sampled the duck leg with a vibrant peanut sauce that complimented it so well. Duck is one of my favorite meats and it was cooked perfectly. The green market veggies in green curry also had a nice kick and a clean flavor. For dessert we ordered the banana special which was sweet and gooey and melted in my mouth. We also ordered the halo halo, a traditional Phillipine iced dessert, heavy on the ice. Simply put- not so good. I get that it is an acquired taste, I simply have not acquired it.
Conclusion: A new and hip place that is not so new that it hasn't had time to work out kinks. Purple Yam has an excellently trained waitstaff, simple but attractive decor, nice wine list and it clearly has a following. Purple Yam is also not too hip to have a haughty staff, or decor that is edgy yet completely uninviting, or not allow us to enter and eat. We split a bill which included tons of food and two bottles of wine and it came to less than $45 each. Not bad for a night out at a new and hip place. It is just new enough and just hip enough to be recipe for a great night in a cool neighborhood.
I try to check out a new restaurant about once a month, and in order to keep up with the buzz it sometimes requires a trip to other parts of Brooklyn.
Rule: New and hip restaurants are opening up all the time in New York. All the time. They also close all the time. All the time.
I read somewhere once that 90% of restaurants that open in New York close within a year, much higher than the national average. Even tried and true restaurants close frequently (see: Olive Vine in South Slope, Miracle Grill on 7th Ave, Tempo on 5th Ave, the list goes on) after years in the business. But every single time I open the Times food section on Wednesday I get a flutter of excitement reading about the new and noteworthy openings and chef changes in local restaurants. One such relatively new addition is Purple Yam in Ditmas Park.
Application: Ditmas Park is a lovely neighborhood of huge mansions off the Q train. I got off one stop early to leisurely walk down Rugby Road to enjoy the scenery. Cortelyou Road is an increasingly hopping main street with an excellent flower shop/bar, a big co-op, a hummus place and other basic trappings of urban life. Purple Yam is one of the newest additions to this bustling strip. We made reservations for a Wednesday night and definitely needed them. The place was bumpin'. Maybe people had just been wasting time, waiting for a Fillipino/Asian Fusion restaurant to open up and now they finally have the chance. We were seated at a comfortable booth near the back with a view of the open kitchen-always a plus for me. The menu does a really good job of explaining what the dishes are while leaving a little bit of mystery. I always feel like too much of an idiot at restaurants with menus printed in another language to ask the waitstaff exactly what I am eating, so it usually forces me to be more safe. Which is weird, I know. But not here, almost everything on the menu has a small description next to it, which encourages guest to be a bit adventurous.
For starters we split a shrimp and scallion pancake special along with a large bowl of kimchi fried rice. Both were plenty enough food between 4 people. The kimchi rice was spicy and sticky and delicious. The pancake has small chunks of shrimp that never overwhelmed the overall flavor of the dish.
For my main course I got a bibimbap, which is one of my most favorite dishes in the world. I loaded on all the fixings and made is as spicy as possible. However, even with all the sauces poured on, it was still a little on the dry side for me. Bright, full flavors, fresh vegatables, tasty rice, but just a little dry. Having it without any of the sides would not be encouraged. I also sampled the duck leg with a vibrant peanut sauce that complimented it so well. Duck is one of my favorite meats and it was cooked perfectly. The green market veggies in green curry also had a nice kick and a clean flavor. For dessert we ordered the banana special which was sweet and gooey and melted in my mouth. We also ordered the halo halo, a traditional Phillipine iced dessert, heavy on the ice. Simply put- not so good. I get that it is an acquired taste, I simply have not acquired it.
Conclusion: A new and hip place that is not so new that it hasn't had time to work out kinks. Purple Yam has an excellently trained waitstaff, simple but attractive decor, nice wine list and it clearly has a following. Purple Yam is also not too hip to have a haughty staff, or decor that is edgy yet completely uninviting, or not allow us to enter and eat. We split a bill which included tons of food and two bottles of wine and it came to less than $45 each. Not bad for a night out at a new and hip place. It is just new enough and just hip enough to be recipe for a great night in a cool neighborhood.
Monday, February 15, 2010
lunch in the Slope
Issue: Can I find a good spot for ladies who lunch on a budget in the North side of the Slope?
With all the amazing restaurants in the neighborhood, it is somewhat surprising that weekday lunch options are so limited. Especially on Mondays and especially when said Monday falls on a national holiday. Alas, I made the trek out with three lovely ladies to chat, eat and waste the day away.
Rule: Many restaurants are closed on Monday and many more do not make themselves available for lunches on weekdays.
The blocks surrounding my tiny apartment are filled with shuttered and chained restaurants during the day. Restaurants that light up and fill up on weeknights and weekends suddenly blight a neighborhood in the middle of the weekday. Unlike lunchtime in downtown Brooklyn where I spend most of my weekdays, (which is hopping with lawyers, clients, law students and those accused) Park Slope (which is crowded with baby strollers and underemployed and students during the day) is quiet. You can go blocks without even finding a place to get a decent sandwich, especially now that Tempo Presto is closed.
Application: I just wanted a place to go with some girlfriends on a chilly day off. I suggested Moutarde, even though I had the terrible luck of going there one time when the waitstaff forgot to put in our order. They were terribly apologetic and the food was good, so all was forgiven in order to give it another go.
The place was nearly full but not loud. We got a bright and sunny four top near the entrance but protected from the cold. Service was prompt and attentive. My latte, however, was nearly cold when it arrived. Unfortunate for a cold day. My Croque-Monsieur was appropriately decadent and balanced nicely with a small salad. No one rushed us, we were free to linger in the sun and so we did. The adorable French-ness of the place makes lingering quite easy and leaving quite difficult. It could easily have been an afternoon where we could have switched to wine and cocktails after lattes, snacked on a croissant or two (chocolate, of course) and made it into an entire afternoon. Which is what I think they are going for...
Conclusion: Solid, unfussy French style brunch. Only two blocks from Union and the only thing open for blocks. The restaurant must realize this and understand their distinct standing as a unique place in the Slope. Otherwise, they would have kicked us out as soon as our forks were down.
With all the amazing restaurants in the neighborhood, it is somewhat surprising that weekday lunch options are so limited. Especially on Mondays and especially when said Monday falls on a national holiday. Alas, I made the trek out with three lovely ladies to chat, eat and waste the day away.
Rule: Many restaurants are closed on Monday and many more do not make themselves available for lunches on weekdays.
The blocks surrounding my tiny apartment are filled with shuttered and chained restaurants during the day. Restaurants that light up and fill up on weeknights and weekends suddenly blight a neighborhood in the middle of the weekday. Unlike lunchtime in downtown Brooklyn where I spend most of my weekdays, (which is hopping with lawyers, clients, law students and those accused) Park Slope (which is crowded with baby strollers and underemployed and students during the day) is quiet. You can go blocks without even finding a place to get a decent sandwich, especially now that Tempo Presto is closed.
Application: I just wanted a place to go with some girlfriends on a chilly day off. I suggested Moutarde, even though I had the terrible luck of going there one time when the waitstaff forgot to put in our order. They were terribly apologetic and the food was good, so all was forgiven in order to give it another go.
The place was nearly full but not loud. We got a bright and sunny four top near the entrance but protected from the cold. Service was prompt and attentive. My latte, however, was nearly cold when it arrived. Unfortunate for a cold day. My Croque-Monsieur was appropriately decadent and balanced nicely with a small salad. No one rushed us, we were free to linger in the sun and so we did. The adorable French-ness of the place makes lingering quite easy and leaving quite difficult. It could easily have been an afternoon where we could have switched to wine and cocktails after lattes, snacked on a croissant or two (chocolate, of course) and made it into an entire afternoon. Which is what I think they are going for...
Conclusion: Solid, unfussy French style brunch. Only two blocks from Union and the only thing open for blocks. The restaurant must realize this and understand their distinct standing as a unique place in the Slope. Otherwise, they would have kicked us out as soon as our forks were down.
cupcake
I did it! I saved most of the cupcake from Betty on Atlantic Avenue. Moist and delicious red velvet with a not-too-sweet frosting. Half of it is still sitting here staring at me and when I am alone I will eat it all for breakfast! Yum Yum yum.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Franny's
Issue: Can I eat right around the corner with food from local sources for a reasonable price?
Dinner meant Franny's for a date night treat. Ryan had never been there and I had been bugging him for a while to take me there. It is so close to us and was so warm and inviting on a cold night. Franny's does not take reservations, but luckily there were two stools available at the window ledge where we could wait, get a drink and look out on Flatbush Avenue. I had a glass of Coopérative de l’Enfer Enfer d’Arvier. I'll admit- I have no idea what that is. But it was delicious, light and clean and not too sweet. We had time for Ryan to finish a cocktail before we were sat in the worst seats in the house. Franny's has a long line of two-tops at the right hand side of the delightful room and we were seated at the last table closest to the bar and the door. Because it was such a tight room it meant that my chair was not placed across from my companion, but right next to him so as not to be bumped into by the traffic. This seating arrangement meant that I looked down the loooong row of tables and could see what everyone was eating and drinking. This made it especially uncomfortable for the table right next to us as I tried to ignore their conversations and delicious looking desserts. Oh well, the food more then made up for it.
Rule: Brooklyn is home to many, many restaurants claiming to use local ingredients and organic everything else.
Franny's menu details where the beef is from, where the ricotta is made, where the coffee is grown and I like that. This level of detail is reflected across the street at Brooklyn Larder, pretty much my favorite place (more on that to come as well). Reading about where my food is coming from serves to make me more hungry. Job well done Franny's.
Application: How it all went down.
After hearing recently that a friend with a big appetite ate 2 pizzas and 2 pastas almost all by herself I lobbied for two appetizers for Ryan and I. Wise decision, me. We split the cauliflower zeppole and the crostini with pancetta and beans. They were terrific. The cauliflower was carefully spiced crisped to perfection. It was a decadent vegetable. Incredible.
For my main course I ordered the white pizza with buffalo mozz, Salvatore Brooklyn ricotta, garlic, oregano and hot peppers. The crust was slightly charred on one side but solidly cooked the entire way through. The peppers provided a decent kick but nothing too distracting. Over all- wonderful. After the terribly tomato blight of the summer, I have been hesitant to eat tomatoes that I know would not be approaching their full potential. Yet, the tomato pizzas did look delicious from my view at the head of my table. I could probably have finished the entire pie myself had Ryan not assisted me. With a few bites of Ryan's baked paccheri with pork ragu in addition to my pizza I reached a perfect state of fullness. I could walk out on my own two feet and not feel like I should have to roll down the street, even mosey on down to Flatbush Farm for an after dinner drink. Satisfaction is perhaps the right word for it. Deliciously satisfied.
Conclusion: With a bill slightly over $100 (thanks, Ryan!) that included at least two drinks each as well as two appetizers it was not too pricey. However, I couldn't help thinking $17 is a bit much for a pizza that could quite easily serve only one person. Yet, I never feel that bad when I know the kitchen grease is being converted into biodiesel fuel. Overall, yes, I can eat right around the corner at a restaurant sourced by local farms and not spend every cent in my purse. A delightful dining experience.
Introduction
Hi there!
I am a chef, restaurateur, table-scaper, artisanal cheese maker, wine lover, centerpiece designer and locavore stuck in a lawyer's body.
As I slowly learn to make better food and desperately try to inherit my mother's inherent cooking skills I also can spend the extra $2 to get bread that is made in NY, delicious cheese made in VT and juice made in NJ. Waiting for my cooking skills to improve leads me to eat out a lot. Luckily, I live in one of the best culinary locations in world: Park Slope, Brooklyn. I explore these places with a delightful ladies dining club, family, friends and my lovely soon-to-be-husband.
My lawyer body wants me to be rational when writing about what I eat and where I go when I eat. Three long years of law school and three years of practice have all but wiped out my regular writing skills. So I will be IRAC-ing in my posts. IRAC is a writing pattern learned during the first days of law school. Issue. Rule. Application. Conclusion. The issue for this blog is where can I eat well in Brooklyn and beyond with local ingredients, decently priced wine lists, terrific atmosphere and delicious and compelling meals.
I will start with my most recent meals and work backwards based on taste-memory and special favorites, all while continuing to eat my way through Brooklyn.
Cheers!
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