ERIC EATS BLAH BLAH BLOG... best of Brooklyn restaurants and beyond and way beyond

Minute Cafe where the winds blow hard and Bandon, Oregon feels like a quintescential Stephen King kinda town

2012-02-16T19:39:00.000-08:00

Kim on the kind of day

The storms come in from the misnamed Pacific this time of year and the rock croppings both Goonie familiar and foreboding require a fireplace or some other homey warmth to calm the nerves and relax the spirit. So while good meals were had at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort and the Wheelhouse and the Lord
Somebody and Allora and there were vast furious views and even the dungeoness crab cakes at the airport's

Patrick's 6th jump

man and dog on a hill

minute's masonic view

cups like Keene's pipes

Minute Cafe

Yankee Pier were perfect...yet...nevertheless the Minute cafe was the needful thing to give safe haven from the something wicked my way coming...Their oatmeal! Their cups on the wall! Their biscuit and cheesy omelet and my JR. Just a day before Valentines the occasion warmed hearts and Kim and Patrick had the same impact. Back in 1937 most of the town burned when fire caught the very spiky prickly oil filled Gorse plants, but the town is back...a little scary but quite wonderfully filled with Manuel and Don and Maurice and Bob and Misty and Penny and 25 other people who represented a community well...which i will tell you about after a minute or two. .. or 3.

Stone Park and the Night of the slider reprise

2012-01-29T16:10:00.000-08:00

Beet salad

Slider 1

Gnocchi

slider 2

The Jug Addicts

bottom up:Frank ,Eric eats,Nadine,Harry

l to r: Tim, Frank, ericeats

Nadine sent some photo reminders of a great night. Stone Park history was made that night when Nadine order a rib slider as an appetizer and then doubled down for desert. What a tribute to this succulent star
in the TWO JOSHES' firmament. There was the gnocchi and beet salad too and a fine time with Bill Carney's Jug Addicts at Barbes including Shawn with his red hair and Sunnyside Bushwick roots. Jeanne was there for the dinner and Harry and Tim and frank.

OLD ENGLISH in Albany's QUACKENBUSH SQUARE

2012-01-21T08:05:00.000-08:00

What more do you need to know? Maybe that the mad hatters tea cup is free on your birthday and filled with cider or beer. Or that the pub grub is from the upstairs crowd...like the ham and cheese grilled with grainy mustard. Or that this Brit oasis will leave you feeling good on any night...especially one where the breeze off the Hudson is icy.

Sweet Wolf ,respite from a cold bitter night

2012-01-16T08:31:00.000-08:00

roasted cauliflower

on 6 av in the slope and 12 street...with the long community table and wood burning oven...coffee by day ...good dining at night. And the salad with root vegetables was a nice mix of cooked and un. Jeanne's vegi onion soup left her howling with joy. This was our second choice because Talde's first night on 7av created a 2 hour wait. And i am excited to go soon, but the roast chicken and fingerlings in duck fat (in spite of the reheat required to get the red out of the chicken) made this more than a back up. Warmth from the oven and the nice people here who cook and serve. Jack London's white fang or Gogol's overcoat were brought to mind by the suddenly frigid weather... but the parts where they warm up and sip soup.

Pauls in Southampton next to the movie theatre...

2012-01-07T05:40:00.000-08:00

A winter swim brings a hunger made for Pauls

shrimp parm

linguine and clams

gnocchi

So this is the place for fresh food and and friendly service and affordable. The post new year dinner was just what the two polar bears and 5yo Sophie and...all of us wanted.

BATTERSBY on Smith and Degraw

2011-12-23T06:31:00.000-08:00

This is an Anella cousin(greenpoint) and from this first taste, I want it to be my kissin' cousin. Warm, intimate and friendly. Bread that is foccacia like but more home-baked and spongy...it sops up the ricotta spread with a crumpet-crusty-like lust. The scallops appear in a butter colored broth and they are naturally sweet and perfectly cooked...great wine list and beers on tap. Next time i will try the chestnut brandy after the tasting menu...so much to look forward to in the new year.

The Fulton on Fulton street near williams is awfully loud

2011-12-22T04:39:00.000-08:00

and awful. 45 minutes to get a salad and turkey burger. Do not say "need another minute to review menu"
because that will end your relationship with the wait person. Burger is mushy and caesar salad not worthy of its name....nothing to like here.

RED FARM for dim sum delights

2011-12-18T11:57:00.000-08:00

Lets go to Dim Sum Ago go...now Nom Wah...no Sunset Park...no no RED FARM on Hudson bet Charles and 10th st. I have been wanting to try it. The family deferred to Eric Eats...and now I am the hero.
Sophie was delighted by the joyous presentations...and we all loved the soupy dumplings and the sauteed

The eyes have it (crab)

pineapple salad

pork buns and the chive dumplings with corn and the fried crab and the vegi spring rolls in the shape of trees. Next time pastrami egg rolls...Bravo Shoenfeld and Charderow.

Zio @17w19st

2011-12-16T20:42:00.000-08:00

High energy, stellar service, and the freshest pasta...scallops wrapped in a crispy prosciutto-skin...a design

that blends style and art and a comfort you want on a Friday night. Many adults appear in charge and the wine list is very complete and reasonably priced.

LITTLE NECK CLAM SHACK ...3av and carol st

2011-12-11T19:48:00.000-08:00

This could be in Maine but its not. On the edge of Park slope and the best description of 5 kinds of oysters and good chowder and great clam roll ...good beers and wines ..all in a shack with picnic tables on an urban street with a seaside shack aura...next time the lobster roll.

Chelsea Ristorante and the clean plate club

2011-12-08T04:16:00.000-08:00

15st and 8 ave..before the Joyce recovering Danny and good friend Deborah and some of their friends ate before they watched dance and ate so fast that these were the only photos I got. However...they do attest to our hunger and delight with the branzino and chicken rollatine and the ravioli. Nice place.

SAI THAI Kitchen new and best park slope Thai..sorry other Thai neighbors

2011-11-24T07:58:00.000-08:00

Drunken noodle chicken

Cashew nut shrimp

Red curry with tofu

437 5th ave bet 8 and 9streets...The style of Moim and the taste of our Queens Thai memories. All three of us loved our choices:Shrimp pockets, crispy corn cakes, red curry with tofu , cashew nut shrimp with sticky rice, and drunken noodle chicken. No liquor license yet. Slow kitchen should speed up with experience and yet the charming tone of the staff makes waiting a peaceful experience.

Weekend with bernie ,the salmon, fresh from Alaska via Seatle via Delta

2011-11-20T08:03:00.000-08:00

salt and egg white encasement

That weekend that we spent on Bald Head Island off the Carolina coast back when there was a TWA and it owned the Travel Channel and Arthur Frommer was the star we watched weekend with Bernie get filmed..Andrew McCarthy and others were clearly part of a low budget flop...that became a sleeper cult hit. And who can get that crazy sick dead flopping body treated as a prop after death out of their minds...oh its NOT FUNNY...no it is.
But now we turn to Daniel, recently encamped with a grand new job and car near the Pike Market and he conjures the kind of adventure that begins at the equally iconic Pike Market, where tossing large fish is as essential to Seattle's image as its needle or snow peaked mountain or the San Juan Islands as the empire state or statue of liberty is to ours.
Daniel obtains a salmon fresh from Alaska..it is tossed into a box and then his arms and then he goes to the airport and discusses what i assume wasn't more than a business class seat for his salmon...there are some logistical snags but the two arrive and the required preparation ingredients are obtained on the way from JFK and the prep begins. Mom Susan offers up a gazillion eggs for the salt packing and fresh Indian fenugreek for the sauce and alot of oranges lemons and limes(prettier than when crushed)for the enlisted citrus man to slice and kosher salt in the kind of quantity that could have paved the flat track for a land speed record.
There was fresh grown tarragon...still growing in November in lush Bklyn...and the visitor was unboxed......clearly this dead fish was the gourmet prop to be named BERNIE...our weekend centerpiece

Recreating the couch scene from the Weekend at Bernies

No really this is how it was when I hooked it...gene splicing and fresh from the waters off silicon valley

Citrus man .

Bernie and new friend smile for the blog

decapitation caption

Daniel embrace his vision

The service is over..just a skeletal memory remains and a lingering taste of the most memorable salmon.

Fenugree sauce

Breaking away the salt crust

Next time we build a bigger oven so Bernie could keep his head

...soon to be encrusted in a baked salt rock and served to more delight than the Bald Head Island revelers.

Chavella's 736 Franklin Ave , the new bigger still jammed home of...

2011-11-11T09:34:00.000-08:00

tilapia and shrimp

Tortas Vegi

The best Mexican food in NYC. With a tallapia and shrimp Plato Don Pescado and Salsa trio and perfect mole and a great old building to hold it. One sour spot: the margarita..a mix? But then there is the guacamole and flan to help us forget.

Cook and Brown @ 959 Hope Street in Providence

2011-11-11T08:45:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, my clown

I liked the donuts best and the way they served the Hake family style. The Gerwertziminer was a nice choice. We celebrated 3
birthdays but one of the celebrants needed her sleep...she might have gotten scared when she saw the large tray of poached eggs on bread with bacon bits ...I did. But a happy memory was created
again with food and family and even though I love food ...the center of the joy was a son,daughter,daughter-in-law(and her Mom), my Jeanne and a sleepy clown.

Roma for the pizza that dared to open on Bleeker near Johns and Keste

2011-11-11T08:35:00.000-08:00

I applaud their bravery and declare this stretch of Bleeker near Jones Street the regional Italian pizza
competion center of NYC. Keste is Neopolitan...Johns is classic ny coal but Roma is ROME. The variety is appealing...the bread loafs to go are tasty but their key ingredient is the pizza dough and its semolina like crunch.

Julians in Providence. 318 Broadway 401-861-1770

2011-11-08T20:55:00.000-08:00

This is where we celebrated my son's birthday brakfast with my daughter Kim a vegi newby and Jeanne Ms Microbiotics 1970 and Corey Carnovore...because here everyone is happy and the starwars /pez bathroom adds fun to the totally everything and well prepared menu. Near Federal Hill and not fr from occupy providence Julians is a dream. Must try for an evening thing..with the taps and and the promising dinner menu.

Big whisk light

Star wars figures and 3 rolls

occupy Providence

Fez and cartoons in the bathroom

PER LEI

2011-11-04T06:32:00.000-07:00

above hail caesar and belowpasta e fagioli

Carciofi

The only thing better than the food at Per Lei was the service. Andres served us caciofi romana(sauted articokes] and a beautiful scallop and mushroom appetizer and minestrone(needed the parm that it got) and the pasta e fagioli...even the fruit and sorbet at the end was filled with a nicely chosen fruit mix. Water always filled and a waiter who could describe ,engage, and swoop in and out like a likable pro.
The ambiance is colorful warm and filled with art that draws your eyes away from the subway construction across from 1347 2nd av. It was a good evening weather wise and a visit with Danny at the Hospital revealed he is on the mend. Nevertheless I liked Per Lei per se.

All Hallows Eve @The Stone Park

2011-10-31T18:58:00.000-07:00

Really... they are very nice children

Liz as Calamity the somolier

Andrew, and Caroline and the little Zombiettes

Holy 5 ave!

my peeps

Where all at the bar were familiar except for the ghosts and Goblins ...but the 5st crowd was also scary(in a good way)..and really I enjoyed hanging out with my peeps. And eating the muscles and apple crisp and chicken and thank you Mississippi Andrew and Liz, the perfect Annie or Calamity or just perfect Liz doing her vino exam...and thank you two cups of coffee that allows me to blog at this late hour. There were also the passersby on 5st including Andrew the very thoughtful scientist and caroline and their brood.

cat in the hat and cop with a hat

CENTRICO

2011-10-28T21:39:00.000-07:00

Was "211" and is now Centrico @211 West Bwy. It is now Drew's place (Myriad Group) and is now a sensational Mexican restaurant. As Dad would say,"Go know!?" Meaning who would have guessed that this old favorite could offer scallops that had a roasted toasted chipoltle favor and yet seated in creamy creme something...and the Tamal with mushrooms and the platanos that looked like beignets or corn fritters and efficient likable wait staff and beans and rice that begged for some of the salsas(one smokin' smoky)

Platanos

scallops

that came with the guacamole but that we wouldn't give up til our coats were on.

Kutshers ..cant wait

2011-10-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

Franklin near Greenwich...so many stories to tell when this restaurant opens.

Emilio Ballatos on Houston and Mulberry ...time travel Italian

2011-10-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

The two tables appeared to be filled with a neighborhood reunion group. The owner hopped between tables and one man had a fantastic jacket with the Italian flag on the back. It was a postcard night in Soho following the Risa Jaraslow dance benefit and we were hungry. "Dis must be the place," as Milton Berle?

would say. Shrimp fra diavlo and ravioli and raw clams(many)...perfect.

KIWIANA...not just another New Zealand restaurant in the hood

2011-10-18T20:54:00.000-07:00

Park Slope didn't know it needed a NZ restaurant but now that Mark gifted one..they are not likely to let it
go. And I've been waiting for a chance to wear that flag sweater...and for lovely snapper ...and JR likes a good

Sunnyside up burger

veggie pot pie and our NZ friend (don't you have one? You should get one; they are nice and funny and accomplished) liked the burger (but the cheese needs to get meltier). Fine NZ sauvignon..Roberts of Marlborough. 7av and Union...take a left at Auckland.

Upstate on First Ave and 6st

2011-10-13T05:19:00.000-07:00

There are the jokes about how New Yorkers call everything North of the Bronx and West of Mahattan
"Upstate". Here there are hints of true upstate New York....like The Utica Club tray on the wall.
The truth is that this beer and oyster...and lobster bisque and lobster roll...emporium reflects the hop-ish barleyish and shell-ish treasures of a real map from Southampton to the Fingerlakes to Wash State. ...And just to make it interesting ,the very engaging bar administrator ,Francis, recently arrived from Aukland.

Stone Park's Chef Josh might not...

2011-10-05T06:06:00.000-07:00

...consider mouse pancakes his "piece of resistence" but Sophie does. What better to eat when wearing your mouse ears....and on a day when you lose your second front tooth.

China Cafe 13 east37st

2011-10-05T04:21:00.000-07:00

Lamb and scallions

Crystal shrimp dumplings

Smoked tea duck rice

Pork dumplings in chili oil

Corey says that the true test of dim sum lies in the shrimp dumplings. There China Cafe scores an A+. But the lamb with scallions and the smoked duck rice and the dumplings in chili oil brought the average up to 5.0 on a 4 point scale. The waiter was serious and for good reason ...he was serving some serious food.

ROMANS es divisa into tres partes..magnum,magnum and magnum

2011-10-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

The Brooklyn Academy of Music is close to Romans

Kale and parmigiano

polenta and gorgonzola

We walked through the Bam Cafe and its sparkles after the movie to Vanderbilt and Dekalb in Bklyn This sleeper has a bar with stools and everyone one them seems to be touching someone else in a way that says they are about to have a Roman holiday. Romans is the date night mood setter. And for good reason; the lights are low and the food is vibrant and seductive and novel...unless you live in Roma.

Zitos on 7av Park Slope near 8 st...heros and wine on tap

2011-09-30T04:30:00.000-07:00

Chick pea hero? or chicken Parm? Potatoes and egg?

BYOB (BRING YOUR OWN BODY) to Pittsburgh and to Penn Avenue Fish Company

2011-09-25T18:53:00.000-07:00

www.pennavefishcompany.com

Clams in Spicy broth

vegi rolls

Frank and Abigail

Andrew and Maureen

Tuna with coffee rub

We did. Jet Blue one hour flight and 24 hours in Steel Town. Andrew Sheehan author and KDKA reporter ran with Tim and Frank. Kristen, Maureen, and Abigail (private tour of the Warhol leader par excellance/non pariel) and I cheered. But before that we had coffee at the 21st street coffee snobs(no milk for you)>>>and then a fish feast. Penn Avenue Fish Company with great company and superb calamari in spicy broth and garlic bread and clams in spicy broth and vegi rolls and tuna rubbed in coffee and perfectly cooked. Chef Henry watched over us with guardian Angel/owner,Angela.The Greatest Race and football and Pirates in the air and the Steve Miller Band reverberating across the three rivers. Go and soak in the strip and shake hands with the big wrist- ed multitudes. Stay at the Wyndham Hotel and taste the town.

Al Di La Blah Blah...Great

2011-09-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

squid pasta and squid and their friends from the sea

PORK Chop on polenta bed

Market Salad

Hake

Beet and ricotta filled ravioli in butter sauce

This is a well respected restaurant in Park Slope on 5th Ave and sort of old news...except that we ate there last night for Maureen's birthday and it was so terrific that I want to be sure as many people as possible know about this gem. No reservations but don't let that deter you; worth your wait in gold.

There is a professional,warm and clever vibe here...and our waiter's sense of humor couldn't have been better aimed. He saw Jeanne's broken foot boot and as he served each item he asserted in a new way each time that "this is very good for a bad leg." He said, looking at the boot, " That was me ain 1977" and obviously remembered the importance of keeping spirits up. Al Di La? You know
...yes I know you know..but when was the last time you tasted their farro sald with mint or their squid pasta with mista pesce something? Tables are close together but its ok here to huddle and hunker down to Bonnie Doone Albarino and Primativo and crusty bread and some people you like to be with (with whom you like to be).

Kingston is near Princeton and ENO TERRA is near perfect

2011-08-23T16:11:00.000-07:00

kim above trio bruchetta

And even if you only want pasta and butter

Kim has taught Sophie a CDF Freedom School move

Jeanne in contemplation

Pat,then Kim,Then Corey,Then Sophie

Bruchetta Trio

Fresh local veggies and farm fresh cheeses and grilled Little Neck clams...Chilean white wine and the family...and a walk along the canal on a day with weather to match. The wait staff were informative and

Along the canal

Steak Caesar

Pat on the high road..as always

watermelon salad

Grilled clams

warm...I am guessing there were several emeritus professors amidst the other diners....but i am certain if you go here,you will feel blessed. Family plus Eno Terra=Terra Firma.

le petit on le court

2011-08-22T06:19:00.000-07:00

Coming attraction

Guest Post: Greenest Block Judge Weighs in on Lunching in the Hood

2011-08-18T12:36:00.000-07:00

By guest blogger Jeanne Rostaing

For the past 17 years the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Brooklyn Borough President’s office have sponsored a friendly competition in the city's most populous borough. Brooklyn's Greenest Block Contest promotes gardening, community involvement and neighborhood pride. It's hard work judging 218 blocks in the heat of summer. We started early and when lunchtime finally rolled around we wanted a break and some delicious food. Here's a look at our trip around town:

For the first round of judging two people view every block entered. I was lucky enough to be one of the judges this year.

Judges Jeanne Rostaing and Sam Rio at work

Garbage Can Planters

Our job was to select approximately 20% of the blocks entered to go on to the second round of judging.

Colorful Plantings Add Interest

A Clever Use of an Old Radiator

The journey took us to practically every corner of this vast borough. We got to see a lot of amazing sights and meet many proud gardeners.

Bed-Stuy Entrants take a rest

Sneaker Planters

Roti House on Utica Ave.

And everyday we got to stop where we were at lunchtime and choose a place to eat from the international bounty of Brooklyn cuisine.

Here’s a list of neighborhoods and where we ate:

In Flatbush it was Jamaican and Mexican food:

On Utica Ave. we found the ABC Guyana Trinidad Roti House, 847 Utica Ave. between Church and Linden.

Giant size portions at the Roti House

It’s not big on ambiance but we didn’t care when we saw the gigantic rotis: goat for everyone except the vegetarian who had chickpeas and potato. Cheap, chewy and full of flavor. We declared them too big and then finished every last crumb.

A few days later we landed at El Ranchito Poblano, 1228 Flatbush Ave. between Newkirk and Ditmas, 718 282-0366.

El Ranchito Poblano Vegetable Burrito

El Ranchito Poblano

This
friendly neighborhood spot serves up some delicious classics: Super (i.e. huge)

Quesadilla con pollo, Vegetable burrito, and huarache con carnitos (chopped pork).

Lots of very tasty food for little money.

In Bedford Stuyvesant we had soul food and Italian.

Peaches, 393 Lewis Ave., 718 942-4162, http://www.peachesbrooklyn.com/

is a popular neighborhood mainstay.

Peaches in Bed-Stuy

Pulled Pork and Fries at Peaches

The place is known for its fried chicken but we ordered barbequed pork and mac and cheese. We were served French fries although we had ordered sweet potato fries. The waiter agreed to make a change but we waited a long time for that to happen. The carnivores thought the pork a bit dry but the vegetarian loved the tangy, creamy mac and cheese.

Go here when you have lots of time. It’s crowded. Staff is cordial but things move slowly.

On the other hand Saraghina, 435 Halsey St., 718 574-0010, http://www.saraghinabrooklyn.com/

was a totally relaxing experience.

Saraghina in Bed-Stuy

Dining al fresco at Saraghina

Farro Salad at Saraghina

Ortolana Pizza at Saraghina

We ate in the garden beneath a grape arbor and some suspended vintage tricycles. Pizza is a specialty here and we tried the margarita and the ortolana.

The waitress recommended an unusual special, the farro salad with avocado, capers, feta, tomato and arugula. It was scrumptious and satisfying.

Ditmas Park turned out to be our most frequented lunch neighborhood.

We enjoyed Picket Fence, 1310 Cortelyou Rd., 718 282-6661, http://www.picketfencebrooklyn.com/

Picket Fence features comfort food

salmon blt and fries at Picket Fence

The crunchy buttermilk fried chicken sandwich and the salmon BLT were crowd pleasers in a pleasant, homey atmosphere.

The Farm on Adderley

The Farm on Adderley, 1108 Cortelyou Rd. 718 187-3101, http://www.thefarmonadderley.com/

Outdoor dining at the Farm on Adderly

We lunched in the garden on bacon and swiss chard quiche,
portobello sandwich and asparagus soup. The menu is inventive but servers seemed overwhelmed.

Asparagus soup

bacon and swiss chard quiche

Mimi’s Hummus, 1209 Cortelyou Rd. between Argyl and Westminster, 718 284-4444, http://www.mimishummus.com/

Mimi's Hummus

Hummus at Mimi's

A special sandwich at Mimi's

is a small friendly place serving delicious, squeaky fresh middle eastern food. The hummus with pine nuts was garlicky and smooth.

Sandwich specials were inspired and tasty. The “Iraqi” contained potato, hard boiled egg, hummus and eggplant. The labane cheese sandwich had cauliflower, hummus and mushrooms. We were all members of the clean plate club at Mimi’s.

In Prospect Heights we ate Thai and re-visited Mexican.

Born Thai, 293 Flatbush Ave., 347 663-3674, http://www.bornnyc.com/

Born Thai Restaurant in Prospect Heights

Shrimp in green curry at Born

pleased us with a $9.00 prix fixe lunch which included appetizers and a wide choice of entrees: drunken noodles with shrimp, shrimp in green curry and tofu with basil sauce and brown rice. It’s standard Thai restaurant fare but flavorful and well prepared.

Chavella’s Café Mexicano, 732 Classon Ave., 718 622-3100, on the other hand,

Scrumptious tamale at Chavella's

Chile rellanos torta at Chavella's

Chavella's in Prospect Heights

is serving revelatory delicacies with ordinary Mexican food names. The vegetarian tamale with cheese and chiles had a moist, almost cake-like corn meal wrapper and exploded with flavor. The chile rellanos torta is huge and apparently delicious because a lot of it disappeared before the camera was focused. The peak of the meal was the flan.

Irresistable flan at Chavella's

What can I say? Even Sam, who declared himself not interested in flan, was seduced by its light custardy texture and its smooth just-sweet-enough flavor. No doggie bags here.

Note: Chavella’s will be moving soon to a new location at 736 Franklin Street. Call before you go.

In brownstone Brooklyn we made 2 stops for some very different kinds of Italian food.

La-Villa is at 261 Fifth Ave. in Park Slope, http://www.lavillaparkslope.com/

and serves abundant classic Italian food in a spacious, comfortable room.

La-Villa in Park Slope

La-Villa Salad

Service is friendly and swift. We stuffed ourselves on giant salads such as the La-Villa with mixed greens, homemade mozzarella, provolone and roasted peppers over garlic bruschetta.

Pasta La-Villa came in a basin-size bowl with pappardelle, meat sauce, mushrooms and sautéed peas. Too bad there wasn’t time for a nap before we went back to judging.

Pasta La-Villa

Bocco Lupo is at 391 Henry St. (between Congress and Warren) in Cobble Hill, 718 243-2522

Bocco Lupo in Cobble Hill

It’s Italian but more rustic and spare than La Villa. The lunch menu offers a selection of interesting panini’s and crostinis. We tried the goat cheese and roasted vegetable panini and the mushroom crostini with truffle cheese.

Goat Cheese and Veggie Panini

Bocco Salad at Bocco Lupo

Salads are fresh and unusual, like the "Bocco" with parmesan, Jerusalem artichokes and escarole and an arugula salad with walnuts and gorgonzola. There’s plenty for meat eaters here but the reverence for vegetables is notable and the dishes are delicate and full of flavor.

Open kitchen at Bocco Lupo

Special thanks to my fellow judge Sam Rio (a former chef and now a gardener to restaurants); Erik Rosenberg, our driver and a parallel parking genius; Nina Browne and Robin Simmen of Greenbridge at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden who were our bosses and gave us the opportunity to see more gardens in two weeks than most people see in a lifetime. And thank you Brooklyn Community Foundation for the support.

Cityscape with wise thoughts

Erik in "no Park Slope"

Bathtubs are popular planters in Brooklyn

Auburn New york has saved a famous beer sign...

2011-08-13T20:02:00.000-07:00

and even though it is not Utica Club,it sends shivers of joy throughout much of the State.

Rerun Gastropub Theatre 147 Front Street

2011-08-13T16:43:00.000-07:00

In Dumbo usually offers food with their car seat bluray theatre but the mac and cheese and burgers and artichokes were not available today...just beer and a flick. Bad Posture was the engaging film set in Albuquerque in part in a part of town called the war zone...kind of a bad boy buddy road trip ,though no one goes anywhere. Well filmed,nicely acted and unique and likable sound track. I'm going back and also to

Japanese Short...no cartoons

68 jay street for music and drinks.

Dekalb Market on Flatbush extension...just a block from Juniors

2011-08-13T16:30:00.000-07:00

Garden in the market

Boro Hall in the distance at Dekalb stop and
above someone else named Mazie

dd caption

Chicken tenders and waffle-icious

A collection of large truck trailer/containers provide the infrastructure for art and food and music and flea stuff. Picnic tables and especially chicken and waffles at mazies...crispy crunch chicken filet and syrup and bbq sauce...and more. The other vendors also look well selected. Much spontaneous dancing..

if SOCO were a stock on the market I would buy NOW

2011-08-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

BBQ Chicken and red beans and rice (Bottom) Marlene and Mickey with red velvet waffles and fried chicken
(middle) and Ribs (top)

It is a restaurant on Myrtle and Grand that obviously buys at the right markets. Because Chef Kingsley John knows how to shop...and cook. I have rarely been so sure and its not about my insecurities...it
is about the craw fish dumplings(packages) and the Shrimp and lobster on grits and the smoked (smokin')

the view to the outdoor seating

corn. Try to go when George is the gentleman managing the bar full of great bourbons and Veltliners and a beer smorgasbord. And try the mac n cheese and the barbecue chicken and the red beans and rice.
The chicken was infused with smoke in a way I haven't tasted for a score of years (Vicksburg near the river 1991)....and then I was back for spicy ribs and fried chicken and waffles...OMG!

craw fish dumplings

lobster and grits and shrimp

For me ,I cant wait to bring everyone I know.

Chez Mike in East Greenbush near Albany

2011-08-11T16:36:00.000-07:00

Did you know that some ribs were shorter than others?
or is it about stunted growth?

The brick has been removed

I don't remember

Apre Retreat treat on Cumberland Tpk in a shopping center...but for the most part we loved the food and all of us enjoyed the staff and each other. And each others : ribs, lasagna, biscuit and pulled pork, and chicken under a brick .

Lasagna

Juventino was called "Fresh"

2011-08-11T16:28:00.000-07:00

Prawns

Amuse Too

Pork Belly Burger

InspirVegspiration

But changed its name though I believe still has their TV contestant/winning chef. Still at 370 5th av in Park Slope Still expensive but there is a better value,more interesting menu...and wine and beer...and a patient charming wait person with a lovely Polish accent. The amuse buche was a snippet of cod and then there was the amuse more with a taste of the corn salad we almost ordered. We had the vegepression discussion(let me surprise you...would you say that to a carnivore who asked what you have etc....but info was shared and inspiration plus communication brought satisfaction. Polenta and sweet potato napoleon and the happy green goddess(Jeanne).

Liberty View's view of the Statue is blocked but the soupy dumplings

2011-08-11T16:07:00.000-07:00

Yessenia,Jeremy, and Cassie

...AKA juicy buns... still squirt joy. And the moo shoo chicken and the duck and the sweet and sour chicken

Sweet and sour chicken

pork and crab juicy bun

Jeremy and Cassie

worked well as Yessenia and Jinnie and I took summer interns Cassie and Jeremy to the south end of Battery Park for a lunch on the water. And a few steps away the view was unobstructed ...so the stroll along the water provided the views...deconstructed from the food and view old school version.

moo shu

The Omelet Inn in Long Beach had the best breakfast...

2011-07-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

318 pine ave long beach, Ca.

except for the one my daughter and son in law made. This was a homey place with dozens of choices...my egg beater and veg chorizo and jack cheese dish with great home fries and the chopped salad were great but the pancakes and waffles also looked good.

Beachwood BBQ moves to Long Beach and we conregate at Congregation Ale House

2011-07-31T10:43:00.000-07:00

Pulled pork on pretzel and above Beechwood's unique beer temperature control and
way above Dexter movie set

Pulled chicken and blue cheese grits and potato salad

DR. Patrick waves

Fried green tomato..sandwich or salad

Dr's wife and Jeanne and Dr's mother Odette

Congregation collection

And I risk violating the archaic byzantine cruising law of Long Beach because I want to keep circling back to these places...and I almost included the Miami Beer Fest tili found out it was just a set for HBO's Dexter. The fried green tomatos at Beachwood were only matched by their pulled chicken and pork sandwiches on Pretzel rolls and the blue cheese grits. Theyserved Jeanne Saint Femillen blanche ale at Conregation and she loved this Belgian brew.

Kristy's...high above Malibu beach in CA

2011-07-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

Celebrating Patrick's doctorate began with the dolphins flipping on the waves and then just above

the Pacific Coast highway we sat outdoors for mushroom garlic pizza and a margarita and antipasto and roasted tomato bisque and a French beer and a Mediterranean salad...and enjoyed just that laid back feeling happy to be with west coast fam...and at a gem.

Defontes on 21st scene of thank you to Jasper

2011-07-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

Harry B and the high sign

Evan and sandwich

Evan and Harry

Nadine and Evan

When Evan joined us as a Manhattan college summer intern he was given a great assignment doing some research for Graham-Windham but I knew guest blogger Nadine would ensure some good eating
...the last lunch included:
#20 Roast beef, fresh mozz, fried eggplant, natural jus
#24 "The Dino" homemade meatball parmesan
#31 "Sinatra Special" steak pizzaiola, fresh mozz
Thank you Evan and Nadine and Harry and Frank and Jess!

Double Windsor on Prospect Park West and 16st...cool spot to wait for Captain America on a hot day

2011-07-24T08:17:00.000-07:00

Captain America in 3D was playing at the Prospect and it was a hot Saturday afternoon. Tickets unavailable on line so i went early. And to spend an hour I jumped into a place named for Windsor terrace and , I guess,the kind of knot my Dad made. I sat at the bar but also stopped at the food window to order tomato,basil cold soup. What I really wanted were the burgers and fries and mussels I saw around me. High raucous noise but the multi-taps and the blackboard menu and the vibrant crown and the likable wait staff made this perfect. ...don't want to step on movie blogger toes but if your inner adolescent can be summoned get your shield and go to Captain America in 3D.

Vintage Cafe found us in Johnstown ...think Suffrage,vintage and a perfect lunch

2011-07-21T16:23:00.000-07:00

Counter in Johnstown's cafe

The old fashioned counter and stools were a backdrop for the best fresh rasberry and also the best apple salads.

Sperry's since '32 in Saratoga but just lifted by The Hattie's team

2011-07-21T16:01:00.000-07:00

I once met Hattie and later ate her fried chicken. I was about to return when I learned she had sadly left this earth. Her team, including a delightful Crystal, brought their special touch to the venerable Sperry's @30.5

Carrots like none you've had

POPOVER

Caroline Street and in their garden earshot from some soothing live music we ate well. Dover sole was served at my brothers wedding in Montreal ("Fish at a wedding?" my mother questioned with dripping disgust. "No," my brother shouted," Its DOVER SOLE!" and this reminded me of how right he was. And then there was the panzanella salad and the popover with gruyere the carmelized carrot balls and the pasta to make a series of other points about how right we were to bet on what must be the odds on favorite at Saratoga.

DOVER

PS drinks at Maestro's was also a pleasure.

Panzanella

WHISTLING KETTLE TEA ROOM IN Balston Spa NY

2011-07-21T15:24:00.000-07:00

Macaroni and cheese Soup

The seating creates the impression of tufted tea cups swirling in a Coney Island spinning ride. The curried chicken on wheat and the pomegranate iced tea (a little weak) were excellent as was the soup. Lovely stop on the road from Saratoga to Albany.

May the lobster force be with you ,Luke's

2011-07-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

As you roll out your seafood lightsabers at 26 S.Williams street in Manhattan's Finance district. The Schooner combo features lobster crab and shrimp...there are claws and sea salt/pepper chips and chowders. This is a fish hut looking charmer with young staff who have the look of camp counselors or waiters at a Maine waterside shanty. Gobs of lobster...chili sauce to spike it...a a breeze that flows up from the battery . Maine Root sodas including sarsaparilla and blueberry and lemon-lime.

BLT in Wash DC bet 16 st and 17stNW (1625 i street NW)

2011-07-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

An hour to eat befor a fast Amtrak turnaround. This worked. Incliding the popover and the liver spread and

the mix of fresh shell fish and the crabcake and the BIG baked potato .

ORGANIKA CAFE...maybe i am just morphing or shapeshifting into Gordon Ramsey

2011-06-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

Maybe the air conditioner at 69 7th ave South just broke yesterday and maybe the ravioli wasn't frozen and maybe all Italian organic wines are crayola yellow...and maybe the plate for the whole grain pasta (good!)
wasn't the size of a bar mitzvah frisbee/vase centerpiece....and maybe I should have warned the new arrival with the Colgate sweat shirt out of school loyalty...and maybe I shouldn't have scooted Jim away from this place and taken him to Perilla when Jeanne spotted the Albanian checking out the menu. As Hank Snow said, "Maybe I'm right,Maybe I'm wrong Could this be something good? Maybe I'm weak...Maybe...

FORK and VINE...Glen Rock LIRR Station

2011-06-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

Some,including me,like it hot

Sitin at the rail road station...waitin for my destination...THEN BINGO. An excellent bar with wasabi hot soy nuts and crunchy fresh chips---Billy Holiday is singing and as i grab some nuts, I see the screen at the end of the bar showing (a sign from the food gods): "Some Like It Hot"...I like it hot and I also like the red pepper flecked cockles in broth with celery and garlic and chorizo. And carafe of sancere and two chicken sliders with slaw. This was a great way to kill an hour after the dentist and before racing to Greenwood Cemetery for a trolley to the outdoor ,amidst -the -graves musical theatre spooky victorianesque SPOON RIVER PROJECT.

Fork and Vine on the right side of the tracks

Coast Grill N SEA LI

2011-06-20T20:20:00.000-07:00

Sophie performs tribute to Grandpa Meyer and his thimble magic.

Takahachi Japanese Bakery now on Murray

2011-06-20T20:09:00.000-07:00

Still on Av A and another on Duane st. These pastries and breads look and taste pretty.

Diane's Cafe in Roslyn LI was disappointed in Father's Day ...we were not

2011-06-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

There were too many cancellations on Sunday for Diane to be happy but the salmon for Caroline and the buccatini for jeanne and the spagetti bolognese for Brother Lane and the ricotta gnocchi for me with sausage and the Vermentino
made our LIE fathers day respite nice...curly haired retrievers squashing us and all.

CAROLINE

Gnocchi

LANE

23 Bryant ave 5166212522.

Dumplings at Bar Reis 5st and 5av in Brooklyn

2011-06-12T14:30:00.000-07:00

This friendly bar with a basement garden and a rambuctious late eve vibe has tried tacos and tamales in their side store but all were awful but now they may have struck dumpling gold...ask inside the bar or go for take out. The soup with noodles and dumplings was good..even better if they didnt overcook the noodles.

Verde on Irving? the pizza of my Bushwick childhood.

2011-06-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

I want pizza

Lane and I like pizza

Coponata

12noon Sat....PART 1---Tonight we go in search of that elusive pie of my childhood. My brother says it may be just a function of a child memory enhancement (he used other words). The recollection: we'd call
from our rotary phone in the linoleum store on Wilson Ave(formerly Hamburg, before WW1) ...Glenmore 5-4512.
Mom would the send me with the $5?? I would walk to Central or Evergreen and Bleeker or Greene???
I am sure it was a bar. I am sure the was a side entrance and that Rheingold, the one beer to have when you are having more than one, or Schaefer or Schlitz was on the floor and in the air. "Wait here ,Kid, on the wood chair with the round seat in this small space next to the curtain ." He had come from behind the bar to toss the dough which i could see him do through the heavy curtain made of the kind of material that draped the screens at the Rivoli on Myrtle or the Madison or the Parthenon or even the Chinese restaurant upstairs with the female impersonators to which my parents took out of towners if they didn't go to Ben Massicks? Country something and something Club or THE ELEGANTE. He dropped basil and oregano on the cheese and sauce. He left to pour a draft and returned to check the coal...we had coal too in our store basement and a coal stove and on Harmon the super fed coal into the furnace and at school we saw a film about back faced miners with head lamps. The pie was boxed... returned to the store and there Mom and Bro and I ate. We ate the char and the luscious cheese and the tomato ambrosia.
And now with a big birthday pending ..."and imminent even," as Snaglepus would say,,,I am headed blocks from that bar...to Irving because someone found an old coal pizza oven and built a restaurant around it based on a grandfather clause that allows such unhealthy environmental activity to continue. The hunt is on. Tune in later.

Like a madelaine the foyer tile of my apartment building

My apartment birth to 16 same but we had no air
conditioner

roasted potatoes and cheese and rosemary

Part 2 1215am We saw the tile foyer ..mosaic of my childhood home and walked to Verde....Soon i realized this was Webers bakery where my Dad got his crumb buns, and soon we were listening in as customers described Connie Francis' roots in this hood and Jackie Gleason's home on Chauncey street. We ate amazing roasted potatoes with primo de sale cheese and rosemary and had coponeta on toast and an artichoke pizza and a margarita. All good though the pizza was different than the kind I knew. And then we visited the oven...and met the team and received an out of the oven bread...warm like those from La rosas for 14cents in 1954 (scaletta?).

I saw Rella's place,the coal and ice and later fuel oil friend of my dad's . I found a place where my childhood is remembered. But I won't stop eating pizza at totonos or franny or la villa or petes or lombardis or peppinos or grimaldi..but I will go back to Verde .

Verde on Smith (Baltic st)

2011-06-11T07:02:00.000-07:00

Feast

Putanesca

Lobster Feast and strawberry/ricotta salad and spagetti putanesca and baked clams and clams on the half shell and a garden and a $23 fallanghina . Wait staff from Italia,sweet but unsure. Nice way to kick off the week's end.

Dao Palate

2011-06-09T20:57:00.000-07:00

Vegetarian Asian on 5av and so good. Dumplings and avacado salad and moo shoo and and pumpkin soup,perfectly spiced.

Wall and Water in the Andaz Hotel may be the latest best

2011-06-09T20:41:00.000-07:00

Try the seafood pot pie in a tomato broth or make a sandwich with 5 elements. The Artichoke was a gift. The manager had hot sauce in his pocket so the pot pie was perfect. Try the fish and chips downstairs. Service so kind and thoughtful .

Brooklyn Yard Sundays on the Gowanus

2011-06-04T14:15:00.000-07:00

Red Hook food vendor and music and the gowanus canal near caroll street bridge sundays 3-? Also Mile End deli lamb burgers.

Lokanda Vin and oli redux

2011-06-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

Branzino in parchment

Ravioli filled with goat and ricotta

We must review again since it stays as a unique escape...a very brief Italian respite in a restored early 20th century drug store. The wait staff are knowedgeable and courteous without ffect. This is a dreamy part of Fort Greene.

KARCZMA 136 Greenpoint ave ...where Pirogies/pirogen go to be reborn

2011-06-04T13:54:00.000-07:00

potato pancakes

pickle soup

borscht

chicken kebob

Did you ever see someone eating something and nodding to themselves as if they were saying, "Yes,yes this is good ,very good...yes yes." Well that was the 5 of us going through the pirogies and pickle soup and beet soup, vegiewich and potato pancakes and more.

Food Scouting in Williamsburg and BAM West Indian Fair

2011-05-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

Tamale

Mole guac making

Mole has added a place near the smorg food fest(bklyn flea sponsored)...kent and 4st. We love the one on jane and hudson and their cubby hole on Houston but this one has room. I've heard about Spuytin Duyvil. The highlight was Mole's shrimp tacos below and the guacamole and tamale..

Shrimp tacos

Bike fetisch event in w-burg

lawn snack manhattan view THE SMORG

Meat stand and bridge view

Spuyten garden

Saltie Menu

and Salti...so this was chance to scout them out on the way to Woody's time travel Paris love letter movie. The BAM West Indian booths requires some tracking and stalking too.Earlier we passed the reopening of early 20th century Montes on Carol near the Gowanus, Venice of Bklyn.

Montes

SADDLE up for Brucie on court in cobblehill bklyn but beware men in black

2011-05-27T20:11:00.000-07:00

two men in black pose with blue boy and above pasta and tomato butter and sprouts

a chef engagin

Chicken sausage parm on caputo bread...hey bill

The chicken sausage parm on caputos bread was one of the best dishes i have eaten in years.

Men in black cars

Jeanne's

saddle up and tractor on down to food heaven

taggliatelle with brussel sprouts and tomato butter and burata and the falanghina and the cafe and the likeable staff and culture and the fun oriented seating and the engaging chefs...this is what we wanted to kick off memorial day week end. And we walked past the men in black 3 crew filming stunts grateful they didn't spray us with their forgetful spray because we wanted to remember BRUCIES on Court and Baltic.

Surfish ...Peruvian newcomer with garden on 5av bet 4st and 5st Park Slope

2011-05-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

Last night the garden was splendid LA like..without the floods and quakes. The fried oysters and the chips and the cauliflower soup and the paella(except for the cold rubbery squid pieces) were superb as was the avocado salad. The wine list is brief but "cherce" (bklyn for choice). The folks ,like their counterparts a few blocks away at Columbia, are warm and natural hosts. This place will be getting positive reviews...so go now and avoid the waits.

Katz's Deli on Houston around the corner from my grandpas place on Stanton; lower east side

2011-05-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

What is derma?

Send a derma with gravy to your kid in the navy. Old school deli full of fun and fat. Corned beef not like with cabbage..spicy salami...and how come they stopped making diet cel-ray. Glad I skipped lunch.

pickles

slaw

Harry met Sally here

WALLE BAR RESTAURANT . Chinese fused with American but not like chop suey

2011-05-25T13:57:00.000-07:00

dumpling

chine mac and cheese?

ribs

249 e53rd st Manhattan. The Ribs soaked in tamarind and the birds nest filled with vegies and tofu and the chicken were all superb. As was the Albarino. The waiter came from Nepal via Minnesota with a likeability and knowledge that served him and us well. The vegi side needed sesame oil or something to juice it up but all the greens were fresh and well cooked. I loved the chicken dumplings and think this Chin Chin kin will thrive.

The Brothers Moon in Hopewell NJ

2011-05-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

salad trio

Hopewell

This is the perfect spot for a Sunday brunch or

a Wednesday lunch or a holiday family gathering because it is casual and high cuisine and comfort food like crab cakes with celery root slaw and local asparahus soup and asparagus risotto and a lovely salad trio.

Entre Nous...Food and Finance High Pops up at Food Channel

2011-05-21T06:34:00.000-07:00

kitchen pork prep

Wonderful Food Channel Celebs . Glad to have met Mailinos pastry chef(charming). Great cause and the student's pride waffed over us all. Jackie Gleason may have been the chef of the future but that was a long ago honeymoon trip. These are the future chefs.

Brucie and Karloff...to do or not to do is not the question..

2011-05-19T20:43:00.000-07:00

"When do i do ?"....thats the question. The NYT got me interested wed. when they said Brucie would fill your lasagne pan for take out. Then I wandered around their dining space enough to confirm the hunch.
And Karloff promises some good eastern european treats ..."ummm goot" were karloffs Frankenstein...

Karl- Off's Off-erings

comments in ...was it" Bride of.." ?

Monreal Bagels coming to Atlantic Ave

2011-05-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

Colonie was kickstarted and now its in gear

2011-05-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

Superb first taste...the oysters had a cucumber marinade and the gruner was finer and the bruchetta was delish.

ricotta with basil bruchetta and chickpea

Saraghina on Lewis in Bed-Sty

2011-05-19T06:06:00.000-07:00

With Crystal and Waltston...rustic Bklyn pizza-cum-more...like Shrimps and rissoto and chicken . But pizza made a great shared app.

SOUL DADDY ...next great restaurant

2011-05-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

At south street seaport. NBC show winner with various hot sauces and healthier soul food. Chipoltle like ambiance. Ribs and baked chicken ,pulled pork. Invest! Whole wheat biscuits. Jamawn wins.

Emilio Ballatos on Houston and Mulberry ...time travel Italian

2011-05-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

The two tables appeared to be filled with a neighborhood reunion group. The owner hopped between tables and one man had a fantastic jacket with the Italian flag on the back. It was a postcard night in soho following the Risa Jaraslow dance benefit, and we were hungry. "Dis must be the place," as Milton Berle?
would say. Shrimp fra diavlo and ravioli and raw clams(many)...perfect.

Harrys on Hanover

2011-05-14T22:33:00.000-07:00

Honors Rodney Pride with steak and cake. In the wine cellar...cave.

Jump Start NY at 360 at 10 Debrosses St

2011-05-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

Rosanne Cash sings after signing books at SCRIBBLES TO NOVELS EVENT

Food was good and this wonderful literacy/mentoring organization with Myung Lee as CEO
raised over $1,000,000. NYC Chancellor Dennis Walcott was a warm and wonderful guest.

Pants on Fire did not win the derby but we did with GOOD FORK and Ft Defiance

2011-05-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

Derby Hat winner

steak and tofu

On Van Brunt St in Red Hook Bklyn are two places previously reviewed Good Fork and Ft Defiance. And on Derby Day we needed to stretch....so a long walk from The Slope to Red Hook was in order. I really didn't have the derby on my mind when we arrived at Good Fork and left our names for a table and trotted over to a place named for the fort with two cannons that deterred the Brits from entering NY Harbor during the Revolutionary War's Battle of Bklyn. Then the bartender arrived fresh from her win at

the derby hat competition at Bell House. Her name is Abagail..."like Adams," she said. So you're thinking Liar liar,pants on fire ...but no she and the restaurant are clearly revolutionary. See the salad and steak and persecco i snapped. But so was the vegi steak and eggs jeanne had (tofu) and my soft shell crabs and my dumplings had later at G-Fork (no relationship to Good Wife). The bus ride home was quiet and kind of looked like the gates after Animal Kingdom and his colleagues were OFF.

W3 Commons for Alli Celeb Snack

2011-05-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

Yessenia and Erika below and above ..."OH,WAITRESS"

ALLI ,Hunter Public Service Scholar

California Charles

A great intern with a good appetite earned a good snack. W3st Commons near Bwy (NYU) provided sliders(duck and pulled pork) and garlic fries and olives...service was distracted but good vibe for Alli .Erika(the law fellow),Yessenia, Charles,a more recent intern, and eric blahblah.

Film Biz Prop Shop sells stuff recycled from movie use

2011-05-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

Carol, the guru ,plays on cycle

540 President Street in Bklyn 10-6 m-fri 12 -5 SAT AND SUN .Fun shopping. and the Union Street Cafe is nice for open air breakfast.