tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148081892012-01-27T02:37:18.621-05:00celebrating the glories of eating in brooklyn. from the gut.EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.comBlogger1831100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-69697065056361746772007-06-21T18:56:00.000-04:002007-06-21T18:58:33.275-04:00

For cheap Summer oysters head to Williamsburg's Spike Hill, according to Time Out:Fridays is for cheap mollusks at Spike Hill (184 Bedford Ave at North 7th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 718-218-9737), with Blue Points and littleneck clams going for $1 each 5–8pm. Get there early; the place fills up quickly.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-26724284048178025972007-06-10T11:42:00.000-04:002007-06-10T12:06:16.755-04:00

I get asked quite often how the house is coming along. Painfully slow is usually how I respond. The best thing I can report on right now is how beautifully the wood is turning out after the stain and varnish has been removed. I really liked the dark stain, but over the years people kept adding more and more stain making it uneven and there was a lot of paint splattered all over. Now that it's

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-85818451819726469922007-06-07T16:25:00.000-04:002007-06-07T16:27:02.802-04:00

From the Village Voice:Belachan's massive menu might be described as Sino-Malaysian, since it includes all sorts of regional Chinese fare—not only the adapted dishes brought to the archipelago centuries ago by Chinese immigrants now known as Nonya ("grandma") cuisine, but also ones found in neighborhood Cantonese greasy spoons in America. These are offered, I'm certain, as a palliative for the

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-81938878602455559452007-06-05T15:38:00.000-04:002007-06-05T15:44:11.829-04:00

Using the Opentable interface, Zagat announced today that you can now book tables via their site. Just click on the table and chair icon on the restaurant's page. One more weapon to fight for a reservation in New York.I realize posting has been light lately. I've been so preoccupied with other stuff lately, but promise to catch up soon.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-65906221091776968682007-05-09T09:11:00.000-04:002007-05-09T10:15:42.188-04:00

I have no kitchen right now. I'm in the middle of a renovation and my kitchen is gutted. I haven't had a kitchen in quite some time. I long for the day when home cooking doesn't mean nuking a frozen meal and I can brew a pot of coffee. Until then, Whole Foods is my new best friend. So even after stuffing my face at Whole Foods' Indian food bar last night, I couldn't resist trying lacoyo, a

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-34456403377677681562007-04-27T12:18:00.000-04:002007-04-27T12:20:25.284-04:00

Some interesting results in San Pellegrino's survey of the world's best restaurants. New York doesn't really make an impressive showing. These are the top ten:1. El Bulli Spain2. The Fat Duck U.K.3. Pierre Gagnaire France4. The French Laundry U.S.5. Tetsuya's Australia6.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-69415575253489240272007-04-26T09:59:00.000-04:002007-04-26T10:09:25.071-04:00

Robert Sietsema of the Village Voice gives Williamsburg's Fette Sau a mixed review.The brisket can be spectacular, sliced thick and rimmed with crisp fat. The pork short ribs ($11 half rack, $22 full rack) are tasty, but a bit dry and hammy due to oversmoking. One evening, shredded lamb was a big hit with my crew; it was fragrant with the odor of pasturage. Sometimes—according to the chalkboard

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-35374426066056564592007-04-24T09:19:00.000-04:002007-04-24T14:18:07.081-04:00

Occasionally I feel the need to vent about non-food related issues. What the hell. I guess I've got another existential crisis on my hands, though this one is more tangible than trying to figure out my purpose on this planet.I don't know why, but I've always had a dream to own a brownstone on a tree-lined city block. Maybe I saw it as the antidote to growing up in a suburbia of strip malls and

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-74111849669617449962007-04-23T11:00:00.000-04:002007-04-23T11:06:45.484-04:00

For Realmeals.tv, Bed-Stuy-based baker Shannon Pridgen of Heavenly Crumbs Bakery and Shelly Everett of The Gourmet Angel Catering demonstrate how to make a wedding cake in this video.Check out the rest of the web site too. Interesting stuff.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-26963815158637659412007-04-09T17:37:00.000-04:002007-04-10T11:14:04.554-04:00

For $6.00 I was impressed with the frittata at the Roebling Tea Room. Tasty and light, it was chock full of tomatoes and asparagus. Served with a side of lightly-dressed arugula, it's perfect for breakfast or a lunch with a glass of wine. For $1.50 the toasted pumpernickel from Amy's bakery is another good deal. That bread was delicious.With its general store meets industrial chic atmosphere the

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-66647835458708804812007-04-05T10:12:00.000-04:002007-04-10T10:43:34.736-04:00

Last Saturday I had the privilege of being a guest judge at the Grillin' on the Bay barbecue contest in Sheepshead Bay to benefit the St. Mark's Sports Association and sanctioned by the New England Barbecue Society (who knew?).As a lover of barbecue, and really who isn't, I was excited at this opportunity, even missing out on a friend's wedding ceremony. (I did make the reception though.) But, as

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-68681253851302568082007-03-17T13:19:00.000-04:002007-03-17T13:23:30.844-04:00

Robert Sietsema on Williamsburg Mexican eatery Kiosco Piaxtla: On a recent Wednesday afternoon, my pals and I enjoyed an amazing plate of pipian verde de pollo ($7.50), a pale half-bird dumped like a rubbed-out corpse in a sauce so green, it might be mistaken for a swamp on the warmest day of summer.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-87322203526359235122007-03-13T14:25:00.000-04:002007-03-13T14:33:35.087-04:00

I just thought I'd pass along information about a bread baking and cheese class at One Girl Cookies whose baked goods are nothing short of excellent. They are hosting a two part class. Part one is how to bake bread and part two is what cheese to serve it with, courtesy of Stinky Brooklyn. Last November, I took the apple pie baking class there which was fun and informative. The cost of this

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-68341611076705234172007-03-05T14:58:00.000-05:002007-03-05T15:18:01.756-05:00

What more is there to say about melted cheese and pork rind between two corn tortillas than mmmm. The pupusa is a gem of a national dish from El Salvador stuffed with sometimes just soft Salvadorean cheese or cheese and chicharron (pork rind). They can also be stuffed with chicken and/or refried beans or practically any combination of the above ingredients.When I was in El Salvador a couple of

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-85017396732586173232007-02-27T14:57:00.000-05:002007-03-12T10:22:35.636-04:00

You might be dubious about a place that has Mexican chicken soup (left) and a Vietnamese chicken salad on its menu -- too diverse to be good at any one thing. But you'd be wrong about Rice, a restaurant whose theme is its namesake. From Latin America to Asia rice is a staple and this establishment offers rice in its many forms, from Thai black to Bhutanese red.On a wintry night before a show at

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-31162224318644003852007-02-05T11:58:00.000-05:002007-02-05T12:04:06.557-05:00

There's new, well-designed food web site called Blogsoop devoted to New York City. It highlights restaurant reviews by bloggers and includes yours truly among its ranks. The site does a great job cultivating the full range of food blog opinion. There's also a nifty chat function. Will the grassroots efforts of food bloggers take on the bigger guns like Citysearch and TimeOut?

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-38343821919952900102007-02-02T12:37:00.000-05:002007-02-02T13:34:22.142-05:00

I finally muster the strength to sit down at the keyboard and give my 2 cents about the vegetarian outpost of East Village favorite Kate's Joint, when Gothamist beats me to the punch. Anyway, here goes...For someone who loves to eat and pretty much eats any type of food from brain to sweatbreads to good old fashioned NY sirloin, I have a lot of vegetarian friends and family. Whenever I book a

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-53433678530991263452007-02-02T11:52:00.000-05:002007-02-02T11:55:33.344-05:00

In addition to visiting 3 Manhattan burger joints, he tries out 67 Burger and Brooklyn Burger Bar in Brooklyn. Take a read to see which one he likes better. You may be surprised.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-67015958436464646772007-02-02T09:44:00.000-05:002007-02-02T09:57:59.041-05:00

There is an interesting interview on the Zeek web site with Arthur Schwartz. He talks about the concept of food writing as a profession. Most interesting to me though is his deep knowledge of food history in New York City and his strong opinion on current food trends.You know, after World War II, really from the 1930s through 1950s, mainstream New York menus had Jewish food on them. You could go

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1170341566948088102007-02-01T09:26:00.000-05:002007-02-01T10:38:32.616-05:00

I feel like I've been going through a mid-life crisis since I was about 16. The past few years my "self-discovery" has become such a preoccupation that I sometimes feel paralyzed. Finding my calling so to say is a near constant battle inside my brain. Photography retreats, food courses, pottery classes, now guitar lessons. I think I'm much more than the sum of my parts. Do I really want to write

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1169489881515913652007-01-22T13:15:00.000-05:002007-01-22T13:18:01.533-05:00

We started with three plates and two sakes: mine, a rich, cloudy nigori; hers, described as marshmallowy on the menu. Our first plate, Monkfish with Foie Gras in Ponzu ($7), was rolled tightly and sliced into disks. This was an eye-opener, as the delicate flavors of fish and foie melded in the exuberant ponzu. Up next was Eel and Cream Cheese Tempura ($8) — what I would imagine great Japanese

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1169056621057128952007-01-17T12:52:00.000-05:002007-02-03T10:34:05.423-05:00

I enjoyed both of these immensely lately.The delicious burger with cheddar cheese ($10.50) from Williamsburg's DuMont Burger at 314 Bedford Avenue.A vegetarian option, the broccoli rabe sandwich ($7.25) with mozzarella, pecorino romano and piquillos, from Tempo Presto at 256 5th Avenue.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1168610424788508302007-01-12T08:59:00.000-05:002007-01-12T09:00:24.790-05:00

And it sounds like he likes it:When it comes to the various styles of barbecue available in Gotham—whether originating in the Carolinas, Memphis, Kansas City, or Texas—I've been an equal-opportunity abuser. Now, finally, a barbecue has appeared that I dig right out of the starting gate.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1168447580638351412007-01-10T11:24:00.000-05:002007-01-12T08:52:17.170-05:00

It's been slow going trying to get back into the swing of blogging. First there were the holidays and now I've been battling a seemingly interminable cold. Plus, my regular job has been keeping me extra busy lately and we started doing major home renovation and, well, that can be stressful and time consuming to say the least. The Friday before Christmas, my friend, Bernie, flew in from New

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1167764079202683252007-01-02T13:50:00.000-05:002007-01-02T13:54:39.220-05:00

Hard to argue with Adam Platt's Brooklyn selections in New York's "Where to Eat 2007" edition. Seems that more and more the food scene in Brooklyn is getting recognition from top critics. Not that we didn't know that already.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1165522830345729452006-12-07T15:19:00.000-05:002006-12-07T15:39:16.886-05:00

Not that Gimme Coffee needs any more publicity, but I went there the other day and I can say their coffees are damn fine. I tried the cappuccino and it tasted a lot like 9th Street Espresso in Manhattan with a somewhat chocolately taste and velvety finish. As someone who goes to great lengths for a great cup of joe, I'd say this is among the best I've had.I also really appreciated the

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1164904205326106832006-11-30T11:28:00.000-05:002006-11-30T11:38:41.796-05:00

Looks like today is the grand opening of Ma-n-Pop Soul Food which took over the spot that the legendary Down South Cafe formerly occupied. Taking a quick glance inside, I'd say the rough-hewn charm of Down South has been stamped out.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1164722797065897572006-11-28T09:04:00.000-05:002006-11-28T09:06:37.083-05:00

As the century-old German American restaurants of Queens neighborhoods like Middle Village and Richmond Hill have been disappearing, they've been replaced with newfangled places—mainly in Lower Manhattan—that emphasize tap beer and a limited menu of wursts and schnitzels. Now along comes Bay Ridge's Schnitzel Haus, larding a lengthier menu with all sorts of modern and traditional dishes from the

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1164042761850685552006-11-20T12:01:00.000-05:002006-11-20T12:12:41.866-05:00

Don't you love it when your expectations are exceeded? On a blistering hot summer Sunday afternoon, when the air is so clear and bright and everyone is sheltered indoors, and Brooklyn's expanse appears like a dead Western town, I stumbled into Giardini's pizzeria on Smith Street. Looking like every other corner slice joint in the city, I had low-to-zero expectations. But their square Sicilian

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1163685993379154432006-11-16T09:03:00.000-05:002006-11-16T09:06:33.393-05:00

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1163613160079448222006-11-15T12:50:00.000-05:002006-11-15T12:52:40.093-05:00

The daily specials scrawled on a chalkboard outside the restaurant sounded amazing, even though until recently the kitchen was secondary, serving snacks to go along with wine tasting from the 130-bottle list. The new head chef, I’m sure, is extremely talented. That much is clear from dishes like house-cured Striped Bass Tartare with shaved fennel, pomegranate seeds, and peppercress ($9), and

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1163528414538423892006-11-14T13:03:00.000-05:002006-11-16T22:41:05.643-05:00

According to the Daily News, McDonald's plans to cut trans fats in Europe but not the U.S. In all honesty I eat at McDonald's about once every 2 years if that and it's usually when I'm so hunger stricken that I have no choice but to give in. But I would like to ask McDonald's why they don't treat American consumers to the same level of health consciousness as their European customers? Don't we

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1163437838048317732006-11-13T11:31:00.000-05:002006-11-20T13:18:51.740-05:00

"Yellow beets are good, but red beets are pure pleasure." So said my friend as we nipped into our cubed yellow and red beet salad at Porchetta. Without doubt these delicate braised beets with lemon thyme, Sicilian olive oil, candied citrus and perfectly round goat cheese croquettes ($8.00) were pure bliss. All of the dishes we tried were defined by delicate (if not downright dainty) arrangements,

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1163433049409054772006-11-13T10:35:00.000-05:002006-11-15T12:53:00.606-05:00

Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs. I think it's so versatile. I love roasting chicken, potatoes and other root vegetables with it or floating a sprig in a batch of tomato sauce, giving it that extra depth of flavor. In the summer it's no problem when the herb is abundant and this winter with any luck I'll have a bounty of dried rosemary to cook with. I've never dried herbs before. After

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1162913321023905822006-11-07T10:09:00.000-05:002006-11-07T14:45:56.800-05:00

Having worked my fingers to the bone cleaning toilets at the Park Slope Co-op last night, I was famished after my shift. A friend and I wanted to grab a seat at the bar at Union Hall and bite into their tasty little burgers, but the place was packed -- on a Monday night no less. There were some fierce bocce ball matches going on and well, the screaming just wasn't conducive to a nice meal. With

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1162827806618266602006-11-06T10:41:00.000-05:002006-11-06T10:43:26.650-05:00

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1162487783119383832006-11-02T12:14:00.000-05:002006-11-02T16:20:43.263-05:00

This thing really does work and it works great. I've never ordered a product from an infomercial before. In the back of my mind I always thought they were scams (the web site sure is cheesey.) Although it took longer than expected, it did arrive as promised. I can't say it's the sturdiest gadget in the drawer, however, I do like the fact that it's small and battery operated so you can just put it

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1162483308782580332006-11-02T10:58:00.000-05:002006-11-02T11:01:48.973-05:00

Although the writers admit to not having eaten at Porchetta yet, they portend a revolution on Brooklyn's restaurant row: ...no guarantee that the place will be making money a year from now. But if Neroni matches his aspirations, we're fully expecting a restaurant-world shake-up.Porchetta aims for nothing less than the domestication of molecular gastronomy. That scientific school of cooking has

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1162245618051337062006-10-30T16:56:00.000-05:002006-10-30T17:00:47.036-05:00

In what used to be a favorite brunch spot, Banania Cafe, is now Porchetta. New York Magazine has high hopes.On the menu: nutmeg gnocchi with a straight pomodoro sauce, chicken-liver terrine with fig marmalade and a pistachio crumble, and deep-fried pork belly with a dried-fruit mostarda and melted cauliflower. Smith Street hasn't seen anything quite like this.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1162239245463880382006-10-30T14:28:00.000-05:002006-10-31T12:20:26.636-05:00

A shimmering new pizzeria on a not-so-shimmering stretch of Bedford Avenue caught my eye. The gigantic advertisement promised "brick-oven focaccia." I was intrigued. Is the gentrification of Williamsburg reaching this far South? I was excited by the prospect of being within the delivery radius of a decent pizzeria.Why funny? The concept if you can't guess from the name, Focaccino, is a pizzeria

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1161783848068044862006-10-25T09:41:00.000-04:002006-10-25T11:28:33.270-04:00

Although at times inconsistent, Cafe LULUc along with spots like Fort Greene's Chez Oskar represent in my mind the solid and reasonably priced neighborhood bistros that seem to have all but died on the other side of the East River. Reliable dinners and standard brunches are what every neighborhood needs.Clad in warm-toned reds and whites, the atmosphere isn't quite French, but more French

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1161783490242149072006-10-25T09:26:00.000-04:002006-10-25T09:38:10.396-04:00

Here's a couple of noteworthy events I thought I'd pass along:One Girl Cookies is having an apple bie baking class just in time for the holidays. The cost is $50.00. It's on Nov. 8 from 7:30 to 9:30. Call 212 675 4996 or email info@onegirlcookies.com.Flatbush Farm in conjunction with NYC Slowfood is hosting a $40.00 four-course dinner. Each course will be served with a beer from Six Point Craft

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1161699264535470572006-10-24T10:10:00.000-04:002006-10-24T21:40:08.433-04:00

I used to make this Puglian pasta dish at least once a week. I love it. It's simple and flavorfull. As you can see it can be made with penne, but if you can find hand-made dried orecchiette all the better. In Italian it means little ears and the nooks and crannies do a good job capturing the sauce.There are a lot of different version. It's often made with rapini or broccoli rabe. I used some

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1161632090799235482006-10-23T15:33:00.000-04:002006-10-23T15:34:50.823-04:00

On the western fringe of Park Slope, Sheep Station is a roomy new Australian pub, outfitted with corrugated tin, salvaged wall paneling, and a fireplace in the back room, where the owners show local art and plan to air rugby and cricket matches. Martine Lafond, onetime managing partner of Smith Street Kitchen, cooks simple but satisfying bar food like the “shearer’s burger” (anointed, in classic

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1161614925666665402006-10-23T10:44:00.000-04:002006-10-23T10:50:24.246-04:00

Chair, East Village. Photos by EFB.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1161185239011685082006-10-18T11:25:00.000-04:002006-10-18T11:27:19.043-04:00

Bean-stuffed, Salvadoran-style pupusas are served steaming from the griddle and topped with pickled slaw and avocado ($7). The mole for the duck tamales ($7 at lunch) is thick and bittersweet, which Mr. Gautier attributes to the whole-roasted plantains, skins and all, puréed into the sauce, a trick he learned from a carpenter who worked on the restaurant and now cooks in his kitchen.Not all the

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1161186039976058972006-10-18T11:03:00.000-04:002006-10-18T15:46:13.846-04:00

I do realize that photos of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline are cliched, but I had fun taking these with my new point and shoot digital. I took these on Sunday afternoon. The last few are of installation art in Dumbo. The woman with the writing on her body invited people to write slurs they themselves have been called on her body with a Sharpie. Warning: there are some nasty

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1160757771701804142006-10-13T12:26:00.000-04:002006-10-13T12:42:52.003-04:00

I have to admit, after reading year after year Gourmet's gushing praise on Peter Luger's, I'm glad someone is finally telling it like it is. Don't get me wrong. I think it's a fine steak, but Alan Richman concedes inconsistent. The sides for the most part are dreadful, except for the renowned bacon. I couldn't agree more with his take on the sliced tomatoes and red sauce. Above all, the attitude

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1160671328464690552006-10-12T12:15:00.000-04:002006-10-13T13:13:20.843-04:00

Cafe Mexicano on Union Street near 4th Avenue is such a small place you would easily walk right by if not for the few outdoor tables. It's easily overshadowed by the larger Mexican bistro next door. I understand the two are not related. But don't just walk right by Cafe Mexicano. Given the prices, the "hole-in-the-wall" serves up some mighty tasty Oaxacan food. The service is friendly and

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1160589854202047662006-10-11T14:01:00.000-04:002006-10-11T14:57:47.363-04:00

What the hell. I'm branching out. Here's some footage I took of the Jose Gonzalez show at the Brooklyn Lyceum last night. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1160500516360312002006-10-10T13:03:00.000-04:002006-10-10T13:15:28.440-04:00

Ok so, it may have been a few weeks ago, but Flatbush Farm has expanded their recently opened bar and made a restaurant as well. The restaurant's continental-inspired menu is being headed by Chef Eric Lind from Bayard's in Manhattan. I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but with items like like braised lamb shoulder with bubble and squeak, pork goulash and spatzle with mushroom ragout, the menu

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1160497671277467882006-10-10T11:37:00.000-04:002006-10-10T12:31:51.083-04:00

On Saturday, some friends and I piled into the "Monte" (an '88 Chevy Monte Carlo) and headed out to the country, Hudson Valley to be precise. I had never been there, but I always welcome a respite from the city. Rhinebeck is a picture-perfect Norman Rockwell painting of a town. The overcast morning gave way to a glorious afternoon of sunshine, only to be aided by the start of the changing leaves.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1159970514876756912006-10-04T09:58:00.000-04:002006-10-04T10:01:54.876-04:00

According to the New York Times' Off the Menu segment, the owner of Taku, which served Japanese food, is changing its menu to Mediterranean to make ends meet. The place never got transformed into an everyday restaurant, despite or perhaps because of glowing reviews. Locals seemed to view it as a special occasion restaurant.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1159970111120464742006-10-04T09:52:00.000-04:002006-10-04T09:55:11.143-04:00

Williamsburg's Grand Street is gradually developing as a dining destination, and Baci & Abbracci ("Kisses and Hugs") is proving to be its flagship. In addition to the garden—which won't be of much use come late October—the restaurant offers a spare and diffusely lit interior of bare brick and a menu with a bravura combination of wood-oven pizzas, solid but predictable apps, quirky and amazing

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1158845982954009022006-09-21T09:22:00.000-04:002006-09-21T09:40:03.000-04:00

Today is the first official day of fall, right? Our garden seems to be a late bloomer, which is nice, but we feel like we have more flowers in bloom now than we did all summer. We've got passion flowers, geraniums, morning glory among others. My absolute favorite is that flowering vine growing up the cables on the back of the house. It really took off this summer!

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1158587697015687262006-09-18T09:51:00.000-04:002006-09-18T09:54:57.036-04:00

They pick five restaurants in Cobble Hill, from Alma (technically Red Hook and oddly no mention of the rooftop dining) to Sweet Melissa Patisserie.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1158155718575906792006-09-13T09:51:00.000-04:002006-09-13T09:55:18.593-04:00

Is it just me or is the New York Times' super late jumping on the coffee trend band wagon? Anyhow, Williamsburg's Gimme Coffee and Greenpoint's Cafe Grumpy feature in this article. I'm still partial to Cafe Regular.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1158093897679358652006-09-12T16:26:00.000-04:002006-09-12T16:48:19.516-04:00

Nothing goes better with beer than barbeque. I was reading in the latest edition of Time Out that the owners of the beer palace Spuyten Duyvil are opening a barbeque restaurant called Fette Sau or fat pig also in Williamsburg (345 Metropolitan Avenue). It's slated to open in October. Maybe it will be a European take on barbeque?Also in Time Out, the owners of D.O.C. wine bar in Williamsburg have

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1157119493753635842006-09-01T09:50:00.000-04:002006-09-01T10:04:53.913-04:00

A few weeks ago I had a friend over for dinner, but I didn't prepare for it. I was left Sunday evening scrambling to come up with something to eat. Pasta is almost always at hand. And I came across a jar of sun-dried tomatoes hidden in the pantry. I roasted a head of garlic and blended it with the sun-dried tomatoes and added about a tablespoon of aged balsamic vinegar and some oil olive. Then I

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1157057407429190122006-08-31T16:47:00.000-04:002006-08-31T16:50:11.033-04:00

Continuing on the theme of Middle Eastern diners in Brooklyn:Even though stories still circulate about a dwindling Pakistani presence in the city, and even though Coney Island Avenue's Little Lahore seems to be shriveling, Pakistani restaurants have been popping up elsewhere around Brooklyn, offering cheap meals of rice, roasted meat, vegetable curries, and smoking-hot flatbreads.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1156953388300769432006-08-30T11:18:00.000-04:002006-08-30T12:00:30.306-04:00

I've been reading a lot about Union Hall since it recently opened in Park Slope. Based on the reviews, there seemed to be too much going on, perhaps unfocused, to really appeal to me. Looking for a place to eat after my shift at the Co-op (it's down the street), I literally stumbled upon Union Hall. From across the street I thought "Well that place looks cozy."Once inside, any reservations I had

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1155772883622132602006-08-16T19:57:00.000-04:002006-08-16T20:01:23.636-04:00

From the Queens Ledger:The other remarkable thing about this particular garden is that it sits right above a subway station, which is titled after a distinct, but nearby garden: it's the Brooklyn Botanical Garden stop on the shuttle train which connects Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant. According to the article the farm grows "peas, corn, bush beans, broccoli, grapes, collard greens, cabbage,

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1155738775871279682006-08-16T10:30:00.000-04:002006-08-16T10:32:55.890-04:00

From the New York Times:Hubert Colson owns a pastry shop in Mons, Belgium. Yonatan Israel, a native of Paris, is a filmmaker in New York. Together they have opened Pâtisserie Colson, a trim little pastry shop and cafe at 374 Ninth Street (Sixth Avenue), Park Slope, Brooklyn; (718) 965-6400. Mr. Israel was able to spend some time in Mons learning how to run a bakery because his father is a

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1155736075927767982006-08-16T09:39:00.000-04:002006-08-16T09:54:30.243-04:00

Hidden Kitchens is a wonderful podcast produced by the Kitchen Sisters for NPR. They travel around the country telling the previously untold stories of regular folks and their kitchens. Their latest show is about a woman name Georgia Gilmore in Montgomery, Alabama who operated a restaurant in her home and helped fuel the civil rights movement. It's quite inspirational. The sounds and people they

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1155130002869156172006-08-09T09:24:00.000-04:002006-08-09T09:26:42.883-04:00

For a place run by first-time restaurateurs, the Farm on Adderley is getting a lot of things right in the dining room. It is comfortable, airy and spacious, with plenty of room between tables. Though the décor is more city clean than country cluttered, there are warm touches throughout, like the antique oil lamps among the wine bottles and the mix-and-match vintage chairs that appoint the tables.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1155053979805056452006-08-08T12:15:00.000-04:002006-08-08T12:19:39.856-04:00

From the Village Voice:Sanaa aims to function as the Middle Eastern diner of choice on this stretch of Atlantic, competing with older Lebanese and Syrian establishments. Thus, the menu features salads, bread dips, shish kebabs, and vegetarian entrées galore, in addition to the Yemeni stuff. There are what seem to be inventions, too.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1154717938960840582006-08-04T14:24:00.000-04:002006-08-04T15:22:25.446-04:00

Maybe this isn't your weekend for the beach house on Fire Island? Don't despair. Surf Bar will make you feel like you're in a tropical paradise replete with sandy floors, beach kitsch and an expansive garden deck with tiki lights. A sun-bleached surfer in Jams wouldn't be out of place.Specializing in an eclectic menu of seafood, I was pleasantly surprised by the freshness, prices and taste in the

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1154622199157117702006-08-03T11:52:00.000-04:002006-08-03T12:23:19.343-04:00

City Search has come out with its Best of New York guide. Taking a glance at the restaurant section, I am surprised that DiFara's didn't even make the top 10 in the pizza category and that Fornino came in first. Brooklyn pizzerias make up 4 of the top 10. (Side note: I used to love Sal & Carmine's when I lived on the Upper West Side.)The Best Outter Borough restaurant honors goes to Lil' Bistro

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1154524109969763382006-08-02T09:05:00.000-04:002006-08-02T09:08:29.983-04:00

From the New York Times:Jacques Torres, the chocolatier, is now making ice cream and selling it in the form of sandwiches layered with homemade chocolate-chip cookies ($5), in chocolate-dipped cones ($4) and in triple-scoop sundaes ($6), with a choice of sauces and set into bowls of dark chocolate, including an oval one that looks like a cacao pod. Heaven in Dumbo.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1154371110962316262006-07-31T14:36:00.000-04:002006-07-31T14:38:30.993-04:00

From the U.K.'s Daily Telegraph:Revolutionary "self-timing" eggs designed to overcome the perennial problem of how to avoid runny whites and overcooked yolks will appear on supermarket shelves in the coming months. Maybe this will be available Stateside too.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1154299641275858002006-07-30T18:39:00.000-04:002006-07-30T18:47:21.293-04:00

Even though it's not based in Brooklyn, I wanted to mention a bit of news about The Tasting Room in Manhattan because it's such a great place. With an incredible wine list and inventive, seasonal food, I always adored The Tasting Room, but the dining room was oh so tiny.I happened to be walking down Elizabeth Street in Nolita the other day when I noticed they opened a bigger restaurant there and

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1153924052003272832006-07-26T09:37:00.000-04:002006-07-26T15:09:53.700-04:00

Frankies 457 Spuntino often gets labeled Italian-American home cooking and the Village Voice went so far as to say its best attribute is that it "feels like it belongs" in the Italian neighborhood of Carroll Gardens. Honestly, who are food reviewers to say what fits in?Having been raised mostly on Italian-American food, I can say to that "yes and no." To me Frankies 457 is refined home cooking

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1153920855893107452006-07-26T09:31:00.000-04:002006-07-26T09:34:15.913-04:00

I love the idea of the communal table.From the time the restaurant opens through dinner, customers from the neighborhood occupy the 10-seat communal table, opposite the long, low refrigerated case that holds a host of sides, like potato salad, baked beans and coleslaw (all available in $2.50, $5 and $10 portions). The room is furnished simply and is almost too minimally decorated to be called

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1153339870565545202006-07-19T16:01:00.000-04:002006-07-19T16:13:08.830-04:00

In last week's Time Out they had a little write up about Blue Pig Ice Cream which just opened up in Brooklyn Heights. It seemed positive and my mind started visualizing a place with country charm or perhaps boardwalk kitsch. Well, I'm not so sure it has either. The New York Times writes about it today. And on the Chowhound Boards they weren't too positive:Reminded me a bit of a Baskin Robbins -

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1153228610813019892006-07-18T09:14:00.000-04:002006-07-18T09:16:50.826-04:00

From the Village Voice:Spartan Souvlaki isn't exactly a Greek diner, though it trades in hamburgers, feta-planked salads, and the delicate shish kebabs known as souvlaki. But the canned soups, toasted cheese sandwiches, and mile-high cream pies are missing, so it's more like a Greek diner in Greece.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1153152114211390082006-07-17T11:39:00.000-04:002006-07-17T12:08:19.093-04:00

So this is kinda cool. Yesterday a crew from the BBC came out to film my quiet, yet glorious corner of Bed Stuy. They wanted to see the work we had done to beautify the block for one of their gardening shows on BBC2 in the U.K. One of my neighbors was interviewed as she gave the presenter a tour of our block showing off our window boxes, whiskey barrels and treepits.After the shoot, we gave the

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1153061216629639372006-07-16T10:15:00.000-04:002006-07-16T18:55:47.746-04:00

I've eaten at Pete's Waterfront Ale House a few times. The last time I ate there my friend and I sat in a booth near the swinging kitchen doors. There was a photograph on the wall right above our booth. In that photograph it appeared that the entire bar, with that drunken, friendly camaraderie, was celebrating something -- New Years Eve or the World Series, perhaps. That got me wondering if this

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1152711560079903472006-07-12T09:30:00.000-04:002006-07-12T09:43:22.963-04:00

I've got lots of sage growing in the garden. One of the plants is so astoundingly good that we managed to keep it alive by bringing it indoors over the winter for 3 years. What to do with all that sage? I suppose I could try drying it. I could also make lots of pasta or ravioli with sage brown butter or roast chickens with sage and butter under the skin. All of that is delicious, but I came

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1152710292830497832006-07-12T09:15:00.000-04:002006-07-12T09:18:12.850-04:00

I'm not the gardener of the house, but occasionally I get to plant something. I picked up this plant about 2 years ago. I don't even know what it's called, but it's one of my favorites. I bought it becuase it's indigenous to the Northeast. I figured it would do well in our garden's conditions and so far it has. Although lately all this rain has it looking a bit sad.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1152306214940509552006-07-07T16:58:00.000-04:002006-07-11T14:39:08.093-04:00

From the Village Voice today:"But now accelerating gentrification and misplaced health concerns have shuttered many of the old fried-chicken joints."

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1152198172865378502006-07-06T10:45:00.000-04:002006-07-06T11:04:41.036-04:00

I haven't been home in a few weekends. I spent a week in Maine and the following weekend at a wedding in Philadelphia. Finally, last weekend I was home, glorious home, a chance to do "nothing." I headed to the farmer's market at Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope. My plan was to shop and cook. The South Jersey blueberries looked too good to pass up so I bought 3 quarts of them and baked this open

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1151938515286129762006-07-03T10:41:00.000-04:002006-07-03T10:57:47.083-04:00

A few weeks ago (or is it months?) Meresy over at Edge Effect asked to see the view from my kitchen window. I finally got around to this. I don't have a digital camera so I had to borrow one. My kitchen is on the ground floor, so I have bars on the windows. I took a few shots right on the other side of the window and one through the bars. Here you get a glimpse of my urban garden.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1149089719965776922006-05-31T11:25:00.000-04:002006-05-31T12:01:32.063-04:00

I've never had Blue Bell ice cream, but after reading this article in the New York Times dining section, I'm dying to try it. Am I crazy enough to pay almost $90.00 to have four half gallons flown to New York from Texas? Sounds like a job for Jeffrey Steingarten.What I found interesting is the company's emphasis on flavor over sweetness (imagine). Also, they have lower butterfat content than

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1148658273088031362006-05-26T11:41:00.000-04:002006-05-26T11:44:33.090-04:00

I happened to notice the other day that it looks like a new place is going into the old Bodegas on Fulton Street in Clinton Hill. Bodegas closed down a few months ago along with the owners' other establishments, Liquors and Lewis & Ruby's.The new signage on the windows said "Clinton Bar and Lounge." But that's all I know.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1148657715400509032006-05-26T11:32:00.000-04:002006-05-26T11:35:15.400-04:00

This Robert Sietsema article is a few weeks old, but it's still worth noting his Mexican picks on 5th Avenue. My feeling is that there's an abundance of Mexican restaurants, but it's slim pickin's when it comes to authentic and excellent.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1148656633070497062006-05-26T11:15:00.000-04:002006-05-26T11:20:30.183-04:00

From the New York Times:"The rise of that [jazz] scene — which, like its borough, is an assemblage of enclaves — has been one of the most significant developments for jazz in New York in recent years. (Every bit as significant as the Brooklyn rock explosion of a few years ago, with which it shouldn't be confused.) Through a growing network of low-rent spaces mostly booked by enterprising

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1148565683971040992006-05-25T09:50:00.000-04:002006-05-25T10:01:23.986-04:00

Most of the time when I'm food shopping I usually either don't try the demo products or I try them and never buy them.The other day I was in Blue Apron in Park Slope and they were doing a tasting of Wine Cellar Sorbets. I love wine and ice cream, so I gave it a try and this time I bought one.The sorbets are made with real wine (two full glasses in each pint). They are an alcoholic adult treat and

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1148398345683500212006-05-23T10:58:00.001-04:002006-05-24T09:48:06.186-04:00

Despite being busy with the block beautification project over the weekend, I did manage to get some cooking in.CheesecakeWith strawberries coming into season, my thoughts turned to one of my favorite treats: mascarpone cheesecake with balsamic strawberries. Here's the recipe.RabbitThe Coop actually had rabbit when I shopped there Friday evening. I've always been a big fan of it. I followed a

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1148256696668750792006-05-21T19:38:00.000-04:002006-05-22T09:10:39.896-04:00

Ok. So this post isn't about food. Sometimes food blogs talk about gardening and sometimes garden blogs talk about food. Really the two go hand in hand. Though admittedly I wouldn't eat the plants we were out there planting on Saturday.My block decided to enter the Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest this year and in preparation the block association went out there Saturday to plant whiskey

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1146675146349058792006-05-03T12:50:00.000-04:002006-05-03T12:52:26.366-04:00

I really enjoyed this article from Frank Bruni today. He explored a half dozen old world Italian-American restaurants in 4 boroughs that we all get that nostalgic pang for.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1146145101546354382006-04-27T09:34:00.000-04:002006-04-27T09:38:21.566-04:00

Giving no reason, one of the best cheap eats in town, Cambodian Cuisine, posted a hand written poster in its window saying thanks and good bye to Fort Greene residents and saying hello to Manhattan. They are moving to 93rd and 3rd Avenue.We wait with bated breath to see what goes into the space.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1146060016732492652006-04-26T09:27:00.000-04:002006-04-26T16:26:11.956-04:00

I've never had an arepa before. I had read so much about the legendary arepa lady on the Chowhound message boards, so I just had to try these sought-after white cornmeal cakes at Bogota. I opted for the traditional one with butter and white cheese. I'm guessing the arepa at this trendy pan-Latin bistro doesn't even come close to those of the arepa lady and her street cart.The arepa wasn't even

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1145539650629142852006-04-20T09:24:00.000-04:002006-04-20T09:27:30.650-04:00

The Village Voice profiles Red Hook. I second their motion of 360 as a destination in its own right. It's one of my favorite French restaurants in the borough.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1145471582486915742006-04-19T14:20:00.000-04:002006-04-20T09:32:47.176-04:00

I've written about One Girl Cookies before, but admittedly I didn't have a chance to try any of their cookies. I was just instantly taken with the place.Last weekend my sister and her husband were visiting, stopping over on their way to Boston where they just moved from Philadelphia. After our brunch at Bar Tabac, we stumbled onto One Girl Cookies again.With baby blue walls, chocolate brown

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1145385924372541582006-04-18T14:41:00.000-04:002006-04-18T15:05:12.453-04:00

Leaving Brooklyn for a moment, I would just like to ask, what's the big deal with Dean & Deluca? On a day off from work as I was wondering the streets of Soho I stopped at Dean & Deluca for a cup of coffee. It was terrible. It tasted like the instant Sanka that my grandmother used to drink. The few times I've actually shopped there the prepared foods were average and the produce just not fresh

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1144783025915594162006-04-11T14:28:00.000-04:002006-04-12T13:57:48.040-04:00

Fort Greene is one of my favorite Brooklyn neighborhoods. It's diverse, hip, convenient and beautiful. Walking the brownstone-lined streets around Fort Greene Park takes me back to my days in London. Two very different restaurants -Thomas Beisl and Smooch- speak to the diversity that has come to define the neighborhood.Thomas BeislAustrian bistro Thomas Beisl is no stranger to good reviews.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1144354782890235712006-04-06T16:07:00.000-04:002006-04-06T16:19:42.920-04:00

Yes. It's been quite awhile since my last post. Needless to say, I've been busy. Busy with my er, real job, busy renovating my house (new windows, painting) and other stuff. But what better way to get back into the swing of things than with Brooklyn Restaurant Week. It runs from April 3-11, 3 courses for $20.06.My picks would be:Bar TabacTakuPete's Waterfront Ale HouseChestnutMaggie

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1141055562259273462006-02-27T10:50:00.000-05:002006-02-27T10:53:25.810-05:00

Between work and other things that have been going on lately, I haven't had much time to write. So here's a lame link that should substitute for originality. Village Voice visits Frankies 457 Spuntino.

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1140034114195342512006-02-15T15:02:00.000-05:002006-02-15T15:22:34.986-05:00

Now that avian flu has reached farther into Europe, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before it comes to the U.S. I was reading in this Reuters' story that part of the safety measures includes a ban on letting domestic birds outside. Naturally the biggest concern is the impact on human lives. But these developments lead me to wonder: does this mean that those organic, free-range chickens we all

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14808189.post-1139935494657488762006-02-14T11:10:00.000-05:002006-02-14T12:07:41.566-05:00

If you know Williamsburg's Spuyten Duyvil, you most likely know them for their incredible beer selection. With the largest part of their expertly-selected beers hailing from Belgium, Spuyten Duyvil also has a a long list of beer from England, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Japan and more. An avid beer drinker myself, I hadn't heard of most of them. The Belgian beers are even categorized by region. In

EFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225875561084154880noreply@blogger.com1