Tag Archives: dinner

5 Reasons to Try Isa

26 Jan

photo via Zagat Blog

I ate at new-ish restaurant Isa in Williamsburg last week, and if you haven’t been there yet, I suggest you recommend making a reservation there soon. Need a reason? Here’s five.

1. Orange Wine

I read that Isa was serving up orange wine, along with the more traditional red, white, and rose options, so I had to go for it. What’s orange wine? It’s a dry wine made from white wine grape varieties that have spent some maceration time in contact with the grape skins. It’s not actually made from oranges, but it adds to the dining experience.

2. Uber-Seasonal Menu

The menu at Isa changes everyday, so you never really know what to expect when you arrive for dinner. Be ready to try some unique flavor combinations that you wouldn’t normally see on other menus.

3. It’s that cabin feel

As a New Yorker, you probably don’t get to spend much time in a cabin. Isa has a rustic woodsy look. It’s cozy and warm that makes you feel like you’re camping…. camping in a really beautiful and expensive cabin. Maybe more like an expensive ski lodge then?

4. The bread service

Sure, the bread is not the star of the meal– the appetizers, entrees, and desserts have a leg up on the bread. On the other hand, the bread at Isa is definitely a bonus. It’s baked in house, warm, and addictive. No bread bowl will go empty.

5. The experience

There’s no doubt that Isa is unique. It’s quirky and a little odd– with a menu full of peculiar combinations, like “sardine, skeleton, and olives,” or “spotted prawn with black garlic aioli.” It’s worth giving it a try and checking out the unique menu choices of the day.

Where to Eat Right Now: Traif

19 Jan

crispy pork belly, cauliflower, peperoncini, romesco, parsley-garlic

I listed Traif as one of my top 5 restaurants to try in 2012 (a foodie new years resolution), and last night I finally trekked to Williamsburg to try the much-raved-about eatery. Becoming Brooklyn twitter friends told me it would be “porkgasmic,” and to “try EVERYTHING,” so I was mentally prepared to drool publicly. The waitress suggested that with a group of four people, 8-10 dishes would be a good dinner portion, as the entire menu is small plates to share.

Although I wanted to take the advice of 27 and Frugal and order everything, we chose:

1. bacon-wrapped blue cheese–stuffed dates, spinach a la catalana (thanks for the advice secondstrokeny)

2. roasted brussels’ sprouts, grapes, puffed rice, tomatoes, herbs, chile vin.

3. salt & pepper spicy white shrimp, golden pineapple, sweet potatoes

4. crispy pork belly, cauliflower, peperoncini, romesco, parsley-garlic

5. bbq, braised short rib sliders, sweet potato fries, smoked paprika aioli

6. sauteed broccoli rabe, roasted portobella-truffle toast, fried egg

7. seared scallops, butternut squash, huckleberries, pistachios, sage

8. “Chinese hot pot” of shrimp and mussels

roasted brussels’ sprouts, grapes, puffed rice, tomatoes, herbs, chile vin.

The dishes came out in waves, making the dinner more exciting, since it was always a surprise to  see which would come out next. Our verdict? We loved the spicy shrimp, crispy pork belly,  sauteed broccoli rabe, and seared scallops (my fave) the most. We followed up the dinner with two desserts: the bacon doughnuts, dulche de leche, with coffee ice cream and nutella mousse with pear, chocolate bark, & peanut brittle. I struggled to share the nutella mousse with the rest of the table, but luckily the group allowed me to eat more mousse because I was going sans bacon doughnuts.

seared scallops, butternut squash, huckleberries, pistachios, sage

I think the most unexpected part about Traif is the atmosphere. It’s casual and relaxed despite it’s mature menu. We sat on the back enclosed patio with space heaters, and while some may not appreciate that esthetic, we liked feeling as comfy as possible as we gathered around our brussels sprouts. As my friend and fellow Traif diner Leslie said, “It works in Brooklyn.” Add Traif to your must-try list in 2012, and check out the full menu here.

Eat like you’re pre-Industrial.

16 Jan

What was Brooklyn like in the mid-1800′s? Step back in time on Wednesday January 25th at 7:30pm with The Farm on Adderley  for a meal inspired by the food eaten by the people who worked on the Brooklyn farms in that time period. Chef Tom Kearney is creating a four-course meal showcasing food preservation techniques, and historic gastronomist Sarah Lohman will provide a historical context for the food and how Brooklyn – and specifically Flatbush – fit into the larger network of farms and food distribution in New York in the 1800s.

What did they do before electricity and refrigerators anyway? The dinner is $69 per person, gratuity and drinks not included. To sign-up, send an e-mail to thefarmonadderleyevents@gmail.com.

My Brooklyn New Years Eve Plans

29 Dec

I had a difficult time deciding at which Brooklyn spot I would ring in the new year. After careful deliberation, I picked Alma for dinner. With a $50 prix fixe and the ultimate rooftop dining experience, I knew it would be ideal for a new years eve celebration. The menu includes paella de Mexico, braised duck tacos, mexican churros with caramel sauce, and more delectable picks.

AFTER dinner, I’ll  be heading to one of my favorite bars of all time– 61Local. At midnight, they’ll be serving up some off-the-beaten-path fizzy stuff like hard ginger beer, hard apple cider, and a fizzy red blended from Red Hook winery in Brooklyn.

Sound good? Come out and join the party. And even if you can’t make it, I’ll be sure to post about the festivities here with plenty of pictures.

Thanksgiving To-Go

6 Nov

Don’t want to cook this Thanksgiving? I hear you. Seersucker, one of my favorite restaurants of all time, will take care of you. Place your orders now for their mouth-watering menu:

Roasted organic turkey with gravy and cranberry compote

Mashed potatoes

Brussels sprouts with garlic and chili flakes

Consider Bardwell mac & cheese

Braised collard greens with country ham

Cornbread dressing with celery and sage

Sweet potato pie

Sounds amazing, right? It’s $30 per person for eight ounces of turkey with cranberry, gravy and three sides (choose from mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, mac & cheese, collard greens and cornbread dressing). Get a sweet potato pie for $20, and $10 per pint for additional a la carte sides.

Email seersuckerturkey@gmail.com with your order or any questions. Let  them know if you’d like to pay via credit card or PayPal and what time you’d like to pick up your order. The Seersucker team will send you a confirmation and payment information.Hurry! The order and payment deadline is Wednesday November 16th, and order pickup is November 23rd from 11am to 7pm.

Where to Eat Right Now: Rucola

21 Oct

Obviously, I love a lot of restaurants in Brooklyn, but there are a handful that I recommend to everyone with a “You HAVE to go.” I’ve recently added another one of those to my list– Rucola. It’s a charming spot on a charming corner in Boerum Hill with a rustic style and a comfortable vibe. If you need a Brooklyn date spot– this is it.

The menu is super seasonal, with dishes like skate with maple roasted pumpkin, radicchio, and pomegranate, as well as duck with figs, swiss chard and turnips. I suggest starting with a selection of cheeses or meats (or both), as well as a salad. Being an Italian eatery, Rucola also has fresh pastas, like fusilli with toasted walnut pesto, tuscan kale, and pecorino.

Ok, too many things I want to recommend to you. You just have to go. Tonight. Visit Rucola at 190 Dean Street on the corner of Bond, and let me know how much you love it.

Kick off the Fall with a Beer-Pairing Gala

9 Sep

On Sunday, September 11, Slice Literary is hosting their second-annual family style beer-pairing dinner at one of my favorite Brooklyn bars, 61 Local. Sixpoint head brewer Ian McConnell and local food guru Joe Scalora have crafted a delicious autumnal menu to kick off the month.

All proceeds will support the print and publication of Slice, and will help new writers have their voices heard.

Come for dinner, and make sure to stay for drink specials at the bar. Sixpoint has donated beers from their limited inventory that will be on tap at a special discount exclusively for this event. Get your tickets here; it sounds like the perfect way to start the Fall season.

Brooklyn Food Gossip: Iris to Serve Dinner

9 Apr

What’s the latest on the Brooklyn foodie street? One of my favorite cafes, Iris Cafe, is thinking about serving dinner. Brownstoner tells us that the Stumptown-coffee-serving spot recently applied for a beer and wine license, and expects to turn into a full-fledged restaurant in the near future. If you haven’t been to Iris recently, there have already been some changes. Once a coffee shop-style, seat yourself, order at the counter eatery, Iris now has a hostess and waitstaff to seat you and bring you your breakfast, brunch, or lunch.

Never been? Get over to 20 Columbia Place and give this perfect sandwich a try.

Food Trucks + Beer Pairings = Love.

22 Feb

On March 23, two of the best parts of New York City will come together in a beautiful marriage– food trucks and the Brooklyn Brewery. Here’s your chance to munch on eats from Mexicue, Rickshaw Dumpling, Jen ‘n Outlaws Fish Fry Truck, Souvlaki GR and Van Leeuwen paired with your favorite brewery beers. Don’t miss it; get your tickets here for $40. Hurry!

Where to Eat Right Now: Vinegar Hill House

17 Jan

If you haven’t already, add Vinegar Hill House to the top of your must-try list. In just one visit, it’s quickly become one of my favorite Brooklyn eateries. The restaurant is warm and cozy, with a fireplace burning on the downstairs level, and a rustic bar on the ground floor. The intimate space pairs perfectly with the seasonal American Traditional menu– filled with dishes like Cast Iron Chicken, Bone Marrow Ravioli, and a Butternut Squash Tart. I ordered the Long Island Monkfish with littleneck clams, radish, and celery, and then finished with the apple bread pudding, which immediately warmed me up from the frigid trek out there.

Sure, it’s a little out of the way– in the Vinegar Hill neighborhood, just north of Dumbo, but I promise it’s worth it! Along with a fabulous dinner menu, Vinegar Hill House boasts an excellent cocktail, beer, and wine list, perfect for pairing with the hearty fare. The bottles of wine are reasonably priced too, with plenty to choose from.

Visit Vinegar Hill House at 72 Hudson Avenue for dinner or brunch, and check out their menus here.

 

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