Tag Archives: dinner

Where to Eat Right Now: Talde

9 May

After hearing raving reviews for weeks, rumors of two hour waits, and the infamous Hawaiian Bread Buns, fellow blogger Dara and I dined at Talde. If you haven’t heard about it, it’s an Asian-American restaurant and bar from Chef Dale Talde, David Massoni, and John Bush of Thistle Hill Tavern.

I admit. We were a little star-struck by Dale Talde. “Should we say hi?” we whispered, but rather than being like “Oh hey D! (we’re that close) What’s goin’ on?”, We decided to order cocktails and pour over the menu.

Perilla Leaf Mojito

I loved the Perilla Leaf Mojito, a mix of denizen white rum, perilla leaf, fresh lime, lemon-lime bitters, and white sugar. Then we went all out with the small plates, opting for an octopus salad, Hawaiian Bread Buns, the whole fish (it’s very whole) and a side of pea pods. You know those meals that you think about for days later? This was one of them. Especially the whole fish. I don’t really know what kind of fish it was, but it was banana leaf roasted with turmeric and tomato.

We couldn’t resist the dessert, just because it was the oddest combination ever: shaved ice, banana, pineapple, bubble tea, vanilla, and Captain Crunch cereal. The dish was served in a giant bowl with two spoons, and oddly, it was kind of addicting.

Here’s my advice: When you go, get the fish. Try the dessert, whatever it may be. And tell D I say hey.

Where to Eat Right Now: The Vanderbilt

26 Mar

Thanks to “Live to Eat, Love to Cook‘s” twitter suggestion,  I dined at The Vanderbilt this weekend. I had passed by the restaurant a few times (on my way to Chuko) but had never been before. I loved the rustic and comfortable atmosphere, the stretching bar, and the selection of small shareable plates on the menu.

I started with a cocktail. The Glyda Rose– a clean and refreshing mix of Gin, Campari, blood orange, and champagne. We heard the brussels sprouts were “the best ever,” so I made sure to get an order of those. They’re unlike any other brussels, cooked with Sriracha, honey, and sesame seeds. It was hard to top those, but we also ordered the Brandade de Morue, beet salad, house cured salmon, and Bouchot mussels with red curry. Every dish was just as good or better than the last– and the one of a kind flavors separated theirs from other restaurants I’ve visited.

My one disappointment? The pumpkin doughnuts for dessert. They were a little too crunchy for my liking, but it didn’t make me think less of the experience. If you haven’t been yet, I suggest stopping by for dinner soon.

Where Will Becoming Brooklyn Eat Next?

23 Mar

My never ending list of must-try restaurants is growing by the minute. Today I asked my Twitter followers for their opinions… where shall I go next? Here’s the list of their answers. Which one do you like best?

1. Talde 

2. The Vanderbilt 

3.  Betto 

4. Zenkichi

5. Cafe Ghia

6. Frej

7. Chavelas

8. Paulie Gees

9. BK Fish Camp

10. Roll N Roaster 

11. No. 7 Sub

12. Korzo

Also selected but I’ve already been: Farm on Adderley, Buttermilk Channel, Traif, Lucali, Rosewater, and Isa.

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.

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