Dinner at Hill Cafe

I was lucky enough to be invited to dinner at Hill Cafe, (17 Putnam Ave., off Fulton St., 718-230-3471) a new-ish spot in Clinton Hill that serves a French-Moroccan influenced menu in a dark & cozy space. There are only a few tables opposite the bar, along with a larger table by the front window. They also have a backyard garden, which I'm sure will be lovely in the warm weather, but I didn't get a chance to take a look.

The menu lists items ranging from pasta, seafood to vegetarian dishes & meats. I decided to get the Half-Roasted Free-Range Chicken with BBQ sauce, mashed potatoes and a side of veggies. I was really impressed with this dish. The sauce was -excellent-. The chicken was tender and juicy, the potatoes smooth and the veggies simply steamed and slightly buttery. I also chose a side of Fried Sweet Plaintains which were served with a slightly spicy harissa sauce. Tasty!



My friend ordered the Baked Halibut Filet with an olive-pistachio tapenade, asparagus and artichoke in a tomato & tarragon broth. The fish was mild but the broth and veggies in it were delicious. She also got a side of Kale which was also lightly sauteed and spiced with red pepper.



For dessert we picked a Raspberry Crumble from the list of specials. I was a bit disappointed with this. I was expecting it to be warm and it was not. It also reminded me of pound cake, and did not have enough crumble for my taste, and not enough raspberry. The citrus sauces were tangy and flavorful though, and I expect that the regular desserts (chocolate mousse, apple tart) would be quite good.



I loved the chicken, enjoyed the meal as a whole, and found the service to be warm and attentive. If I lived in the area, I would make this a regular spot for sure.

Brunch at Lilla Cafe

****UPDATE - Lilla Cafe has Closed. 6/3/15****


More Brunch! There are a ton of new places all of a sudden, and I want to check them all out! Last weekend I went to Lilla Cafe (126 Union St., between Hicks St. and Columbia St., 718-855-5700) with a friend and had a really lovely experience. We sat in the backyard, next to a pretty little garden and at one point, the chef came out to cut some fresh herbs! They got lots of points for that! We ordered coffee and juice and relaxed in the breeze.

We started out with the Panzanella Salad, with chunks of bread, cucumber, tomato, roasted red pepper, calamata olives, red onions and capers in a balsamic dressing. It was delicious, with the Mediterranean flavors mingling, the briny capers bursting through and the bread making it dense and substantial. Quite good.



I went with the Egg Sandwich on Foccacia, with cheese and bacon and a small side salad. This was also really good. The bread wasn't too "bread-y" but rather nicely herbed and toasted. The portions were well balanced and made for a satisfying dish.



My friend ordered the Huevos Rancheros with refried beans and spicy tomatoes. She said it was fairly spicy and very tasty, although it could have used a little sprig of something green, or perhaps some avocado for some color. The eggs were well poached too, no runny whites at all. In addition to the beans was a side of cheesy grits. Always a plus!



All in all it was a great experience. Our server was attentive but not intrusive and the menu had a number of enticing options. The menu changes every eight weeks or so, and I'm eager to go back and try their dinner. I hope they make it - that spot has had such bad luck!

Dinner at Vinegar Hill House

FINALLY! I made it over to Vinegar Hill House (72 Hudson Avenue, between Front & Water Streets, 718-522-1018) for dinner. What has it been, years? I've been reading at hearing about how great this place is - I even have a friend who lives in Manhattan, uptown no less, who list VHH as her favorite restaurant in the city! That speaks volumes. And we were not disappointed. I went with my husband, and my parents, and we sat in the backyard on a warm night. Thankfully they have baskets full of cans of bug spray to help ward off the mosquitoes that are unfortunately part of any outdoor summer dining. After a few sprays, we settled in and ordered.

I do have one criticism - the chairs were not comfortable at all. The garden is a sweet spot full of blooming shrubs and concrete turtles, but the tiny, metal chairs did nothing to add to the ambiance. Anyway, the food made up for it. We started out with a corn salad with basil and red cabbage that was tender and crunchy and so flavorful, all topped with a sprinkle of paprika that added a little bite.



We also ordered a salad made with Bibb lettuce and Beets that was delicious. Bright colors, bright and soft flavors, topped with tangy grated cheese.



The Oven Roasted Octopus Salad was one of the best dishes though, with zesty octopus, lemon and olives. It was fantastic. The octopus was tender, not chewy at all, and the citrus provided a good pop of astringent flavor.



We also had a Zucchini Tart that was excellent, topped with crunchy frisee and made with creamy ricotta. The crust was wonderfully flaky too.



For a main dish, we ordered the breaded Cod with green and wax beans. The fish was very good - fresh, flaky and tender, with lightly buttered beans for a hint of decadence.



The only disappointing item was the side of potatoes. While nicely flavored with fresh thyme, they weren't what I was expecting. I imagined crispier potatoes, and these were big chunks of creamy potato - not bad, just not what I was wanting. Plus they looked weird.



I really liked the whole experience. Our server was nice and competent, the garden was pretty, the dining room cozy. I'm definitely planning to head back in colder weather to take advantage of the fireplace!

Dinner at Luna Rossa

***Too good to pass up: Scopello Ristorante in Ft. Greene on Lafayette & Fulton,
will be giving away Cannolis today during Happy Hour from 5pm - 7pm.
Drink specials include buy one get one free as well!
Check it out and let me know how they are!***

There seems to be no shortage of wood-burning pizza places these days, which is fine by me, and we checked out a new-ish spot on the Carroll Gardens/Red Hook border recently (and by new-ish I mean less than 2 years old). Luna Rossa (552 Court St., between W. 9th Street and Garnet Place, 718-875-1384) is located practically in the shadow of the Gowanus Expressway, with dark and cozy interior and a large backyard that needs some work. We sat there one recent evening, with the sounds of the highway in the background, and enjoyed our tasty dinner.

We started out with a Caprese Salad, something I'm quite obsessed with at the moment. It was good, with big, round slices of tomato and mozzarella, topped with chopped basil. The mozzarella was fresh and the tomatoes ripe. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar added some bite. While this isn't as good as the Caprese at The Good Fork, it was good.



We also shared a salad from the specials menu, with mixed greens, thinly sliced green apple, walnuts and goat cheese. It was delicious - the tart apple, the creamy cheese, the crunch of the walnuts all combined to make a great dish.



Then there's the pizza. We ordered a Prosciutto and a Rustica. The Prosciutto had slices of the meat, fresh arugula, thinly shaved pieces of Parmesean and cherry tomatoes. The crust was chewy but thin, not soggy and had a slight sourdough flavor. Yum!



The Rustica had mozzarella, mushrooms and sausages. There was a nice balance of all the ingredients, all were flavorful and the crust was again thin, chewy and slightly tangy.



Luna Rossa is a good local spot, without the crowds, attentive service (maybe too attentive at times), and decent, tasty food. Perhaps not a destination from far away, but I hope enough people go here to keep these guys around.

Dinner at Mai

There's a somewhat under-the-radar Pan-Asian restaurant on Atlantic Avenue that goes by the name of Mai (497 Atlantic Ave., between Nevins St. & 3rd Avenue, 718-797-3880). It's simply decorated inside, but it's the peaceful garden that's the big draw, along with the fresh and not-your-usual-Pad-Thai dishes. We ordered take-out from there recently and thoroughly enjoyed our meal.

We started with a classic appetizer of Chicken Satay. The meat was tender, slightly juicy and just a bit charred and the peanut sauce was thick with pieces of peanut. It's one of my favorites.



For my entree, I chose to get the Bun Tao, a glass noodle dish with vegetarian duck, shitake mushroom and asian greens sauteed in a ginger sauce. It was delicious. I love veggie duck, and Mai does it the best. It's not greasy, more like baked and a bit crunchy, and there were plentiful slices of mushroom. The greens were crispy, not boiled to death and the sauce was sharp, astringent and light.



My boyfriend got an order of Mee Rojak, a Malaysian style egg noodle with steamed vegetables & tofu in peanut lime sauce. The sauce is more like a curry, and a bit spicy. The noodles were thick and a bit chewy, but in a good way, the veggies nicely cooked and there was a perfectly cooked egg on the side. Very tasty.



I really like Mai. The food is fresh, quality and different from the standard Thai/Pan-Asian places around. Definitely go when the weather is good to sit in the beautiful back garden!

Dinner at Verde

Don't forget the Book Giveaway! There are only 3 days left to enter. Just comment on Wednesday's post and you'll be entered to win one of these vegan or raw food cookbooks!

I eagerly awaited the opening of Verde (216 Smith Street, between Butler and Baltic Streets, 718-222-1525), the newest spot to open on Smith Street, closely watching it's progress over the last few months. I had the opportunity to go last night with a friend to check it out. I actually walked by earlier in the week one evening and noticed the hostess standing expectantly at a podium that was basically placed on the sidewalk, while the restaurant was totally empty. It struck me as totally desperate and I logged it as Strike One.

The open, glass front is nice, and the wooden fixtures and hanging plants are appealing. The backyard garden is also a draw, especially now that the weather is so perfect. We headed straight back there and surveyed the menus. I ordered a Mojito and she picked a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The wine wasn't chilled enough, but the mojito was minty, slightly sweet and very tasty. The hard, wooden chairs were uncomfortable though. For my meal I ordered the Penne with Mozzarella, with capers, olives, pignoli nuts, cherry tomatoes and Tarali breadcrumbs. There's a lot going on in that dish, and there for the most part everything worked well together. The proportions were nice, and the mozzarella was smoky, which was a nice & unusual touch. I didn't like the Tarali breadcrumbs though - they were too sweet and were chunky, almost like pretzel nuggets. I would have preferred it to be saltier instead of so sweet.



My friend ordered the Filet Mignon with Polenta, Spinach & Mushrooms. The polenta was a joke. It didn't seem homemade and was a small rectangle of stale & tasteless cardboard. The rest was good though - the meat was cooked to order and the veggies were flavorful, although there was too much lemon thyme used, which gave the entire dish a citrusy overtone that just wasn't right.



We were too full for dessert, but I was intrigued by the Pineapple Ravioli which is a thin slice of ravioli stuffed with vanilla ice cream, frozen and topped with coconut cream. Sounds interesting. So, I'm not so sure about this place. They do have a 2 for 1 Happy Hour weekdays from 4 - 8 pm, but there's also a giant flat screen TV at the bar, that's also back-lit with bluish fluorescent lighting. I'll stick to the backyard, or keep walking to another place.

Brunch at The Farm on Adderly

***Happy Passover!
And whoo-hoo, 102 followers!
Thanks everyone!***

I had dinner at The Farm on Adderley (1108 Cortelyou Road, between Rugby & Argyle Roads, 718-287-3101) back in the early fall and loved it, so I was excited to see what their Brunch was all about. I went with a friend to celebrate her birthday, and ended up bumping into other friends waiting for a table at the bar. It's a central spot in the neighborhood, and crazy-crowded during those prime Brunch times! We got a cozy table for two at the front in the window, so it was bright and semi-private, as there were only two tables up there - it's the rear of the restaurant that has the majority of tables. We settled in and placed our orders.

I picked the Poached Eggs & Grits with cheddar grits and sauteed escarole. I was pretty disappointed with this dish. The eggs were so undercooked, there was raw egg-white pooling in the grits. I hate that! The grits were nice and cheesy and the escarole flavorful and tender, but the eggs just made everything yucky. They started out looking good though.



I also got a side of bacon which was OK. It was a bit greasy, which overwhelmed the meat's
flavor.



My friend ordered well though. She got the Sausage & Eggs with one housemade breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs, home fries and salad. The sausage were excellent - succulent, savory with herbs and substantial. The home fries were OK - I prefer mine crispier, but the onions were a good addition and the eggs were nicely done.



She also got an order of the Chocolate Brioche with Sea Salt & Butter which was a bit on the dry side. I liked the juxtaposition of the sweet chocolate and the salt though, and the thick slices made it easy to share.



All in all it was a nice brunch. Next time I'll make sure to ask for my poached eggs to be well-done or something. The food is made with quality ingredients and it's fairly priced at $7 - $9 per entree.

Brunch at Press 195

Everything aligned over the weekend and resulted in a delicious Brunch in a backyard garden with the sun shining. Yay! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we'll finally have some real Spring! So, yeah, Press 195 (195 5th Avenue, between Union St. & Berkeley Pl., 718-857-1950) has the cutest garden area out back that has a whole bunch of tables, including one really big picnic table that could seat 8. We headed straight back there, plopped ourselves in the sun and surveyed the menu. Holy Panini! There are a million to choose from (OK, 40 hot panini to choose from, and a handful of cold pressed, lightly toasted sandwiches). I went with the #31 - Turkey, crispy bacon, Monterey Jack, tomato, chipotle mayonnaise and guacamole. Mmmmm! It was perfectly spicy, so flavorful, so crispy and crunchy. The slices of cucumber were a little underwhelming - more vinegar & peppercorns please! But that panini...delish!



The boyfriend got #21 - Turkey & Fontina cheese with a cranberry and roasted pear chutney. This was good too, but so sweet in comparison to my savory & spicy pick. It was hard to really pay it proper attention. Great idea with the chutney though, right? And really, anything with melted cheese is going to be good.



The waitstaff were all friendly and competent, and we saw some salads being delivered to nearby tables that were HUGE. Definitely interested in going back and trying one of them. So, now that the warm weather is coming, head over to Press 195 to hang out in the backyard and eat some delicious panini. They even have dessert panini with nutella and banana! P.S. Hi Gina!

Lobster at Cafe Mei Mei

8/3/10 OK, I think the word is out, but just to make sure, Cafe Ribant has officially closed. They're trying to transfer the lease (which has like, 10 years on it). Sad.

5/23/10 Walking down Court St. I saw Cafe Mei Mei is now called Cafe Ribant. Seems like there was some copyright issues with the original name. Same menu though.

Cafe Mei Mei, (231 Court St., between Baltic & Warren, 718-852-8571), "an American restaurant", has been open since November and was named after the Chef's dog. They don't seem to be getting a ton of business and I wonder if the name is throwing some people off, since it sounds like an Asian-themed restaurant, of which the neighborhood does not need another. Last week I ventured over with some friends to partake in their special Lobster Monday deal. For just $13 you get 1 1/2 pounds of lobster, de-shelled, with a choice of one of three sauces (Butter, Basil Aioli or Saffron Mayonnaise), and a beer. We decided to try all three sauces - the Basil Aioli was my favorite, with Butter a close second.



The lobster meat was tender and sweet and very filling! So delicious, and nice to not have to deal with the shells. There are also a number of sides available, to round out your meal. The Roast Garlic Polenta was the hands-down favorite, we had to get a second bowl it was so delicious, creamy and amazing (but not photogenic as it's cream-colored in a white bowl). We also ordered the Garlicky Greens:



which were great, and the (vegetarian) House-Baked Beans which were hearty and comfort-food classic:



Although we were quite full, we were tempted by the dessert menu and ended up ordering two! The Crème Fraiche Panna Cotta with Blueberry Cinnamon Coulis (bottom of photo below) was light, creamy and subtly sweet. The Chocolate Pot De Crème (top of photo below) was decadent, rich and wonderful, topped with vanilla ice cream.



I really liked our meal, the food was very good, high quality and nicely presented, and our waiter was attentive and friendly, but something felt off. The was the space was arranged is a little weird, with a long, wooden banquet along the wall and tables for two lined up the length of the place. Everything is white with red splashes which ends up feeling a bit cold and antiseptic. Not the warm neighborhood spot you want to go to weekly. The lobster special is a good deal though - so check it out while they're still having it!

Breakfast at Ortine

Happy New Year Everyone! It's good to be back.
I am making a slight change to the publication of Eat It Brooklyn.
There will now be posts twice a week, on Mondays and on Fridays.
Happy Eating!

On a semi-desolate stretch of Washington Ave., with repair shops and construction sites, sits the warm, welcoming Ortine (622 Washington Ave., between Dean & Pacific, 718-622-0026). There are three tables in the front area, where the counter and tea assortment live which is connected via a long hallway to the larger back dining area. Mix & match cups and saucers lend a playful & colorful vibe, and the free wi-fi and nightly happy hour (closed Tuesdays), complete with Hot Wings from cage-free & organic chickens make for a round-the-clock goodness. They also boast having their own in-ground vegetable garden out back, a first for NYC.



I met a friend for breakfast recently and loved everything about our time there. I had read complaints about the menu being overpriced, but the prices quoted online were higher than they were on our visit. Perhaps Ortine's owners responded to their customers and adjusted? The latte was perfect - creamy, slightly bitter yet smooth and hot. I hate a tepid coffee. I ordered the Homemade Granola & Yoghurt (local), which came in a lovely ceramic jug. The granola was delicious, with pumpkin seeds and pieces of dried apricot. It was quite filling as well.



My friend ordered the Eggs Florentine which came baked in a dish with toast on the side. The eggs were wonderful - creamy, flavorful, with plenty of spinach and cheese.



The staff was friendly, the space bright and cheery and the food wonderful. I'm eager to try Ortine for dinner, and definitely will be back in the warmer months to enjoy the produce from their garden!

Brunch at The People's Republic of Brooklyn

** Austria Wine Month started a few weeks ago and continues until November 22. Restaurants in Brooklyn and Manhattan will be offering special prix fixe menus, pairings and select rare Austrian wines by the glass. Boozy NYC has the complete list.**

Some technical difficulties have delayed today's post. Thank you for being patient!

Intrigued by the menu hung in the window, I ventured with some friends to The People's Republic of Brooklyn (247 Smith St., between Douglass and Degraw, 718-522-6100, in the former Sapodilla space) the other morning to check it out. As we walked in, we were told we were the second group of "victims" for brunch that day. Har har! It was a gorgeous morning and there was no way I was staying in the dark dining room, so we were escorted out back to the sun-drenched yard. We ordered coffee and orange juice. When the coffee arrived sans juice, I was told the juice would be a little bit longer. "Oh", I wondered, "Is it fresh squeezed"? "Um, it's going to be a little longer" was the mysterious reply. Weird. I was getting nervous about what the food would be like.

I was soon reassured. My friend ordered the Fritatta with Spinach & Mushrooms and an Eggplant Remoulade on top. It was quite tasty, with the contrasting flavors of the creamy eggs and the tangy remoulade.



My boyfriend and I split a savory dish and a sweet dish. I started with an order of three-eggs, over-easy, with bacon and potatoes. The eggs arrived sunny-side up, but were cooked well, with no runny whites. The potatoes were well-spiced with herbs and peppers mixed in, making them more wet than crispy, but the portion was small. We also were only given one slice of bacon. It was thick-cut, but it would've been nice to get two slices.



For our sweet dish, we chose the Banana & Chocolate Chip Pancakes. These were perfect. Just the right amount of chips were added for a touch of chocolate, along with slices of banana. They were fluffy and a good size as well. A few berries on the side added a refreshing burst of juice and clean sweetness.



The place was empty when we arrived at 11am, just as they opened, but it was packed by the time we left. There was also live music inside at that point; a woman on the Cajon and a guy on Guitar, playing a lively Samba. They've only been open a few weeks, and still have a few kinks to work out, but all in all it was a nice meal. Especially with that backyard!

Dinner at Dumont

** Austria Wine Month started a few weeks ago and continues until November 22. Restaurants in Brooklyn and Manhattan will be offering special prix fixe menus, pairings and select rare Austrian wines by the glass. Boozy NYC has the complete list. Stay tuned for my write-up of my trip to Thomas Beisl! **

Dumont! We took our visiting friends to Dumont (432 Union Avenue, between Metropolitan Ave. & Devoe St., 718-486-7717) for dinner Saturday night, and wouldn't you know it, my camera battery died! So, please accept iPhone photos, but I think the food transcends the photos. Trust me!

We started with cocktails. The Mary MacGregor was deliciously citrusy with lemon juice, Dewar's, Apricot Liquor and a sugar-coated rim. Smooth, sweet and tart, it's dangerously good. I also had the Scarlett O'Hara (these were the only two named that way; listed together makes them sound a bit ridiculous) which was Gin, lemon, real crushed cranberries and something else I forget. It's a seasonal drink, light and refreshing, with the kick of strong, bitter fruit. Pretty too.



For food, we started with some salads. One of the best tasting dishes I've had in a while was the Crispy Artichokes, with baby arugula, parmesan, lemon, herbs & creamy garlic dressing. The dressing! Tangy, strong, smooth, with the wonderful small artichokes that were lightly fried was incredible! Dang!



Then we ordered the Dumac & Cheese, with bacon, made with cheddar, gruyere and parmesan. It's perfect to share since it's so rich & creamy. It's fantastic though; thick and full-flavored, not thin or powdery at all.



And, of course, we got a Burger, because they're so good. Presented with perfect, crispy fries, thick slices of pickle, tomato & lettuce, it's cooked exactly to order and arrives on a bun that's neither too thick or too thin. You also get a choice of cheddar, American, danish blue or gruyere if you want it with cheese.



For a little bit of extra vegetables, we got a side of Brussels Sprouts which were solidly good. Nothing note-worthy or special, but good, fall veggies, sauteed in butter served with a sprinkling of salt & pepper.



Even though it was quite full, the wait wasn't very long. They've got the backyard garden covered and heated, so there's ample seating and a few bar areas to wait at with your cocktails or beer. Since the food is worth waiting for, it really isn't a bother.

Dinner at Zaytoon's

The Zaytoon's in Prospect Heights (594 Vanderbilt Ave., at the corner of St. Marks Ave., 718-230-3200) is almost the opposite of it's sibling on Smith St. in Carroll Gardens. It's spacious and brightly lit, but offers the same great food at incredibly affordable prices. The best is to go with a couple of friends so you can get a bunch of things and share everything. At least, that's how I like to do it. Of course you have to start with a Combination Plate - your choice of five of the 9 or so salads and dips available. We picked the Foul, Cucumber Yogurt Salad, Hummus, Babaganouj and Lentil Salad. Everything is fresh tasting, tangy, hearty and wonderful to scoop up with warm, right-out-of-the-oven pita.



I love the Pitza with Beef Bacon too. The meat is tender and perfectly salty, although I feel like there's too much scallion. Lots of melty cheese makes up for that though.



My boyfriend ordered the Kafta Kabob - charcoal grilled ground Beef & Lamb with onion, parsley & spices with a side salad, rice, green salad and pita bread with your choice of hummus or babaghanouj. It was flavorful, tender and plentiful. The hummus is creamy and zesty too.



My friend ordered the Shrimp Kabob - grilled Shrimp served over couscous with sauteed vegetables. I was surprised at how tender and juicy the shrimp were; and nicely flavored. I'm not a fan of couscous, so I'm not a fair judge and the veggies were mostly peppers, but good.



The Zaytoon's in Prospect Heights was great, and is a better choice for larger groups than the Carroll Gardens branch, but the food was just as good.