Showing posts with label Burgers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Burgers. Show all posts

Monday, December 6, 2010

Dinner at Lokal

I was recently invited to have dinner at Lokal (905 Lorimer St., at Bedford, 718-384-6777), a Mediterranean Bistro on the Greenpoint/Williamsburg border, overlooking McCarren Park and the Automotive High School. From the outside the place doesn't look like much, and the font of the signage outside is even a little cheesy. But inside is a warm, tastefully appointed space, all blues & greens & warm orange. It's lovely and comfortable.

We started out with the Warm Spinach salad, with pine nuts, raisins, red peppers, caramelized red onions and feta cheese and served with paprika yoghurt. The salad was delicious - slightly sweet, tangy and earthy. The paprika yoghurt wasn't very potent, so didn't add much.



I ordered the special Salmon dish, served over parmesean covered pieces of yellow squash, in a light tomato & red pepper sauce, sprinkled with capers. It was nicely done, well-cooked and quite flavorful. So often a piece of salmon is ruined with either an overwhelming flavor or by being cooked to death, but this was neither.



We also got a Lamb Burger served on a Brioche Bun with grilled onion, tomato and a cucumber & dill relish that was delicious, and it was all topped with feta cheese. It was a nice alternative to beef and had a subtle flavor. The bun was excellent and flaky, and the thick cut fries, sprinkled with salt and rosemary were perfect.



We ALSO got dessert. We couldn't resist ordering the Bread Pudding, and we were impressed with the execution. Served warm, with a dollop of vanilla ice cream, with hints of cinnamon & nutmeg, it was delicious and decadent comfort food. Not overly sweet either, but just right.



So, I'm happy to report that the food at Lokal is really good. It's made with fresh ingredients, well prepared and nicely served. Check it out when you're in the area. The prices are reasonable, and they have a range of items sure to please anybody (pastas, a few pizzas, sandwiches - all with a Mediterranean flavor).

Friday, May 14, 2010

Dinner at Henry Public #2

Please excuse the late post. Life is super busy right now!
Happy Eating!

Henry Public (329 Henry St., between Atlantic Ave. & Pacific St., 718-852-8630) is a great place; it's very inviting and they use food made with quality ingredients and cocktails that harken back to an older time, but it's definitely on the pricey side, and a special I got recently really disappointed me. The burger, excuse me, hamburger sandwich, is delicious, made with pasture-raised, grass-fed beef, served with or without cheese and a side of perfectly crunchy, salty fries that have you searching for the last, fried bits of potato they're so good!



On our last visit, my boyfriend and I split the burger and also shared an order of their Brisket/Roast with vegetables (carrots, mushrooms, potatoes), and this is where I became disappointed. While the meat was tender and the brown sauce rich and complex, although maybe a bit too salty, where were the veggies??? There was maybe one quartered mushroom and perhaps one carrot cut in half and then quartered. It was ridiculous. You need the veggies in this dish, otherwise it's just a big portion of meat. The veggies get nicely roasted with the juices and contribute so much to the meal. It just didn't seem worth it to me.



It is such a lively, comfy spot though, that's open crazy late on the weekends (til 4am!). I won't write it off, but I know to stick to the basics from now on!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Dinner at Sel de Mer

It's hard to keep up with all the amazing new restaurants opening up around Brooklyn! Luckily I have friends in a number of neighborhoods, and I can combine socializing with checking out the newest spots. Recently I went to check out a friend's new digs and we celebrated her move with dinner at Sel de Mer (374 Graham Ave., between Conselyea St. and Skillman Ave., 718-387-4181). Mmmmm. Everything on the menu looked good and tempted us. Alas, we had to narrow our choices down, but now I have another reason to head to Graham Ave!

We started out by sharing an order of Fried Green Tomatoes with frisee and brie and a tasty, tangy remoulade. The tomatoes were lightly battered and fried and were tender and juicy. The brie was substantial and the wiry frisee added a crunchy bite. Plus it was gorgeous in its presentation.



I chose to order the Mini Fish Sliders with Slaw for my entree. Two nicely sized sandwiches arrived packed with a fishcake, arugula, ruby red tomatoes and tartar sauce AND a big mound of a slightly curry-flavored slaw. Pink and glorious is was tangy, full-flavored and delicious. A nice take on the mayonnaise-heavy classic.



My friend ordered the Burger with Gouda and instead of fries got a side of Corn on the Cob and the Slaw. The burger was served on a toasted English muffin and was juicy, robust and was made with freshly ground beef.



We then decided to get an order of the Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream for dessert. I found it to be underwhelming. The cake was too light & fluffy and I prefer dense, moist and gooey cake. The vanilla ice cream also had a flat flavor to it. I'll make sure to try something else next time.



I really liked Sel de Mer and am excited to go back to taste more of their seafood options like the Mussels, Whole Fish entrees and Smoked Trout Salad. They also have a nice wine list and a cocktail menu with inventive, tasty-sounding drinks.

Sel de Mer on Urbanspoon

Monday, November 30, 2009

Dinner at Henry Public

I knew as soon as I walked into Henry Public (329 Henry St., between Atlantic Ave. & Pacific St., 718-852-8630) that I was in for some good times. The space has been restored to it's original specialness by the team that opened Brooklyn Social, with close attention paid to the details like the wood floors and photos hung on the walls while maintaining simplicity. A transformation has taken place where last there was a TV & Radio Repair Shop and now there's a spot to grab a drink and a bite, even if it's 2am (it's open until 4am on the weekends)! The first room houses the bar, the back room is the dining room. Everything is done up in black, white and wood, with tables for two and low lighting. I loved it.

The menu is small, with burgers, cheese plates and salads, but there's an interesting cocktail list, in addition to a few beers on tap. The meat is grass-fed & organically-raised, as are the eggs and dairy served. The pickles are house-made and the bun specially crafted for Henry Public. I started with the Wide Awake Cocktail made with gin, lemon, ginger (fresh & liqueur) & scotch. It was strong, fresh, bitter and delicious.



My boyfriend got the Turkey Leg Sandwich with french-fried potatoes. Out came a GIGANTIC sandwich with deliciously moist turkey - kind of pulled-pork-meets-tuna-salad in texture, but with that earthy turkey taste. The bread was thickly cut and fresh and the fries were perfectly crispy & salty.



I ordered the Hamburger with Cheddar Cheese (an incredibly dry, sharp cheddar), also served with fries. The burger was wonderfully charred on the outside, flavorful and juicy on a bun that does not overshadow the patty. Tangy slices of pickle added a nice bite.



It's definitely on the pricey side, but the quality of ingredients and atmosphere costs, right? A positive addition to the neighborhood, and nice to have a late night option!

Henry Public on Urbanspoon

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Brunch at Building on Bond

Walking around on a recent sunny Sunday, I found myself at Building on Bond with a bit of an appetite. The late afternoon sun poured in through the windows and while it was busy, there were a few empty tables scattered throughout the two rooms. The tall tables and stools accomodated a party of four with a stroller and at the two-tops near the windows single diners sat with their computers or books. I ordered a Veggie Burger, made with lentils, sunflower seeds and carrots. It was a substantial patty, moist and chock full of yummy ingredients, served on a soft but not mediocre bun.



I also got an order of the homemade chips, which were thicker than most, lightly salted and tasty. Not as awesome as I'd hoped, but a nice change from fries.



The service is friendly and attentive and the space lovely to sit in. Great for a simple meal on a quiet day.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

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.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Dinner at Watty & Meg #2

I'm SO happy to say that I gave Watty & Meg (248 Court St., on the corner of Kane St., 718-643-0007) a second chance and had a lovely time, and meal. Having had a not so great dinner there during their first week open, I wasn't feeling too positive about it. But in my aforementioned quest to find Brooklyn restaurants that serve good, organic, grass-fed meat, I read Erin Zimmer's review on Serious Eats, which while not especially flattering, made me decide to give it another try.

It was a rainy Sunday night (when was it not!?), but there were few tables open. The space inside was inviting with low-lighting and candles and pleasant servers. We started out with their Green Salad with lettuce, cherry tomatoes and sliced sweet peas which were so perfectly crunchy! The salad was delightful, with a tangy, British-inspired dressing (think Salad Cream but lighter), we ate it up in seconds.



The burger was great too. A bit on the small size, it was totally satisfying, juicy and clean tasting. The bun was delicious too - a nice crust covering soft dough inside, it was chewy in a good way instead of being complete fluff. The fries were great too - little sticks of potato, lightly salted and fluffy inside.



We also got a side of the Mac & Cheese which was impressively good as well. Made with real cheese, which clung to the pasta, it was so creamy, and had that lovely, slight crust on top from a quick turn in the oven.



For dessert we shared a Mixed Berry Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream on top. Bursting with fresh, juicy berries, and topped with a dense crumb crust, this seemed almost healthy!



I'm so happy I gave Watty & Meg a second chance. It's definitely going to be my go-to place for burgers I can enjoy without feeling guilty or disgusted about the meat. They also seemed to have gotten things running smoother and tighter after this first month of being open. Yay!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Dinner at Prime Meats #2

I'm on a quest to find and map all the Brooklyn eateries that serve hamburgers made with good meat - organic, local, grass-fed, all the qualities that lead to a more sustainable and healthy meal. Prime Meats (465 Court St., at Nelson St., 718-254-0327) is one of those spots that places a high priority on quality meat and the other ingredients they use in their food. They also pay close attention to all the other aesthetic details like lighting, decoration, server clothing and cocktail list, which all contribute to a wonderful dining experience. I had dinner here once before and really liked it so I was looking forward to trying some other dishes.

Take a look at this burger. It comes with pickled red onions, perfectly melted cheese, an excellently proportioned and tasty bun and a gigantic half a sour dill pickle on the side. Not to mention the substantial order of thin, nicely salted fries on the side. So good. The meat is done exactly to your liking and tastes like good meat should, robust and juicy.



On this particular visit we also got an order of the Weisswurst which arrives in a pot of hot water and comes with a soft-baked pretzel & sweet (and delicious) mustard. The pretzel was so incredible - the crust was hard but the inside was pillowy soft. The sausage was amazing too, loaded with all sorts of amazing herbs and spices, it was almost buttery soft.



I really am loving Prime Meats. I'm looking forward to trying it for Breakfast; they're open at 7am every day of the week!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Dinner at Belleville

The BF and I went for a LONG walk this past Sunday, through all sorts of neighborhoods and ended up getting pretty hungry. We were going to try Sheep Station but found ourselves in the middle of the Brooklyn Pub Crawl 2009, egads! So, in a desperate attempt to escape we ended up deeper in Park Slope at Belleville (330-332 Fifth Avenue, at the corner of 5th Street, 718-832-9777). This corner place seems to have quite a divided following. Seems like it hit a rough patch in recent times, but I think things have settled down and the food is back on track. Personally, I really like it, and have never had a bad meal here. I also think their Roasted Chicken is amongst the best; juicy & flavorful and just how you like it. The vibe is chill and authentically French, with luggage racks installed above your heads along the perimeter like you're at an old train station, old mirrors and the hugest doors you'll ever see heading into the bathrooms. It's also priced quite reasonably.

I wasn't in the mood for chicken so we decided to get a couple of things and split everything. The Moules with Frites were terrific. Big, meaty mussels in an oniony broth; some were briny like the ocean and made me feel like I was dining at the end of a beach vacation. There were so many, I don't think we were able to finish them.



The Frites were great too - perfectly fried, crispy and salted and wonderful to either dip into ketchup, or used to soak up the extra broth at the bottom of the bowl. We also got a side of the Mushroom & Pea Risotto which was OK. Not as creamy as I like my risotto, and probably unnecessary to have ordered, but the BF was worried we wouldn't have enough food so I indulged him.



We also got the Burger which comes with Roquefort and Bacon and was AMAZING. Really, it was great. Juicy, flavorful, decadent, and perfect to split with someone. The bun was well-proportioned and toasted, and the sauteed red onions provide some grounding for the strong flavors of the cheese and bacon. This was thoroughly enjoyed and every last bit was polished off.



Another great meal at Belleville. Something to note however is that they no longer serve hard alcohol, only wine and beer, which is definitely something new, and a bit of a disappointment when you're jonesing for a Martini. Some nice beers are offered on tap, and the wine selection is extensive.

Belleville on Urbanspoon

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Lunch at Hope & Anchor

Happy Earth Day! There's lots of good, fun stuff to do today! Check out the celebration at The Gate (321 Fifth Avenue at 3rd Street, 718-768-4329). There will be raffles and 100% of the profits from the sales of select draught beer will be donated to The Rainforest Alliance. Very cool.

I recently went to Hope & Anchor (347 Van Brunt Street, at the corner of Wolcott St., 718-237-0276) in Red Hook for lunch. It's a corner bar/diner neighborhood place with standard fare (sandwiches, burgers, beer) and surprisingly interesting other dishes (samosas with mango chutney, pierogis and tofu quesadillas). They also have Karaoke every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights! I've never been, but the photos on their website look like a lot of fun, if you're into Karaoke.

My friend and I got two entrees and split them both, a great option when you can't decide on what to get, one of which was the Red Hook Burger. It comes with cheddar, bacon and sauteed onions and was quite tasty and substantial. You get two strips of bacon but minimal cheese and the onions were nice but the fries were bland and ordinary. They made us think about frozen fries out of a bag. The bun was good though, soft and chewy but not overwhelming.



We also ordered the Crab Cake sandwich which I really liked. It comes with watercress and dill mayo on an Onion Bun. It was moist and tender, and made from real lump meat. The bun was a bit greasy, like a croissant, but it was totally enjoyable and finger-licking good.



I like this place for a laid-back meal when you're wanting something easy and tasty with not a lot of frill.

Hope & Anchor on Urbanspoon

Friday, April 10, 2009

Brunch at Apt. 138

As I've said many times before, I love Brunch. I'm also fond of an occasional drink in the middle of the day, which is maybe part of my love of Brunch. While ambling about on a recent warm day with nowhere in particular to go (another favorite of mine), my BF and I found ourselves hungry and in front of Apt. 138 (138 Smith Street between Bergen and Dean Streets, 718-858-0556). Serendipity at it's best! In we went, to a seat in the back near a huge potted plant that made our table feel secluded & private, and jungly, to enjoy some surprisingly good food.

I chose the Steak Sandwich with cheddar cheese, sauteed onion and garlic mayo. Filled with juicy pieces of steak on grilled Ciabatta bread, this sandwich was awesome. It totally hit the spot and was so tasty and savory with the onions and garlic mayo. It comes with a side of fries that were perfectly well-done and nicely salted with a little metal "ketchup boat" on the side to dunk them in.



I also ordered a Bloody Mary, not a typical drink for me, but this too was delicious and hit the spot. Spicy and strong, it complimented the hearty flavors of my sandwich.



My boyfriend got a Burger, of which there are four to choose from. He picked the House Burger (you can get turkey, crab and veggie too) with Havarti. Cooked exactly to order it was plump and juicy and had a nice meaty, smoky flavor. We inquired and were told they buy their meat from Los Paisanos, the butcher shop down the street.



Apartment 138 on Urbanspoon

Monday, March 2, 2009

Burgers at Dumont

This meal is probably going to be familiar to a lot of people, being that Dumont (432 Union Avenue, between Metropolitan Ave. and Devoe Street, 718-486-7717) has their regular restaurant AND an outpost on Bedford that are both very popular with burger-eaters and non-burger eaters alike. This popularity and fan-dom is totally and completely warranted.

I first noticed the bun that my medium-rare burger arrived on. It was perfect - the crust nicely crisp but the rest soft enough to squeeze into the burger, yet not too soft to completely fall apart. The bun didn't overwhelm the burger either, which is an all-too-common mishap with burgers. Pickled onions are a nice touch, and are oh-so delicious. Sliced pickles accompany the burger as well as a spear, so you can both garnish your sandwich AND eat a pickle on the side. Can't not love a place that values pickled foods as much as Dumont!



I got mine with sharp cheddar that was perfectly melted and had a good, robust flavor. The fries were also great, well-salted and with parsley flakes too, they're well-done and crispy and none are left over at the end.

For dessert my friend and I shared the Warm Chocolate and Hazelnut Brownie with Coffee Ice Cream and Hazelnut Brittle. Woah, this was great. The brownie was cakey, moist and light and serving it warm makes you feel like it was baked especially for you. The coffee ice cream tasted real, not chemically, and the brittle was sweet and salty and perfectly chewy.



Dumont is a great place, with great food, and warm and attentive waitstaff. The front room feels like a bistro in Paris whereas the back covered deck is more casual, and well-heated in the winter. Good for dinner with friends or family, as there's something for everyone. Offering Lunch and Brunch hours as well!

Dumont on Urbanspoon

Friday, February 6, 2009

Burger at Peter Luger

Man on Wire: What's Beef

The following is the first in what I hope to be many contributions from Man on Wire featuring "Recession Specials" in Brooklyn. Looking for a good deal on a tasty meal? Man on Wire will track 'em down for you. Happy Eating!

Something anyone with a Scottrade account has learned by now is the concept of real value. In these difficult times, it’s up to you, the trader, to gauge the real value of a bank or pharmaceutical company and determine whether its current position is a new reality or a momentary aberration in a confidence starved market. Your insight could be your salvation, and the point is that in an economic downturn such as the one we’re currently facing, the world is filled with opportunity for those with their eyes open. As a broke yet inquisitive eater, my challenge has been to find ways to gauge real value and eat well on a budget, and now with the blessing of our gracious web hostess these are experiences I’ll occasionally be passing on to you, the presumably hungry and broke Brooklynite.

The first lesson in eating well through a recession is leave no stone unturned. For instance, when Cheap Eats are the question the first words that come to mind probably aren’t Peter Luger’s, (178 Broadway, at Driggs Avenue, 718-387-7400), and yet if you should be in the vicinity of the Marcy stop off the JMZ in Williamsburg around lunch time any weekday you can find an amazing deal, not to mention what is arguably the best burger in Brooklyn. Yes, the dripping, marinated Dumont burger will score points with the laymen, but for true carnivores demanding truth and purity in their burger you’ll have difficulty measuring up to Peter Luger’s little known, ancient lunchtime special (served daily till 3 PM). Using a combination of trimmings from its famed aged Porterhouse and Prime Chuck Roll, the 8-10 ounce $9 burger served on a sesame seed bun with a slice of raw onion is is a seminar on texture, but more on that in a bit.

I’d been to Peter Luger’s for a proper dinner once before, and I can’t say I was blown away. The space is folksy enough to stand in for a proper steak house but its run on antiquated, elitist charm. Everyone’s dressed in old school black and whites. The suave, aging host has his hair slicked back and wears a tailored Italian suit. They’re pushing the formal pretentiousness that no longer exists in New York, for good reason. (It makes me feel like a privileged white man eating in an antebellum country club.) One of the best things about the dining experience is the wonderful basket of assorted breads and Peter Luger’s steak sauce presented before the meal, both lunch and dinner.



So, the burger. Ordering this correctly is more science than art, as the busy and impatient attendant has no time for subtleties. I suppose he can’t be blamed. On this particular afternoon a friend and I were sat behind MGMT having a business lunch with their record label. Meat, sides, beer and impossibly dessert afterwards lined the table. The lunch crowd in general is mostly composed of Wall Street survivors and their expense accounts. My piddling burger and tap water can hardly expect priority. I ordered Medium Rare and pretty much got what I ordered. I’m a bit of a meat perfectionist and found this to be slightly over, but there’s not much you can do.



If I seem OCD about this burger it’s because the temp is crucial to the quality. To do the Luger burger properly, accoutrements are superfluous. They’re doing their best to pump your check and not giving much in return. The side of fries, for instance, is $2. The one time I ordered it, I literally was charged $.50 per dried out fry. Then there’s the cheese. For me the hamburger occupies the same space as yellow mustard and mild hot sauce. I have struggled with seeing the point in its existence (unless you're lactose intolerant) when the simple addition of a slice of Gruyere or Raclette can elevate the conversation in terms of texture and flavor. This is the rare occasion in which I’d say hold the cheese; for two reasons. The first is the offering - for $1.50 the kitchen throws a cheap, shitty slice of bland (presumably) Muenster on your burger at the last moment so it comes out barely melted. The second is, once again, the all-important texture of the Luger burger, which cheese only muddles. Medium Rare is the perfect expression of the meat because it’s only at that temp that you skirt between Rare’s mushy blob and Medium’s chewy lump. The loose grind comes apart in your mouth in all its juicy, greasy glory and I promise you will come away with a new understanding of the burger itself. To be fair, I ordered the $3 side of bacon on this occasion and it’s fucking great. It’s a prehistoric wedge of Canadian bacon grilled to an extra crisp. In three words: porky, salty, pornography. Don’t bother putting it on your burger, just polish it off before digging in.



To finish your economic masterpiece, politely request the check. Sure, Luger offers a famed sundae with house made whipped cream, but McDonald's sells dollar cones of soft serve down the street for a buck.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Burgers at Bonnie's Grill

MMMMMmmmmm, few things are better than trekking through the driving wind and snow to get to Bonnie's Grill (278 Fifth Ave., between 1st Street and Garfield Place, 718-369-9527) where you can sit at the counter, watch the cooks prepare your food and warm up by the heat coming off of the grill. You can also choose from a huge number of bottled beer, or one of the 6 or so beers on tap. I chose a dark Espresso beer that was delicious, while my boyfriend stuck with a Brooklyn IPA. We each got burgers, but with different sides and toppings.

My Spiced Black Angus Sirloin Burger was with cheddar cheese (which went on grated, not in a slice), lettuce, tomatoes and pickles, with a side of fries. It was fantastic. It tasted like a backyard summer Barbeque, smoky and slightly burnt, totally juicy and deliciously meaty. The pickles were perfect too - not sweet or mushy - crunchy and sour dill. The fries were great too, crispy and not greasy.



My boyfriend got his burger with Swiss Cheese, lettuce & tomato and a side of their Vegetarian Chili. His was great too, and the chili was really nice - lots of beans and green peppers, not very spicy, and topped with cheddar and a touch of sour cream. Yum again! The only thing is that we ordered them Medium and both came back fairly rare. So maybe the trick is to order Medium Well to get Medium?



A lot of people were ordering the Wings, which are another of Bonnie's specialties, in addition to the Catfish Sandwiches. They also offered a Pulled Pork Sandwich which I'm definitely curious about; I might have to go back to try it out. There are tables in the front and in the back (some even with candles!), so if you're not into the counter thing there are options. All in all it's a great place for a great meal.

Bonnie's Grill on Urbanspoon

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Burger from Pit Stop

Today's post takes a look at Pit Stop (127 Columbia Street, between Kane and Degraw Streets, 718-875-4664), a cozy, fun auto racing-themed French Bistro in the Columbia Street Waterfront District. The front dining room is really small and cozy, with only a handful of booths & tables, but the backyard is spacious. It takes up three lots and includes a deck with tables, two Petanque courts and a whole driveway lined with big-wheel type driving toys for kids to play with while their adults eat. It's great, and the food is good too.

One night however, I found myself getting home late and in the mood for a burger. I had ordered the burgers at Pit Stop before and found them to be delicious, so I decided to get one to go. What came was a huge burger, on a huge bun, covered in melted blue cheese with diced tomatoes and some lettuce and a side of thinly sliced and well-salted french fries. It was delicious, and satisfied my burger craving, but it was HUGE, like I mentioned, and there's too much bun. I ended up taking off the top and having it open-faced.



In an attempt to be a little healthy, I also ordered a side of sauteed green beans. While the portion was nice, they were overcooked with tons of butter and therefore mushy. While well seasoned with big slices of garlic, I ate only a few as they were pretty disappointing.



On a previous occasion, I stopped in to Pit Stop for their amazing, incredible, wonderful Warm Chocolate Cake. Filled with melty, gooey goodness, this dessert is one of my favorites, and so well done here. Decorated with whipped cream and a yummy raspberry sauce, this dessert is worth the trip.



Pit Stop on Urbanspoon