Lunch at Savoia

****UPDATE - Savoia has sadly closed. 6/3/15****

I was recently invited to have a meal at Savoia (277 Smith Street, between Sackett & Degraw Streets, 718-797-2727), an Italian Restaurant in Carroll Gardens run by the Nazzarro family.  Savoia offers a range of dishes, from Bruschette, Salads, Pastas and Meat dishes, but perhaps they are best known for their pizzas.  Delicious combinations entice, such as the Pere e Zola, which comes with Mozzarella, Pear, Walnuts and Gorgonzola, or the Pizza Rustica with Mozzarella, Fresh Ricotta, Sweet Soppresata and Sauteed Spinach.  I've had their pizza before, so this time I decided to try something different.

My sister and I went for lunch, which is a slightly different menu than dinner, and I decided to start with the Mozzarella Fior di Latte and Tomato appetizer, which is basically a Caprese Salad.  The mozzarella was delicious - slightly sweet, creamy and melt-in-your-mouth good.

I also ordered the Valtelina Sandwich (with Bresaola, Artichoke, Parmigiano, Arugola & Lemon Dressing), which comes pressed so everything is warm and melty.  This was a fantastic sandwich.  The bresaola was bold and salty, the artichoke & arugola provided a little bite and the dressing added a bit of tang.  A very flavorful and hearty dish.

My sister chose the Fresh Trofie with Pesto, String Beans, Potatoes and Pine Nuts. All the ingredients were perfectly balanced, the pesto garlicky and evenly coated the pasta.  The potatoes were an interesting addition, but the texture made sense and added a nice depth to the dish.

We decided to try the Nutella and Banana Pizza for dessert.  The menu said it came with Hazelnuts but it came with Walnuts instead. I think that worked better than hazelnuts which might have been overkill with the nutella.  I was pretty full at this point, but this pizza was so yummy, I easily finished my half. The nutella was melted, the banana slices were perfectly ripe and the walnuts added a lovely crunch.  Mmmm.

Savoia is a great restaurant with something for everyone.  The food is great quality and nicely prepared, the interior is cozy (there are two rooms, one purely a dining room and one has a bar in it, and there is sidewalk seating as well), and the service attentive without being overbearing.  I highly recommend it!

Breaking News! Peter Pan Donuts available at Farmacy!!!

I think it's just a weekend thing, but at 10am today, Farmacy (513 Henry St., at Sackett St., 718-522-6260) had Peter Pan Donuts available for sale, fresh from Greenpoint's most awesomest bakery. How happy this made me! The husband lived mere blocks from Peter Pan when we were dating, so I was able to get them whenever I wanted, but now that we're a train ride away, indulging in the delicious treats is a rarer occurrence (perhaps for the best, but nevertheless, disappointing!). Today we had a glazed, red velvet Old Fashioned (eaten immediately and therefore no photographic evidence exists). It was perfect, especially with a glass of cold milk. Farmacy keeps on getting better and better. Make sure to check it out - it's worth the trip!

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 Seersucker

****UPDATE - Seersucker has closed. 6/3/15****


The new, Southern Seersucker (329 Smith Street, at Carroll St., 718-422-0444) has a very appealing aesthetic. The interior is all grays and concrete and metal, with 1 x 3s of weathered wood making up one slatted wall, and whitewashed brick on the opposite wall. There's a bar (so I'm assuming they're waiting for their full liquor license - only beer and wine for now) with stools and hanging lamps with metal-capped light bulbs to reduce the harshness. The front window is one big pane, with a simple "Seersucker" written in white letters. The concrete floor made for a noisy dining room though when the place was at full capacity. I could barely hear my dining companion.

We started out with the Crispy Pig's Foot. I asked the waitress if it was weird, but she said that people loved it and that it didn't look like a foot. It came breaded and fried and was served on a bed of dressed watercress and chopped walnuts. I really didn't like it. It was gelatinous and funky, and the nuts and dressing didn't add to the flavors at all and tasted more like spoiled milk.



For my main entree I chose the Skirt Steak, with asparagus and potatoes. This was amazing. Sometimes skirt steak is tough and chewy - this was tender, juicy, flavored just right and cooked to perfection. The asparagus were wonderful as well - nutty and crunchy and the potatoes added a nice, creamy touch.



My boyfriend got the Shrimp & Grits, with Country Ham and Mushrooms. Where was the ham??? About 5 minuscule pieces dotted the entire dish, which was unfortunate, because it was the best-tasting part of the whole dish! The grits were tasteless and mushy, as were the shrimp. They seemed overcooked and bland and plain. Bummer. Even the "hot sauce" he was given to go with the dish was seriously lacking in heat - and I have a pretty low tolerance!



I'll definitely go back - the Pork Chops and Chicken & Dumplings sounded great, and the desserts were tempting as well (Pecan Pie, Mississippi Mud Pie). They're closed Mondays but they take credit cards!

Dinner at Ferdinando's

I've been hesitant to write about Ferdinando's (151 Union Street, between Hicks and Columbia, 718-855-1545) because I like to think of it as my little secret, even though the likes of Martin Scorsese has eaten there and lots of people know about it, but it's just so damn good I can't help but sing it's praises. It will also always have a spot in my heart because I went here on the day I got my braces and my mouth hurt so bad I could barely eat. The waitress brought me my first rice ball and said it's what she gave her son when he got his braces because it's so soft and tender. Well, I'm happy to report that the Arancina Special is still as delicious as it was that first day I had it.

On this most recent visit I ordered the Rice Ball with meat and peas, covered in tomato sauce and cheese and topped with thick and creamy ricotta cheese. The mushy consistency of the rice is so comforting and the slight bite of the ground beef and peas fills things out. It's decadent and amazing and I could eat one every day.



We also got another Ferdinando's classic dish, a Panelle sandwich. A chickpea croquette topped with a gigantic dollop of ricotta cheese plus grated Parmesan on a big, fluffy roll. The Parmesan isn't as strong as I like, but this sandwich is tasty enough without the added flavor. I also took the top of the roll off and ate it open-faced as it's pretty large!



Even though I knew this was plenty of food, my boyfriend insisted on getting a pasta dish. We ordered the Pappardelle alla Boscaiola, hand cut pasta with fried eggplant, sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms. The pasta was fresh, and the tomatoes were large and plentiful, but I'm pretty sure the mushrooms were from a can. It was also a pretty greasy dish, with oil pooled at the bottom of the dish. Probably not the best dish to order. In the future I'll stick with tomato sauces or Parmigiana.



Wait, there's more! I know, it's crazy, but I often say I have an extra little stomach for desserts and I wasn't leaving Ferdinando's without a cannoli. They make the BEST cannoli! Seriously. The pastry part is crisp, the cream filling is thick and slightly almond & vanilla flavored and it doesn't have any extraneous chocolate chips or weird bits in it. It's pure and simple and perfect.

Dinner at Jake Walk #2

I wrote about The Jake Walk (282 Smith St., at the corner of Sackett St., 718-599-0294) last summer when the windows are left wide open and soft breezes waft through the space. I went recently, while it was still cold and blustery out, and enjoyed the cozy warmth. It's nice that it adapts so easily to match the seasons! The cocktails are delicious, in interesting and unique combinations, and are changing all the time. This was a wonderful concoction with citrus and gin and a tart, dried cherry as garnish.



We ordered the Lasagna Casagna with Butternut Squash, Chevre, Parsley, Carrot, Cabbage & Mozzarella. It was served in the dish it was baked in, with the melted cheese covering the mix of vegetables. It felt quite decadent, but packed with all that healthy stuff, I didn't feel so bad about enjoying it as much as I did. The textures were soft and comforting, the veggies earthy and clean, all combined with the tart goat cheese made for one amazing dish!



We also shared an order of the Venison Sausage Sandwich with Pickled Sweet Pepper Chutney, Turmeric Aioli and White Wine Braised Onion. The sausage was so strong and flavorful, the aioli spicy, the chutney added a bit of sweet and the onion provided a tart counter-balance to it all. I loved this sandwich!



The Jake Walk has something for everyone - veggie dishes, meaty things, plates of cheese and anything you could want to drink, from wines to spirits. Lovely!

Lard Bread Pizza at Francesco's

By Guest Writer: Josh Kaplan

Henry street sits on the far West side of Carroll Gardens. It’s a block from the BQE, and from Union Street you can see Red Hook, beyond that the river, beyond that the skyline. It’s removed from Carroll Garden’s central hub of mixologist bars and Michelin recognized restaurants on Smith and Court, more sleepy and reserved with businesses scattered rather than condensed. It’s also where you can find one of New York’s most interesting pizzas, and no, I’m not referring to Lucali’s.

Francesco’s, (531 Henry St., at the corner of Union, 718-834-0863) formerly Nino’s, was bought two and a half years ago by Mazzola Bakery, a neighborhood institution and trusted producer of breads, croissants and cookies directly across the street, on the southeast corner of the intersection where Union crosses Henry. Mazzola’s signature item, what separates it from the scores of coffee and cake shops littering scenic corners from Red Hook to Prospect Heights, is their lard bread. Lard bread is an addictive dough made from a standard flour, yeast, margarine compound flavored with diced salami, provolone cheese, black pepper, vegetable lard and pork lard. The dough is optimized in several forms, as a loaf, as a roll, as a pretzel, but their most creative application can be found across the street, where it served as crust for Francesco’s Lard Bread Pie.

By all appearances Francesco’s is a mild mannered neighborhood red sauce joint that feels homogeneous in its removed corner of Brooklyn. It’s split between a sit down restaurant and an adjoining pizzeria with booths. Both sides are homey and modest; in the pizzeria ESPN plays on a flat-screen mounted in the corner. On a visit mid-December Sinatra was signing melancholy renderings of holiday standards and the decor resembled a deconstructed Christmas tree. The menu is stuffed with American Italian staples, Eggplant parm, fried shellfish, sausage and peppers.



The plain slice is passable, that generic New York slice that would be at home on any corner in Manhattan, but you’d be foolish to skip the lard bread slice - order a pie if you have the time and audience. The pie resembles those Elio’s-like cafeteria slices you loved in Grade school because you didn’t know any better, but there’s a sleek thinness that avoids the Sicilian style label the pie’s shape demands. The drawback, what keeps it from serious discussion, is apparent on grabbing your first slice, as that first piece separates reluctantly from its whole. The pie is blanketed by a down quilt of industrial strength, bargain basement mozzarella, a chore to contend with even straight out of the oven. But the canvas is the attraction, like its obese cousin at L&B Spumoni; cheese is entirely beside the point.



The pizza’s thin perimeter resembles nothing so much as a flaky pie crust, and that’s a good way to begin considering it. A peak at the underside reveals a labyrinthine crust full of pleasantly brown crevices that add an extra crunch. Beneath that crunch the slice is chewy but not doughy. The salami and black pepper provide a salty heat present in every bite, while the lard and cheese contribute a buttery unctuousness, grease you can taste on the tongue you don’t have to contend with on the plate, it all makes for huge, balanced but dangerously close to overwhelming flavor.

The Francesco’s Lard Bread Pie is a bold experiment, by your third or fourth slice, one a pizza connoisseur may deem unsuccessful. Regardless, that first bite is full of fun, and this attempt certainly deserves a place as an exotic entry in New York’s pizza vernacular.

Riceballs from Joe's Superette

If you ever find yourself in Carroll Gardens and in need of a quick, little snack, pop into Joe's Superette (349 Smith Street, where 1st Place meets Smith, 718-855-6463) for some mini Riceballs. They come stuffed with either cheese, ground beef or prosciutto and are the most heavenly bites of goodness you'll ever have.



Lightly fried, never greasy, the exterior of the golf ball-sized morsel has a slight crunch that gives way to the melted, flavorful inside. They're good served as a side with dinner, as something different to bring to a party, or just for something to munch on while you wait for the B75 bus. For further reading on these delectable treats, check out this article in the Times from a few years back.

Brunch at Buttermilk Channel #4

After a late Saturday night, I wasn't about to fool around with a new brunch spot. I needed to know I was going to eat well and have a good experience. So I headed over to Buttermilk Channel (524 Court St. at Huntington St., 718-852-8490). It's just so good, I knew it would perk me up. After a short wait, two seats opened at the bar which we snagged fast. It didn't take long to figure out what I wanted either - the Eggs Huntington, a short stack of pancakes and a side of homemade breakfast sausages. We got some coffee, a latte for me and regular for him, and our complimentary mimosas and watched the hustle and bustle from our cozy perch.

The Eggs Huntington are named for the cross street at which Buttermilk Channel is located. Poached eggs (perfectly done, btw) on top of a flaky & moist buttermilk biscuit and country ham, topped with fine hollandaise sauce and served with a small side salad. It's absolutely wonderful.



The Buttermilk Pancakes are also perfect. They're light, fluffy and slightly moist and served with real maple syrup & fresh sweet cream butter. I find them divine, with just a hint of powdered sugar sprinkled on top.



The Breakfast Sausages are no joke, either. They keep changing slightly from visit to visit, these were made with dried pear and were spicier than I've had them. They're also juicy and tender and taste amazing when some of the maple syrup gets too close!



If you haven't been here, you need to. They're Brunch menu is one of the best around. The wait staff is also pleasant, friendly and helpful and the space is bright and cheery, just what you want on a Sunday morning (they don't serve Brunch on Saturdays).

Dinner from Enoteca on Court #2

Another long day at work and another meal ordered in. There's something that happens during these last few weeks of the year where it becomes really difficult to stay on top of one's regular cooking schedule. So we decided to try Enoteca on Court (347 Court St., between Union & President St., 718-243-1000), a new place that opened early this past summer at which we ate once for dinner. We started with the Gorgonzola Bruschette, two large pieces of Italian bread cut on the diagonal with gorgonzola cheese mixed with mascarpone and drizzled with honey. I swear I took a photo, but I don't have one! It was delicious though - soft, dense, chewy bread with sharp cheese, creamy mascarpone and sweet honey. We also chose the Spinaci Baby salad - baby spinach, pear, pancetta, mushrooms and balsamic dressing. The salad was generously portioned, with basically a whole, sliced pear, lots of fresh greens and plentiful slices of cured pancetta. All the flavors intermingled well and complemented one another.



For our main entree we ordered the Proscuitto Pizza made with the cured meat, arugula, mozzarella and parmigiano cheese. The meat was cured to perfection and was generously placed atop the pizza. The mozzarella was fresh and creamy and slightly sweet, melted on top with the fresh greens. The crust was wonderful as well. Crispy, chewy and substantial without being overwhelming.

Breakfast at Naidre's

I've written about the breakfast sandwich at Naidre's (502 Henry St., on the corner of Sackett St., 718-596-3400, and there's one in Park Slope) before, but there are other great breakfast treats to get there, available until 3pm everyday. I do have to mention the breakfast sandwich since it is a Classic. Here it's made on a bagel, roll or croissant, with eggs, cheese and either bacon, sausage or tofu bacon. If you eat it in house, it comes with a side of hash brown potatoes. The sandwich is good, best on a croissant, but the potatoes have always left me disappointed. Not salty enough, too greasy, and kinda boring.



The coffee is strong at Naidre's, but since there's a never-ending rotating cast of characters behind the counter, nobody seems to ever master that art of barista-ing. This latte was supposed to have a heart on it, but it ended up looking more like a butt than anything else. Maybe a butterfly?



On this occasion there was an order of the Vegan Scramble with tofu bacon and potatoes. The report was that they were fine, NOT as good as the Vegan Scramble at WaterCourse Foods, in Denver, where, while my friend was last eating them lasy year on Election Day AND saw two members of the Beastie Boys, perhaps adding to the scramble's yumminess. Naidre's version was a bit dry & bland, but OK.



My favorite breakfast item is the Yogurt, Granola and Fruit. This one was presented in a smiley face and was as tasty as it was happy. Tart, plain yogurt, crunchy granola and fresh blueberries & strawberries with dried cranberries and walnuts. Such a good combo, and totally hearty & filling. Depending on the season there can also be melon, banana & grapes.



It's a good neighborhood place, and usually there's a place to sit in the morning, although it does get pretty crowded with people and their small children. The work-at-home crowd comes in later and stay throughout the day. Great mac-n-cheese is on hand for dinner.

Dinner at Fragole #2

Our friends have been staying with us for a few days now, and after a long day walking around, showing them the sights of Brooklyn, we all were in need of some serious comfort food. So we decided to take them to Fragole, (394 Court, between Carroll & 1st Place, 718-522-7133) a place where you're certain to have a wonderfully delicious meal. We started with some salads. My boyfriend and I split the Insalata Barbietola, made with roasted beet, arugula, avocado and marinated goat cheese, with hazelnut oil-balsamic vinaigrette. Everything is so fresh, the flavors of the individual ingredients pop - the beets, the arugula, the goat cheese, each one stands out but blend together to make one fantastic dish.



Our friends picked a salad from the Specials menu made with apples and provolone, mixed greens and toasted hazelnuts. It, too, was delicious. Each ingredient tasty on it's own, but made into something more special when combined with each other.



Two of us chose another dish the Specials Menu for our entrees - the Fettucine with Wild Boar Ragu. Hearty, a bit gamey and intense, there was lots of meat in the dark red sauce, poured over the tender, home-made daily pasta. Your choice for fresh grated cheese and pepper on top.



I ordered the Spaghetti with cherry tomatoes, porcini mushrooms and fresh ricotta salata grated on top. It was lightly flavored and more subtle than most of the dishes I've had at Fragole. While good, it didn't surpass the Firenze I usually get.



There was also an order of the Papardelle con ragu del carne, made with honey-braised short rib ragu. This is quite hearty, and has lots of pieces of tender rib meat. The honey is barely noticeable, and probably adds more to texture than to taste. It was delicious.



We ended up splitting a dessert between the four of us, and the Chocolate Cake did a fine job. It was thick and creamy, almost like fudge or mousse, and was dotted with little pieces of hazelnut. Dollops of fresh whipped cream accompanied the cake and made for a wonderfully decadent finish to our meal.



Another incredible meal, impressed guests and satisfied diners. Also, they have a large selection of wines all priced at $27 which makes it easy to have a bottle with your meal.

Brunch at Buttermilk Channel #3

So, some weekend days my priority is getting out the door to get some food in my belly, and that means that other things get neglected, like my camera. So, for today's photos, please make due with photos taken with a borrowed iPhone. Some friends are visiting from out of town, so we decided to take them to Buttermilk Channel (524 Court St., at Huntington St., 718-852-8490) for Brunch. Mmmmm, what a good idea THAT turned out to be! Such delicious dishes. Such fine service.

I ordered something I'd never tried before, the Fried Pork Chops and Cheddar Waffles. The chops were juicy, breaded and crunchy and incredibly flavorful, not greasy or oily at all. The waffles were subtle, cheesy saltiness. A mini-container of maple syrup came with, and nice, lightly dressed side salad also accompanied for refreshment.



My boyfriend got the Eggs Huntington which is one of my favorites here - Poached Eggs on top of ham on top of buttermilk biscuits. The biscuits are fluffy and dense at the same time, the eggs are perfectly poached and everything goes so well together. Again, a nice side salad accompanies.



One of our friends got the Warm Lamb & Romaine Salad with black olive croutons, roasted cauliflower, fried capers and soft-boiled egg. The capers burst in your mouth with tangy acidity, the lamb was tender and the egg was expertly done with just enough soft yolk to run through the greens.



Our other friend ordered the Grilled Kale and Endive Salad with soft-boiled egg and croutons. This was great too, with clean flavors, and dressing made with whole-grain mustard.



The service was also great. I was informed that they are building a second restroom in the basement while waiting on line for the one, commiserating with the owner about having to wait. Our guests were impressed and we were all happily satisfied.

Brunch at Frankie's 457

Oh Frankie's (457 Court St. between 4th Place & Luquer St., 718-403-0033). Can I ever express just how much I love your French Toast? I don't think I can rave enough, but I'll try. My boyfriend and I arrived just before opening on Saturday morning (11am) in order to secure my favorite seat in the dining room - the two-top at the back in front of the window looking out at the backyard and the train tracks beyond. It's so cozy there. We started with some Stumptown lattes, creamy, caramel-y drinks made lovingly by the bartender.



I of course got the French Toast, two of the most delicious, thick pieces of fried egg-dipped bread you'll find anywhere. A few pieces of fruit on the side add a fresh, sweet & tangy burst, and the real maple syrup is amber goodness.



A side of meaty bacon is a necessity too. Salty, hearty and not greasy at all. It's the best bacon in town.



We also got an order of the Broccoli Rabe & Sausage Frittata. Served at room temperature, it's moist, dense and so flavorful, filled with big pieces of whatever it's made of - usually they serve two kinds. A nicely dressed little salad is served on the side to provide some zing.



This meal is absolute perfection and I'm never unhappy or disappointed with it. Go.

Lobster Rolls at Farmacy

There's been a lot of movement in the last few months at the corner store now known as Brooklyn Farmacy, (513 Henry St., at the corner of Sackett St.). The soon to be soda-fountain and produce stand may also be a once-in-a-while lobster roll shack as well. Coming home from the Atlantic Antic yesterday, hungry and tired with sore feet, the chalk writing on the sidewalk pointed the way to the Farmacy for Lobster Rolls, $8 each, or two for $15. You could also get claws and tails for $4 or $6, but the rolls called our names. We got two because neither of us wanted to share, and we were happy we did.



Sorry about the missing bite - they were too good to resist before snapping a picture! Lovingly placed on a bed os lettuce, the sweet, succulent pieces of lobster mixed with scallions, celery, mayo and herbs made for a delicious mid-afternoon treat. Made with sort-of sweet hot dog rolls that were soft and pillowy, we were totally satisfied and settled in to a happy cat nap on our sun-drenched couch afterward. Mmmm. The best. We were told that they were fresh from Maine, and the new owner was heading back there this week, so keep your eyes out for more sidewalk signs next weekend for your Lobster Roll!

Dessert at Sweet Melissa

To celebrate an event my boyfriend has been preparing months for, I picked up a few things at Sweet Melissa (276 Court St., Brooklyn, NY 11231, (718) 855-3410 - they also have a Park Slope location on 7th Avenue near 1st Street). There's a lot to choose from here, from pies and cakes to small chocolates and tarts. I started with a big Chocolate Cherry Cookie, which was not too sweet, was deeply chocolatey with a touch of tart cherry. Chocolate chips and dried cherries dotted the cookie.



I also got three Truffles - one Pistachio that was rolled in chopped nuts and tasted nicely nutty, one Dark Chocolate, that was on the bitter side, thick and strong tasting (which I liked) and a Creamy Milk Chocolate one that was light and airy and less flavorful. Such decadent, creamy treats!



I also got a slice of their Pumpkin Bread Pudding with a caramel currant sauce. I love their Classic Bread Pudding and their Chocolate version as well, but this was a little disappointing. The pumpkin flavor was very subtle, and it was very bready, less moist than the other kinds I prefer. It came with a thick caramel sauce with currants in it that also tasted a little like cinnamon too.



Sweet Melissa is also a nice place to go as well. It's like a comfy living room, with bench seating with pillows and a really nice backyard that is twice the size as it once was since they expanded this past year. They serve soup and salads and really great fruit & cheese plates as well. Lovely.