Ticket Winner!!! ...and Food News!

See how much I need this break? I missed my own deadline! I'm so sorry. And here I am breaking my own hiatus. Sheesh. But I just picked the winner, at random, out of a hat, with my eyes closed, I swear! The winner is....(8:37am) Sooznham!!! (My previous & briefly named winner doesn't even live in NY!) Congratulations! How exciting. You win a ticket to the awesome event tomorrow at Le Grand Dakar restaurant! Email me with your name so you can be added to the guest list. Even if you weren't a ticket winner, you can still go to show your support, eat some tasty Sengalese food and drink unlimited sangria. Yum!

Also happening this week, until Sunday, June 27th is the first ever Yelp Eats! Sort of like restaurant week, a number of the highest yelp-rated BK spots will have special $30 3-course Prix Fixe menus. I happened to attend a Yelp dinner at Blue Ribbon Restaurant last night that was deee-licious. Gumbo, smoked trout, crawfish, giant shrimp, braised ribs. Go there quick! Check out this website for all the participating restaurants.

Also on Sunday is StinkFest, Stinky Bklyn's fourth annual cheese-eating contest. Sounds a little dangerous to me, but I'm sure it will be interesting. There will also be music, and the area restaurants like Jake Walk and SmithVine will also be joining in the fun. It all starts at 11am with the contest happening at 2pm.

Special Ticket Giveaway!!!

I have one ticket to give away to one lucky reader to an awesome and tasty event. Next Thursday, June 24th, there will be a party/fundraiser at Le Grand Dakar, (285 Grand Ave., at Clifton Pl., 718-398-8900) a Sengalese/West African restaurant in Ft. Greene. It's owned by cookbook-author Pierre Thiam whose battle with Iron Chef Bobby Flay will also be shown at Thursday night's party. There will be live music (including Jojo Kuo's band - he played with Fela), along with unlimited food & sangria. Tickets are just $25, but one lucky person can go for free. Just sent your comments and I'll pick a winner at random. The winner will be announced on the morning of Tuesday, June 22nd.

For more information, check the Lake Isle Press website.

Brunch at The Brooklyn Public House

Brooklyn Public House (247 DeKalb Ave., between Vanderbilt & Clermont, 347-227-8976) is an Irish pub, complete with Van Morrison on the stereo, wallpaper in cream & burgundy and Irish flags scattered about. There's exposed brick, hanging flower pots, and red leather booths that add to the homey and cozy quality of the space. The Sunday papers are available for patrons to peruse while dining, and there's seating in the bar area or in a separate room in the rear. On this visit, my friend and I sat in the window and enjoyed the sunshine in what felt like our own private nook.

I was tempted by the Pumpkin Pancakes and found them to be quite good. They were fluffy and moist, with a subtle pumpkin flavor that did not overwhelm. I thought the few lettuce leaves on the side an afterthought, and wished instead I'd had some slices of apples or a few berries. The maple syrup seemed real though, but that minor change would improve the situation greatly.



I also got a side of bacon with my pancakes. The strips were meaty and nicely cooked, but I found them to be a bit bland. Something more smoky or spicy would have been tastier and would have provided a nice counterpoint to the sweet pancakes.



My friend chose to get the Crabcake Eggs Benedict with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce. (Look at her awesome multi-colored sweater in the background!). This dish does not look appetizing to me. The red pepper sauce looks too neon and weird. The crabcakes were good though - dense, moist and flavorful, as were the potatoes - nice and crisp, although they needed some more seasoning. Again, the three limp leaves of lettuce was forgettable. Either don't give me any, or give me a handful and some balsamic and call it a side salad.



It was a decent Brunch, and I'm interested to see what they do for dinner, but I'm not about to rush back there. Anybody been and want to let me know how it was? It might just be a better bet for beers - they've got 20+ on tap and maybe twice that in bottles.

Dinner at No. 7

No. 7 (7 Greene Ave., at Fulton St., 718- 522-6370) is virtually hidden by the subway entrance right outside it's door. Upon first entrance, you see the long, dark-wood bar with frosted glass and mirrors, tall stools and a marble counter. The subway-tiled walls and white tile floors add an urban elegance to the space and in the back dining room the skylights bring light and spaciousness. It was a bit chilly on the coldest night of the season, but that was easily overlooked by the general coziness exuding from everyone there. The cocktail list is full of herbs, bitters and infused vodkas; I stuck to a Gimlet.

More enamored with the appetizers, I chose two of them instead of one main dish. The Fried Broccoli caught my eye with grapefruit and black beans. I think it was dunked in a Miso batter before being cooked - it was a bit "gluey" and salty, but the black bean sauce and citrus over bitter greens cut that nicely. Interesting, but not something I'd get again.



I also chose to get the Soft Boiled Fried Egg with arugula and roast pork. Three lean slices of tasty roast pork accompanied a pile of arugula salad topped with two halves of a soft boiled egg, coated in bread crumbs and gently fried. This was fabulous! The flavors of the creamy yolk, the salty meat and the fresh greens went so well together.



My friend went with the Grilled Arctic Char, which came on top of baby Brussels sprouts, topped with a celery root mash and lychee. Again, everything combined to make one delicious dish. Each flavor and consistency adding to the other.



I really liked No. 7 and look forward to going back again soon!

Dinner at Thomas Beisl

I once was waiting for a friend outside of BAM when a gorgeous woman ran out of Thomas Beisl, (25 Lafayette Ave., between St. Felix St. & Ashland Pl., 718-222-5800), across the street and in through the doors I was standing next to. It took me a second, but I quickly realized it was Cate Blanchett (this was during the run of Hedda Gabler). It was a very dramatic moment and has been linked to the restaurant ever since. I went there for the first time recently when I was invited to dine there as part of Austria Wine Month and discovered that it's a cozy sort of pub where warm tones dominate with low lighting, dark wood tables and ochre colored walls.

We started with a glass of the Grüner Veltiner Berger, a crisp, dry, grape-y white. There's a Prix Fixe menu special for the month (which ends Nov. 22) which my boyfriend ordered from. For starters he chose the Liptauer Cheese (made with farmer's cheese and paprika). It comes with toasted bread, pickles (that were incredible) & capers and is a chunky, creamy spread with an mild tangy flavor. It was quite good, and quite filling!



I chose the Palatschinken from the regular menu, a traditional thin crepe-like pancake stuffed with sauerkraut and smoked trout. The sauerkraut was fresh and tangy, but overwhelmed the fish so that I couldn't taste the smokiness. The mushrooms were delicious though, in the sauce, and it, too, was a huge portion. By the end of the first course, we were almost stuffed!



For his main entree, my boyfriend ordered the Paprika Chicken with Spätzle. Chicken can be so hit or miss but this dish was excellent. The meat was wonderfully tender and the sauce flavorful and hearty. The Spätzle was on the crispy side and less creamy than I'm used to. It was also on the bland side, and could have used more salt or spice. It was good with the chicken though, and provided a nice mellow flavor in contrast to the strong one.



I chose from the list of Specials for my entree and picked the Braised Pork Shoulder with Savoy Cabbage. The cut of meat was a little bit like a chop, and while tender, didn't break apart quite like the chicken did. The flavor was nice and the cabbage was great. There was also a little tower of shredded roasted potatoes on the side which were good, but could have used more salt.



Even though we were quite full, I wanted to try a dessert so we ordered the Walnut Cake which comes with a caramel sauce on top. More like a tart or dense pie, it was nutty and hearty, yet light at the same time, with a wonderful burnt-caramel topping & side of whipped cream.



I got to meet Thomas, the owner, who was quite charming, and found the staff friendly and attentive. It does get very crowded before shows at BAM, so go around 7:30 instead when there's something playing. There's a small bar as well, if you're more interested in having a pint or a glass of wine. Cash or Amex only.

Good Beer at BAM

Where to begin!?? The Good Beer event at BAM, coproduced by Edible Brooklyn & Edible Manhattan, was held this past Wednesday evening, despite thunderstorms and heavy downpours all afternoon. It might have delayed some in setting up and getting ready, but with so much to choose from, it was easy to skip ahead to tables that were ready and return to the ones who were not at a later time. There were Brooklyn vendors and those from elsewhere, so I'm going to concentrate on the Brooklyn food and drink I sampled.

I was happy to see Rosewater with a table, as I love their food. They only use high quality ingredients and pay close attention to every detail to create delicious meals. They were offering samples of Geuze ceviche bruschetta with fluke topped with avocado. It was great - light and delicate but also flavorful, with the earthy, creamy avocado giving it some weight.



Schnitzel & Things was handing out plates of Weiner Schnitzel with cucmber and potato salad. The cucmber was sliced paper thin, the potato salad was creamy and tangy and the schnitzel was ever-so-lightly fried. It was perfect in a bite-sized portion. This was paired with Brooklyn Homebrew Supply's Proprietary Wheat Ale, a lemony brew that was quite tasty and refreshing.



Pacing was important and we made sure to take a break midway through. Three or four ounce glasses of beer add up quickly! We eventually made our way upstairs where there were tons more tables laid out. At the top of the stairs was Beer Table handing out Pickled Eggs which were so good! I think I just love anything pickled - briny, salty, tangy - it's all good with me. These eggs were topped with sea salt and jalapeno powder. Paired with a very spicy Bayerischer Banhoff Leipziger Gose that was not quite to my liking.



To my delight, The Good Fork had a table filled with their most delicious Pork Dumplings. Dunked in soy sauce, sprinkled with chives, these little packages are incredible. Reminded me I need to get back there for dinner soon! They were paired with a Blue Point Toasted Lager which made a really good combination.



Basis Farm to Chef were offering mini cheeseburgers put together from an extensive list of local-ish, organic farms. As a "good food" distributor, their aim is to connect small and mid-range farms with chefs, retailers & institutions. I really liked them and hope to see more places utilize their services. Brooklyn Brine had a small station next to them where they were handing out their homemade pickles. A new company, Brooklyn Brine already has a contract with Marlow & Daughters, so go get yourself a jar and check 'em out yourself!



Ici had samples of their cornbread which has real kernals of corn, as well as summer squash and vermont cheddar in it. Dense and packed with goodness, this was a real treat. With Kelso's St. Gowanus (a summery wheat beer that wasn't heavy or owverpowering as many of this style can be), it made for an excellent summer pairing.



I was glad to see there was a table of dessert items in the back, to sweeten up our palates after all this savory food and beer! Jomart Chocolates was offering three types of candies - one marshmallow covered option, one milk chocolate and one made with jalapeno that had a slow burn. All three were amazing, although the spicy one for sure in only small amounts!



I also have to mention that the Truck Farm by Wicked Delicate was there, complete with livestock! I just love this idea, and am happy to see it doing so well. Created by the guys behind King Corn, they will be putting together a film about this venture, so keep your eyes open for it. For a sneak preview, you can check out three short clips on their website.



Yay for Brooklyn food & beer! Happy Eating!

Dinner at General Greene

A friend and I made our way to General Greene (229 Dekalb Avenue at Clermont Avenue, 718-222-1510) the other night for dinner, and had a most interesting time. The menu is made up of a variety of small plates in categories such as "Bar Snacks", "Hot" and "Cold". The front room is a classic space, all white and robin's egg blue, pressed tin and tiled floor. The lighting is lovely, with a smattering of styles that all seem to go together. The kitchen sits in between the front room and the back dining area, which felt odd to us, like there were two separate restaurants sharing a prep area; kind of disconnected. The host and wait staff were all friendly though and most helpful when it came to figuring out how many dishes to order to make a full meal.

We started with a Bar Snack of Radishes with Sea Salt and Anchovies. We were both expecting whole radishes, rubbed in sea salt with anchovy fillets, but what we got was much more delicate. Large slices of shaved radish were HUGE and mixed with an anchovy paste, seasoned with sea salt and garnished with halved smaller radishes. It was delicious - crisp, strong flavors and textures mingled and got better as the dish sat in its juices. In an effort to prevent a washed out photo, the resulting picture is a bit dark, but shows the beauty of the dish nonetheless.



We ended up choosing mostly veggies, which made for a yummy if not cohesive dinner. The Quinoa was amazing, and I never eat quinoa after a bad experience with it on a camping trip in college! It was moist and crunchy and seasoned with salt and mint, and butter? Something made this so smooth. It gave me a whole new way to think about this most nutritious grain.



The Beets with Yoghurt and Mint were also really good. Roasted beets, just this side of soft, lightly covered with yoghurt were sweet and savory and tangy.



The Roasted Turnips were my least favorite dish. Some of the pieces were too hard, and overall it didn't have a very turnip-y flavor. The leeks and butter overpowered the earthy, root-ness of the vegetable. There were also pieces of bacon which made it a little better, but not enough for me to really enjoy this dish.



Another favorite was the Pork Meatballs, served in a bowl covered with sauce and melted cheese, somewhat like French Onion Soup. The sauce was great, hearty and tomato-y and not sweet, the meatballs were nicely flavored and slightly juicy, and the toasted slices of bread were perfect for sopping up the extra 'gravy' as my grandfather calls Marinara Sauce. Wonderful.



Unfortunately, we were too stuffed for dessert, which is a real shame since the owner of General Greene is a pastry chef and has become well known for his pastries. Next time I'll get one or two fewer small plates and save room for something sweet to finish my meal with.

Mexican at Bonita

In honor of Inauguration Day last week, most of the businesses up and down Dekalb Avenue in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn were offering various sales and special meals. From Luau-type offerings of Suckling Pig with Pineapple for $20.09 to 10-25% off goods and services. It made me proud to be from Brooklyn, where people really know how to celebrate! I spotted this beautiful poster in the window of Madiba, where an amazing, packed dance party was taking place:



My friend and I decided to go to Bonita (243 Dekalb Ave., between Clermont Ave. & Vanderbilt Ave., 718-622-5300) where they were offering special Tacos Al Pastor with a shot of Tequila with Blood Orange Juice. This is what I got, and it was delicious. The amazingly tender pork was earthy and flavorful and came with small chunks of pineapple which added the nicest touch of sweet.



The tequila & blood orange juice was potent and gone before I thought to snap a photo. My friend ordered the Braised Beef Enchiladas which were also quite good. The meat was slightly smoky and they came with cotija cheese sprinkled on top. Delish!



Bonita is a really fun place with great wait staff and a good vibe amongst the customers. Granted, it was Inauguration Day, but the atmosphere is usually light and cheery. With another location on Bedford Ave. in Williamsburg, there's no reason for you not to go!

Tex-Mex at Pequena

Looking for some good Tex-Mex food some friends and I went to Pequena (86 S. Portland Ave., between Fulton & Lafayette) to see what we could find. True to its name, Pequena can fit only about 20 people. It's a bit tight, but the colorful decorations help create a fun atmosphere and if you're open, spontaneous conversations occur with your neighbors.

I got there early so I ordered a Margarita while I waited. I got it on the rocks with salt, and it was perfect - tart, strong and delicious. You don't get a basket of chips with salsa unless you order it, which feels a bit stingy, and since I was waiting for the rest of my party before I ordered, it would have been nice to have something to nosh on while I sipped my drink.

So, I ordered the Shrimp Tostadas after seeing the same dish arrive to the woman sitting to my right and finding it appealing. You get two crispy tortillas covered in shrimp, guacamole, tomatoes and cotija cheese. Everything was delicious except for the chewy, rubbery shrimp. They seemed to have been frozen and were terribly disappointing. All dishes come as an appetizer or as a main, which includes beans and rice. The beans were great - black, flavorful, if a bit salty, and the yellow rice was good.



My boyfriend ordered the Fish Tacos. You get three thin corn tortillas, covered with flaky white fish, chunks of avocado and a very spicy sauce. Too hot for my taste, but flavorful. One of my friends got the Mushroom Tacos, which look just like the photo below, but with big slices of fresh mushrooms instead of fish.



My other friend got the Chicken Enchiladas Verdes which she loved. These were spicy too, very fresh tasting and slightly vinegary, in a good way. Covered in melted cheese and cilantro this was probably the best dish of the night.



All in all the food here was decent and will fulfill your craving for Tex-Mex. Just stay away from the Shrimp!

French-North African at Cafe Lafayette

Some friends of mine were in town for the weekend and we had a whole 'dinner and a movie' plan. Since we were seeing a movie at BAM, we figured we'd head to Ft. Greene for dinner. Since it was Friday night, we were turned away from some places for not having a reservation, but luckily, Cafe Lafayette (99 S. Portland Ave., between Fulton and Lafayette, 718-858-6821) had a table for four available out front, and since it was a balmy night, we grabbed it. Cafe Lafayette is a nice French Bistro that offers the classic French dishes with a North African twist.

For starters, we got the Shrimp Fritters and the Rosemary Goat Cheese Salad. The Fritters were good; a bit oily, but the chili sauce on the side added a nice sweet and spicy kick, and the light batter did not overshadow the flavor of the shrimp. And it came on such a pretty little plate!



The Salad had a yummy, light dressing and two slices of toasted baguette topped with generous slabs of rosemary-covered goat cheese. The bread was a little greasy, but nicely salty, and the cheese was creamy and tart. The greens were good too - fresh and piled high.



My friend got what I thought was the best dish of the night - the Vegetarian Couscous with Harissa Sauce. It was presented nicely, the couscous was moist and the flavors of the veggie stew (carrots, garbanzo beans, broccoli) were deep and complex. Very tasty.



The next best meal was the Moules in Coconut Sauce. A big bowl arrived chock-full of mussels in a delicious, slightly sweet and milky coconut broth, and a side of french fries that were well-salted and flecked with parsely. The mussels were tender and yummy, and the coconut was a nice departure from white wine or tomato sauce.



I got the Goat Cheese Panini, with Roasted Red Peppers, Portabello Mushroom and Arugula. The bread was grilled so the cheese gets melty and the mushroom was substantial, meaty and delicious. I wasn't super hungry, so it was the perfect amount of food.



My boyfriend got the Spinach & Cheese Ravioli in Tomato Vodka Sauce. This was a fine dish, but not memorable. The portion was good, and the sauce was competently made, but it didn't stand out among the other, more interesting and flavorful meals.



Cafe Lafayette is a really nice place - the dining room is small and cozy, perfect for cold winter nights, and the burgers are also excellent. Grilled Merguez Sandwich anyone?

Cake Man Raven

A friend of mine who lives in Ft. Greene had been wanting to take me to Cake Man Raven ever since she knew about this Food Blog. We made the trip together on a recent Saturday afternoon to the narrow storefront at 708 Fulton St., where S. Oxford St. & Greene Ave. intersect (718-694-2253). The sidewalk out front is crowded with lush tropical-looking trees and flowering plants, complete with a little bench for sitting and enjoying your slice of cake, should the weather permit.

As you walk in, you're met with two big deli cases full of plastic take-out containers with big, fat slices of Southern Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. That's it. You can get other flavors of cake if you're ordering a whole cake (German Chocolate, Pineapple Cream Cheese or Coconut Pineapple), but as far as slices, the Red Velvet is all you're gonna get.



Which is fine, actually, because it's amazing. Definitely go with a friend, because it's even too much for two to finish. The cake is dense and moist and subtly sweet. The frosting is thick and creamy and very sweet. Try to have some coffee or tea to balance out the experience, or else you might go into shock. It's a perfect, decadent treat. Check out Gastronormous's recent visit also!

Eggs Benedict & Omelettes at Chez Oskar

On a recent rainy day, I met a friend for Brunch at Chez Oskar. Located at 211 DeKalb Ave. between Vanderbilt and Clinton Aves., it's in the heart of Ft. Greene, amidst shops and boutiques, near the Ft. Greene Park & Pratt University. It's also got terrific food.

We ordered the Spinach and Goat Cheese Omelet, the Eggs Benedict with House Cured Salmon, and a side of Applewood Smoked Bacon and shared it all. We were so hungry we started eating before I remembered I needed to take pictures, so these were taken after we divvied everything up (imagine twice as much as what's here).



These were some of the best potatoes I've had. Really crunchy, well cooked and nicely seasoned. The poached eggs were perfect as well, the yolk was still a bit runny, but there was no nasty raw egg white to contend with. The salmon was a nice change, although you can get this with the classic Canadian Bacon, or Proscuitto, or with spinach if you're going veggie. Just a touch of hollandaise sauce tops this dish, for a little zing.



The omelette was good, but I would have preferred a bit more goat chesse in mine. The bacon though was amazing, in thick slices of smoky, salty meat from Applewood. A side Mesclun salad accompanies these dishes as well. Nice to get in a little greens.




There are also a number of breakfast drinks available in addition to the normal brunch fare including Strawberry Mimosas and Mojitos. The decor is cheery and colorful, perfect for a chilly or rainy fall morning. For more reviews, go to Urban Spoon.

Pupusas at the Brooklyn Flea

Ever since the Red Hook Ballfield vendors became so popular, it's nearly impossible to get food there unless you're willing to stand on line for an hour. That's why I'm thankful for the Brooklyn Flea Market (www.brooklynflea.com). If you get there before the lunch-time rush, you can easily satisfy your Pupusa craving with these amazing little treats.



These are the Bean & Cheese Pupusas with tangy cabbage, hot sauce and sour cream. They're SO incredible. And sometimes, if you're lucky, you'll get one where some of the cheese has bubbled out and got a little burnt, which tastes SO good. The cabbage is mouth-watering good as well.



Two Pupusas make a good-sized meal, and there are other items like ice cream and baked goods on hand from other food vendors, you won't go hungry at the Flea.

Rice & Beans and Sweet Plantains at the Habana Outpost

I love Brooklyn. Really and truly. And one of my favorite things to do is park myself at some outdoor seating to eat and drink with friends and people-watch. Habana Outpost has been around for a few years now, but it's still a great spot to go for icy drinks, yummy Cuban & Spanish food & awesome people watching (www.ecoeatery.com, 757 Fulton Street, at So. Portland Ave., and mere steps from both the G and C trains, 718-858-9500). It's also a completely Green restaurant, using solar panels for all their electrical needs, human-powered smoothie blenders (with a bike) and rain water is used in the bathrooms to flush the toilets. Pretty cool stuff.



I got the rice and beans, the famous grilled corn, and a side of sweet plantains. The rice and beans totally hit the spot, but were your basic yellow rice and black beans, without much else in the way of spices or flavor. The corn was great, covered in cotija cheese and grilled to crunchy perfection. The sweet plantains, which I LOVE, were delicious. They were just the right bit of sweet, and were a nice consistency, but there weren't enough of them, even at $4. I also got a Frozen Mojito which was ample and strong and the yard was packed with the It's-The-Weekend! crowd. The tables are sort of communal if you're not there with a large group, so go only if you're in the mood to talk to a stranger. It can be quite the pick-up scene there too, so be forewarned. Or tipped off if you're in the market.

BURGERS!!! at 67 Burger

67 Burger (www.67burger.com, 67 Lafayette Ave, at Fulton St., Brooklyn, NY 11217, (718) 797-7150) is an amazing place. A long, narrow space around the corner from the G Train's Fulton St. station and down the block from BAM, is open until 11pm, so you can squeeze in a late dinner after a movie or show.

You can build your own burger from a long list of meats, chesses, sauces, and toppings (red wine pickled onions anyone?), or you can go with one of the burgers listed if you're feeling indecisive (Ranch, BBQ, Southwestern, etc.). This is their Basic Bacon Cheeseburger with Cheddar.



The bacon part is incredible. Little, crumbly bits of bacon are on the bottom and are perfection. They also serve the BEST, most amazing Onion Rings you'll find anywhere. Made with real onions in nice, big slices so you can bite into them and they won't fall apart.



The milkshakes are great too, bog and thick in basic flavors (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry) and two interesting ones I've yet to try (oreo and beer).

After you place your order at the counter, you'll be given a big plastic number on a stick that you set on your table so the staff knows where to bring your food. It's a sort of crazy, loud place, with frenetic energy coming from the cooks behind the counter, so it's not a romantic date night place. But the staff is sweet, and they'll even offer to cut your burger if you're sharing.