Dinner at Brucie

Brucie (234 Court St., between Kane & Baltic Streets, 347-987-4961) is a cute, new spot in Cobble Hill - half restaurant, half country store. The menu lists various pastas and salad, as well as meats and cheeses, while for sale you can find jars of pickled veggies, pasta, sauce, pints of Blue Marble & People's Pops. There's a large room in the back set with two tables big enough for 6 - 8 people, whereas in the front there's counter space and a large table for communal seating. The stools at the counters are made from tractor seats, and the soft lighting creates a warm coziness.

I met a friend and we decided to share a few things. First was an order of Caponata. It was boldly flavored and quite salty, but I liked that. It was also made with golden raisins; an off-beat touch which worked nicely, providing a different texture, and a slightly sweet flavor.



For our main dish we ordered the Goat Cheese Stuffed Rigatoni with mushrooms and vodka sauce. This was made with extra-large rigatoni, stuffed with gooey cheese and topped with plentiful mushrooms and sauce. It was quite delicious, and satisfying. We could have stopped there, but our eyes were bigger than our stomachs and we forged on with an order of the Panelle Sandwich.



Two, large chickpea cutlets topped a large roll, with vinegar peppers, ricotta and honey. The peppers were a nice addition, cutting through the dense, heavy cutlets. The ricotta was creamy, and the hint of sweet enhanced the flavors even more.



At this point, we were so full, we had to stop, despite being intrigued by the Rosewater Panna Cotta with Cherries. Another visit has been scheduled to sample the desserts, which also included a Chocolate Pudding Pie. Yum!

Breakfast at Four and Twenty Blackbirds

PIE! That'll catch my eye pretty quickly, and so I finally made my way to Four and Twenty Blackbirds, (439 3rd Avenue, at 8th Street, 718-499-2917) a new coffee shop, bakery, breakfast place in the Gowanus neighborhood the pretty much specializes in Pie! It's a very positive addition to this slowly getting life back strip of auto repair shops and various industrial businesses. It's gorgeous inside, with lots of windows, pressed-tin walls and ceiling, wood floors and gigantic wooden tables. It's simple and tasteful but cute, and the scent of freshly baked pies greets you as you step inside.

We got two orders of Egg in a Nest for our breakfast. This is something I know as a fried egg in a hole cut out of a piece of toast, but this, this was one-of-a-kind amazing. Part souffle, part savory muffin, part baked egg, it was juicy, fluffy and flavorful - with thyme and cheese to make it strong and tasty. Isn't it gorgeous?

I also got a Chocolate Chip Scone. It was flaky in all the right ways, dense, slightly sweet and wonderful. So pretty too, served on antique-y floral china.

I couldn't leave without getting a slice of pie, for later. Out of the four flavors (Apple, Strawberry Balsamic) I picked the Rhubarb Crumble. It, too, was delicious. Brown sugar and some cinnamon added just the right amount of sweetness to the oats on top. Fat slices of rhubarb throughout were perfectly tart and the crust was flaky and excellent. It was overwhelmingly buttery either, which was a nice change from the usual heavy baked goods found around town.

They do take custom pie orders, but make sure you give them two days notice. I am looking forward to going back for another slice of pie, and maybe a fig scone? Coming soon...Lunch!

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!

Sandwiches at Brooklyn Standard

I read about the Brooklyn Standard Deli back in March on Brooklyn Based and have been itching to check it out ever since. The still-new shop bills itself as the new bodega, offering the neighborhood everything it needs - convenience, food (both made to order and packaged), snacks, drinks, even condoms and smokes, but with the majority of their products being natural, organic and as local as possible. They use organic milk in their Stumptown coffee, and boast a whole line of vegan dishes to choose from, in addition to meaty breakfast and lunch deals and various pastries and desserts. I also saw a huge selection of sodas made with real sugar, not nasty high fructose corn syrup.

We got The Greenpoint (seemed fitting) which is Ham, Broccoli Rabe, Pepper Jack Cheese, Fresh Arugula and Arugula Oil on Grilled Foccacia. It was sooooo good! Melty, spicy cheese, salty ham, delicious bitter greens and a nice, soft bread, grilled to greasy perfection.



I also made sure to get a Cloud Cookie - a chocolate, chocolate chip cookie that so soft in the middle it's almost melting. It was so rich, it lasted me two days!



We also had a Stumptown latte that was pretty good, and cheaper than most of the other places serving Stumptown. I loved Brooklyn Standard and would go there many times a week if I lived in Greenpoint.

Dinner at The Farm on Adderly

Taking the recommendation of a number of commenters, I headed to The Farm on Adderly (1108 Cortelyou Road, between E. 11th & E. 12th, 718-287-31010) with my family for dinner and just as I was told, it was excellent! It was warm and cozy inside, with a small bar up front, tables in two areas inside, and a beautiful garden out back where we decided to eat and enjoy the last bits of warm weather. There were four of us, so there's a ton of food for me to describe, so let me get started! (There was also a nice wine list and a good, well-rounded selection of beers.)

My Dad got a squash soup from the Specials menu with smoked apple on top. Smoked apple! Have you ever had smoked apple??? It was like bacon, only APPLE! Amazing. The soup was pureed and flavorful with a sprinkling of black pepper.



My Dad's wife picked the Bibb Lettuce Salad with pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries & goat cheese fritters which were warm balls of creamy & tangy cheese. Gorgeous, and very autumnal.



My boyfriend got an order of Arugula salad with Roasted Duck with plenty of thick slices of tender duck atop a spicy, crispy pile of greens, lightly dressed with a subtle vinaigrette.



I chose the Celery Root Salad with escarole, candied olive, lemon, olive oil & parmesan. The greens were delicious, the olives were interesting - little bits of sweet and salty - and the dressing was tart and refreshing. The shaved celery root, while earthy & rooty, was a bit chewy, and there was a TON of it, kind of overwhelming the salad.



For his entree, my Dad got the Burger with cheese and a side of fries. The fries were excellent - big, pillowy potato sticks fried to perfection, and the burger was juicy and flavorful, a testament to pasture-raised meat.



My Dad's wife ordered the Grilled Trout with green & yellow wax beans, spring onion & portobello. The mushroom was thinly sliced and dried, so they were like mushroom chips; an interesting texture, with the same earthy, portobello taste. The fish was flaky and succulent and the beans offered a nice, snappy counterbalance.



My boyfriend ordered the Pork wrapped in a filo dough-like wrapping over acorn squash & braised mixed greens on top. It was a little bit Asian-inspired, but really complex in a good, savory way - slightly sweet, tangy and rich.



There were two kinds of steak to chose from and I picked the skirt steak which was served over potatoes with a side dish of a roasted red pepper & peanut pesto-like sauce. The potatoes were tender and ever so slightly salted, and the sauce was really unique and delicious.



Even though we were pretty full, we couldn't resist ordering dessert. We got a Buttermilk Tart with a peanut butter crunch layer and concord grapes on top. Amazing! Custardy buttermilk, intense peanut flavor and the grapes! Silky, tart and sweet. Yum!



We also got a Butterscotch Pudding which came in a tall wine glass that was amazing. Thick, not too sweet and ever so slightly butterscotchy.



To round it all out we got the Brown Butter Apple Cake in a Blueberry Sauce and a dollop of vanilla ice cream. The cake tasted great and was served warm, but was a little dry. The blueberry sauce helped a lot and tasted like summer.



This is totally a top-notch restaurant and I look forward to going back during different seasons and seeing their different menus throughout the year.

Brunch at Buttermilk Channel #3

Mmmmm, scrambles. Buttermilk Channel's take on the egg at Brunch. Perfect amount, perfect proportion and perfect combinations. Really, this place makes a good egg. On this visit to a local Brunch standby I picked the Scramble with House-Cured Lox, Green Onion & Cream Cheese. A small white porcelain cup with these ingredients mixed up together so the cheese gets melty and the other extras are wonderfully dispersed amongst the egg - yum. Salty, smoky salmon, just a bit of green onion to provide some fresh zing and cream cheese make for a delicious start to the day. Plus toasted dark pumpernickel bread and a round of excellently browned grated potatoes!



My boyfriend got the Scramble with Roasted Mushrooms, Spinach & Goat Cheese which was also a great combo, wonderfully mixed, melty in a good way, with a side of wheat bread, the round of hash browns and a small side salad.



We also got some sides of breakfast meats. The first time we got the breakfast sausage it was out of this world. It's a bit inconsistent though - still good, but not as amazing as it was early on. The bacon was good too, plentiful and providing that salty, meaty, chewiness that's important with Brunch, but not AMAZING.



I know some people feel like BC is all around an inconsistent place, but for me it's a quality, reliable spot where the service is friendly and neighborly and the food good enough for repeat visits.

Breakfast at Egg

I got to check another place off of my list of places I need to go when I made it to Egg (135 N. 5th St., between Bedford & Berry, 718-302-5151) recently for breakfast. Always a satisfying thing to do. Cross things off one's list, that is, although breakfast at Egg is surely satisfying as well! We had no wait for our table around 11am, but there was a long line when we left about an hour later, so be forewarned!

It was difficult to pick what to order as everything sounded so tasty and alluring (biscuits, grits, gravy, cheese), but I settled on the Eggs Rothko, an easy-cooked egg in a slice of Amy's brioche and topped with Grafton cheddar and served with broiled tomatoes and a side of meat or seasonal vegetables; I picked bacon, naturally.

The first one I was served basically had a raw egg in the center and when I called over our waitress to take a look, I barely had to say anything before she agreed that it was indeed undercooked and whisked it away to be re-done. I RARELY send stuff back at restaurants, but this was really raw. The second one was cooked properly and delicious, albeit Very Heavy with that thick layer of cheese on top. I didn't think "topped" meant "an inch-thick layer". Oh well. I ended up wishing I had ordered the veggies instead of the bacon to provide a little balance to the greasy cheesiness. Tha tlittle stewed tomato didn't cut it.



I did order the Caramelized Grapefruit with mint which cut the grease nicely and offered a refreshing counterpoint to the egg-brioche-cheese dish. Slightly sweet, mostly tart and all good.



My boyfriend chose the Country Ham Biscuit which was country ham from Col. Bill Newsom's Hams in Princeton, Kentucky, served on a biscuit with homemade fig jam, Grafton cheddar, and a side of grits. The cheddar was amazing - sharp and flaky; the jam was just a bit sweet and a nice addition to everything else. The grits were good, the biscuit was a bit on the dense side and the ham was salty and a bit on the cured side - more like thick prosciutto than ham. I don't think either of us would order this again.



So, all in all I did like Egg - they're focus on quality, local ingredients is a plus - but I have to say I was a little disappointed. The inside space is a cacophonous mess with concrete walls and floors and not much to buffer the sound, and the food was so so. I'll go back to try other things, and think they should be supported, but for all the hype, something was missing. Other experiences?

Lunch at Eat

I'm sorta confused as to what this place is called now. For years my boyfriend and I used to go here when it was Eat Records, the pancakes, eggs and bacon were the best and crates of the real deal lined the walls while off-beat avant-garde music filled the space. Now it seems to be known as just Eat (124 Meserole Ave., between Manhattan Ave. & Graham Ave., 718-389-8083) and there are only a few crates of records there, but what remains is pretty awesome. If you do a search online, "Eat Coffee LLC" comes up, but I understand they don't sell coffee to go anymore, much to the chagrin of online commentators. I spoke with the waitress a little about the menu and was told all of it is based on what's available at farms both really nearby (Rooftop Farm) and sorta nearby (upstate a little). Eat also hosts a CSA with the produce from the upstate farm and the chef creates the menu around what's freshest and in season. What you get is really good, tasty, quality food in a relaxed, comfortable environment.

There are appetizers, crostini, soups and sandwiches to choose from and everything sounded really enticing. I started out with a green salad made with greens from the Rooftop Farm, two kinds of radishes and topped with cheese from Consider Bardwell Farms (love them!). It was slightly bitter, really fresh and very flavorful with a light dressing of lemon juice and olive oil. I highly recommend it!



I also got the special Bahn Mi sandwich made with boiled eggs, carrots, parsley and daikon. The bread was crusty, and the ingredients just popped! So fresh and bright and yummy.



My BF got the Frittata made with asparagus that was gorgeous AND delicious to boot. Served cold, with a small salad on the side, it's perfect for a hot summer day.



I was sad to see Eat Records go, and they definitely went through some growing pains, but it's current iteration is wonderful and I hope more people go there to support a true local, community-oriented business!

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!

Burgers at Flatbush Farm

I've on a real burger kick recently, and am on a mission to build up a good list of places that serve grass-fed and/or organically raised beef. I was happy to see that the burgers at Flatbush Farm and Bar, (76 St. Marks Place, between 6th Avenue & Flatbush, 718-622-3276) are just those kind of burgers! They also have other yummy food, and in the warm weather you can sit out in their GREAT backyard. I had dinner here in the winter months and I'm happy to say that most of the options have rotated in order to use the seasonal, organic, local-when-available fare they are offering now.

On this visit, my friend and I shared the Braesola appetizer, which came topped with an arugula salad, heartily dressed with a salty, lemony dressing and toasted slices of baguette. All these flavors added up to one delicious dish. Braesola is like fruit leather only made with beef, and is my current favorite treat. The peppery arugula gave it a nice green balance and the bread cut the salt.



I then got the burger which comes with perfectly cooked and salted fries. Real cheddar cheese was melted on top and a big pile of sliced pickles was served with lettuce, red onion & tomato. The burger was juicy and substantial, slightly charred and all around terrific. I ate it all! My friend did help with the fries!



So go here and sit out back while the weather is nice. The coctail list is interesting and creative as well.

The UnFancy Food Show

I SO love living and eating in Brooklyn! The best stuff is happening with food in this awesome borough of ours, and I got to see and sample some of it yesterday at the UnFancy Food Show, the 3rd Annual ode to home-style, local, and delicious food. Held in a narrow lot adjacent to the East River Bar on South 6th Street in Williamsburg, the UnFancy Food Show had it all, from meats to chocolates to cheeses and produce.

As I approached, the first display I saw was a display with crates full of gorgeous greens from the Eagle Street Rooftop Farm in Greenpoint. You gotta check this place out! So cool right? Started by two dedicated sustainable food lovers and backed by the folks at GoodeGreen, their veggies will be going to restaurants like Marlow & Sons and will soon be sold at their own "farm stand". For more information email rooftopfarmer@gmail.com. Marlow & Sons also had a table just at the entrance to the main area where they were selling brisket and whitefish sandwiches. I opted for the homemade Brisket (made by Tom Mylan himself) with pickled onions and amazing sweet mustard from SchoolHouse Kitchen, a Brooklyn company that makes mustard, chutneys & dressings (you can purchase these savory seasonings at Marlow & Daughters). The sandwich was one of the best I've ever eaten - juicy, melty brisket, sharp, tangy onions, the softest bun and the mustard! Heaven! It also came with a spear of the spiciest pickle I've ever had, from McClure's Pickles who were also on hand.



Last year I bought a jar of McClure's relish which kept me happy for months - I used it on quesadillas, tuna sandwiches, and anything else I thought it'd be good with. Yum!

So, the place was packed, and full of samples of the tastiest treats from Liddabit Sweets (Jelly Candy made with Cucumber & Mint), Nunu Chocolates (Salty Caramels) and Mast Brothers Chocolates. There were also cheesemongers from Consider Bardwell Farm (which I often get at my local Farmer's Market - get their version of feta, you'll die!) as well as Cellars at Jasper Hill which had samples of an incredibly creamy Blue Cheese. The folks from Salvatore Ricotta were also there, and they were selling open-faced sandwiches with ricotta, thinly sliced prosciutto and a bit of arugula, drizzled with olive oil. These were incredible too - the creamy cheese went so well with the smoky meat, cut with the spicy green.



The prosciutto was being sliced before our eyes and the sandwiches were being sold as quickly as they were being made. I also got to try the salad mix sold by the Queens County Farm which included parsley & dill among the greens to make it flavorful and refreshing, nice after all that smoky, hearty meat! Check 'em out, they're co-hosting a Fourth of July Pig Roast & Camp Out weekend along with Brooklyn Based!

It was so great to see such a large turnout for the UnFancy Food Show, and to know that good quality, local & sustainable food is being sought out and demanded by more and more people.

Brunch at Buttermilk Channel #2

As an early riser, I have no trouble getting a table at the hottest brunch spots. The only thing I sacrifice is the free mimosa since I arrive before noon to ensure they'll be no line (noon being the time, according to NY's Blue Laws, an establishment can start serving alcohol on Sunday). I get juice instead and like I said, a table without a wait.

On this visit to Buttermilk Channel (524 Court St., on the corner of Huntington St., 718-852-8490), which opens at 10am on Saturdays, we were seated right away and I decided to get the Short Rib Hash, with two eggs sunny side up, toast & organic greens. The hash was bits and pieces of short rib, with it's mild pork flavor, but it was pretty fatty and not as flavorful as I would have liked it. The eggs were good, but there were runny areas. The toast was perfectly suited to sopping up the yolk and the greens had that delicious salty, lemony dressing I love. It was fine, but I don't think I'll be getting this again.



My boyfriend got the Pecan Pie French Toast with bourbon, molasses and toasted pecans. This was incredible, and heavy and really sweet. The molasses added such a deep, different flavor than I'm used to and the dollop of whipped cream really helped cut the sticky sweetness of everything else. It's not a very eggy dish, so it's unlike traditional french toast, but it's good. Maybe best shared with someone who'll also split their order with you.



All in all it wasn't as great as our last brunch here (mmmm, Eggs Huntington), but not disappointing enough to keep us away. It's still one of my favorite places in Carroll Gardens. And, there was a line by the time we were finished!

Dinner at Watty & Meg

I sort of can't believe Caffe Carciofo finally bit the dust - it felt like that place was around forever and I was sorry to see it go. So, it was with great expectations and hope that I ambled into Watty & Meg (248 Court St., at the corner of Kane St., 718-643-0007) on a recent evening to see what all the fuss is about. It's amazing how everyone gets into such a tizzy when a new restaurant opens up. I also love how there are conflicting stories about how the place got it's name. After a song, after a young couple in love. I'm beginning to think the folks behind W&M spread all these theories to encourage talk & buzz. I hate to say it, but my first meal there was a disappointment. I'll definitely give them another chance and sample some other things on the menu, but with all the other great options out there...

We started out with the Seared Diver Scallops appetizer, with green apple, leeks, English peas, marcona almonds in a veal semi-glaze. It was tasty, but c'mon, TWO scallops??? Too pricey for what you get.



We got the Crispy Skin Organic Salmon with quinoa, steamed kale and juniper berry sauce. Bo-Ring! First of all, I was asked what temperature I wanted it and then was served something waaaay overcooked (I asked for Medium Rare). Don't ask me and then ignore my request, right!?? The fish was very bland, the sauce was non-existent and the kale was lame. The quinoa was interesting, but I could have made this dish at home with one hand tied behind my back and it would have tasted better and would have been way cheaper.



I will go back - I hear the burger is fantastic (check out L Magazine's recent review), and I'll check 'em out for brunch. Hopefully they'll iron out all the kinks, things will settle down, and they'll become the next favorite local spot.

Snacks from Robicelli's Gourmet Market

5/19/10: I never updated this; probably because I was so sad. Robicelli's had to close. But, their cupcakes became so popular, they're still in business doing customs orders. You can still get your Elvis cupcake fix!

Allison & Matt opened Robicelli's Gourmet Market (8511 3rd Avenue, between 85th & 86th Streets, 718-748-6804) in the Fall of 2008. I was invited to their store this past weekend to sample some baked goods and take a look at what they've got going. They are lovely, dedicated owners, committed to the neighborhood by supporting small and/or local businesses and contributing to the community. As fourth generation Bay Ridgers (their kids are the 5th generation in the neighborhood) they want to positively contribute to the area by offering a wide variety of organic foods & snacks (both packaged and bulk), hormone and anti-biotic free grass-fed meats (and certified humane, which is most important) and dairy products, as well as homemade baked goods (Allison was up until 4am the morning of our visit!).

So, speaking of baked goods, and with full disclosure, Allison generously gave me two of her cupcakes to try. YUM! One was called The Elvis: banana cupcake with peanut butter frosting, sprinkled with bacon and it was awesome! The cupcake was moist and banana-y, the frosting was whipped into frothy peanut-buttery goodness and the bits of bacon added a wonderful salty, smoky contrast to the sweet.



The other cupcake I got was Allison's Famous Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese frosting. This too was delicious and moist, with a creamy smooth, slightly tangy frosting.



We also purchased a bag of coffee beans from Brownstone Beans which is roasted by local guys who offer different flavors of organic, Fair Trade coffee. It brewed some of the strongest coffee I've ever had; dark and flavorful and rich and it's available at locations all over Brooklyn. Allison & Matt are also are environmentally conscious - the bags they provide customers with are biodegradeable! Whoo-hoo! Go check 'em out and support the new generation of Mom & Pop stores!