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!

Ice Cream from Wheeler's Black Label Vegan Ice Cream

I had the good fortune of getting a pretty container of Vegan Ice Cream treats from Wheeler's Black Label Ice Cream Company. They're actually located in Boston, but they contacted me to announce that coming this summer they'll be serving their frozen vegan bon bons somewhere in the vicinity of McCarren Park. So naturally I said I'd give 'em a try!



In side the colorful box was an assortment of ice cream lollipops, some covered in plain dark chocolate, others included nuts. They were beautiful, nestled together, arranged in little paper cups.



I was given three different flavors, although they produce many more. My favorite of the bunch was the strawberry flavor. With chunks of real strawberries, it had the truest flavor, and was sweet & tart in all the right amounts.



There was a vanilla that was OK. Not quite vanilla, but nice in it's own right. The nuts were also a nice touch, slightly roasted, they added an earthy quality. There was a third flavor that I couldn't quite place (and they didn't provide an insert describing what they'd sent me). It was almost like nutmeg or cinnamon, some kind of astringent spice. It was good, if a little unusual.



So, keep your eye out for Wheeler's Black Label coming soon (hopefully) to McCarren Park, or thereabouts. Let me know if you spot them!

Savory Treats at Little Buddy Biscuit Company

For the longest time I thought Little Buddy Biscuit Company (635 5th Avenue, between 17th & 18th Streets, 718-369-6355) was just a dessert place with amazing cookies & cupcakes, but no! I went there recently and discovered that they have all sorts of savory treats like Pot Pies, homemade Hot Pockets and even some vegan stuff! They make their Hot Pockets in cute shapes like crescents and triangles and stuff them with delicious cheeses and veggies. I ordered one with mushrooms and one with artichoke hearts.



The artichoke one was my favorite. It was tangy & zesty and had chunks of artichoke in it. It was seasoned nicely and worked well as a savory treat. The mushroom one was less interesting to me - it was slightly on the sweet side and was too mushy in consistency. It would have been nicer if there were some slices of mushrooms inside instead of a mushroom puree. The dough was on the thick side, and a bit chewy; I was expecting something a little lighter and flakier. I'd like to try their Pot Pies, as I've heard great things about them. For now, I'll stick with the cookies, which are fabulous!

Chocolate from Nunu Chocolates

This is going to be short and sweet, but that's fitting as I'm writing about CHOCOLATE! Nunu Chocolates (529 Atlantic Ave., between 3rd & 4th Avenues, 917-776-7102) was started by a husband & wife team and initially their chocolate treats were sold at stores and markets around town. They were able to open their Flagship store in Downtown Brooklyn about a year ago. It's a sweet little spot on a busy stretch of Atlantic Avenue, with a few tables, a window seat and a small couch at which you can stop to enjoy their wonderful wares.

I went in for a Hot Chocolate (on a recent cool afternoon) and if my taste buds could do a double take, they would have. This was the richest, fullest, creamiest hot chocolate I've ever had. AND the dusting of chocolate flakes on top! Gorgeous!



I also picked up a caramel-filled chick for later. Nunu uses only the finest chocolate from a family-run farm in Eastern Colombia that practices sustainable farming, and you can tell. This little chick was super sweet & creamy, and filled with an almost salty and toasted-tasting caramel. You can see some of it oozing out of the side!



Check this place out. Their chocolates come boxed in pretty little packages that make perfect little gifts. They also do custom orders!

Lunch at Iris Cafe

Everybody is talking about Iris Cafe (20 Columbia Place, between State St. & Joralemon St., 718-722-7255). Having only opened this past November, it's already won the honor of being New York Magazine's pick for Best Cafe! Located on the cutest, smallest, quietest block in a small corner of Brooklyn Heights, the space itself is also terrific. Big and airy and quaint, there's plenty of space to hang out to sit and eat or read the paper. Even the little bathroom is sweet, with wildflowers in glass bottles and a window looking out onto the ivy-covered wall supporting the BQE going past. I went by one late afternoon with a friend to grab lunch, and we were both happy with our experience. The staff were super friendly and happy to be there, and you can get market-type stuff like eggs, butter and milk!

I ordered the Avocado and Cheddar Sandwich on Whole Grain Bread, with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and a spicy Aioli mayonnaise. The bread was lightly toasted and the warmth enhanced all the flavors. Packed with quality ingredients and coming on a big sheet of brown paper, it was a most delicious and beautiful dish!



My friend went the Salad route and got one with Sliced Boiled Egg, Ham, Cucmber, Walnuts and Corn. Fresh, crispy and flavorful, she enjoyed every bite and polished it off within minutes.



I couldn't resist getting a little dessert for later, and chose the Black Bottom Cupcake. It was good, but I would've liked more of the cream cheese stuff that you can see on top. It was light and fluffy, but a bit too subtle tasting, whereas the cheese was sweet and tangy but was so concentrated on top not enough of it went around to the rest of the cake.



A MINOR blip in an otherwise terrific experience. Can't wait to go back in the morning for an Egg Sandwich and Coffee.

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.

Cafe Pedlar

Crowded on a recent weekday morning, Cafe Pedlar (210 Court St., corner of Warren St., 718-855-7129) had about 6 people behind the counter, none of whom seemed to be actually working, instead they were talking loudly to each other as if performing for the waiting customers. The end result is that you feel like someone not in on the joke. Not something you want to be cultivating in a neighborhood coffee joint. It's too bad, because the space is lovely to be in - the Franks really know how to decorate. The coffee, on the other hand, is a bit perplexing.



Always gorgeously presented, the taste is slightly different each time. Sometimes it's great, but sometimes it's burnt-tasting or a bit watery, and many times it's been slightly & mysteriously sweet. On this particular visit it was great - creamy and full-bodied.

I also ordered an Almond Croissant, which was very good. Flaky, sweet, filled with almond paste and covered in confectioners sugar. It's a pretty large serving as well.



So, like I said, I often find it frustrating to be in there, but a well-made latte is sometimes worth it.

Sandwiches at Building on Bond

Yes, the Atlantic Antic was weeks ago, but the pleasant memories linger, especially when one is thinking about the B.B.Q. Pork Sandwich Building on Bond (112 Bond St. at the corner of Pacific St., 718-852-0301) was serving from their stand on the corner of Atlantic & Bond, just a block away from their storefront where they're open from Breakfast until Dinner serving all manner of yummy treats in a beautiful, sun-drenched space.

This incredible sandwich though, is made with braised pork, apple jicama slaw and red pepper aioli on pretzel bread. The pork is super cooked down, in all it's brown, tasty juices which run down the sides of your mouth when you take that first bite. The pretzel roll is a nice touch, with big crystals of salt, but is a bit on the dry side. I could have used a bit more pork on this sandwich. The Jicama slaw is also great - a nice, crunchy, refreshing bite to cut the heavy meat.



No need to fret, this sandwich is a regular on their lunch menu, so it's not just at street fairs that it's available. Served with a spear of dill pickle, this sandwich is quite the treat.

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.

Robicelli's One Year Anniversary

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!

I went to Robicelli's Gourmet Market on Friday to celebrate their one-year anniversary. I forgot my camera, so bear with me as I describe all the things there were to eat without seeing photos - you'll just have to go to the store to see & taste for yourself! They had a big pot of their famous Butternut Squash soup that got them into the food business in the first place. It was so creamy and flavorful - I'm not a huge soup fan but I could eat this every day for a week and be happy! It was a lovely bright orange color too, certain to cheer you up on rainy, winter days.

There was also a big pan of roasted Brussels sprouts made with lemon juice which I really liked - definitely a new way to have sprouts that made them zesty and fresh instead of their normal earthy mustiness, in addition to roasted broccoli with pignoli nuts, nicely browned & seasoned. (Photo courtesy of Cupcakes Take the Cake via Flickr.)



There were also Pork Belly BLTs that were INCREDIBLE! Parts of the pork were nicely burnt, which made them crisp and crunchy, and the sandwich was completely decadent. There was also an egg salad sandwich made with olive oil and soft-boiled eggs so they made their own mayonnaise. Delicious.

It wouldn't be a trip to Robicelli's without cupcakes, and just for this special occasion, Allison made a Kiwanis Cupcake, based on the special-occasion-cake of her childhood. White cake with banana in the center, with banana (butterscotch?) frosting and topped with a cream puff and a slice of chocolate covered strawberry (help me out Allison, did I remember it correctly?). So rich, so complex - amazing for a small dessert.

There's so much good stuff going on there, I highly encourage you to visit. Run by a husband & wife team, they are always trying to do the best by their customers while also keeping their food top-notch. They are so dedicated to their neighborhood and to keeping business local, they're changing the products they carry to reflect a more NY-based selection.



Allison & Matt with their famous cupcakes. (Photo courtesy of Cathyerway via Flickr.)

Dinner from Dub Pies, NYC

Long day at work, after a long string of late nights + no food in the house = Take Out! I've been walking by Dub Pies, NYC (193 Columbia St., between Sackett & Degraw, 718-858-8414) for a while now and have been intrigued, but never had the occasion to eat there. It's more of a take out place, with only a few little tables in their space, but a full menu of various, savory mini-pies. There are a few vegetarian options among the chicken and beef pies, plus salad, smoothies and dessert.



I ordered the Dub Plate #2 which is your choice of any pie with one of three salads. I picked the Steak & Mushroom Pie with a "Roman's Russian Special" salad which is a mixture of cucumbers, tomato, radish, peppers, dill, cilantro, onion, black pepper and sour cream on the side. The pie was filled with chunky bits of steak in a very dark brown sauce. The flavors were clean and simple - meaty & earthy - in a shell of flaky crust.



I also ordered Curry Vegetarian Pie which is packed with cauliflower, potato, carrot, zucchini, peas, mushrooms, onions & corn in a garlic, garam masala curry. It was hands down the best thing on the plate - spicy, flavorful with so many different veggies. The pastry is vegetarian too and is perfectly flaky and so delectable.

They also sent some complimentary Sausage Rolls and Spinach & Cheese Rolls (the smaller things next to the pies on the plate). The Spinach & Cheese Rolls were excellent - green, bright & fresh tasting, although my boyfriend said the spinach tasted boiled. The Sausage Rolls were a little disappointing for both of us though. Not very flavorful, not very distinct. The salad was a nice balance with the dense, richness of the pies. It was not dressed, but didn't need to be with the light dusting of black pepper.

I wanted to try one of their desserts too so I ordered the Lamington - a sponge/pound cake with a layer of jam in the middle covered in chocolate & coconut (in the bottom right hand corner of the top photo). It was so light & fluffy with each ingredient shining through. They also sent a little heart-shaped chocolate brownie and a little apple-cinnamon filled, sugar-topped pastry. I was so full, I just took a bit to taste and was happily surprised with the basic, classic flavor. Definitely having it for breakfast!



I'm so happy I tried Dub Pies! The woman on the phone who took my order was so nice and the food was just what I needed after a long day. I'm adding their menu to my regular rotation of Take-Out places!

Cookies from Little Buddy Biscuit Co.

Sorry for the late post today! I was away this weekend and didn't plan well. Hope these cookies make up for it! And thanks to my 50th follower!



Based on the packaging alone, I love the cookies from Little Buddy Biscuit Co. (635 Fifth Avenue at 18th Street, (718) 369-6355)! I was recently emailed by Josie Diels, the media contact for this new bakery in the South Slope, and subsequently sent a beautiful pink and blue package with three different Little Buddy cookies (lovingly cushioned with the packaging peanuts that melt in water).



There's a great little story about the creation of Little Buddy that's on their website which is appealing in and of itself...but the cookies! They're SO tasty and perfect. Some are creative and unusual in their combinations which sound a little crazy: orange, cardamom, coconut, currant & macadamia nut, but worked really well together. I also tried the ginger spice (with real chunks of dried ginger) and their version of double chocolate chip. The cookies are big, crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and just the right amount of sweet. I'm heading over soon to try their Chocolate Chip, which, as some of you know, is my absolute favorite and the cookie against which all other cookies are measured.



They also serve brownies, cakes, muffins, scones and of course biscuits, PLUS a variety of savory & vegan goods. Let me know if you go!

Snacks from Peeled Snacks

I recently got an email from Laurie Pierre with Peeled Snacks saying she'd seen my blog and asking if I wanted to try some of their products. Never one to turn down free food, I gladly accepted. I had sampled some Peeled Snacks before, but hadn't tried many of flavors. Since they're a new-ish (they were created in 2005 by Noha Waibsnaider) Brooklyn-based company, I thought they made the cut in terms of me writing about them.



Turns out, there are SO MANY different combinations and yummy treats available. They offer single-serving resealable bags of one kind of dried fruit and bags of dried fruit & nut combos that offer some protein with your snack. My favorites are the dried mango (how do they get it to stay so soft?), which is very flavorful and packs a big mango punch, the fig-stated, a mixture of figs, apricots, dates, pistachios and almonds. (They also have Bing Cherries, Pineapple, Bananas, Apples & Apricot, plus a few other fruit & nut combos with white peaches, cashews and other great ingredients). The servings seem small, but I think we all need to re-learn what a single serving is!



Another cool thing is that the nuts come separately wrapped so they maintain their crunch. Most of the fruit is organic, and there is NOTHING added - no extra sugar or preservatives, just the fruit and nuts and that's it. So nice to not have everything coated in partially hydrogenated oil or mixed with high fructose corn syrup. There's also a fruit & nut combo called Shock-olate with chocolate chips that's only available during cool-weather months that I haven't tried, but am eager to taste. The only thing that gives me pause is the plastic packaging. I'm not sure if there's a way around that, but when there's so much good dried fruit and nuts available in bulk, this isn't going to be my main source for eating those products. It seems Peeled Snacks are best when you're out and about and in need of a healthy pick-me-up.

***Update 9-16-09***

I just received an email from Peeled Snacks addressing the packaging issue. Turns out, they're working on finding a solution but in the meantime, you can send your empty Peeled Snacks bags directly to them for recycling! How excellent is that?! Send your bags to:

Peeled Snacks
530 3rd Avenue, Suite 2R
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Attn: Recycling

Cheese & Bread at The Clover Club

I had imbibed at The Clover Club (210 Smith St., between Butler St. Baltic St., 718-855-7939) before, but never had tried their food until recently. There were a bunch of items on the menu that caught my eye (like the homemade potato chips fried in duck fat and the deviled eggs served four different ways), but we stuck to a simple & traditional cheese & bread plate. With three cheeses and two breads, it's perfect for a light snack shared between two people. This night's plate came with a Gloucester (sharp, flaky), a Piave (nutty and complex) and a Rosso de Langa (a deliciously creamy Italian brie that you can get just down the road at Stinky Brooklyn).



There were slices of French bread and slices of a darker bread with raisins and walnuts that was a terrific match with the Rosso de Langa. The music was great (Ray Charles, Koko Taylor), and the drinks were tasty too (albeit a bit pricey). I chose the Mai Thai (Rum Agricole, White Rum, Lemongrass syrup, kafir lime leaves and lime juice) which was refreshing and a touch spicy. Gotta get back for those deviled eggs!

More Cookies!

I seriously love cookies. I think they are my favorite sweet snack, if I can go so far as to name something my favorite. But really, a good cookie is the best way to have a bit of dessert without committing to a major situation. Chocolate Chip Cookies are the absolute best, if and when they are made well, and I'm always on the lookout for good cookie.

I recently tried the Chocolate Chip Cookie from Jacques Torres in DUMBO (66 Water St., between Main St. & Old Dock St., 718-875-9772). It was incredible, almost as big as my head and loaded with huge, dark chocolate chunks. It was a bit underdone and overly sweet for me, almost uncooked in the middle. It was still a fine cookie though, and I didn't have a problem finishing it.



Then, one day recently walking in Greenpoint, I stumbled upon Cookie Road, (94 Franklin St., at Oak St., 718-383-8094), a new coffee/sweets/sandwich shop run by it's very friendly owners. They have colorfully painted the outside of their corner shop in bright orange hues which already has got opinions flying. I liked it and liked the seats outside under the awning, perfect for all the rainy days we've been having. I tried two of their cookies, but there are many other options. One was Peanut Butter and really tasted like Peanut Butter, not some imitation, or flavoring, but real peanut butter. It was flaky and dense, and really good.



I liked the Rocky Road cookie more though, I think because I prefer chocolate. This was a double chocolate cookie with pecans & chocolate chips and sprinkled with mini marshamallows on top. This was a good cookie! Chocolately and moist, it went excellently with a glass of cold milk.



I didn't try their coffee, which has had mixed reviews, but am definitely happy to go back to support them and my cookie habit!

Pizza at Fascati Pizza

It is only when I'm traveling that I realize how wonderful it is to live in a city where you are never too far from a slice of pizza. It's the best thing to tide you over until the next mealtime, and I find that while there are really good places, even a mediocre slice is good enough for a snack (unless the sauce is on the sweet side, that I cannot accept). The pizza at Fascati Pizza (80 Henry Street, between Pineapple & Orange Streets, 718-237-1278) is certainly better than mediocre though, with savory sauce, plentiful cheese and toppings, and about 8 guys behind the counter, so you'll never have to wait long to place your order.

I stopped in recently for a mid-afternoon bite and walked away with the biggest pepperoni slice I've ever seen, crammed with thick slices of the spicy meat. When the slices cook, they curl up and end up being little bowls full of oil. Nothing a few paper napkins can't fix!



The cheese slice was great too, with plenty of melted, gooey cheese, on a perfectly crunchy crust. I like my pizza with a few shakes of garlic powder, oregano and red pepper...mmmm, delicious!

I know people are really picky and opinionated about their pizza. How does Fascati Pizza rate readers?

Sandwiches at Brooklyn Social

Not much is written about the sandwiches available at Brooklyn Social (335 Smith St. at Carroll St., 718-858-7758), probably since the main reason you're heading here is the drinks. But, since the cocktails are strong, it's a good idea to put something in your stomach or else you'll be sorry later, and the three sandwiches offered here are perfectly suited to sate your appetite.

I apologize for the lack of photos on this post; sometimes I'm just not paying attention and forget I'm supposed to be writing about this stuff, so you'll just have to trust me on this when I say the Ginger Martini is delicious, and comes with a big chunk of candied ginger as a garnish, and that the Brooklyn, which gets a spritz of orange rind zest over a flame for some mini-pyrotechnics and an ever-so-slightly caramelized/smoky flavor is excellent. Made with exceptional attention to detail and flourish, the drinks are a real treat.

But those sandwiches I mentioned are truly delicious little snacks as well. Perfect morsels stuffed with your choice of artichoke hearts, mozzarella and basil or the soppresata with pesto and fontina cheese, which is pictured here. Made on fresh bread from Caputo's Bakery, over on Court St., they are pressed and served warm with a spear of dill pickle. Each is delicious, and has it's own distinct flavor, but either way you'll choose well.



It gets crowded on the weekends, but is a great spot to go for an early cocktail and snack or for that last drink of the night and a bite before heading home.

Pizza & Ice Cream!

While I tend to steer clear of places that have long lines outside them, Grimaldi's Pizza (19 Old Fulton Street, between Front St. & Water St., 718-858-4300) is so good, I might have to make an exception more often. If you arrive at 11am, you can be sure you'll be a part of the first wave to be seated when they open at 11:30am. Inside, it's a bustling place, with red & white checked tablecloths, photos and newspaper clippings about Frank Sinatra lining the walls in frames, and about 8 waiters, all running this way and that, trying to get everybody's orders in. The huge oven can be seen from all the tables and you can watch while your pizza is made to order.



There's a lot of hype about this pizza, but I believe it stands up to all the hyperbole with delicious, well-made, tasty pizza. The crust is perfect, crispy & thin, but still just doughy enough, and never soggy. The cheese is so fresh and has the best melty consistency, and the sauce is well-seasoned and not sweet at all. This pizza has pepperoni slices on it which are the smaller version, but slightly thicker than usual pepperoni slices and spicy enough to add a little heat. Fresh basil leaves dot the entire pie. Of course, they have lots of options for other toppings. Also, if you can't stand the lines, you can call in your order and pick it up to go.



Afterward, if it's a nice day, take a walk down to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory at 1 Water Street (or 2 Cadman Plaza West, depending on your map) for dessert (718-246-3963). There are usually 6 or 8 flavors on the menu and all are available on a cone, in a cup or made into a milkshake. It's some of the creamiest, most delicious ice cream out there, made even better by the lovely views of the Brooklyn Bridge from the pier.



These cones are displaying a single scoop of the wonderful coffee ice cream on sugar and wafer cones. Deeee-licious!

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!