jdf's Profile
thailand's center point - delicious
I went on Friday based on the generally positive reviews here and a desire to branch out from Sriphaphai. Overall, we were fairly disappointed. Everything was ordered medium thai spicy, but nothing came particularly spicy or even containing an interesting depth of elements. The pork larb was the best of the bunch. The green curry with duck was a lesser version of Sriphaphai's with little curry flavor and much more of a creamy, one-note flavor. The pad kee mao was bland with a discernible lack of chilis and the noodles lacking any char, which I like. I did like that the beef was actually chunks, not ground, and tender. Finally the pork pad kra pow was fine, but nothing special.
Overall, I'm glad I tried branching out and still need to try Chao/Ayada, but if its a 2 block radius, I'm sticking with Sri. I am curious, though, as to other recent comments since this is a fairly older thread as I may have hit it on an off-night or chosen items that are not their best.
Wedding in brooklyn for 140pp - Prospect Park Boathouse or Montauk Club?
It was late May. It was a seasonably warm day, but defnitely no problems with the temperature in the Boathouse. All the trees/shade in the park keep it cooler and we had no problems. Can't vouch for a hot July/August day, though.
Best place for a pint of cider in Cobble Hill area?
On the border of Brooklyn heights/Cobble Hill (on Atlantic) is Roebling Inn. Good selection of local, craft beers and I believe they have a hard cider on draught. Perhaps Waterfront Ale House does, as well. They have the added bonus of pretty decent pub food.
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Waterfront Ale House
155 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Roebling Inn
97 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Brooklyn bridge marriott area
OP should be aware that Lucali is not open for lunch, only dinner. Also, not quick as there is a long wait.
Dumbo lunch?
Yes. Once. Service was terribly slow and food was completely bland and not very good.
Oyster happy hours?
Aquagrill. $1 Bluepoints at the bar.
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Aquagrill
210 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
Hibino vs. Osaka in Cobble Hill/CG?
Agree with fisher. Hibino is far superior in all ways. The only thing Osaka offers that Hibino does not is oversized Americanized rolls (if that is what you are looking for). Last time I was at Osaka, I didn't find it to be fresh or tasty.
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Hibino
333 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
New coat of paint and new floors, Dom had to raise prices.
Ah the days of when many posters would claim how well they knew Dom, or how they would beat the system, or how Dom was a humble artisan who cared not for money, but only to put out a supreme product.
Sripraphai overrated
I'm not sure I subscribe to this logic. Sri was a restaurant that was 1/10th the size that it is now, and it catered almost solely to Thai people. Other perople sourced it out and fueled its popularity due to the fact that its menu and spicing was more authentic than the Americanized places. I don't think that those looking for Americanized food go there and for those that do, if its too spicy, I'm sure Sri (based on the lines) has plenty of other customers that do crave authentic Thai. I also believe their menu is pretty authentic, so not sure what dishes are "gringo-friendly" and that the kitchen's quality varies based on whether a dish is what "real thai food afficianaods" would get.
That being said, I do believe (having been going there since the late '90's) in some respects Sri does not consistently hit the highs that they used to in terms of quality of food or spicing, but I think that is probably due more to the fact that they have gotten to be such a large restaurant that the same level of consistent care with each dish is no longer attainable.
Wedding in brooklyn for 140pp - Prospect Park Boathouse or Montauk Club?
Of course. We had 88 and for that size, the dance floor was fine. My guess is that you would be pushing it with 140. As to food, its not restaurant quality, but not sure I've been to any weddings that have been. In that genre, it is certainly good and we did get a lot of positive feedback from guests. As you said, it's a gorgeous space, especially in the spring. Hope this helps and good luck!
Wedding in brooklyn for 140pp - Prospect Park Boathouse or Montauk Club?
Had our wedding at the Boathouse. It is beautiful. Reception was outside by the water and cocktail hour utilized both inside and outside space. When you say 140 pp, I am guessing you mean per $140 person and not people, as the Boathouse does not accomodate that many people.
We used Movable Feast. In the end everything was good, but the customer service is not the most pleasant, but they are efficient and put everything together well. Also, I believe much of the food is prepared off-site and then brought to the Boathouse, so not optimal foodwise in terms of temperature etc. Definitely tasted better at the tastings than the wedding.
That being said, their servers were really nice and attentive, food was good and the hors d'ouvres were definitely a big hit and quite tasty. In the end, we could not have been more happy with choosing the Boathouse.
Kitchen Appliances-help!
Thanks. I didn't realize they continually updated their reviews, so that is quite helpful. Unfortunately, it seems all the models rated higher than the Jenn-Air are not counter-depth, which we need to have for our smaller, galley kitchen.
Kitchen Appliances-help!
Thanks. I do have CR. As to discussion boards, everything I've read have had supporting and dissenting opinions on just about every product.
I know Jenn-Air is made by Whirlpool. Do they have a bad track record?
That being said, the Jenn-Air counter depth fridge was the top rated in CR for the french door style. It's also approx. $2,800 (as are many of the other top rated fridges), which is why I was considering the Jenn-Air package of appliances, since the budget is $4,000 and their package would come in around that price. If I were to choose the Jenn-Air fridge on its own and the source the other appliances separately, it would leave me $1,200 for a range/microwave and dishwasher, which is not realistic. Thus, the consideration of the Samsung fridge.
Any suggestions on actual models etc. knowing our contraints would be much appreciated.
Kitchen Appliances-help!
We are renovating a relativley small galley kitchen with all new mid-range priced stainlees steel appliances (approx. $,4000 for everything) including:
1. 30 inch gas range (preferably slide in) with convection
2. over the range microwave
3. diswasher
4. Counter depth fridge
My questions are:
1. Do you think its important to get one brand for consistency of looks? If so, who do you recommend? Jenn-Air is running a promotion right now that would give $2,300 in rebates if we bought all of the above from them. How is Jenn-Air?
2. If not from a single brand, we are looking at the Bosch 300 Evolution series for diswasher and the Samsung French door counter depth fridge RF197ACRS. We were also looking at the GE Profile ranges which we hear perform very well. The only hesitation we had was that the GE stainless looked different from th other brands. What do you think of these? Should we be considering any others?
All thoughts/suggestions/ideas welcome.
What's the best delivery dish in Brooklyn Heights?
It's on Clark b/t Henry and Hicks.
Strong Place
Wasn't too impressed. Nice selection of beers and they were good about giving you tastes before ordering. Just sampled a few food items. Most are tapas sized. Had the clams and brats in a beer broth. Broth didn't have much flavor except for pepper flakes and the clams and brats were meh. My wife had the fried oyster po boy, which tasted mostly of breading and little oyster. Certainly not a broad sampling to be sure, so maybe other ietms would be better. I would probably stop in for a beer if I were in the neighborhood, but not as a food destination.
Carroll Gardens/Atlantic Avenue food excursion--please help!!
Keep in mind that Blue Marble on Atlantic is apparently closing at the end of the month and I've heard their selection is dwindling. Too bad b/c it has a bigger selection than Court and more rioom to sit (including the back garden).
Carroll Gardens/Atlantic Avenue food excursion--please help!!
Defintiely do Ferdinando's and their panelle. Nearby is Calexico for carne asada burritos.
Also, if you're doing Mile End, nearby is Fast N' Fresh Deli. Its an unassuming little bedega with pretty good Mexican food and a tiny back garden to sit in out back.
Joe's Superette for rice balls/prosciutto balls.
Esposito's for homemade soppresata or really good Italian combo hero. Also, very good stuff at Caputo's a few blocks further down on Court.
If you're venturing into Red Hook, then Defonte's for huge heros. I would suggest roast beef, mozarella and freid eggplant.
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Joe's Superette
349 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Calexico
122 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Nice cafe/bakery near Hicks St. C train stop?
I'm guessing you're actually referring to the High St. station in Brooklyn Heights. If so, I would say make the 5-10 minute walk down to Almondine in DUMBO.
Other than that, there is Tazza on Clark Street, but it doesn't have relaxing or cozy vibe to it.
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Almondine
85 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Downtown Brooklyn Eats
When I walked by a few weeks ago Justin's closed. Had the look like it wasn't re-opening, but can't say for sure.
Downtown Brooklyn Eats
The Mexican grocery you refer to is Fast and Fresh Deli. Definitely a good option. If you are heading to Sahadi's, Damascus (almost next door) also makes good falafel sandwiches and Waterfalls (one block down) is a good, cheap Middle Eastern sit down restaurant, unlike Sahadi's and Damascus, which are stores.
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Sahadi's
187 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Fast and Fresh Deli
84 Hoyt St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Not too keen on Keens
I didn't. It was one of those delas where a friend was treating, all the sides had already come out and it wasn't worth waiting for a new prime rib to be cooked.
Truthfully, though it probably was cooked medium (there was still pink), I don't know that a new order would have been better seasoned, less tough or have a more meaty flavor. May have been the beef selected for that day.
As I said, I've been there before and always enjoyed (though I usually get the porterhouse), so I guess I'm chalking this one up to a bad night.
Not too keen on Keens
Jane,
Out of curiosity, were you there last night? I have been to Keen'smany times and when I go to a steakhouse, I usuually choose Keens.
That being said, I had an extermely disappointing meal there last night. My prime rib, though ordered medium-rare was cooked through and fairly tough. Worst of all, it really lacked any discernible meaty flavor or seasoning, for that matter.. Had the creamed spinach, which was good as always and enjoyed the carrots. Fries and hash browns were nothing special.
But, when you're paying close to $50 for your entree and you are disappointed, I can understand why you wouldn't want to return.
Late night eats near 32nd and Broadway?
Where did OP say she was going to be in shorts? I thought she indicated she wanted something "a bit fancy".
Late night eats near 32nd and Broadway?
If you're willing to walk to Gramercy Tavern (a good choice) you may also want to consider Veritas, which is on the same block.
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Gramercy Tavern
42 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003
Veritas
43 East 20th St., New York, NY 10003
really great omakase sushi in the boroughs? where?
Have gone a few times. No special order. But, we do go on Friday or Saturday when they get their shipment from the Tsukiji fish market. Thus, they have the biggest and freshest selections those days.
really great omakase sushi in the boroughs? where?
Although I would say Taro is pretty good (and not Manhattan prices).
Restaurant Week-Oceana? Esca?
I know RW is not the best circumstance to try a restaurant, but we have lunch reservations at Ocena and Esca. Has anyone ever tried either of these for RW, and if so, what are your impressions?
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Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036
Seafood for a 50th Birthday
Agreed that Aquagrill might be what you're looking for, including their seafood plateau which is full of shellfish, which you prefer.
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Aquagrill
210 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
Scarpetta - a bit of a let down
I have to agree. We went for the firts time last Thursday. Ordered everything that we "should" have ordered. Split the polenta appetizer, which was pretty outstanding. Each had a pasta, the spaghetti and the duck and foie gras ravioli. Both very good and well executed. Each had a fish dish for the entree, which were good. Left full, but not unpleasantly so. Maybe expectations were raised too high by all the reviews we read. Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed it, but left thinking it was a place we'd try again at some point, but at the price point, probably not wowed enough to go back real soon.
