Mandymac's Profile
Aluminum exposed on the rims of tri-ply cookware
You've got a lot of good replies from knowledgeable people -- if I may chime in one more. The "aluminum is dangerous" thing is a folk theory, sort of like an urban legend. There are chemical substances that leech into our food and theoretically do damage, for instance, BPA in can linings. The aluminum thing is basically a non-issue.
Brooklyn - Dinner Recs.
If the request is "just one" restaurant in Brooklyn for out-of-towners, I'd send you straight to Dressler. Seems like exactly what you're looking for in terms of style and cuisine. It really is a superlative experience--and unlike some of these other places that are really crazy hard to get into, it accepts reservations. Beautiful neighborhood and right over the Williamsburg Bridge too.
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Dressler
149 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Nice bar for cocktails and maybe some snacks in Park Slope?
IMO, two of the very best for this purpose are in Prospect Heights--Franny's (cocktails are good and the apps to die for), or James (good cocktails and good snacks, you just might be tempted to stay for the hamburger!).
Otherwise, I'd put Vanderbilt on your list--I've had decent cocktails there, and they have lots of small plates for sampling. If you're feeling like more, cross the street to Weatherup to continue your cocktail crawl.
Sorry if that's a roundabout way of answering your questions--I don't think there are too many great cocktail places in Park Slope unfortunately (tho Stone Park/Thistle Hill definitely worth considering).
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Franny's
295 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Stone Park Cafe
324 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
James
605 Carlton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Weather Up
589 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
The Vanderbilt
570 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Thistle Hill Tavern
441 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Brooklyn this weekend. Decision making time.
I like both Franny's and Motorino. Franny's is definitely a bit nicer, and likely to make a stronger impression on you but the pizza is great at both places. For Friday dinner, can I suggest Dressler, which is near Marlow? It's a real knock-out and you can make reservations. Have fun!
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Dressler
149 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Franny's
295 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Motorino
319 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Dressler, Locande Verde, Peasant, Saul or The Grocery
I think Saul and Dressler stand above most Brooklyn restaurants; I've had consistently exceptional meals there. I might steer you toward Dressler because it's a bit more of a fun/hip atmosphere for the 19 yo's.
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Saul
140 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Dressler
149 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211
We got a car. Where do we go?
Do you like Indian food? If so, Southern Spice in Flushing is an absolute must, I've never had better in the city.
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Southern Spice
1635 Hillside Ave, New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Reusing pre-baked pie crust for Turkey Pot Pie -- will this work?
They are kind of scrappily made tart bottoms (hey, what can I say, I am not a baker!). My thought was to mix up all the turkey pot pie filling and throw chunks of this crust on the top. But I could always buy some puff pastry...
Reusing pre-baked pie crust for Turkey Pot Pie -- will this work?
Let me know your thoughts on this one. I pre-baked a couple butter crusts for pies that I didn't end up using yesterday. Want to make some sort of turkey pot pie today with leftovers--would it work to just layer chunks of this pie crust over a turkey casserole type concoction?
Any & All: Eat-in bakeries, Great beers, Inexpensive & atmospheric - Brooklyn
Based on what you like in Manhattan...
Mixology joints: try Clover Club and Brooklyn Social (both on Smith), Fort Defiance in Red Hook. Quarter, if you find yourself in Sunset Park (20th and 5th Ave), is something of a dark horse in this category. Char No. 4 is cool if you like whiskey.
There are great beer bars within walking distance of BH: Brazen Head on Atlantic and Bar Great Harry on Smith, and if you are willing to go a little further, 4th Ave Pub, Pacific Standard or Mission Dolores on 4th Ave. Definitely hit Bierkraft while you are here--in addition to being able to pick up a growler of unusual beer, you can now have a cheap pint right there. IMO, all of these are as good as Double Windsor but closer to where you are located.
For brunch, I've never been that impressed with Good Fork. My absolute faves are: Stone Park (in Park Slope), Fonda (South Slope, great Mexican and nice change of pace from the ubiquitous eggs benedict and pancakes), Buttermilk Channel (in Carroll Gardens), Fort Defiance (but only if you get the fried chicken dish and the bourbon milk punch, in Red Hook), and James (Prospect Heights). Heard good things about brunch at Char No. 4.
To round out your stay, I'd definitely send you to Mile End for under $25 (but barely) good eats.
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Stone Park Cafe
324 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
The Good Fork
391 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
The Brazen Head
228 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Clover Club
210 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Char No. 4
196 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Buttermilk Channel
524 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Bar Great Harry
280 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Fort Defiance
365 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Brooklyn Social
335 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
The Double Windsor
210 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Mile End
97 Hoyt St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Mission Dolores
249 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Lotus of Siam in NYC
Don't worry -- we had a fantastico meal on our way into Vegas (w/o the billion dollar cab ride), it was just on heading back to NYC, while trying to have one last bite. Believe me, Chowhound definitely steered me right on this one.
Lotus of Siam in NYC
OMG, the cabbie said he had a special "faster" way via the freeway. The tab was so high that we started grumbling and he shut off the meter. It was so sketchy--puts New York to shame. The worst part was the takeout was only so-so (maybe I didn't specify to make it spicy?) and it was a lot of liquid items that were packed in styro, so we had to wolf it down before going through security.
Lotus of Siam in NYC
The suspense is killing me. Is something about being in Manhattan a killer of Thai restaurants? If LOS can't do it, no one can!
Lotus of Siam in NYC
OMG, I go every time I pass through Vegas, and in fact I took a $100 cab ride to get take-out from there while on an airport layover. I'm a high roller for nothing except Thai food.
fatty cue vs fette sau
I wish I felt this way. When the Fatty concept was explained to me, I was like, I love smoked meats and I love Asian flavors and spiciness, so these should go together like chocolate and peanut butter!
In practice, I feel like the the pleasure of great barbecue is in the essence of the meat and the smoke. When you do a big spice rub on that, I lose my communion with those two essential elements. To me FC is less than the sum of its parts and that's unfortunate.
As to the original question, I think neither place is destination barbecue, but if I was in the 'hood and HAD to have some barbecue, it would be Fette Sau for sure.
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Fette Sau
354 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Food Ideas for Brooklyn Budget Wedding
Friend of mine did something like this--sprung for Cake Man sheet cakes. Great cake, it was a hit. I've heard very negative things about Cake Ambiance--you like?
a month of eating in new york. i'm stuffed and have some opnions
Loved your reviews! Though I've never understood the People's Pop thing. Might as well go all the way with desserts in my opinion. Frozen fruit on a stick isn't as good as the fruit it came from or the gelato I could be having instead!
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People's Pops
75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
For the solo diner, which of the following places would you scratch off the list? Are there any particular dishes you would order at the places listed?
Skip Pinche, it's not great food. Can you take a Saturday trip to Red Hook? Lobster Pound is great for lobster rolls, plus you could snap up excellent arepas and tacos at the Red Hook Ball Fields.
The best tacos in Manhattan are at Tehuitzingo Deli in Hell's Kitchen (though they do not serve fish tacos, and New York in general has a dearth of Calmex, Baja-styel food). Tehuitzingo is totally fine for a solo diner.
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Tehuitzingo
695 10th Ave, New York, NY 10036
Fried Pickles in Brooklyn
Park Slope Ale House has them, on 5th st and 6th ave.
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Park Slope Ale House
356 6th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Early Father's Day Dinner Near the Pavillion Movie Theater...?
I'd second Fonda--you'll have a fun, reasonably priced Mexican meal there. If the guest of honor is more of a foodie, consider Applewood.
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Applewood
501 11th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Downtown Manhattanite moving to Park Slope
Ba Xuyen blows them all away! But if I had to pick among the others, and stay near Park Slope, I would go for Nicky's. It's the best.
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Ba Xuyen
4222 8th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232
3rd Annual Burmese Food Fair
Thanks -- I saw your original post on this one in Woodside, glad you put it on the radar!
Downtown Manhattanite moving to Park Slope
"Only great for Brooklyn" not true at all! If it helps I used to review restaurants for the Observer. I've tried lots of places. We definitely have a handful of places that would stand up to the Manhattan comparison. Sure there aren't as many, but we're not Manhattan, we're Brooklyn. And there are tons of great discoveries waiting for you out here.
I'd still urge you to try biking. North Park Slope to South Williamsburg is like 4 miles or something. Not to mention there's lots of cool stuff down in Red Hook. For me, anything short of crossing the bridge is a "short errand," and really I think there's no special hazard to "Brooklyn drivers." There is less traffic in Brooklyn. It is simply less dangerous to ride.
3rd Annual Burmese Food Fair
Oh great, thanks for clarifying! Will be a big summer for Burmese food!
3rd Annual Burmese Food Fair
A rave from me! I think between my boyfriend and I we spent $35 on things to eat there and take home. I'm sorry that I missed the chickpea tofu. Our favorites were the tea leaf salad and the "Puffy Layer Bread with Prome Style Chicken." Studded with mint and red onions is was a wonderful contrast of flavor and textures. We also liked the Samosas with Chickpeas.
It is truly difficult to find Burmese food in the area, since the closing of Burmese Cafe. Since having a home-cooked Burmese meal years ago I have been looking for this type of food, so I'm especially happy that these fairs are around.
Did anyone try the desert and what was it like? Also, can someone in the know tell me if this is "the" Burmese food fair--I seem to remember it was normally held on August 16th. I had missed it in past years and this is the first time I made it. Just wondering if there are two fairs or if this is the one?
Downtown Manhattanite moving to Park Slope
Transplant, completely converted! We really and truly have great food out here and the quality of life is so much better. I have drunk the Koolaid of the BK.
I think the indoor Flea is only in winter. At this point, I'm pretty sure it's Fort Greene on Saturday and DUMBO on Sunday. It's not terribly touristy, and I'm pretty sure the food vendors are similar. Pizza Moto needs an outdoor space for their oven.
Do you have a bike? You ought to give it a shot. I bike all over the city and that route is not dicey in the least. Not big, busy streets, lots of room to move. I just asked my neophyte cyclist boyfriend if that route was scary, and he said "not scary at all," and I have definitely taken him on scary roads (Atlantic Ave). I go down Vanderbilt, turn right at Willoughby and left at Bedford Ave. The G is legendarily bad, but to be honest, if you take it on a weekday, it's not the worst. I've done both, and like I said I think Williamburg has great destination dining. At the same time, I would say that South Brooklyn has pound for pound as good restaurants (Al di La, Franny's, Applewood, Saul, etc). I just like a variety.
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Applewood
501 11th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Downtown Manhattanite moving to Park Slope
Long list! I thought I'd just comment on the Park Slope to Williamsburg question. I am a Sloper who finds myself going to the Burg more and more just for the dining options. Easiest way, in my opinion, is by bicycle, as it's fairly easy to pop over to the South Williamsburg spots such as Dressler, Marlowe and Fatty Cue (which I wasn't all that impressed with but that's another story). Also, the G has been extended and so you can take it from Seventh Ave in Park slope to close vicinity to Dumont.
Just a few randoms in our neighborhood here that I think are in the Dressler/Dumont level category that you should seek out: James (Prospect Heights) and Saul (Carroll Gardens). There are also awesome eats to be had at the Brooklyn flea from Motorino and the Brooklyn Lobster Pound.
Keep an open mind--there are amazing options out here if you look.
Just moved to Park Slope - where to eat and buy food?
1) Forget about Indian and Chinese in this neighborhood, nothing good. Thai, go for song, Japanese Giedo and Taro, Pizza I think Roma Pizza on 7th near Union is pretty good, I used to LOVE Pizza Villa Rustica but have found lately that it's sometimes terrible.
2) With bars around here, I think the best strategy is to bring your own food. Best beer selections are at the Gate and Mission Dolores, and the Gate is very near to Bonnies, which truly is the best bang for the buck burger-wise. I do enjoy the burger at James quite a bit though (it's pricier).
3) Key Food on Fifth Avenue has a surprisingly awesome selection of ethic foods from all over the world, and also, surprisingly enough, amazing selection of specialty beers. If good prices are important to you, I would join the coop, however.
4) Only ice cream around here I think is worth writing home about is at Blue Marble, which is on Underhill in prospect heights. For pastries, I would go to one of the small specialty marts like Blue Apron that carry from the city's better bakeries. Almondine is awesome -- voted best baguette a few years ago.
5) Price and selection are the best reasons to buy at the coop. You'll get hooked--produce that's from some of the same farmers at the Greenmarket for much less $$$, fabulous availability of all sorts of great meats, cheeses, beers, everything year-round.
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Blue Apron Foods
814 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Mission Dolores
249 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Is Busacco 'fun'?
You might consider the Vanderbilt, as it's definitely a fun atmosphere and plates are meant for sampling and sharing.
What about Kaz Au Nou? It's a little less upscale but different and definitely fun, welcoming and friendly.
I've definitely been to James on super mellow nights, and it's a place that I'd sometimes call "serious" and "romantic." I guess it would depend on the crowd on the given night.
looking for deep fried ribs?
Try the spare ribs at Song, on 5th Ave in Park Slope. They are fried and crispy on the outside.
