urbancowgirl's Profile
2nd Best on Metropolitan Avenue
Hey GlendaleGal, this is a late question, but any idea why they moved locations? I absolutely LOVED La Tavernetta when it was on 88th street, and I just visited it for the first time recently at the new location on Metropolitan. The food was still delicious (far fewer specials), but so much charm and atmosphere were lost in the move. It felt like...a weird combination between a pizza-by-the-slice joint and a jersey diner (atmosphere only NOT the food). The TV with the Il Divo (???) concert playing and the bright lighting and chrome just changed the mood of the very delicious meal from what it used to be. I've never lived near La Tavernetta and once walked (I swear) two miles with my boyfriend to get there only to find after dinner that I couldn't get a car service to come take us home...so the owner did. I want that back!
Fresh Soft Shell Crab Specials?
Had them last Sunday night on special at Le Barricou in Brooklyn...two crabs, lightly seasoned and very lightly fried, with green beans and mashed potatoes. Believe it was $25. Pretty good. We were super early for dinner, ate at the bar, and may very well have been the first to order the soft shell crabs as the chef came out to inquire as to how we liked them (very much).
Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka
Hi! Just wondering if anyone has noticed this in stores in/around NYC? I was expecting it to arrive around the first of August as per the Imbiber article, but even the distributor (Phoenix Beverages) doesn't seem to know what I'm talking about. I'm not as desperate for it as I sound, but DANG if I don't want some right now!
Saturday Brunch in Queens?
I'm not sure they have a 'brunch' menu per se as an Italian restaurant, but I know they open early (11 am, I believe) for lunch. It's been awhile since I was there that early, but I recall that they added some sandwiches and lighter fare to the lunch offerings.
Saturday Brunch in Queens?
If you're in Glendale, you probably already know of it, but I just love, love, LOVE La Tavernetta. I no longer live in the area, but I've been known to rent a zip car just to go. And I just realized that they finally have a website www.latavernettaqueens.com. I've had great service there. My boyfriend and I once thought it a good idea to walk there when I lived in Kew Gardens and, after being unable to get a car service to pick us up (it was pretty late), the owner drove us home. It was very surreal.
Best BBQ in the city
So, I'm replying to this since I'm not sure if 'in the city' means Manhattan only or includes the boroughs as well since these are technically part of the city. Anyways, my two cents go to the Smoke Joint in Fort Greene Brooklyn. www.thesmokejoint.com. Great BBQ, familiar service, cheap beer, relatively low prices, unassuming atmosphere. Pretty much what real BBQ is supposed to be. At least as close as I've come since moving to the city 5 years ago. Not really trying to be anything it's not.
Fig Balsamic Vinegar
This may be out of your way and unattainable, but I can tell you 100% without a doubt that you'll find it at Greene Grape Provisions in Fort Greene, Brooklyn (corner of South Portland and Fulton). I only know because I picked up a bottle on Sunday for less than $10. It was my boyfriend's mother's birthday and I know she loves figs...otherwise, I'd never heard of it before. It's a super quick and easy commute from Manhattan so if you're desperate and haven't yet found it, don't give up!
Biscuits and Gravy
I've tried alot of biscuits and gravy in the Williamsburg area, and I really found that Pies N Thighs got it best. They closed a few months ago but should reopen soon. Their gravy was nice and thick with chunky sausage in it. More of a sausage grease, milk/cream, flour rue than most restaurants do it. Enid's in Greenpoint also has gravy, but I find it really expensive at $7 for a half order of gravy and biscuits and $9 for a whole order. The gravy is also on the sweet side with an unbelievable amount of paprika piled on top. The worst I've had is at Egg near Bedford...it's just incredibly sweet and bland. Tastes like it might be made out of Silk Light Vanilla soy milk. No kidding. I think the main difference between the gravy at Pies N Thighs and the gravy at Enid's and Egg is that at PnT it's a traditional sausage gravy and at Enid's/Egg they try to offer vegetarian and sausage gravy. This is fine, but throwing ground up sausage in premade vegetarian gravy is nowhere near the same thing. Also, be forewarned that restaurants charge an arm and a leg for one biscuit and a little gravy...it sucks to know that I can get the same thing at Hardee's for next to nothing! ;o) Anyway, that's my two cents. If you want some really good gravy and biscuits, stop by sometime and I'll serve it up. My boyfriend from Jersey is a convert!
