jmh's Recent Activity
Chowhound Post
Henry Public
We checked out Henry Public (Henry St. b/w Atlantic and Pacific in Cobble Hill) last night. It was the first night open, and the place was already busy. The transformation of the space from its former incarnation as a tv repair shop is amazing. You would think it had always been a pub. The lighting is dim and the music is mostly jazz. There's a smallish bar area and a few booths in the front room and tables in the small back room.
We tried the burger, which was very good (grass-fed beef ground on premises, and cooked to order). The food menu is limited here; the drinks seem to be the main thing. The cocktail list has some interesting house creations, and they have several beers on tap (I had an extremely fresh Six Points Oatmeal Stout).
This place is a welcome addition to the neighborhood -- definitely worth a look if you're in the area.
Chowhound Post
Help! Brooklyn Heights Delivery...
Welcome to the neighborhood. We're still a little behind the curve in terms of seamlessweb, so finding the delivery places is a bit more of a challenge. A few options you might not think of for delivery are: Queen on Court St. for very good, but pricey, Italian (718-596-5954) and Tutt Cafe (718-722-7777) or Fatoosh (718-243-0500 ), both on Hicks, for Middle Eastern. When we're in the mood for Chinese delivery, our go-to is Lichee Nut on Montague as the best of a fairly mediocre bunch -- but others prefer Andy's or one of the Henry St. places.
Good luck exploring -- there's actually quite a bit of good delivery to be found. One helpful resource is menupages, where you can search by neighborhood and then filter for places that deliver: http://www.menupages.com
Chowhound Post
Hip, moderate-priced places in Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Gowanus, or Park Slope?
Maybe Buttermilk Channel (at Court and Huntington)? Or Hibino (at Henry and Pacific)? Also, second the Bocca Lupo rec. if you're looking for small plates and a wine bare vibe.
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Eton Dumplings - New Location
This is a second location, not a move. More info here:
http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2009/07...
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Lucali Temporarily Closed
We ate there last night -- it's open again. No back garden seating yet.
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Mala Strana Prague
We ate at V Zatisi last week based on this recommendation and a few others -- we were very impressed. The description "lighter Czech" in another thread captures this restaurant's menu. Dinner here was a nice break from the heavier traditional Czech meals we had elsewhere. The wine list was also impressive with some good Czech options as well as a nice selection of bottles from France, Italy, and California.
Note that V Zatisi is in the Stare Mesto rather than Mala Strana.
Chowhound Post
what's your favorite byob in brooklyn (preferably on the f line)
My vote for best byob in Brooklyn goes to Lucali, a short walk down Carroll Street from the Carroll stop on the F. Great pizza, but you need to get there early (6:00) or be prepared to wait a while.
Chowhound Post
Trader Joe's Brooklyn?
I'm glad to hear Sahadi's is doing well, even with the new TJs open for a month. I agree about supporting the local places -- we are blessed to have so many fresh, high quality options available from local merchants.
On the other hand, for pre-packaged items like boxed cereal, nutrition bars, ready-to-cook refrigerated/frozen foods (where TJs shines), etc. I have no problem giving my business to TJs over a place like Key Food. The prices are generally better, the employees (real people, mostly real Brooklyn people, despite the funny titles) are generally more pleasant, and the store is about 10 times cleaner. I think the best side effect of TJs' arrival has been that the Key Food on Atlantic has finally started to clean up its act to compete.
Chowhound Post
Just moved to Cobble Hill
For very good, inexpensive Middle Eastern takeout, try Waterfalls Cafe (Atlantic b/w Henry and Clinton). Chip Shop (also Atlantic b/w Henry and Clinton) does takeout (and delivery) if you're in the mood for fish & chips. You can get burgers, salads, sandwiches, etc. to go from Waterfront Ale House (call ahead to order, then pick up from the bartender).
Chowhound Post
Two new Restaurants on Atlantic Ave.
We tried the brick oven pizza place over the weekend. Apparently it's owned by the same folks who own Caffe Buon Gusto on Montague. The staff was very pleasant, but the pizza didn't wow us. We'll try it again in a few weeks after they've had some time to work out the kinks and see if it improves. By the way, they apparently intend to have a pretty extensive wine/beer list, but the license is still pending so for now it's BYOB.
Chowhound Post
New to Carroll Gardens, what's good fellow hounds?
Welcome to the neighborhood. Another place to check out is Bocca Lupo, at Henry and Warren. This is a wine bar, with very good small plates (salads, soups, cheeses, panini, bruschetta, etc.). It's not a "health food" place per se, but it's definitely possible to make a meal of the lighter options.
Chowhound Post
Baked Bakery in Brooklyn?
The poster who called these "middle of the road homemade" must have had some awfully good homemade baked goods. This isn't a fancy French patisserie on the Payard model -- it's basically a cake place (although they have other things). In my opinion, these are some of the best cakes/cupcakes in the city. I think it's definitely worth giving it a try so you can decide for yourself. If Red Hook (359 Van Brunt Street) is too far out of the way, Tazza in Brooklyn Heights usually has cakes and cupcakes from Baked available.
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best brunch in BK Heights/Cobble Hill
For a special occasion brunch, I would go with Jack the Horse Tavern. Great food, pleasant atmosphere, and a more relaxed feel than some of the other places mentioned for a leisurely Sunday brunch.
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Trader Joe's Brooklyn
Brooklyn Paper reports that they will open on Sept. 26th. http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/...
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Any one check out Eton for dumplings yet?
They were open last Thursday when we stopped by for shave ice. It looked like the interior renovations were done.
Chowhound Post
Red Hook Soccer Fields - Any less crowded?
Went last Saturday around noon to avoid the lines. And there were no lines. We had the elote (grilled corn) which was astoundingly good just as in years past. We also had pupusas, huaraches, and a couple fruit juices. I didn't notice any decline in quality from last year. I do think the experience of the ballfields is diminished now that the vendors are in trucks along the streets rather than in tents in the park, but that really doesn't affect the food in my view. And it definitely still had the feel of a local scene when I was there.
I guess I can see how the long lines might take enough away from the experience to make some say it just isn't what it used to be. And I guess it's possible that the quality declines when the vendors are trying to move the long lines. But I think it would be too bad if we wrote the ballfields off as a tourist trap just because they are drawing a larger audience. These are the same people making the same food as before, and in my experience there's still some good chow to be had.
Chowhound Post
Any one check out Eton for dumplings yet?
I think the ice Eton is selling is a subspecies from Hawaii. Eton is quoted in the article quoted above saying: "We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon and fell in love with Hawaiian shave ice." It appears that when referring to the Hawaiian ice the preferred nomenclature is "shave ice" not "shaved ice" -- see the following from http://whatscookingamerica.net/Histor...
"Shave ice can be found everywhere in the Hawaiian Island - in coffee shops, mom and pop stores, shave ice stands, lunch wagons, crack seed stores, and especially at any and all public events. In Hawaii, shave ice is thought of as a snack and a thirst quencher. No trip to Hawaii is complete with tasting shave ice.
Mainlanders call them snow cones, but locals in Hawaii call it shave (not shaved ice). Unlike a mainland snow cone, shave ice is not ground ice. The shave ice is so fine that flavorings are absorbed into the ice rather than settling to the bottom of the cup as with a snow cone. In other words, it is the gourmet's snow cone in tropical flavors. In Hawaii, shave ice is sold in cone-shape cups.
An authentic shave ice starts with a block of ice that is spun across a razor-sharp blade (which shaves the ice creating a soft snow-like texture. Then it is packed into a paper cone, and flavored syrup is poured over the ice. Just as everyone has a favorite store, there are favorite flavors, too. Strawberry. Coconut. Lime. Li hing mui. Bubble gum. Liliko'i. Of course, if you can't decide on just one, go with the ever-popular rainbow shave ice."
Chowhound Post
Any one check out Eton for dumplings yet?
On one level, I see where you're coming from on the shave ice. It's basically frozen water with flavor just like a snoopy sno cone or an Italian ice. But I don't think it's fair to call it lame if you didn't even try the toppings. I had it with the mochi and thought it was pretty good, syrupy sweetness and all. Besides, at the end of the day I don't think people get shave ice for the artisinal ingredients -- they get it because it's kind of like eating a snoopy sno cone. Then again, you're probably right that he could expand his audience if he offered some natural fruit juice options in addition to what he has now.
As to the price, I'm guessing it's just a supply/demand thing. Given the target audience, he probably figures he won't make too many more sales if he lowers the price to $2.00 or $2.50. And $3.50 doesn't seem like as much as it used to when it won't even buy a gallon of gas or a gallon of milk anymore.
p.s. - I think the little jab at the owner was unnecessary. He seemed like a really nice guy when we talked to him, and he obviously had it together enough to cook in some pretty serious kitchens (see ssy216's post above) and to get this place off the ground. Also, I think he at one point posted in this thread (although his post appears to have disappeared) so I think he follows this discussion. Anybody who brings good dumplings to Sackett/Henry is ok in my book.
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Amy Ruth's
Any update on when/if Amy Ruth's is going to open in the old Gage & Tollner space?
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Best restaurant in Brooklyn Heights?
They have a dining room of sorts, but I always think of it as a takeout place.
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Best restaurant in Brooklyn Heights?
I'm a big fan of Henry's End, so that would probably be my first choice. Other good candidates in the same vicinity on Henry St. are Noodle Pudding (very good neighborhood Italian place, weird name notwithstanding) and Petit Marche (French bistro). They are all within a two minute walk of each other on Henry, so you could just check out the menus and make a game time decision.
Chowhound Post
NYT has finally discovered Flushing
The map is interactive because you can click on the markers for the various restaurants and get a description of a dish the NYT decided to highlight (along with photos of the dish and an audio pronunciation of the dish's name). There's a comments area at http://community.nytimes.com/article/...
Chowhound Post
Downtown Brooklyn lunch?
You can get a very decent sandwich at Tazza. Walk up Pierrepont to Henry, take a right, then take a left on Clark. Tazza is across from the 2-3 subway on the left side of Clark.
Chowhound Post
Lucali: Good, not Great Pizza
Ditto on the pepperoni, garlic, and fresh basil rec. The pie certainly won't be lacking for flavor. That said, I have really enjoyed Lucali's pies with just cheese and fresh basil, so I think you might have hit on an off night.
Chowhound Post
River Cafe--Can you see the waterfall?
No help on the recent experience part, but the River Cafe is almost right on top of the waterfall under the bridge. I have to think there are some decent views to be had from inside the restaurant. Check out this photo (which incidentally was used on brooklynheightsblog.com today) showing the waterfall and the restaurant: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/2...
Chowhound Post
Great Bar in Cobble Hill?
The screaming old women with wings thing is really quite a visual. On the beer bar subject, don't forget about Floyd (wrong side of Atlantic for Cobble Hill though). Usually a decent selection of beers, and you can bring in whatever food you like. Also, Chip Shop usually has a good selection of eclectic beers (UK and US) along with the English/Irish standards. Not strictly a bar, but they always have soccer (football) on the TVs if anyone is playing so it's got a bar vibe. Pretty good fish and chips too -- sometimes even very good, but the food can be a little inconsistent.
Chowhound Post
Any one check out Eton for dumplings yet?
Gigantic is probably a bit of an overstatement -- they are inded about the same size as regular pot stickers. At 5 for $3.50, though, it's a generous serving for the price.
Chowhound Post
Any one check out Eton for dumplings yet?
Another thumbs up for Eton. Went in last night after dinner to try the shaved ice, and we decided we could find room for an order of dumplings as well. We did the beef/pork dumplings. They were very fresh and flavorful, as reported, and cooked to order. The shaved ice was good too -- a little on the syrupy sweet side, but nothing wrong with syrupy sometimes.
I like this place. The model could not be simpler, but everything is executed well and the people are very pleasant. Great addition to the neighborhood.
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Heading to Clover Club on Smith St tonight - anything else nearby worth checking out?
There are plenty of places with better food on Smith St. and nearby, but for a casual place with an energetic vibe (and perfectly decent food) you might want to try Bar Tabac on the corner of Smith St. and Dean St. They have some sidewalk tables too, and it looks like the weather is going to be great for sitting outside. On the downside, service is often a little slow. Another option that meets your criteria is Joya on Court St. (b/w Warren and Wyckoff) for Thai. If you feel like Italian, and slightly more upscale than Bar Tabac or Joya, try Po (Smith b/w Degraw and Sackett) or Lunetta (Smith b/w Pacific and Dean). There are lots of comments on the boards about all these places if you want to sift through for reviews/recs.
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Clover Club
It's on Smith b/w Baltic and Butler (2 doors down from Cafe Luluc). We tried it the weekend after they opened and really enjoyed as well. Everything was very well prepared, and the space is great.
