AdrianLesher's Profile
Cachaca?
The Brazen Head at 228 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn now carries Beleza de Minas artisanal cachacas. These are "cachacas de Minas" made in a small alembic (pot still). Two varieties are available, silver and gold. The gold is aged in umburana wood giving it a very distinctive flavor and smoothness. Minas refers to Minas Girais, the Brazilian state noted for having the best cachacas. Thanks to Lou Sones of the Brazen head for working hard to get these items in.
Where can I find Cachaca in NYC?
After much cajoling and emailing, Lou Sones of the Brazen Head at 228 Atlantic Avenue
in Brooklyn was able to get Rios Liquors of Boston to provide Beleza de Minas cachacas. There is a silver and a gold variety. The silver is good for Caipirinhas, and the gold is aged for two years in umburana wood, giving it a smoothness and distinctive flavor.
The same distributor also carries the better known Seleta, which the Brazen Head may also carry.
Cachaca?
This is a copy of a comment I posted elsewhere on Chowhound. I don't know about the five boroughs, but Newark does have some decent Minas Cachacas available:
Meia Lua and Beleza de Minas are available at liquor stores in Newark's Ironbound. I think the ones I saw them in are the Lisbon Liquor Store 114 Ferry St, Newark, NJ 07105 and Oporto Wines & Liquors 178 Ferry Street, Newark, NJ (973) 589-3325.
I bought a bottle of Meia Lua Gold at Oporto ($20) and it was quite good. It's aged two years in balsam and is a reasonably good example of a good Minas cachaca. It's very drinkable straight.
When I go back I will get the gold Cachaca de Minas. This one's from the same manufacturer. It differs from Meia Lua in at least one important aspect: it's aged two years in Umburana wood instead of balsam. which should give it a different flavor.
If you're interested the website for the Cachaca is here (in Portuguese): http://www.cachacameialua.com.br/
The distributor is here: http://riosliquors.com/eng/
Cachaça Tasting
Meia Lua and Beleza de Minas are available at liquor stores in Newark's Ironbound. I think the ones I saw them in are the Lisbon Liquor Store 114 Ferry St, Newark, NJ 07105 and Oporto Wines & Liquors 178 Ferry Street, Newark, NJ (973) 589-3325.
I bought a bottle of Meia Lua Gold at Oporto ($20) and it was quite good. It's aged two years in balsam and is a reasonably good example of a good Minas cachaca. It's very drinkable straight.
When I go back I will get the gold Cachaca de Minas. This one's from the same manufacturer. It differs from Meia Lua in at least one important aspect: it's aged two years in Umburana wood instead of balsam. which should give it a different flavor.
If you're interested the website for the Cachaca is here (in Portuguese): http://www.cachacameialua.com.br/
The distributor is here: http://riosliquors.com/eng/
serious-looking pizza place in crown heights!?
This place has some potential, but they're going to destroy themselves with their half-assed business sense. They had no menus or any idea of how to make an internet presence at their opening. I just tried to tall them at 9:30 on a Thursday and got a digitized "Hello, we are not able to take your call" answering machine message that didn't identify the business. It is Yom Kippur, and that may be the reason, but the answering machine message should give you a clue that you''re calling the right business and an explanation why no one is picking up.
Lunch near York college
It's been quite awhile since I went to Jamaica, but a mall near York College had a decent food court with foods from around the world. I liked the Senegalese restaurant.
Google brought up the following interesting choices:
I
Maimas Liberian Bistro & Bar
10647 Guy R Brewer Blvd, Jamaica, NY - (718) 206-3538 - 0.9 mi NW
Seamorhen Fish & Chicken Catering
(1 pretty positive review by Eric Asimov-Jerk Chicken etc.)
11829 Guy R Brewer Blvd
Jamaica, NY 11434
(718) 723-9181
Lavrador Portuguese Restaurant (good Eric Asimov review and Gayot review)
13840 101st Ave, Jamaica, NY - (718) 526-1526 http://olavradornyc.com/
Churrasqueria Restaurant - more info »
9529 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica, NY - (718) 523-5293 -
West Indian Day Parade 2008
There are some vendors on Empire Boulevard (and nearby side streets) in the early morning before the parade, when Jouvert is going on.
mexican sweets
I don't know if you're looking for something fresher or less factory made, but I've seen solid dulce de leche in next to the checkout counter at the Papa and Sons grocery at Flatbush and Lincoln Road in Prospect Lefferts Gardens.
Ginger Beer in Jackson Heights
I don't know about Jackson Heights, but the ginger beer most widely available in New York is the Jamaican Desnoes and Geddes. You can find D&G ginger beer all over Flatbush. It has a good spicy kick.
Here's the company web page: http://www.jamaicadrinks.com/aboutus_dg.htm
