elecsheep9's Profile
Kiwiana
Have gone to Kiwiana twice in recent weeks and think it is excellent. I have had the fried chicken and the Venison. Venison was perfectly cooked and the mustard potatoes lived up to their name.
The fried chicken was a surprise -- I can't help comparing to Blue Ribbon, which I think sets the standard, although it outrageously priced. At first, Kiwiana's version lacked the spicy kick of BRs, but as I ate more, i stopped missing the kick in favor of the interesting seasoning. Do wish they would include some white meat, as it was all dark meat. But that's my preference.
Butternut squash soup is delicious with a nice cumin-y flavor, and a recent grilled ramps special with poached egg was delicious. Do agree about the beet and ricotta salad being underseasoned. I felt it needed a bit of salt and some more sweetness.
Desserts are a mixed bag -- bread pudding was delicious, but the sponge cakes were, well, sponge cakes.
Service was friendly and attentive and they are a child friendly restaurant, which is helpful.
All in all, one of my favorite new places around.
Tonio's is closing
Just read over at F'd in Park Slope that, after 19 years, Tonio's is closing. The rumor is that Tony's health has been deteriorating and he decided to retire. Even worse, another rumor has it that it will be replaced by a Dunkin Donuts. The corporatization of Park Slope continues at full speed.
I, for one, will mourn the passing of what I consider to be a Park Slope institution and a damn fine restaurant that always seemed eerily empty. This is pasted from my comment over at FIPS:
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I used to (and, I suppose, still do) love Tonios. When we lived on 13th Street, it was our go-to place for red sauce Italian (before the uppity high end Italian places came (and often went) into (and from) the nabe.) Food was always great and Tony was a warm, friendly host. I'll never forget the waiter reading off the specials in his heavily accented English and, of course, the three musketeers entree. And Tony's gift to us of a Christmas cake during the holiday season of 2001, which, ironically, marked the last time we would go to Tonio's as regulars.
The loss of a job led to less and less nights dining out and by the time we were back on our feet, we had moved to the North Slope. Once there, we went to Tonio's rarely as it was a far walk and Mulino was similar, closer and a bit cheaper. However, whenever we went back to Tonio's, we'd always realize how much we missed the place and remember how good it was.
About 5 weeks ago, we held our daughter's baptism/baby naming luncheon there and everything was fantastic. Food was terrific, service for 35+ people was outstanding (the wine kept flowing) and Tony was as warm as always. Although he did seem a little frailer than remembered in the planning meetups, I always figured he would keep on keeping on till the bitter end. Still, I'm glad he's going to enjoy retirement. And I'm glad we got to enjoy Tonio's one last time.
Tonio's will definitely be missed. And, although many seemed to disfavor or ignore it, I truly believe that it's disappearance is a detriment to a neighborhood which, more and more, is forgetting what made it great and is (not so slowly) turning into another standard-issue too expensive New York City neighborhood. To paraphrase Field of Dreams:
Through all of the changes in the neighborhood, with the infusion of ex-Manhattanite Yuppies and their oversized strollers, the introduction of too many samey upscale eateries (many of which are not nearly as good as they think they are -- I'm looking at you Stone Park) and the recent, albeit fairly thorough, infestation of Corporate America into what was once a staunchly "local" neighborhood, Tonio's marked the time. It was a down to earth red sauce joint without lofty aspirations that harkened back to an earlier time. You always knew what you were going to get when you went in there -- a warm welcome with a gracious host and consistently delicious food prepared and served with minimal fuss and less attitude.
Tony, I will miss you and thank you for many wonderful memories. God bless.
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Stone Park Cafe
324 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Tonio's
306 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Mulino
133 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Dean St. in Prospect Heights
Stopped by Sunday night at about 6:45 hoping to get a drink, but the place was packed. So either word had not yet gotten out or people do not care.
Butcher in Brooklyn
Second to M&S Pork Store (formerly A&S Pork Store a few blocks closer to Flatbush.) I find them a little better than United Meat Market, but they are quite good as well.
Not necessarily in the areas mentioned, but I'll also mention that I love the butcher at Fairway in Red Hook. High quality, good selection and every week that have a great loss-leader deal. Sometimes its Prime Porterhouse for $6.99 a pound, sometimes its whole beef tenderloin for $5.99 a pound which they will clean and cut into steaks or a roast. Also, there is one gruff guy who I absolutely love.
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United Meat Market
219 Prospect Park W, Brooklyn, NY 11215
ISO Pre Holiday Meal, weeknight, Brooklyn
Don't know where you ended up, but between Convivium and Good Fork, I prefer Convivium. Never been to ICI.
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The Good Fork
391 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Beef on Weck in Queens or Brooklyn?
I miss spiedies from my time upstate. You can buy Salamida Spiedie Sauce online.
Drinks before Applewood
The Bar portion of 12th Street Bar and Grill is nearby. Its got a nice neighborhoody vibe.
lucali in the slope! where?!?!?
5 restaurants. You forgot the reincarnation of Biscuit BBQ between Night & Day and Lookout Hill.
Buttermilk Channel or Pies n thighs?
I've had both and my recommendation is ... neither. For the best fried chicken around, you really need to suck up the expense and go to Blue Ribbon. A not too distant second goes to Henry's End. I liked Pies n Thighs, but it wasn't in the same realm as either of these two, and I was very disappointed with Buttermilk Channel.
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Henry's End
44 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Buttermilk Channel
524 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Convivium Osteria--Menu Favorites
Agreed on the Quail appetizer. Excellent. And I love the pork entree.
Good places to live in Brooklyn based on food/bevs?
North Slope is pretty much what you are looking for. Union Market is basically Whole Foods redux, and you are on the 2/3 subway and about a 10-15 minute walk from Atlantic Terminal.
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Union Market
754 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Busacco Closed?
Passed by Busacco today around 3 and it appeared to be closed. Gate was down and there was a handwritten note simply stating "That's All Folks."
Sounds like they are gone for good.
Not very surprising, unfortunately. Ate there a couple of times and it just never was as good as it felt like it should be. Couple that with a very sterile room and it was always on the disappointing side.
Al Di La... Overrated?
I've had a few of those magical meals at Al Di La, but I've also had a few simply "above average" meals. But no matter what, I've never found Al Di La to be better than the sorely missed Tempo was in its prime.
I've been to Convivium three times and have always had a terrific meal. And when sitting in the wine cellar, well that just takes it over the edge.
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Al Di La
248 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Downtown Manhattanite moving to Park Slope
Noodle fanatic: Its not that Manhattan foodie types don't belong in Park Slope. Its that close-minded, condescending foodie types who haven't gotten over the fact that Manhattan really isn't the end all and be all don't belong in Park Slope.
I've had plenty of terrific meals in Park Slope and environs and I've had plenty of thoroughly forgettable meals in Manhattan. Yes, you are going to need to find new "neighborhood places." That's what happen when you move out of your neighborhood. That would happen if you moved from the East Village to the Upper East Side and that's what's going to happen if you move to Brooklyn. And while Yelp and even this site are good tools, they are no substitute for actually trying a place yourself (which thankfully even you seem to realize.)
I have my favorite places in the neighborhood and in Brooklyn and even in Manhattan, but that doesn't mean that you may like them at all. Tastes vary. Everyone used to gush about the sushi at Geido...I never really understood all the praise. A place like Mulino Ristorante is never mentioned in the same breath as Al Di La (which has never, IMO, been as good as my dearly departed Tempo), but when I get a jonesin' for red sauce style Italian its my go to place.
While I do have a car, and it has made broadening my horizons earlier, I never felt like I was missing out when I didn't have a car. And just because you live in Manhattan does not mean that everything is available to you around the corner. I recently tried Cooking With Jazz which is near St. John's University in Queens and to get there, you're going to need a car no matter where you live. And I can't think of one other restaurant in Manhattan or Brooklyn like it.
The point is, you have to come in with an open mind and be willing to experience new and different things. Unfortunately, as someone mentioned below, it really does not sound like you want to do that. And the truth is, that would be your loss, not the neighborhood's.
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Al Di La
248 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Mulino
133 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Cooking with Jazz
179-22 Union Turnpike, Queens, NY 11366
Cafe Moutarde in Park Slope Closed
My first meal at Moutarde, shortly after they had opened, was absolutely fantastic. We went back twince in the next few months, with each meal getting worse. After the third meal, we called it quits.
We went back maybe 15 months ago after hearing it had improved again. It was good, but still not enough to get it back into the regular rotation for us.
I'd never seen such a huge decline so quickly. It still amazes me.
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Moutarde
239 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
where is Katy sparks now?
Boy, that did not last long, did it? She was there maybe 6 months? We went when she first started and it was good, but not mind-blowing.
Late Friday Dinner in Brooklyn
I ate at Buttermilk Channel about 3 weeks ago and wasn't blown away either. The duck meatloaf was quite good, but the much bally-hooed fried chicken was rather bland. We haven't felt compelled to go back -- especially since, acoustical mitigation or not, it is still a rather noisy place.
For fried chicken, I believe the standard bearer is Blue Ribbon, which is, sadly, quite expensive. Henry's End comes in a close second.
For late night eating, Blue Ribbon in Park Slope is open until like 4 and will certainly be hopping at 10-11. It is fairly easy to get to from Brooklyn Heights on the R train (to Union Street stop.) It is, however, on the expensive side. While the food is always quite good there, imo, the increasing prices have led me to go there less and less. However, it is still our go-to spot.
Cozy, Casual, Low-Key Italian in Park Slope/Brooklyn Heights for Valentine's Day?
For classic red-sauce italian (maybe a touch updated from that), I recommend Mulino Ristorante (formerly Trattoria Mulino). My favorite for that style of italian in the neighborhood.
Great Lunch at Okeanos in Park Slope
Walking by, I figured this was a Greek place based on its name. I was surprised to see that it is rather a fish/seafood place. I am eager to try it as I have vowed to start eating more fish. And I really do not like Brooklyn Fish Camp.
Gastropub type food/atmosphere near Brooklyn Museum?
If it takes a person 24 minutes to walk one mile (2.5 miles an hour), then he shouldn't be eating or drinking at a gastropub at all!
Gastropub type food/atmosphere near Brooklyn Museum?
Agree with Jen on this one. None of the North Slope 5th Avenue places are more than a 20 minute walk (downhill) from the Museum. Alternatively, you could take the B41 or the 2/3 train to Atlantic Avenue.
While I've never been for dinner, Alchemy certainly bills itself as a gastropub, so that might fit the bill best.
Le P'tit Paris Bistro-Looks like we've got a winner!
The on-line menu says "rooster" which is the traditional way to make the dish. That could be a typo, I suppose, but it would be unusual to use the term "roaster" for a chicken.
Affordable anniversary dinner, walking distance from Brooklyn Heights?
Agree on Convivium. The downstairs room is one of the most romantic I've ever been in. And the food is terrific. It always makes me wonder -- why don't I go there more often?
Bark Hot Dogs
So let me get this straight...the burger is excessively salty, slightly over-cooked, has too much sauce and is small for the price -- but you are recommending it?
:-D
Flatbush Farms
I was a fan of Bistro St. Marks and was disappointed (although not exactly surprised) when it closed.) We gave Flatbush Farm a try a few years back. I remember it being an incredibly mediocre meal, although one thing really stuck out in my mind. Much of the food was way oversalted. There was a chicken dish which seriously tasted like a salt lick.
That, coupled with indifferent service, and my wife and I have never gone back.
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Flatbush Farm
76 Saint Marks Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Le P'tit Paris Bistro-Looks like we've got a winner!
I'm going to chime in on this wonderful place as well. We went last Friday night and had a terrific meal.
Started with Oysters on the half shell (although they were heavily pushing the mussels). Malpeque (I believe) at 6 for $10, this is one of the better Oyster Deals I've seen in quite some time. While the meat wasn't completely detached from the shell, I'll glad save a $1.50 an oyster to do that myself. The sauce is came with was very nice and garlicky.
I had a Sacre Couer salad and my wife had the tuna tartare. Both were excellent. I would have preferred a touch more blue cheese in the salad, but I am very much a blue cheese fiend. The tuna tartare was the tastiest I've had in quite some time. It had what seemed like a candied roe, which really added a pop to the dish.
For mains, I had the coq au vin (which the menu said was cooked with rooster, but how can I be certain) while my wife had the Friday Bouillabaisse special. I enjoyed hte Bouillabaisse, but it has never been a go to dish for me, so I can't really comment, although she loved it. I thought the Coq au Vin was very good. Nice tender, flavorful meat, lots of bacon, pearl onions and mushrooms. Very hearty and satisfying. It came over buttered noodles, which in the past I haven't cared for (prefer mashed potatoes), but the whole dish really stood together well.
For desserts (hard to believe we still had room) I had the profiteroles, which I love because, they are profiteroles, and she had the molten chocolate cake which was gooey delicious and came with, I believe, a mango ice cream which kind of made the dish.
Service was warm, although a little confused at first with two different servers thinking they were covering us.
About the only negative i can claim was the bread which they served, which was unheated and just blah. But it was late in the night, so maybe earlier it would have been a bit fresher. Either way, not a big deal.
We both agreed that Le P'tit Paris BIstro was going to become a regular place for us.
Moving to Prospect Heights
Do you mean the Vietnamese place Mekong, which was were AOC Bistro is now?
Before Miracle Grill, it was Cucina Cuzco and before that, Coco Rocco, although to tell the truth, I could never really tell the difference between the two.
