Iacopo Falai has built a white-on-white/ minimalist meets antique trip/bejeweled chandelier restaurant empire. First came his original Falai (it's the place on Clinton that clearly used to be a store front and now has diners on display… a concept perfect for those that want to be seen–not a favorite concept for Jim who refuses to eat there); then came the glass front Falai Panetteria and now, right next to my office, is his least expensive foray into comfort Italian with a twist, Cafe Falai .

It's such a welcome addition to the area for its good prices and scrumptious meals. The first time Jim and I went I had the marinated octopus and a onion soup with a poached egg. Jim tried the wide pasta with Bolognese sauce. Everything was on the mark, although other reviews have called the food uneven.

Just to see if we went on a particularly good night (and because, frankly, I really wanted to eat there again), we had dinner there a second time just the other night. I had a breaded mozzarella and beet salad with anchovy dressing while Jim devoured an arugula and strawberry salad. We also shared the veal meatballs, that were good but simple. The service was relaxed, but not in an annoying way, unless you get worked up if dishes come out of order at different times.

I've been told that during busier hours this relaxed attitude can be nerve wrecking if you're trying to get back to work–so plan on a leisurely meal. I've also heard the real treasure at this outpost is the desserts and pastries. I have yet to try them, so am giving an incomplete view of the place, but I have found the dinner, which has been remarked as the weak spot, thoroughly delicious, so I can only imagine.

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Posted on May 28, 2007

There are in fact only 26 Seats in this slim East Village French restaurant. The good news is that you can reserve one, a convenience annoyingly rarely practiced by other tiny culinary gems.

On the menu, all the bistro standards are present. Heavenly escargot in a puff pastry for starters and a flavorful bass to follow made for an excellent meal and one with a really surprisingly low cost. Almost nothing on the menu is over $17.

Sure, the space is a bit tight, but the friendly staff, dim lights, and comforting food set you at ease even with a fighting couple two inches to your right. The wine and beer list is not extensive, a Stella will do, but if you have room their desserts all sound fantastic.

We dove into a tall glass of chocolate mousse that was rich and gooey with a perfect semi sweet whipped cream. Ideal for a nice night out when you can plan a few days ahead and make a reservation.

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Posted on May 14, 2007

The next time your with a Californian bitching about how there is no good Mexican food in new York, and trust me if you meet or know anyone from California they will bitch and moan about how bad the mexican food is here – just like we bitch and moan about the bad mass transit and all those actors, send them to Calexico Cart at the corner of Prince and Wooster and dare them to say another disparaging word.

These 3 dollar a pop tacos are the best I have had in the city. I tried the chipotle pork and steak. Each were full of flavor, nice and juicy (no dried out meats here) and both had very distinguishing and unique taste combinations.

Too often mexican restaurants make everything the same, so that it hardly matters if the innards are pork, chicken, or portobello mushrooms. Here the pork tacos was distinctly sweet with pickled radish and a touch of sour cream and more than a touch of spice while the steak was heartier with guacamole and a rich marinated garlic flavor that penetrated the strips of non-fatty steak.

I couldn't give this place higher praise than to say it will become a staple in my work time lunches. The line can get lengthy, but some things are worth the wait. Good Mexican in New York City is one of them.

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Posted on April 30, 2007

Don't let the long line of NYU students deter you, Mamoun's boys are efficient and keep it moving quickly. This popular haunt makes best lists regularly and now I can see why. For a mere $2.50, cheap by any standards for lunch, you get a falafel sandwich. They don't have many additional fancy options for toppings like many places, but that only makes the quality of the falafel itself stand out and for me, to thoroughly enjoy a falafel pita sans hot sauce is quite a feat.

The key is that the falafel balls, a hippie food staple for years, are not dry but moist and flavorful. With that in place, a good gastronomical experience in inevitable. I splurged and also got a side of creamy, smoky bab ganoush for an extra $1.50.

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Posted on April 16, 2007

As promised, here are my thoughts on Dine in Brooklyn pick and French bistro, iCi. The tables are packed in like, for lack of a better overused phrase, sardines and a draft chilled the room periodically. If the food, service and ambience were any less hospitable and loving, these minor flaws would have possibly made a negative impact. As it was, the tight quarters felt very bustling and cozy and the draft was refreshing.

The place was so busy it really made me awed by the a difference great service can make. I'm sure we have all been to near empty places that have more staff than customers and you still can't get a refill of water or your check. Owner and reality television alum, Laurent Saillard, hires only the best it would seem, as these girls ran the tiny, crowded room like pros. The pre fixe meal was impressive and did not only offer the cheapest menu items.

Our skate with collard greens was simple and flavorful with enough garlic to make me happy. The carrot soup was also simple and appetizing and the desserts, a brioche bread pudding and a yogurt panna cotta, were excellent–although Jim remarked on the bread pudding, “If you told me to think of a dessert, that is not what I think of.” Maybe he's never had bread pudding before, maybe it was the Duvel talking, because I thought it was super.

Speaking of Duvel, the beer list is short but only full of the good stuff, like Danny DeVito if you ignore half of his career choices, it features a golden lager from Italy and an organic weiss. iCi is a well rounded restaurant that made a very favorable impression on everyone eating there. It can be pricey on non- pre fixe nights, so keep that in mind. Worth putting it at the top of your list come next Dine In Brooklyn week.

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Posted on April 2, 2007