Restaurants »Kebab Cafe!

Kebab Cafe!I have been researching on-line the best of the best in Brooklyn cuisine. After living here for four plus years, there are just way too many neighborhoods we haven't seen, so what better way to be introduced than with their best restaurants. Our first venture took us to “Little Egypt” in Astoria where many restaurants line the streets, but after reading New York Magazine, Gothamist and Chowhound, we only wanted one restaurant, Kebab Cafe!

Don't be alarmed by the exclamation point in the logo, an odd design choice that calls to mind cook-it-yourself fad restaurants in malls and baby's clothing stores, but whoever influenced the bad logo decision, concluded his interference there. The second you walk in you will instantly be transported to Egypt, or at least an Egypt I can imagine from watching Globe Trekker.

Local legend and chef and owner, Ali El Sayed, stands behind the open tiny kitchen; vibrant tapestries, sculptures and murals line the walls and mosaic tables fight for space with the wooded benches and chairs. A great place to bring a big group, this is not, but I can truly say the appetizer alone (a combo of baba ganoush, falafel, tahini, etc) was one of the best meals I have had all last year.

For a main course, I had kafta kabob, while Jim opted for the fall-off-the-bone tender lamb shanks. As Ali gets cooking your meal, enjoy a Stella as the room permeates with the scent of the culinary delights that are in store for you. The meals don't come quickly, but with such loving care given to them, you wouldn't want them to. No store bought tasting hummous and pita here, just fresh, glorious food that is hard to come by.

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Posted on January 15, 2007

Restaurants »Bond St

Bond StMany reviews of this upscale sushi house mentioned Brett Easton Ellis and all things expensive and decadent associated with him. And while the experience did not fall far from the connotation, the elegant, dark room fed more wealthy parents visiting their kids than Patrick Batemans or Victor Wards, but maybe that's just the way it goes on a Wednesday. The sake cocktails are on par with any top notch sake bar and since you will probably be going to this pricey hotspot for a special occasion, the cocktails will flow, perhaps a bit too easily.

The decor pulls of the strange feat of being both intimate and clubby and the staff was surprisingly bitch-free. But the real reason to come to Bond St. is the food. Otherwise all the other bells and whistles wouldn't matter. If you are adventurous and have some cash burning a hole in your pocket, opt for one of the chef's menus. We had the sushi chef selection at fifty per person plus a couple extra rolls – the spicy tuna (fresh and appropriately spicy) and soba zushi (buckwheat noodle and large chunks of crab). I can't explain all the treats in the chef's selections (too many saketinis to remember), but not only was the sushi fresh (which is hard enough to come by in the city), the meal was also exciting, with varied textures and flavors making for a memorable and unique dining experience.

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Posted on January 8, 2007

Restaurants »Lombardi’s

Lombardi's(America's First Pizzeria)
Lombardi's began in 1897 in a small space at 53 Spring Street, it has since expanded next door, and while the wait is still long and the atmosphere touristy, have no fear, as long as you try the delectable clam pie, brimming with fresh shucked clams and garnished with lemon juice, it will all have been worth it. The crust is the perfect thinness and crispness while still being soft and chewy. Make a reservation (Monday through Thursday only) to try this historical gem. Generally lauded as the best pizza in NYC.

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Posted on January 1, 2007

Restaurants »Clinton St. Baking Co.

clinton st baking companyI had been wanting to go to Clinton St. Baking Co. for months before it finally came together. It was worth the wait. Nothing is better to put a smile on your face than comfort food and anyplace that puts blueberry pancakes with maple butter syrup on the dinner menu knows comfort food.

Other tummy tempting menu offerings are crawdaddy benedict, spicy shrimp with cheese grits, and buttermilk fried chicken which I plan on trying during my next visit.

We were celebrating my new job so we went all out and ordered the huge foaming mug of peppermint schnapps hot cocoa. It nearly put me to sleep in cahoots with the pancakes, but I do recommend it, especially once (if) the weather gets cold.

Also worth mentioning are the biscuits that come out before your meal. Never have I taken such note of the bread selection at a restaurant, they are soft and warm, and just melt in your mouth perfectly when drizzled with butter. I could have eaten a dozen of them if I didn't have pancakes coming my way.

Word on the street is this place is superb for brunch, and I believe it. One day we walked by early on a Sunday and the line almost wrapped around the block.

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Posted on December 25, 2006

Restaurants »Matamoros Puebla Grocery

matamoros puebla groceryWith harsh florescent lighting, a small kitchen counter stuck between windex and refrigerators of 40s hidden in the back of a bodega, Matamoros Puebla Grocery has the kind of ambience you'd expect someone to buy cleaning products after an unplanned muder, not to see too many happy faces eating anything resembling edible food. But they defy your expectations all around.

The staff and customers are cheerful and content. Why? Because the real Mexican tacos they serve are surprisingly fresh and quite delicious. So pull up a formica table and accept that everything will look its worse under the lights. Heck, even close your eyes if you have to, but you must try this hidden Williamsburg gem at least once.

It should be even more appreciated after the sudden closing of the taco stand behind Monsignor's. One more word of warning: bring some medicine for your tummy if it tends to be tender like mine.

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Posted on December 18, 2006

Restaurants »Ivo and Lulu

ivo and luluA whirlwind of exotic flavor combinations and lovely presentation that you would expect to pay a hefty price for, but Ivo and Lulu is reasonably priced and BYOB.

The small yet perfected menu is French Caribbean which includes culinary masterpieces like Roast Duck Leg Confit in Mango marinade with couscous and a divine, spicy rendition of Escargot that was my favorite taste of the night. Begin the end of the evening with the coconut flan… finish the end of the evening in the temporarily BYOB “bar” next door–a room that does not have a liquor license but welcomes Ivo and Lulu customers to sit and lounge.

You might have the pleasure of meeting some colorful characters there, a man named Justice in particular (you will know him by the tattoo on his neck that says “Justice”).

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Posted on December 11, 2006

Restaurants »Lamb and Jaffy

lamb and jaffyThis was one of the most pleasant dining surprises ever. This cozy room with brick and stained glass was a last minute choice for dinner when other local Greenpoint restaurants were full up. I am so thankful they were because this is one of the best restaurants in Brooklyn and with their BYOB policy, one of the best deals as well.

Jim loves it so much he will be eating here for his birthday dinner. The menu is seasonal and the fall menu we sampled from included duck breast with butternut squash puree and pomegranate seeds, which I ordered and loved, and pork chops with apples, a dish Jim was raving about for days. Mike and Shaun were more than pleased with their burgers of lamb and bison respectively.

The only down side is that the location is a bit out of the way, but I really hope that doesn't dissuade you from trying this culinary gem. It would be a shame to see this place go, so pick up a bottle of wine and some beer and head over, I promise you will enjoy a wonderful meal served with laid back hospitality.

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Posted on December 4, 2006

Restaurants »Cafe Zaiya

Cafe ZaiyaA while back Jim and I started taking our lunches to work to save money. But this is one of the only places where lunch is actually cheaper to buy from than bring a frozen entree. Not only that, it's my favorite place for to go lunch in midtown, and makes the top choices in all Manhattan. The variety and uniqueness of the options is astounding and so much fun for an adventurous eater.

My favorites have been the omusubi in either spicy tuna (which is cooked, not raw tuna, it surprised me at first, but now I find myself daydreaming about it around 11:00) and the roe pizza, a 6″ soft pizza with a cod roe spread and nori sprinkled on top. Other good ones are the tuna melt, that looks like a donut, the hand rolls, and the yakisoba sandwich – a long roll filled with sweet noodles.

There is so much more to try, including an array of pastries from La Parisienne and, of course the Beard Papa counter. There are tables, but to say this place is bustling would be an understatement, so plan on taking out instead.

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Posted on November 27, 2006

Restaurants »Sammy’s Roumanian Style Restaurant

Sammy's Roumanian Style RestaurantMany an excessive night have my family and I shared beneath these stained drop-ceiling panels and within these famous signed head shot layered walls. Honestly, with its constant bah-mitzfah attitude, klezmer music, steaks so big they spill over the sides of the plate, the canister of fat on the tables, and the vodka (do not forget the vodka, vodka that comes by the bottle full incased in a huge faux ice block and makes crazy things happen) it's the most fun and most gluttonous evenings you will have in the city.

What's that? My little brother laughing til it hurts to my left, my mom crying to my right, and my dad pretending to be a member of Jethro Tull and posing in other familys' photographs in front. This is a normal night at Sammy's and it's always a blast.

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Posted on November 20, 2006

Restaurants »Roy Rogers

roy rogersI have been lucky enough to have very few bad restaurant experiences. But when your only option on a long stretch of road is Roy Rogers, I'd rather starve.

Unless the place I am about to tell you about is the only other option:
The most worthy restaurant is so remote and clearly disgusting that the chances of anyone going there are slim (hence it only gets an honorable mention) I can't remember the name – something catchy like the Eat Food Emporium – it's near the prison in Queens off the 33rd St stop on the 7 seven train.

We ate at this gem on my first day at work in Queens in my own prison at a warehouse that came with its own rape cage (seriously, a barbed wire divider right next to our office where prison releasees could work in a large dark room and whisper as we passed).

My coworker ordered meatballs, very daring I'll agree, but even the worst expectations for the worst meatballs could not prepare us for what we found–a huge, thick wire curled like a robot's public hair right smack dab in the middle of bite number one.

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Posted on November 13, 2006