Rice

REVIEW

February 17, 2010


CUISINE: Asian, Indian, Thai
NEIGHBORHOOD: Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO, Fort Greene, Nolita

 

 

Nolita: 292 Elizabeth St. at Bleecker St.

Dumbo: 81 Washington St. at Front St.

Fort Greene: 166 DeKalb Ave at Washington Park

 

Rice is the UN of restaurants; the food is a smorgasbord of international flavors. The staple of the democratic menu is, intuitively, rice.  Though it boasts all of the normal kinds (brown, basmati, Japanese), there are special varieties as well.  You will enter a world of rice that you never knew existed.  For example, one can opt to have Thai black rice steamed in coconut milk, or alternatively, sautéed in garlic and mixed with edamame.  In essence, the menu invites you to curate your entire meal in such a manner.  Condiments are served in test tubes placed on every table, but those who want to go crazy can order sauces such as alepo yogurt, or chipotle mayonnaise. CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on February 17, 2010 9:20am by Rachel Hochhauser | 36 comments





Henry Public

REVIEW

November 4, 2009


CUISINE: American (Traditional)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO, Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens

 

329 Henry at Pacific St.

(p) 718-852-8630

 

This cozy Cobble Hill bar is modeled after an old-world Brooklyn saloon, complete with black and white photographs, chipped mirrors, and an ancient cash register. The drink menu hits on classic cocktails as well as craft beers and a selection of fine wines. A small food menu consists mostly of burgers, served with homemade pickles and a mound of salty fries. There's also a turkey leg sandwich and bone marrow appetizer for the more sophisticated set. My burger was a little overcooked and the bread had too much bite to it, but the fries and pickles were spot on. The transporting environment and lively cocktail list make Henry Public a welcome neighborhood addition.  I've heard some exciting rumors of a brunch menu and dinner expansion.

 


Posted in FOOD on November 4, 2009 1:01pm by Jena Steinbach | 20 comments





Vinegar Hill House

REVIEW

October 1, 2009


CUISINE: American (New)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO

 

72 Hudson Ave Btwn Water and Front St

(p) 718-522-1018

 

If you want to eat at Vinegar Hill House, you better make a reservation for six or more, or else be prepared to wait. The restaurant is small, with an open kitchen tucked into the far corner where a few chefs rush between the wood-burning fire and hot plates. (Curiously, there is no gas cooktop in the teeny kitchen.) But if you think a hot plate can't turn out stellar food, you're in for a surprise. 

 

Old furniture, vintage wallpaper, and odd knickknacks set the mood.  A chocolate Guinness cake with thick white icing stands visibly at the bar, like it would at Don Draper's house. And stained, woven trivets, distributed for the cast iron dishes, look like a handmade Christmas gifts from Grandma. CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on October 1, 2009 12:38pm by Jena Steinbach | 29 comments





Five Guys

REVIEW

September 29, 2009


CUISINE: Burgers
NEIGHBORHOOD: Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, Midtown, Park Slope, West Village

 

138 Montague St at Henry St 

(p) 718-797-9380

 

296 Bleecker St and Barrow St

(p) 212-367-9200

 

If Michael Pollan condoned fast food, Five Guy just might pass the test. The chain, which started in Virginia, is often compared to the West Coast favorite, In N Out, and for good reason. They both deliver soft burgers and salty fries in a paper bag, but with a healthier mission statement. There's no trans-fat and no frozen meat; they use only peanut oil and their fries are from Idaho potatos. It's high-brow fast food, and it works. CONT'D.

 


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Posted in FOOD on September 29, 2009 10:04am by Jena Steinbach | 22 comments





Noodle Pudding

REVIEW

May 15, 2009


CUISINE: Italian
NEIGHBORHOOD: Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO

 

38 Henry Street at Middagh St

(p) 718-625-3737

 

Noodle Pudding is the ideal place to take your parents if they don't want your "fancy New York food." The only problem is that they don't take reservations, and the wait is almost always torturously long, but once inside, you will be rewarded.  The atmosphere is homey and casual, fostered by neutral walls, interesting artwork (which changes every so often), and friendly servers. The regular menu features tasty Italian basics: caprese salad, tagliatelle bolognese, linguine alla puttanesca, roasted chicken with potatoes.  In addition to the standard fare, the special menu is almost as large as the regular one, and boasts a variety of more daring options...

 


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Posted in FOOD on May 15, 2009 11:26am by Jena Steinbach | 8 comments