Posts from the ‘Park Slope’ Category

Aug 2

Coco Roco

I used to occasionally order a really amazing chicken salad from them at
lunch. And now that I think about it, it'd take an awfully long time to show
up. Maybe they're good, but it was hard to tell, what with waiting an hour
for my entree. The pisco sour I started with was very nice, the mixed
seafood ceviche with the little corn nuts wasn't bad…and then the waiting
began. I can't even remember what I ordered. A snapper with fried yucca, I
think. Who cared at that point. With so many restaurants in the
neighborhood, and Peruvian being such a hot item recently, I doubt I'll be
back soon.

CocoRoco * 392 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, NY

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Jul 26

5 de Mayo

There's been restaurant trauma lately around the question, "How late are you
open?" I always want to know since that's a huge issue of mine. But no one
at 5 de Mayo spoke English. On the phone "How late are you open?" received a
hesitant "Monday" as a response. (Oddly, the same question at a Chinese
restaurant the following night was answered, "Two years.") Despite the
language barrier, the tacos were fine, as well as the queso fundido, which
I'd never tried. It's Mexican fondue, basically, and don't order with just
two people unless you have a serious dairy appetite.

5 de Mayo* 703 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, NY

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Jul 12

Cornbread Cafe

When you're craving fried chicken, you should just order fried chicken. I
opted for the pecan chicken, imagining this sweet, crispy, fried, nutty
thing akin to an Asian honeyed prawn dish, but it was just a baked
(broiled?) breast of chicken with a crushed pecan crust. Not bad, but not
what I was expecting. The collard greens were some of the best I've tasted,
sweet, sour and smoky all at once. The namesake cornbread wasn't bad either.
I'm just starting to slowly eat my way through Park Slope with trepidation.
It's like if I dine on Seventh Ave. too much I'll end up pregnant with a an
SUV or something.

CornbreadCafe * 434
Seventh Ave., Brooklyn, NY

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May 24

Cafe Steinhof

1/2

I was thinking this place would be more like Zum Schneider where I had a
traumatic semi-meal (through no fault of the restaurant–a stoned, birthday
boy friend starting digging into my plate of food) a few weeks prior. I was
thinking beer and sausage, but it's a little more refined.

Initially, I was a little thrown off by the distracted, cross-dressing
host. He had this mild Liza Minelli meets Riot Grrl look that I couldn't
figure out. He's the effeminate type I can't put my finger on, the kind who
might get all crazy and try to give me an exotic foot massage without my
consent.

So the restaurant is Austrian, not German and what do I know about
authenticity? James insisted there was nothing Austrian about the food, but
he's got his culinary history all wrong, claiming paprika's Indian when
everyone knows it's associated with Hungary. And that's what I had, the
chicken paprika with spaetzle. It was very rich in a dark red sauce, more
sour creamy than spicy as I'd expected. Not a big noodle fan, the spaetzle
still hit the spot, and tasted even better re-heated as leftovers. James the
sour puss (ok, fine, fried cod might not be an Austrian specialty) had
sauerbraten with red cabbage. Items that struck me as Austrian: Black
sausage strudel, liptauer cheese, Gulash, Linzer Torte and Rosti. It's all
German/Swiss/Hungarian mish mashed, but so what. They also had a cocktail
called the Klaus Kinski. While a scary man, at least it wasn't the Arnold
Schwarzeneger.

Cafe Steinhof * 422 Seventh Ave., Brooklyn, NY

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Apr 5

Aunt Suzie’s

No fan of spaghetti and meatballs, I gave Aunt Suzie's a whirl anyway. This
big portions, small pricetag red sauce joint straddles the line between
old-school and tongue in cheek. Lovers of standards like chicken parmigiana,
fried eggplant and baked ziti won't be disappointed. Everyone else should
prepare to bust a gut.

Aunt Suzie's * 247 Fifth
Ave., Brooklyn, NY

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Mar 8

Bonnie’s Grill

In the spirit of trying restaurants near my neighborhood while grabbing a
good burger at the same time, Bonnie's jumped out, stood at attention and
delivered. I was always wary of this place, and for no good reason, it turns
out. They have solid offerings like beef on weck, pulled pork sandwiches and
Buffalo wings. Recently I've developed an addiction to french fries, and
their accompanying chipotle mayonnaise (they appear to have a hot spicy
theme, which I didn't know about) revved up the yum factor. The clincher in
my thumbs up assessment was the beer of the day that included Krista in the
name (can't remember the exact brew, unfortunately). Despite its
un-rareness, I never see my name anywhere, so the novelty swayed me.
(3/8/02)

I've been back plenty of times since March '02, but Bonnie's is just one
of those places you take for granted. Totally hungover on a Sunday after my
birthday party, I became entranced by Bobby Flay grilling burgers on TV (you
know I was out of sorts if I was actually paying any mind to Mr. Flay) and
became obsessed with finding a burger a.s.a.p. It was Bonnie's who came to
my rescue with a nice plate of Buffalo wings, medium rare cheeseburger and
perfect fries. The fries are really good, they might be lightly seasoned,
but I'm not sure with what. They now have plastic dispenser bottles of the
chipotle mayo on the tables, which is great for the mayonnaise-phobic like
me who like control over their condiments. (7/24/05)

Bonnie's Grill * Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, NY

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Feb 28

Taqueria DF

Whenever I crave a taco, I end up getting a torta instead. This always
happens. I think I'll be unsatisfied with the taco so I go for the hearty
stand-by. One day I'll break the habit. Taqueria D.F.'s carnitas could've
been a little crisper, but as this is the closest Mexican to my north I can
forgive a little. Plus, they have horchata, which is always a cloudy treat.

Taqueria D.F. * 719 Fifth, Ave., Brooklyn, NY

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Aug 21

Blue Ribbon

1/2

I've never been to the original so I won't commence with the Manhattan vs.
Brooklyn comparisons. I am aware they're known for their seafood, which is
boldly displayed in the front window. The spendy, yet impressive looking
fruits des mer platters are a signature item, which I hope to try at some
point. As it was a random weeknight, I went the other direction and tried
the duck with spinach, sweet potato puree and a cassis sauce. Very nice. The
shrimp and chorizo appetizer was also pleasing. Duck? Chorizo? Well, no one
ever said I was a light eater.

The vibe was more welcoming than stand-offish, moderately upscale, yet
mellow. You could call it a potential date place, which made me glad I ended
up there with a boyfriend, not the stalkerish chap I was out with earlier
who'd half-heartedly suggested the very restaurant (take note: don't attempt
Blue Ribbon with the unemployed, it'd just ruin the fun). If by chance the
ambience causes you to forget you're in Park Slope, glance up from your
goodies and observe the proliferation of children, young pregnant women and
lesbians. Ah, the incongruous flavor that makes up this semi-suburban 'hood.

BlueRibbon
* 280 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, NY

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Jul 6

Vaux

I've started hitting the Fifth Ave. strip in Park Slope lately, and it
scares me a bit. It's hard to help since it's the closest neighborhood to me
(I don't really live in a neighborhood–just lots of fast food, gas
stations, car washes and porn shops). I don't know, it's just very adult,
and not necessarily in a good way. The new Blue Ribbon had just opened next
door to Vaux, and I was into trying it, but just not this particular
evening.

My shared seafood sausage was alright. My pork loin with mashed potatoes
and haricot vert was also OK. Everything was adequate. No more, no less. I
guess that's Park Slope for you.

Vaux * 278 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, NY

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Mar 3

Chip Shop

I don't even like fish and chips fish, however, I do like heavy,
fried food like steak and kidney pie–and who can say no to chips with malt
vinegar?

The menu was typical casual English food in a sit-down fancified
environment with prices to match (not that they were outrageous or
anything). It's all to be expected since this isn't an authentic chip shop
replica, it's a dining establishment in a gentrified neighborhood. My
favorite Park Slope moment came when the kid at the table next to us asked
his mother, "what kind of music is this?" and she informatively replied,
"techno." Ah, Brooklyn and its free spirits.

The funny part was when they told James he'd received the last piece of
cod. We also ordered fried Mars bars and when they said they'd have to check
if they had any, it made me a little nervous. It wasn't until we left that I
noticed the sign on the door (that wasn't there when we entered) saying
they'd ran out of food, and due to the impending storm, didn't know when
they'd have more. Not just out of fish, but food altogether. That was
pretty absurd. I don't know if it was opening week underplanning or if Park
Slope residents just love their pub fare. I felt lucky to have snatched up
the last scraps.

It seems that I've been spending an inordinate amount of time in
brownstone Brooklyn these days. I guess I never frequented the area until
late '00 when I got a job in the neighborhood. It's not something I want to
make a habit of. Be forewarned, it's the stomping grounds for aging,
were-never-quite-hipsters, and precocious tots and the parents (who are
largely comprised of the aging, were-never-quite-hipsters) who made them
that way. (3/3/01)

Deep-fried Twinkies…what more can I say? (9/6/02)

Chip Shop * 383 5th Ave.,
Brooklyn, NY

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Posts from the ‘Park Slope’ Category

Coco Roco

5 de Mayo

Cornbread Cafe

Cafe Steinhof

Aunt Suzie’s

Bonnie’s Grill

Taqueria DF

Blue Ribbon

Vaux

Chip Shop

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