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Gravy’s Gone Fishin’, Trout Takes Over
Josh Guttman | October 30, 2007
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This news is a tad dated by now, but Trout has expanded into the space next-door where diner cum swanky homestyle dig, Gravy, once lived. My sources tell me the owner (of both) was making more money at Trout so he turned the entire corner into a kitchy crab shack. The new menu is comprehensive with a heavy emphasis on seafood. Early reports indicate the food is “Okay, but a little pricey for what you get.” Though, this isn’t surprising from the expansion of an operation whose previous culinary endeavors consisted of hamburgers and hot dogs on paper plates. I think the expansion is a smart move. Gravy was a restaurant without a soul and a larger Trout adds more character to the neighborhood. And now, with a complete menu, it’s an even better place to drink.
Blue Marble brings eco-friendly ice cream to Boerum Hill
Jessica Clegg | October 24, 2007
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It seems slightly strange to decide to open an ice cream parlor open at the end of September, though stranger still that eating ice cream outside in the middle of October would seem like a refreshing way to beat the heat. Blue Marble, the eco-friendly ice cream and coffee shop, first offered previews of its locally-sourced ice cream at the Atlantic Antic festival a month ago. Now fully open, there’s a much larger selection and comfortable seating to enjoy it in, even a back-room area for the kids to play in (brilliant!). Examining the menu board, I was surprised to see “balsamic vinegar” on the topping list. This inclusion, the very well-informed scooper informed me, is not leftover from a previous incarnation as a salad bar; balsamic vinegar is actually a great counterpoint to vanilla or strawberry. I had to try it with strawberry and, I can’t insist enough, you do too! Another more adult-themed choice is “culture”, the shop’s answer to the Pinkberry frozen yogurt craze, which is subtly sweet with a Greek yogurt richness.
One quibble is that the prices seem pretty steep, assumedly for the high-quality ingredients. Expect $4 for a scoop in a cup or cone, anything else is extra. I was happy enough to part with my $6 for the novelty alone, but then I’m someone who will travel 5 bodegas at 2am in search of a particular flavor; in other words, someone willing to put in overtime for their ice cream. Others may not be so keen, especially when supporting, say, a whole little league’s team worth of ice cream eaters.
Blue Marble is located on 420 Atlantic Avenue between Hoyt and Bond Streets.
Vegetarian Week Kicks Off with Red Hook Harvest Festival
Jessica Clegg | October 22, 2007
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Fall is prime time for trying out new things, be it quitting your corporate job to pursue a potentially more lucrative career in dog-walking or simply adding a new show to the DVR. If you think vegetarianism may be your path to self-renewal, consider this week your orientation. October 21st-27th, As previously announced, Brooklyn Goes Veg! is holding seminars and a special restaurant week at meat-free venues throughout the borough.
I went to the first Brooklyn event on the calendar, a harvest festival at the Red Hook Community Farm run by Added Value, an organization which promotes sustainable development by supporting urban farms. I perused the local goodies from restaurants like Ici and the Good Fork, but decided to unload my cash on fresh local produce, which seemed in keeping with the event’s theme of living as close to nature as possible. After deciding against a lovely farm-grown pumpkin because of the hassle of toting it over the BQE overpass, the smell of fresh herbs drew me to a demonstration called ‘Cooking and Poetry’, under the main tent. Here, the ebullient ‘performance-art food educator’ Ludie Minaya showed us the simple, finger-sparing way to unlock a garlic’s cloves (tap it firmly on its ‘head’ with a long, flat knife) and created two literally green dishes: swiss chard sautéed with red pepper flakes and a local green salad tossed with agave-garlic vinaigrette. As advertised, Ludie gave us a poetic finale, giving a convincing case for eating organic in spoken-word form as we munched on peppery greens grown 20 feet from where we sat.
Walking out the gate crunching my organic apple, seasonal appropriate recipes in hand, I had a vision of my own greener future: my fridge becoming a forest of locally grown produce from which I will whip up delicious healthy salads and root-vegetable soups in reusable containers. As soon as I clear my freezer of all the Amy’s burritos stored therein, I should have the space to make my dream come true.
The Red Hook Community Farm, located on Columbia and Beard Streets, has a regular farmer’s market on Saturdays right up until the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Brooklyn Vegetarian Week begins this Sunday, runs 10/21-10/28
Josh Guttman | October 19, 2007
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Exciting news for all of us veggies: The 1st Annual Brooklyn Vegetarian Week begins Sunday. Seven area restaurants and one online restaurant (a new concept) are participating, offering special price fixe menus and deals all week. There is also a full calendar of events, including teachings, lectures and group info sessions. Highlights of the participant list, in my opinion, include Jill’s in Park Slope, Red Bamboo in Fort Greene and a special dinner on Saturday, Oct 27 with 4 Course Vegan in Willyburg. From the website:
"Vegetarianism means different things to different people…
…making ethical consumer choices
…creating a health-supportive diet
…practicing Ahimsa, a Sanskrit term meaning non-violence
…feeling deprived, hungry, and bored
This October, Brooklyn Goes Veg! invites you to discover for yourself what it means to dine at a restaurant offering new and exciting ways to eat your veggies. For the Vegetarians, Omnivores, and the Veg-Curious, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Bon Appétit!"
Gowanus Harvest Festival at The Yard this Sunday
Josh Guttman | October 13, 2007
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The Yard is hosting The Gowanus Harvest Festival this Sunday from 3pm until "Late Late Late". I haven’t been down to check out The Yard yet, but this looks like a good opportunity to do just that. In addition to a full Beergarden in honor of Oktoberfest, they are promising live music, an organic farmstand, pony rides and best of all, a pumpkin carving contest. The four bands playing are: Two Man Gentleman Band, Hot Time Harv’s Rollercoaster of Kicks, Casa de Chihuahua, BJs - NY’s hottest Rockabilly Trio. Vendors include: Saxelby Cheesemongers, Red Jacket Orchards, Treats Truck, McClure’s Pickles, Brooklyn Kitchen. Finally, Kelly Geary of Sweet Deliverance will be the organic chef in residence. There will also be a composting demo by the LES Ecology Center. This is good opportunity for all of us who have wanted to start composting, but haven’t motivated (a group that includes yours truly).
The Yard is located at 400 Carroll Street, between Bond and Nevins.
Reconfiguration of neighborhood pizza joints
Gabrus | October 3, 2007
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Nino’s on Henry is closed. I will miss their chicken and jalapeno slices, not to mention their creamy vodka pie. The rumor is that Mazzola bought them out. Don’t fret too much though, I hear the new establishment will still serve pizza. I wonder how much business Lucali has taken from other pizza parlors in the ‘hood. Personally, I am a Brooklyn Pizza and Calzone guy myself, but this neighborhood is heaven for pizza lovers. Hey BCers, what’s your favorite pizza joint? Time to start a new poll. Cast your vote now!! If we’ve forgotten one of the best, please let us know.
In our previous poll, 26/39 voters (67%) said the red deli at Clinton and Verandah should remain a coffee shop/sandwich bar. Good news….we may be in luck….
Edible Brooklyn helps guide our culinary exploration
Josh Guttman | October 1, 2007
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You know Brooklyn has "made it" when we get a magazine dedicated to the cuisine of our great borough. I stumbled across Edible Brooklyn recently and was pleasantly surprised by a thoughtful and introspective look at area restaurants. A recent issue included a great article on the best late night options in town, a subject I’ve wondered about on more than one occasion. Another profiled Frankie’s 457 Spuntino, complete with a recipe for an Orange Salad, a special off a recent menu. The magazine is issued four times a year, one each season. Annual subscriptions are available for $28.
33rd annual Atlantic Antic this Sunday
Rachel Markowitz | September 28, 2007
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In case you haven’t seen the millions of posters plastered across the neighborhood, this Sunday is the 33rd Annual Atlantic Antic, 10 am – 6 pm. The festival spans ten blocks, from Hicks to 4th Ave. Consistently among the best street fairs in NYC, it’s a source of neighborhood pride and an annual highlight.
This year features musical performances all day on ten different stages throughout the festival. Munch on a grilled sardine while watching some hot belly dancers school you in their culture. Also, street festivals always have those fried mozzarella corn things that I never get cause they’re too fattening but always tempting. Treat yourself to one this year and tell me how it is. The festival will also feature countless vendors, and sales from the stores that line Atlantic Avenue. Last year, I almost bought some hot new shoes at a great price but they didn’t fit.
Got kids? Kids love street festivals! Check out the face painting, pony rides, live story telling and live performances of kid’s music.
Sheesha adds new flavor and spice to nabe
Josh Guttman | September 21, 2007
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Sheesha opened last week next to Zaytoons on Sackett Street, just off Smith. Its the work of Fahed, the son of the building’s and Zaytoon’s owner. He’s created an intimate space, with seating for approximately 15 people inside and another 4 out front. He told me he and his brother traveled all around the middle east collecting lamps and other artifacts that adorn the space, creating a very authentic vibe. The house specialty, of course, is sheesha (sometimes called nargila or hookah), a water pipe device that originated in India and caught on in the middle east, where it became somewhat of a luxury and delicacy. Molasses tobacco, often artificially flavored, is typically smoked from the device. The Double-Apple (Persian:?????,Do-Sib) is one of the most popular flavors in the middle-east (I recommend it as well) by the every day hookah-smokers because of the strength. Apparently, most two-apple tobacco seen in the U.S. stores are just apple flavor and aren’t as strong, but Fahed told me he would be getting some of the good stuff in the future. Sheesha also boasts choice board games, like Jenga, Scrabble and Connect Four, making it a prime after dinner or date spot . As for food and drink, they will be serving small dishes from Zaytoons, as well as standard middle eastern beverages, such as Moroccan mint tea and Sahlab, a sweet milky desert drink. The space is BYOA for now (bring your own alcohol) and will open around 5pm most nights. Beginning in a few weeks, they will feature middle eastern musicians and belly dancers performing on a regular basis. There is also talk of doing 1/2-price Sheeshas on Tuesdays, though this hasn’t been announced yet.
2am and got the munchies? - don’t forget Carroll Gardens Diner
Josh Guttman | September 14, 2007
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Over the past two years, I’ve come home many a night, hungry and frustrated by the lack of appealing late night eateries ready and willing to satisfy my midnight cravings. My standard practice some time between 1 and 2am on a Saturday night is to do a mental scan of Court and Smith, always coming up empty-handed, as all my area standbys close well before the late night shift kicks into gear. However, it turns out I’ve been guilty of overlooking a trusty neighborhood diner that’s been ready to serve up 2am hotcakes for years. I may be slow to the punch here (it wouldn’t be the first time), but it turns out Carroll Gardens Diner, despite its lack of creativity in choosing a name, serves more than just bacon and eggs. In fact, their menu spans the gamut, covering deli sandwiches, seafood, Italian and Greek. 
But the best part about their menu, in my opinion, are the sections devoted to “eggs and omelettes” (18 varieties) and “pancakes, waffles and french toast” (12 varieties of these). What’s more, you wouldn’t guess it from the unsuspecting facade, but this diner has a beautiful solarium and garden out back. Best of all, they’re open 24/7 and they deliver. So next time you’re looking for something new, whether for brunch or to satisfy a late night craving (we won’t judge), check out Carroll Gardens Diner.
Carroll Gardens Diner is located at 155 Smith Street near the corner of Bergen. They’re open 24/7 and they deliver - (718) 403-9940.
