mjr_inthegardens

Are we talking real deal salumi or Boar's Head on that sandwich? And is the bread crusty? The real deal salumi and the bread was crusty as they come and seeded to boot. I want to go back and try the roast beef straight up. -mjr

I haven't been to most of the places listed, and indeed, most of the ones I have you can eat in for less that $20. For example, 2nd St. Cafe has a regular 3-course prix fixe for $15.95. I've been meaning to go to Rose Water, which is two blocks from me, so this may be my excuse. A dinner at Rose Water would definitely be a good value at 18.98! Now we get to see how Brooklyn works their restaurant week! Bring on the good values and we shall bring on the patronage!

can someone explain shabu shabu to me? this is where you pay to eat at a restaurant and they make you cook the food yourself?? -mjr

Thanks for the link, Moopheus. Which places do you think this $18.98 menu will be the best value? (I ask that partly in view of the likelihood that many places on the list are fairly cheap without going for the special price.) I guess it's nice of places to volunteer themselves but why would I need to spend 18.98 at La Rosa & Sons, Schnack, Two Boots (!), Aunt Suzie's for example. Places that I would consider might do a good RW prix fixe or represent value given their usual price: -Quercy -Blue Ribbon / sushi -Rose Water -Thomas Biesl -Cucina -Minnow -Downtown Atlantic (I'll be checking this out.) I am interested to hear if anyone would recommend a trip to one of the places in Bay Ridge or Billyburg (not planeat thai) Cheers -MJR

Aha! Not Dafonte's, Defonte's. jj, I tried a half of a hero from Defonte the other day and it was pretty solid. 12 inches for $8, italian meats, pickled vegetables and thin breaded egglant... I want to try the roast beef next. Place is very old school. Very much a nabe standby was my feeling. -MJR

Does anyone have a recipe for Clamato itself or know a source for the authentic canadian variety in NYC? My gf went to McGill in Montreal and loves Caesars but we cannot find spicy clamato anywhere in NYC. -MJR

re:patois The back garden does look very inviting Maybe have to give it another whirl this june or so -mjr

Why too obvious? And what type of food do they serve, at what kind of prices? Patois is Smith St restaurant row pioneer Alan Harding's first restaurant. He's focus of a lot of the criticism that the restaurant gets but I have heard a lot of complaints about service there in the last year. The restaurant food wise is french with a cajun influence supposedly but perhaps are just resting on their past reputation instead of innovating.

On tap at Magnetic Fields on Atlantic Avenue in brooklyn. Tastes a good. -mjr

There may be food trucks elsewhere, but "The Grease Trucks" are specific trucks in the College Ave parking lot:  Mr C's  Sunrise  RU Hungry  Rutgers Cafe  Hungry Eye etc articles about the trucks: http://www.dailytargum.com/news/2003/03/25...ht-398542.shtml http://www.fatdarrell.com/home.htm http://www.injersey.com/day/story/0,2379,630246,00.html

JP Stevens, class of '96. 1-2-3 HAWKS!

Haven't been but hear cool stuff about "The Soul Spot" on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn It's small and does mostly takeout.

Has anyone been to the Grocery? Is it worth a visit? I find one of the greatest things about the neighborhood is the abundance of decent restaurants with atmospheric backyard dining -- sweet melissa comes to mind, as does Joya. -mjr

I also had a friend (beanpole) who I went to HS with. He went to rutgers freshman year before transferring to NYU.. The grease trucks definitely helped him out with the Freshman 15. -mjr

where can I locate Sam Smith's Imp Stout in NYC?

aka "Taco Hell"

I searched the Jersey board diligently before posting this… Anyone been to the Grease Trucks lately? The 3 to 4 to 5 food trucks in the parking lot on College Avenue in New Brunswick that serve up Cheesesteaks, Gyros, and the infamous Fat Cat sandwich and its infinite variations (Fat Moon, Fat Sam etc) I used to cut high school in Edison and drive to New Brunswick to get a Fat Cat in the 90s before I went to NYU. It was a sandwich that did not mess about -- to eat it you had to stand wide legged like you were about to do a sun salutation, otherwise you'd get sandwich on your kicks. Hero roll, 2 cheeseburgers, french fries, 2 fried eggs, bacon, lettuce onion tomato, ketchup and hot sauce --- a Fat Cat Especiale from Mr C's. That was my sandwich. Everyone had a sandwich and everyone had a truck. You didn't stray from your truck. The guy who ran the truck must have known 1/2 the undergraduate classes, he greeted you (assuming you were a guy) with a massive handshake that you had to be ready for. Even in the rain it was no problem, since I was driving Mom's minivan and just opened the tailgate as a shield while I stood bowlegged below. I've been considering that a run has to be made to this mecca of grease and "low-brow" chow very soon. Cheers -MJR, ex-New Jerseyan

always used to drink this in England and have seen it lately in Key Food in Brooklyn bottle lasts a long time because you dilute it with water to imbibe I wonder if it'd be good with a little vodka mixed in. any other fans? -MJR

How do they compare to Italian bakery cream puffs. What's the big difference?

Aha! Not Dafonte's, Defonte's. Shop sounds gooooooood…. love eggplant on a hero. I have been meaning to try schnack but don't really like the look of it too much from the outside. -mjr

I don’t know whether it makes me a boor or a sophisticate but I drink and have always drank strong English tea, Sainsbury's Red Label, a supermarket brand from the UK with milk. -mjr

So I read in the Brooklyn Papers today that Friday's® is moving into the Gage and Tollner space. link: http://www.brooklynpapers.com/html/issues/..._09/27_09bp.pdf I was of course a little miffed about that but the more I think about it, probably only a restaurant corporation would be able to feasibly take on the space (and the, I must imagine, substantial rent). The space is landmarked so they will not be able to gut and "Fridayize" it. The article states that with the exception of signage and tables and such, that the restaurant décor will be left intact. I won't be patronizing but should be the classiest Friday's in the nation. There is also a review of Bluestone Grill on Columbia street in this edition. cheers -mjr

had dinner at Downtown Atlantic on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn on tues... we dined from the tuesday tapas menu and had dessert and a spanish wine pairing. Tapas: Spanish Tortilla --- layered potato pancake Chorizo and Grilled Garlic Shrimp Grilled marinated octopus Cod and Potato Fritter Balls Roasted quail and polenta Highlights were the tortilla and the chorizo and shrimp (delicious sauce)... The octopus was underwhelming --- too much marinade and too heavy obscured the texture and taste of the grilled octopus. The octopus itself was a little chewy also. The cod fritters were also forgettable, served with a green sauce. The quail was very nice, kind of an amuse bouche sized item when shared, the polenta was nicely charred and very delicious. The restaurant had a live flamenco guitarist while we ate that was very cool -- service was receptive and attentive. Our wine was a young spanish (02) with a nice fruit bouquet. Their wine list is split between sub 20 and 20 +... wait staff could learn the list and pairings a little better. Dessert: chocolate mousse pot topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings --- AMAZING. simply divine. Washed each delicious taste down with capuccino. Final bill with Tip was $84. Will definitely return to test the real menu.

nice post, bpearis I definitely concur with your opinion on Miyako -- fantastic sushi. For thai lovers, there is also Thai Café in Greenpoint --- manhattan avenue near Greenpoint Ave. SEA is definitely an interesting room but the food is dissapointing and the service is bad. Any restaurant where the waitstaff has to walk 30 yards to the kitchen is destined for bad service, no matter how fancy their order taking machinery is. Allioli is definitely fantastic. I had one of the best meals I've ever had at oznots for my 1 yr anniversary with my gf --- duck tangine and mango crème brulee for dessert but that was 2 years ago. Thanks for the update on that hood. -mjr

I've never eaten there but we've gotten delivery of roast chicken. My girlfriend likes it but I think it's whatever. They have ceviches and seem to have a nice decor. I'd like to try it. I think the name is Mancora