NYC Tastes

Missy Robbins brand new Willamsburg spot Misi  is currently the hot topic of conversation on the NYC food scene.  But while critics continue to argue the merits of this newest venture, we've decided to head back to the original Williamsburg debut, the bright and beautiful Lilia for the Sheep's Milk Agnolotto. A meal at this casual Italian gem begins with a few small snacks at the bar, a bowl of chili powder potato chips and peanuts dusted with fresh rosemary. The foccaccia of the day, a warm savory round with grilled onions and Parmesan cheese served with a dollop of whipped ramp butter.  I would officially like to add this butter to everything I eat moving forward, it was so good! Then onto the famous Sheep's Milk Agnolotto; soft pillows of yellow pasta bursting with sweet ricotta cheese in a honey and saffron sauce with dried tomato.  It's like a happy little oasis right inside a bowl.  Lilia will be celebrating its 3rd anniversary in ...

Ahhh...Torst.  It had been way too long since Mr. T and I spent a rainy afternoon inside this awesome bar.  Just take a look at this Stracciatella Cheese. Known by most people as the creamy innards of burrata, this version was studded with green ramps, fresh basil and a spicy pepperoni chili oil alongside buttery thick cut She-Wolf Sourdough Bread.   This is a bowl of cheese worth getting up close and personal for... ...paired with a fantastic new Grimm and some of the best bartenders in the city.  This is my idea of the perfect afternoon. Torst 615 Manhattan Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11222  

I don't usually get too excited about Italian fare but Barano in South Williamsburg has been invading my dreams consistently since the last visit.  Helmed by Chef Albert Di Meglio of Rubirosa, this cozy little spot is churning out some seriously incredible food.  Let's start with the pizzas, all of which are made in their gorgeous wood burning pizza ovens. The crust is thin and crispy with charred edges that make a satisfying snap when cut using their special metal pizza scissors.  The list of toppings change frequently but I highly suggest the Kabocha Squash Pizza with gorgeous stracciatella cheese, spiced crema and speck drizzled with an aged balsamic vinaigrette. The second thing I love about Barano are their inventive pastas, specifically the Saffron Gigli. These toothsome orange noodles are dusted with a layer of pecorino cheese and black pepper then doused in a Calabrian Honey Sauce.  It's both spicy and sweet a...

It's now officially summer which means time for corn on the cob, burgers on the grill and sun kissed pitchers of Iced Tea.  It also means that instead of just the usual Fried Pickles at Masha and The Bear in Brooklyn they now have Fried Watermelon. The watermelon is chopped into square cubes then deep fried with a spicy outer coating that starts to burn the edges of your lips after just a few bites. Inside the nugget literally bursts with watermelon juice and provides a cooling component for the spicy crust. Of course there's regular Fried Pickles on the menu as well for purists but the watermelon are a great new summer twist on an old favorite. I suggest pairing the watermelon with one of their potent house-made vodkas or a delicious craft beer (with proper glassware) for a spicy summer snack. Masha and The Bear 771 Grand Street Brooklyn, NY 11211

It's not every day that Mr. T gets excited about a brunch dish.  In fact our recent visit to the Llama Inn might be the very first time I've seen him actually happy at brunch and that's even with the loud bumping music playing overhead.   The Llama Inn is a new Peruvian restaurant located on the odd stretch of land below the Brooklyn Queens expressway in Williamsburg. We were just stopping by for a quick bite but ended up staying all afternoon after this dish completely blew us away- the Beef Tenderloin Stir Fry. Two perfectly fried eggs sat atop a mound of beef, french fries, tomato and slices of banana with a rich, slightly spicy sauce covering the base drizzled with rocoto pepper crema.  Everything about this dish was incredible- the meat was tender as a filet, the french fries somehow stayed crispy and the banana imparted a sweet tropical flavor that brought it all together. In addition to the incredible food the other big draw was obviously the Lla...

The morning before my friends hopped back on a plane home we needed some serious brunch.  I wanted to show them a little bit of Williamsburg so  I decided upon Two Door Tavern for three reasons: Reason #1-  The menu is straightforward.  There's eggs & bacon, pancakes, omelets, things most normal people want to eat in the morning.  You'd be surprised how many places in this city have a Soft Shell Crab sandwich on the brunch menu but look at you crazy when there's an inquiry of French Toast.  Reason #2- A free drink with each entree- HELL YES. Coffee was supposed to come along with our free drink but our waitress decided to take a looooooong break before bringing those.  Not exactly the best idea when dealing with a crowd of tired, hungover patrons but luckily this is where my final reason comes into play. Reason #3-  It's only three blocks from Skinny Dennis and their amazing Willy's Fr...

Saturday brunch in Williamsburg...four words that send a shiver down Mr. T's spine so big it could shatter his back.  But he should have more faith; this brunch was different.  Chill banjo music on the overhead, warm cinnamon doughnuts to share and a rich frothy Coffee Egg Cream to kick off the meal. Take a look at this gorgeous beverage; just perfect for pairing with the House-Cured Corn Beef Hash with two poached eggs... ...and the hearty "Moose" sandwich served with crispy Saratoga chips and pickles. There was nothing light about this dish.  This was a fierce "let me take that hangover and stomp it into the ground like...well like a moose" kind of sandwich.  Stuffed with bacon, eggs, mushrooms, cheese and a spicy special sauce; serious comfort food.  All this great food, drink and with no reservation!  We walked in at 12:45, got a table and were walking out stuffed and ready for the day before 2:00.  This is a ...

After a lovely brunch at The Reynard we made our way over to The Gorbals and directly to the rooftop bar.  The sprawling patio space houses an array of picnic tables, benches and cabanas perfect for just about any size party. We started with a round of cocktails; classic Negroni Prima and twisted tiki style Pineapple Darby made with rum, pineapple, lime and almond milk...    ...then moved onto their signature Jet Pilot Slushies filled with rum, cachaca, grapefruit cinnamon and mint.   The slushies were incredibly refreshing for the hot humid day we were having but something about the mix of ingredients tasted a bit odd.  I'd stick with the shaken cocktails like the cucumber, coconut Poolside Swing instead. Oh to see those bright blue skies again... The Gorbals 98 North 6th Street Brooklyn, NY 11249

I was pretty nervous on the walk from the train to the Whyte Hotel.  I had been dying to try the Reynard for brunch but I knew that an obnoxious hipster hotel scene first thing in the morning had the potential to throw Mr. T into a furious mood.  As we walked up to the door I heard him mumble"well this looks like my worst nightmare".   I was prepping for the brunch to go downhill from there but actually the worst never actually came. The dining room was surprisingly open and airy.  Big rays of sunlight shone through the windows on a gently chattering crowd of people.   The wait staff were all bright and cheerful and that food menu was absolutely amazing. Poached Eggs with asparagus, yogurt and corn... ...Black Forest Ham and Gruyere cheese on a Pullman Roll with mixed greens... ...and a seriously delicious Summer Burger topped with lettuce, onion, garlic aioli and a thick heirloom tomato.  My only small complaint would be th...