New restaurants--what do you think?

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New restaurants--what do you think?

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OpossumQueen
rocking it
Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 2,526

I feel like there hasn't been a ton of new restaurant talk lately so I'll start it.

Surfish (on 5th Ave). Holy crap is that place good. The bf and I have been several times (sometimes with others) and this place is now one of our favorites in the neighborhood. The only downside is that they have a very limited bar--wines and sangria are it, I think. One night we had a bad waiter, but the food was still great.

Spice (on 7th Ave). Eh. I was so hopeful for this place but the one meal we've gotten (tried a couple of different curries) was super bland.

Kiwiana (on Union). I haven't been to the restaurant but I've been to a dinner that he cooked (and some of the recipes on the menu there) and I'm excited to try it. Curious to hear what others think.

I'm interested to see what happens at Johnny Mack's after the changes.

Anybody know if the soup guy (he was in the 7th Ave Uncle Louie G's spot last winter) is close to opening anything around here?

What else has opened recently? What am I missing out on?

# Posted 1 yr ago
booklaw
admin
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 2,409

For pizza and calzone, Giuseppina, at 691 Sixth Ave. @ 20th St.

I really like zuzu ramen, and also the newer ramen place on 5th avenue and maybe 1st street.

We've had a couple of dinners at Benchmark, on 2nd Street just below 7th Avenue. They were good, but expensive.

# Posted 1 yr ago
Mamacita
Stuck in the middle with you
Joined: Dec '06
Posts: 9,500

Dumplings and Things is on my list to try, but they don't do delivery and the inside seating is tiny, so it is mostly take out service.

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# Posted 1 yr ago
Mamacita
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Booklaw how are their calzones? Made fresh per order?

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# Posted 1 yr ago
booklaw
admin
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 2,409

So far I've only had the pizza, which was excellent. The reviews I've read said that the calzone was even better than the pizza.

# Posted 1 yr ago
Carmen
Mayor of Snark Slope
Joined: Jun '06
Posts: 3,254

I looove dumplings and things. Its on my monthly rotation- its def a takeout or lunch spot, and some people have complained that its "not authentic" blablabla but its one of the only places in the hood where two adults can eat a reasonable, filling, freshly-cooked meal for less than $11.

whoa hey whoa hey whoa

# Posted 1 yr ago
veets
rocking it
Joined: Feb '07
Posts: 2,535

I love Surfish.. This summer it has been on the top of my list. Mild criticism is the limited beer/wine selections and especially by the glass, the wine is priced higher than what it merits ($10 a glass).

# Posted 1 yr ago
OpossumQueen
rocking it
Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 2,526

Veets, just get a pitcher of sangria But yeah, the liquor situation at Surfish is the only con we've found and the food makes up for it.

I forgot about the dumpling place. Must try.

Oh, and I also love Culture yogurt. I'm not super into all the fro-yo places, but I really like this stuff. My suggestion: regular yogurt with the key lime pie topping.

# Posted 1 yr ago
veets
rocking it
Joined: Feb '07
Posts: 2,535

I have a close friend who has a great take on booze (any kind) in restaurants.He says.."You want to drink on the cheap then you stay home and cook yourself a great meal.. You want to enjoy a great meal and drink then you pay too much for the liquor and shut your mouth!"

# Posted 1 yr ago
OpossumQueen
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Posts: 2,526

Just ate at Kiwiana. Awesome. BYOB until they get their liquor license.

We had the beef tartare, fried chicken, snapper, chocolate cake, and flan. (That was between 2 of us). We would happily eat all of it again but there were other things on the menu that we want to try next time.

# Posted 1 yr ago
roux42
above average
Joined: Apr '05
Posts: 574

I'm interested to see what happens at Johnny Mack's after the changes.

What changes? I am just recovering from them opening the side room and the upscaling the menu! Very scary!

# Posted 1 yr ago
OpossumQueen
rocking it
Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 2,526

roux42 said:
I'm interested to see what happens at Johnny Mack's after the changes.

What changes? I am just recovering from them opening the side room and the upscaling the menu! Very scary!

Link to story about it:
http://www.heresparkslope.com/home/2011/8/16/johnny-macks-getting-a-major-menu-overhaul.html

# Posted 1 yr ago
roux42
above average
Joined: Apr '05
Posts: 574

[quote]Still sad! It might not be the best food, but the burgers were decent and the beer was cold!

# Posted 1 yr ago
veets
rocking it
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Posts: 2,535

Yeah I know am sounding like I am a shill for Surfish but we ate there again this evening with another couple. I ordered a Rib Steak for entree and that was the first time I have had meat there. The meat was crusted in a garlic/herb combination that set off an excellent cut of meat that had been seared to perfection. The portion was so generous that half of it came home with me to be eaten tomorrow.

# Posted 1 yr ago
Peanuts
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Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 577

Not a shill at all Veets - Surfish is great (I've had the ribsteak - delicious). And the chef is a really nice guy too.

I also second Culture - yummy!

Dumplings and Things - my go to place for a good cheap lunch.

Also like LaVilla for take out pizza.

Peanuts

# Posted 1 yr ago
veets
rocking it
Joined: Feb '07
Posts: 2,535

We don't do LaVilla often but the Pizza is good and their salads are fresh and generous portions. It is an accomodating place to eat with kids or large groups of adults after kiddies are in bed.

# Posted 1 yr ago
justsayin
y'know?
Joined: May '11
Posts: 15

Kiwiana was delicious. I tried the fried chicken, mussels, and burger. All were fantastic, but I wasn't a big fan of the honey they serve with the chicken.

The coconut flan was out of this world--make sure to leave room!

# Posted 1 yr ago
MoodyMan
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Joined: Aug '11
Posts: 3

I love, love Surfish, I have tried most of the dishes on the menu and everything is so good, and fresh and presented beautifully. The garden is so lovely and the service is really nice. This is my favorite spot in Brooklyn!!!!

# Posted 1 yr ago
SlopeDuder
getting it
Joined: Jan '10
Posts: 160

Anyone eat at that new "grassfed" hamburger joint on the corner of 1st and 7th Ave yet? It is always packed. I looked at the menu and for the prices there you can get 2 hamburgers somewhere else so I don't think I'll be eating there soon.

Also next door to that on 1st (across from PS321) there is a new pizza place called South Brooklyn Pizza. It has no sign and they only make 1 type of pizza a day but its very good but also very expensive at $4 a slice (yikes)

# Posted 1 yr ago
OpossumQueen
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Posts: 2,526

We tried to go to the new burger place (Bareburger I think is the name) but it was closed that day : / It smells amazing and is packed when I've walked by, so I do want to try it.

# Posted 1 yr ago
Mamacita
Stuck in the middle with you
Joined: Dec '06
Posts: 9,500

SlopeDuder said:

Also next door to that on 1st (across from PS321) there is a new pizza place called South Brooklyn Pizza. It has no sign and they only make 1 type of pizza a day but its very good but also very expensive at $4 a slice (yikes)

South Brooklyn Pizza is I think the same one that is on 4th ave in N.Slope (pretty newish, many a brooklynian beer and pizza time has been had there) and there is another one in Carrol Gardens. It's owned by the guy from Cherry Tree Pub, that also owns many bars here and in Manhattan. It's really damn good pizza, like damn good, they make some special pies each day -while slices last- and they also offer unlimited roasted garlic cloves in olive oil and hot peppers. Basically $4 a slice, but worth it when top it with all that and they're not small slices either. What can I say, I'm a fan.

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# Posted 1 yr ago
OpossumQueen
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Posts: 2,526

Went to Bareburger last night with the boyfriend. The interior is great--I just wanted to stay and hang out all night. The food was okay but not astounding, imo, but my bf really liked his burger. You choose your meat (beef, bison, veggie, and I forget what else), bun, and a "style" with is lots of combos. I had the jalapeno one and the pepper relish was tasty but the meat was just okay.

# Posted 1 yr ago
shekb
getting it
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 115

Went to Zito's yesterday. They are rocking it hard. Great Itlaian cold cut and meatball parm sandwich. The equal of City Sub, in terms of the quality of the sandwich.

# Posted 1 yr ago
whynot_31
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shekb said:
Went to Zito's yesterday. They are rocking it hard. Great Itlaian cold cut and meatball parm sandwich. The equal of City Sub, in terms of the quality of the sandwich.

Fine. I will try Zitos

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 1 yr ago
shekb
getting it
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 115

Fine!

# Posted 1 yr ago
DanielJ
Fighting the good fight
Joined: Apr '09
Posts: 212

If you want the two most insanely delicious new places to eat in the neighborhood, go to Culture and Zito's.

Oh, and Sky Ice. And Kiwiana. And South Brooklyn Pizza. And Dumplings and Things. And Surfish. And Purbird. And Der Kommissar.

Oh, and Kulushkat!

# Posted 1 yr ago
scottb2k
Made In Brooklyn
Joined: Nov '06
Posts: 145

Zito's is great. I mean really, really great. Delicious sandwiches, good prices and huge portions. I can honestly say I will try everything on their menu.

Bareburger is very good, my one complaint is that they do not have the proper bun:meat ratio. They need to either cut down on the size of their buns or increase the size of the burgers.

South Brooklyn pizza is a tad bit pricy but wort it. IMO the best non "slice joint" pizza in the northern part of the slope.

Spice is underwhleming and no better than any of the myriad other thai places around; stick with song.

# Posted 1 yr ago
joehill
getting it
Joined: Oct '08
Posts: 129

I've been to Surfish once, and the food was great but the waits for our appetizers and main course was interminable. I think we were there for 2.5 hours between waiting for food and the check and everything.

Is that an aberration?

# Posted 1 yr ago
veets
rocking it
Joined: Feb '07
Posts: 2,535

joehill.. That is really a long time. I have eaten there a dozen times and and the food came to the table course by course with a comfortable but not over-long wait.

# Posted 1 yr ago
OpossumQueen
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Posts: 2,526

Yeah, joehill, I think you should give it another try. We've eaten there several times and have never felt we waited too long for anything (and I definitely notice when we wait very long for anything in a restaurant). Last time we had two courses and were probably out of there in under an hour (not rushed but just needed to go).

I need to try SB pizza now!

# Posted 1 yr ago
OpossumQueen
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Woah, had brunch at Kiwiana today. It was the BEST french toast I've had in a restaurant. We had some pork sliders to share and I had the toast and bf had eggs florentine or something like that. He really liked the eggs and they came with this tasty hash brown patty thing.

# Posted 1 yr ago
RockerGirl77
numba one in tha hood, g
Joined: Jan '08
Posts: 348

The equal of City Sub, in terms of the quality of the sandwich.

Wow. Ok. I was thinking it sort of looked a little heavy but if it is anywhere near City Sub awesomeness I will try it tomorrow. That is a really really high recommendation in my book.

Culture is the most amazing thing ever. I too, am not usually a Fro-Yo person (or deserts at all for that matter) but I would like to second that the original with key lime is pretty much the greatest thing I've had in a long long time.

Surfish is really good, although all of the seafood in my paella was way overcooked. My bf's food was great though, as were out apps so maybe I'll just pass on the paella next time.

Bareburger is pretty freaking great. Its super overpriced but then again where else are you going to get an all-organic ostrich or bison burger around here? Everything is organic and farm fresh with traceable roots, right down to the ketchup. The fries are on par with Press 195 (my fave in the hood) and they also have rings and shakes (a peanut butter shake!). Nuff said.

Crespella (which I think is now in the old soup space? The soup was amazing, btw) has pretty tasty crepes and also sells Robicelli's cupcakes. Also good Stumptown coffee but I think Cafe Martin has the best coffee by a landslide.

Giuseppina's is great. Pretty much identical to Lucali, minus the huge wait to get in.

Dumplings & Things is no Chinatown, obvs, but pretty great for a quick bite in Park Slope. Michael & Pings (3rd Ave) is bland, different presentation/portions almost every time, and generally meh.

Anyone tried Blueprint?

# Posted 1 yr ago
veets
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Posts: 2,535

I have to agree with Rockergirl. the one and only thing I have eaten in Surfish that was not a "go back to" dish was the Paella. Different fishes and seafood cook at different rates and it is a hard to dish to get perfect.

# Posted 1 yr ago
OpossumQueen
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Posts: 2,526

Rockergirl, the soup place was in Uncle Louie G's (ice cream) during the winter and is supposedly coming back to the space this winter, which makes me very happy.

# Posted 1 yr ago
scarlett
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 2,866

Anyone been to Kiwiana for a review the last few weeks? Do they have wine yet?

# Posted 1 yr ago
saram
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Joined: Jul '05
Posts: 132

I ordered Kulushkat for delivery - it was good but there was a foreign object/hard grainy thing in one of the falafels. I had already eaten the rest and it was really off putting. Also the hummus came in a really small container. I think I would try again if I was nearby, but not for delivery. I'll likely stick to Zaytoons

# Posted 1 yr ago
scarlett
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 2,866

Kiwiana is still BYOB hooray! And New Zealand Pinot Noir is deeelicious. Chef was there and made an appearance. Salmon tartare, beef tartare, smoked and pickled mussels and the snapper were all amazing. Sadly they didn't offer coconut flan tonight but the dessert we had was yummy and not too sweet- pound cake soaked in raspberry coulis and wrapped around cream... Kind of like a non preservative filled Little Debbie my date said. We'll be back.

# Posted 1 yr ago
Daveon8th
getting it
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 108

Surprised to read all the love for Zito's. My two visits there were pretty unremarkable and the sandwiches were both average at best. City Sub is still far and away the best sandwich in the neighborhood.

Bareburger isn't worth the price. Blue Ribbon's cheeseburger and fries are superior and about the same price.

South Brooklyn Pizza is the real deal. The whole pie(s), both the sicilian and regular pie are awesome. Agreed that the $4 dollar slice is expensive, but it is the best slice in the area.

# Posted 1 yr ago
LongTimeSloper
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Isn't City Sub just plain old cold cuts? I don't get the love for that place.

As for Zito's, the potato and egg, pork braciole and eggplant parm are excellent. The chicken parm is just average as is the autogrill IMO.

# Posted 1 yr ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
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LTS » Isn't City Sub just plain old cold cuts? I don't get the love for that place.

City Sub has good bread, and quality meats and is a one of the few classic hoagie places left.

They do one thing, but they do it well

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 1 yr ago
shekb
getting it
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 115

City Sub is terrific, as is Zito's. As for which is best in the neighborhood, I guess it depends on whether you live north or south of 9th. City Sub is a hike for some.

# Posted 1 yr ago
LongTimeSloper
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I thought I read somewhere that City Subs serves Boar's Head cold cuts? Which is good stuff, but, to me, nothing special since I can buy Boar's Head in the supermarket. I guess i just don't get all the hype about them all these years, they seem very Subway-like to me. Maybe one day I will try them

# Posted 1 yr ago
LongTimeSloper
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Shekb, true on City Sub, they are not near me, though, their selection of sandwiches is very different from what Zito's offers, so, i wouldn't really compare the two.

# Posted 1 yr ago
whynot_31
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Joined: Mar '06
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When I go to City Sub, it strikes me that the vast majority of customers are male.

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 1 yr ago
LongTimeSloper
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I really want to try Der Kommissar!

# Posted 1 yr ago
Mamacita
Stuck in the middle with you
Joined: Dec '06
Posts: 9,500

EDIT:

I still haven't gone to Mile End for their Brisket. Not in PS, I know, but I've heard good things about the place. My hesitation is paying $12 bucks for your simple brisket on sliced rye, no sides (no pickles or anything)...

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# Posted 1 yr ago
booklaw
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I haven't had their brisket, but ther "smoked meat" (a cross between pastrami and corned beef) is excellent, as is their "whole mishpuchah" (what most Jewish delis call "chicken in the pot", i.e. chicken soup, matzahball, veggies, and chicken).

Of course, most Jewish delis don't serve poutine!

# Posted 1 yr ago
angvou
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Joined: Jan '08
Posts: 4

Does anyone have thots about Faros Greek resto on 7th Ave near Union? I went for a lunch and was surprised at how good/pleasant it was. (It was just a fancy salad with bread but still).
It looks really unappealing from outside but I'd try it again.

# Posted 1 yr ago
booklaw
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We (two couples) enjoyed our dinner there. The food was not inspired, but it was perfectly acceptable Greek food.

# Posted 1 yr ago
scarlett
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Joined: Nov '07
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Booklaw, did anyone get whole fish? Did they allow BYOB?

# Posted 1 yr ago