Where to take Mom for her birthday dinner...

bergenites · October 2007

I know the subject of visiting mothers has been discussed recently, but my question is a bit different... and I don't think it was answered in that discussion.

My mom is coming to visit. She knows NY, but isn't too familiar with Brooklyn (she's visited once before, but before we moved to the neighborhood). It is her birthday, and we'd like to take her out.

Since we just moved to the area this summer I don't know too many of the area restaurants. We have tried lots of them, and all have been good, but I'm not sure any are "right" for her birthday dinner.

She loves good food (of any kind), and I'd prefer a place where we can hear each other talk. It doesn't have to be particularly fancy or trendy, and reasonably priced would be nice too. When my grandmother visited last month we took her to Tempo which was lovely, I guess we could take Mom there too, but I was looking for some other ideas.

We also want to stay in the walking-distance neighborhood. We live on Bergen near 4th Avenue - so North Slope or Boerum Hill recs would be great!

Thanks everyone!

djcob.l · October 2007

Al Di La (no reservations accepted, so go early)
Applewood (a bit of a far walk)

opossumqueen · October 2007

If it were my mother, my first choice would be Coco Roco (5th Ave between 6/7 Sts). It's usually quiet but if the music happens to be too loud, they seem perfectly happy to turn it down if someone asks.

I've not had a bad item there. The menu is extensive so there are lots of options (check menu pages). You can get a full or half pitcher of sangria for a reasonable price and that's always a winner in my book.

I'm hoping to make it there for dinner sometime this week. I'm craving several of their flavors.

Let us know where you end up going and what you think.

stacey · October 2007

Subject: Re: Where to take Mom for her birthday dinner...

Bergenites wrote: We also want to stay in the walking-distance neighborhood. We live on Bergen near 4th Avenue - so North Slope or Boerum Hill recs would be great!

Thanks everyone!

What about Sorrell (which is 4 blocks from you at St. Marks and Carlton) I personally have not ate there but the people whose opinion I respect have said it was good food. It seems to be a very nice and intimate place. I think I was told it was a little on the expensive side.

I know its a little further than you wanted but we always used to have our birthday celebrations at Red Rose on Smith Street. Its family run, great italian food, reasonably priced and very quaint. They also have some really nice wine recommendations for your meals. Also its right around the block from Monteleones so you can get a really nice pastry afterwards.

alafairnadia · October 2007

Convivium is pretty nice and near your location. If she likes adventurous food, try Moim. Franny's is also nice.

I second Sorrell but bear in mind that you won't walk out stuffed (not a problem in my book, but irritates other people) and the place is cash only.

hamilton · October 2007

Subject: Mom's Birthday

Take her to Queen on Court street she deserves it.

sweet tea · October 2007

i'm planning to take my mom to sorrell for her birthday when she visits. i love it -- relaxed yet pleasant atmosphere, wonderful -- i mean, i can't even tell you how wonderful -- food. hands down my favorite place in the neighborhood, maybe in the whole city. feels very special to me, like your secret paris cafe with the crazy genius chef. i like to go at less popular times, so it feels more intimate and like i have all the time in the world.

never the same menu twice; always blows me away. sometimes i deliberately order things i would usually avoid just because i know this is my chance to have the best version of them ever.

to me, the price both is and isn't expensive. it's a $25 prix fixe, for appetizer, entree, and dessert. they have a good wine list both by the glass and bottle, and i think their prices are fair. it's definitely my fancy place out (i'm always broke), but every time i go i feel like it's the best deal in town -- where else can i eat this well for this money?

veets · October 2007

I loce Red Rose,,, Been there for a long time.. old world.. just the kind of place for a more traditional mom who would not be interested in the heavily fusioned food Ps is famous for.

lanciano · October 2007

My boyfriend and i just ate at Applewood and it was lovely.

It's homey and inviting, not loud at all and the food is delicious. I would definitely recommend taking your mom to dinner there.

http://www.applewoodny.com/
(11th Street btwn 7-8 Aves)

eatshoplocal · October 2007

Franny's is amazing and worth every penny but very noisy when full - maybe try to go early.

bergenites · October 2007

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!
I think Applewood is a bit far for us to walk - I'd really like to keep a bit closer to home.

My mom is from southern California and is used to all kinds of good cuisine (including her own!) so I'm definitely not spoiled for choice in terms of what she likes. She just isn't a fan of heavy or fried foods, but then again, neither am I!

I had not heard of Sorrel before several mentioned it. I had to look it up, and unfortunately have read some *very* mixed reviews - some say it is wonderful, a fantastic experince, and others say it is terrible and the chef is very rude. (This was from citysearch). I love the description that it is like a special Paris restaurant with a constantly changing menu - that is my favorite type of place! - but I'm worried after reading those reviews. Can anyone give more input?

I've been thinking about a few of the places on Smith St. as well, since that's not too far to walk and a bit of a different area (Mom has walked in PS but not BH) - any opinions on Saul or Chestnut?

I think I may end up falling back on Tempo - I know it is good, relatively quiet and has good service. And I know my mom would love their polenta appetizer...

Thanks all!

fruitbat · October 2007

I'm not sure if it's too far of a walk, but both Aliseo (Vanderbilt between Prospect and Park) and Garden Cafe (Prospect and Vanderbilt) in Prospect Heights are lovely, quite, and mom-worthy, with careful, creative food. Garden Cafe is especially quiet, but I forget which nights it's open.

You could also try Rosewater, on Union and 6th, though I think it can get a *bit* noisy.

Good luck finding someplace special, enjoy your dinner, and happy birthday to your mom!

alafairnadia · October 2007

fruitbat wrote: I'm not sure if it's too far of a walk, but both Aliseo (Vanderbilt between Prospect and Park) and Garden Cafe (Prospect and Vanderbilt) in Prospect Heights are lovely, quite, and mom-worthy, with careful, creative food. Garden Cafe is especially quiet, but I forget which nights it's open.

You could also try Rosewater, on Union and 6th, though I think it can get a *bit* noisy.

Good luck finding someplace special, enjoy your dinner, and happy birthday to your mom!

oh yeah - my mum loves both aliseo and garden cafe. she likes albano and his fig stuffing at aliseo, and at garden cafe, she likes the extremely old school ingredients.

sweet tea · October 2007

Bergenites wrote:

I had not heard of Sorrel before several mentioned it. I had to look it up, and unfortunately have read some *very* mixed reviews - some say it is wonderful, a fantastic experince, and others say it is terrible and the chef is very rude. (This was from citysearch). I love the description that it is like a special Paris restaurant with a constantly changing menu - that is my favorite type of place! - but I'm worried after reading those reviews. Can anyone give more input?

the chef, alex, is an intense, somewhat morose, ex-soviet. i think he's amazing. if i'm there late enough that he's no longer cooking, i always try to angle my way into a conversation with him. he's really passionate about art -- the stuff on the walls is his obsession, and i love to hear him talk about it. (even though he took down my favorite painting.)

that said, i can easily imagine him getting bent out of shape if someone had a million substitution requests or was whiny about not liking something. he's very serious about what he does. he's put a LOT of thought into each detail, and he thinks it's important. so i can totally imagine him flying off the handle at the kind of diner who is all "bring me the duck, but i want it with the sauce from the lamb and with the greens from the fish and by the way why did my (15-ingredient, beautifully plated) appetizer only have 3 shrimp?" he seems the sort to see that as incredible rudeness. (and in this kind of restaurant, i agree with him. it's not a diner. to me, the thought that i will sit back and eat well is relaxing -- if i want to dictate everything about my food, i'll cook it myself -- but some folks see it differently, i guess.)

alafairnadia is right -- the portions are not big. i actually like that about it -- i leave feeling satisfied, but not like i've over-indulged. (for reference: i love to eat. i eat well and plenty. so don't think this is a comment from a salad-picking, lunch-skipping, celery stick-nibbling kind of girl.) i find i eat there about the amount i would make for myself for dinner, as opposed to the amount i often get at a restaurant. sadly, that means no leftovers.

okay, sorry for the very long post. if only i could go there every week, i wouldn't have to talk about it so much.

alafairnadia · October 2007

to add to sweet tea's comment, the one time I was at sorrell and the food was criticized - a piece of beef ordered rare was delivered well done - the chef corrected the error and sent the diner a glass of wine on the house. he's not a jerk if he's called on a genuine food issue. he's just a jerk if you're allergic to fish and want to order the fish dish and swap in the chicken. in his book, just order the chicken.

MOD · October 2007

One of my coworkers goes there often. He raves about the brunch there and loves the owner too.

Where to take Mom for her birthday dinner...

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