Posts from the ‘NYC’ Category

May 12

BB Sandwich Bar

I knew the big deal was the cheesesteaks, and that's what I went for. What I
didn't quite realize was that that's the only item they serve. The
whole experience is mildly disorienting at first. It's unclear if you're
entering the right establishment, as the door is inside a hallway, reggae
music was playing and no signs or menus were anywhere in sight. Though the
front of the building proclaims BB Sandwich Bar, I feared I'd stepped into a
Jamaican pattie joint. "We only have the cheesesteaks sandwich" proclaimed
the quiet Eastern European counter woman. Well, good enough, that's what
we'd come for anyway. I love the absurdity. I thought Hero's Sweet Potatoes
was single-minded (I know they do Korean food now), but this took the cake.

The sandwiches are prepared in batches so ours were ready to go. They
are not traditional, nor claim to be, though I wouldn't deem them overly
foofy either. The deal breaker for many would be the substitution of kaiser
roll for Italian bread. That doesn't bother me, but I am sort of a purist
where the cheese whiz is concerned. They cram a good portion of meat topped
with caramelized onions, spicy pepper relish and scant provolone. That's my
only beef–more cheese taste. I mean, cheese is in the name, right? Of
course that didn't stop me from quickly devouring their cheesesteak and
contemplating a second. Too bad they're not open late Sat. nights, I could
really go for one now.

BB Sandwich Bar * 120 W. Third St., New York, NY

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May 11

Sweet Mama’s

1/2

What an odd scene. I honestly think this was the first time I've ever
uttered the words, "we're the youngest ones here" in Williamsburg. The aim
was barbecue and for some inexplicable reason I deterred James from going to
Pearson's with the promise of ribs at the newly located Sweet Mama's. I also
told him not to beat me if they didn't have ribs on the menu, though how
could they not, billing themselves as Southern and all. Well, the ribs were
on the menu in print, but not in presence. They'd just run out. Blasphemy.
I'll chalk it up to grand opening kinks, but that's a bad thing. I had
chicken with white barbecue sauce that wasn't white. I don't know what white
barbecue sauce even is, but for some strange reason I thought it'd be white.

Things turned interesting when the restaurant closed up shop at 11pm.
The bar scene grew a bit, a jazzy band started playing and craggy
milk-drinking lesbians sat in the corner. I became freaked out by the 4'11,
tan, heavily banged blonde, 50-something in a hot pink polyester dress with
white pumps and lots o' makeup primping in the bathroom mirror. Next thing I
knew, she started cutting a rug. I was a little shocked at first, then a bit
soothed. It looks like a slice of Park Slope came with the restaurant's
move. Williamsburg could use a little scene-shifting. (5/11/02)

So, it's back in Park Slope and in a lesbian bar. I wouldn't even know
that if I hadn't been assigned the place to review for Time Out NY. Odd,
very odd. (3/1/03)

*Gone for good. (6/11/04)

Sweet Mama's * 559 Lorimer St., Brooklyn, NY

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May 6

Franklin Station Cafe

1/2

I've always wondered what Tribeca French-Malaysian would be like, and now
that I've sampled some I'm still not too sure. Granted, I went for
breakfast, not the most representative meal of the day. The place offers
legitimate Malaysian dishes like laksa, rendang and satay along side roasted
turkey and tuna salad sandwiches. It's not fusion, and based upon the
seemingly Malaysian and French duo working behind the counter, appears to be
a friendship arrangement. Unfortunately, I can only comment on the
unadventurous ham and cheese omelet I ate. Boring, I know, but it didn't
seem right to risk congee in a non-Chinese establishment.

Franklin Station
Cafe * 222 W. Broadway, New York,NY

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Apr 13

Pipa

Restaurants housed in stores can be scary like Little Caesars in K Mart, but of course, ABC Carpet and Home is no blue light special. Though after facing a sold out showing of "Y Tu Mama Tambien," tapas, across the street, seemed like a good second choice.

It was Saturday night, there was a long wait, the Gipsy Kings were blaring, but by the end of the evening, I was happy as a clam (or maybe that was the giant pitcher of sangria taking effect). We ordered way more food than we should've: shrimp and crab-stuffed piquillo peppers, shrimp in garlicky olive oil, a hearty salad with machengo, Serrano ham and the sweetest-ever sun-dried tomatoes and a dish called "lamb rice" filled with olives, figs, more of those tomatoes, topped with little lamb chops.

Though I didn't see the bill, I have the feeling Pipa is one of those places where little things quickly add up. Tapas have that way of sneaking up on your pocketbook.

Pipa* 38 E 19th St., New York, NY

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Apr 6

House of Pizza and Calzone

Hmm, strange that I've never mentioned the re-birth of HOPAC. They closed last summer around this time and got me scared, so I ran over and bought a bunch of deep fried calzones (I live down the street now). But then they re-opened with new owners who seem to be doing things the same way where the food is concerned and unlike the old way where everything else is. And that's a good thing. They're actually open on weekends and after 5pm and have coupons and delivery menus and all that. (7/27/05)

Apr 5

Aunt Suzie’s

No fan of spaghetti and meatballs, I gave Aunt Suzie's a whirl anyway. This
big portions, small pricetag red sauce joint straddles the line between
old-school and tongue in cheek. Lovers of standards like chicken parmigiana,
fried eggplant and baked ziti won't be disappointed. Everyone else should
prepare to bust a gut.

Aunt Suzie's * 247 Fifth
Ave., Brooklyn, NY

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Mar 28

Rochjin

Rochjin means fishball in Thai and last I heard, fishballs were their
specialty. Were is the word here. They didn't have them the night I stopped
in, and I'm under the impression they may have been removed from the menu
permanently.
Regardless, the staff was very eager and helpful, explaining dishes in
detail and apologetic as to the unavailability of the yellowtail snapper
(hence the fishball problem). The food, however, isn't typical pad Thai
joint Thai. It's not fancy fusion Thai either. It's vitrine-topped table,
Frank Sinatra playing Thai. Dishes with names like Chili on the Pond and Taj
Mahal lovers abound.
They're definitely aspiring to something. Hopefully, the past won't be an
indicator–the previous shop selling durian ice cream and pork buns only
lasted about six months. (3/28/02)
*Poor Rochjin. They can now be added to the list of goners. They've been
closed for at least three months now–I don't think they even made it to the
six month mark. (10/2/02)

Rochjin Asian Noodle * 92 Third Ave., New York, NY

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Mar 23

Delhi Palace

People seem to prefer Jackson Heights over Sixth St. Indian. Maybe they
equate travel time with authenticity. Regardless, I do think Delhi Palace is
a notch above.

I tried a lamb and turnip curry, crazy potato-stuffed, battered, fried
peppers akin to chile poppers minus the processed cheese and the lentil
donut. The food had a fresher, clean quality than I'm used to.

The latest word on Jackson Heights Indian is a new place that starts
with the letter S. You can never keep up with this city, can you?

DelhiPalace * 3733 74th St., Jackson Heights, NY

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Mar 8

Bonnie’s Grill

In the spirit of trying restaurants near my neighborhood while grabbing a
good burger at the same time, Bonnie's jumped out, stood at attention and
delivered. I was always wary of this place, and for no good reason, it turns
out. They have solid offerings like beef on weck, pulled pork sandwiches and
Buffalo wings. Recently I've developed an addiction to french fries, and
their accompanying chipotle mayonnaise (they appear to have a hot spicy
theme, which I didn't know about) revved up the yum factor. The clincher in
my thumbs up assessment was the beer of the day that included Krista in the
name (can't remember the exact brew, unfortunately). Despite its
un-rareness, I never see my name anywhere, so the novelty swayed me.
(3/8/02)

I've been back plenty of times since March '02, but Bonnie's is just one
of those places you take for granted. Totally hungover on a Sunday after my
birthday party, I became entranced by Bobby Flay grilling burgers on TV (you
know I was out of sorts if I was actually paying any mind to Mr. Flay) and
became obsessed with finding a burger a.s.a.p. It was Bonnie's who came to
my rescue with a nice plate of Buffalo wings, medium rare cheeseburger and
perfect fries. The fries are really good, they might be lightly seasoned,
but I'm not sure with what. They now have plastic dispenser bottles of the
chipotle mayo on the tables, which is great for the mayonnaise-phobic like
me who like control over their condiments. (7/24/05)

Bonnie's Grill * Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, NY

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Feb 28

Taqueria DF

Whenever I crave a taco, I end up getting a torta instead. This always
happens. I think I'll be unsatisfied with the taco so I go for the hearty
stand-by. One day I'll break the habit. Taqueria D.F.'s carnitas could've
been a little crisper, but as this is the closest Mexican to my north I can
forgive a little. Plus, they have horchata, which is always a cloudy treat.

Taqueria D.F. * 719 Fifth, Ave., Brooklyn, NY

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Posts from the ‘NYC’ Category

BB Sandwich Bar

Sweet Mama’s

Franklin Station Cafe

Pipa

House of Pizza and Calzone

Aunt Suzie’s

Rochjin

Delhi Palace

Bonnie’s Grill

Taqueria DF

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