Long Tan
Reviewed by dlevi
at February 4, 12:44 PM
Thanks in large part to Beet's precipitous decline, Longtan is now my favorite Slope Thai. I won't make the case for it being completely genuine. And I agree with Ben that it is too self-consciously hip. That said, I've eaten very well at Longtan. I find the prices to be reasonable, the service good, and the atmosphere fully tolerable (unlike, say, Song, with its bone-shatteringly loud techno clanging off its concrete-bunker walls). The last time I was at Longtan (last week), I ordered the kangaroo appetizer. It was organic (a prerequisite for any meat I order) and absolutely delicious - tender as can be, lean, rare, flavorful, and not the least bit gamey. I would have been thrilled with this $9 appetizer at a fancy restaurant for twice the price. Several weeks ago I had a fish entree that likewise transcended my expectations for a Brooklyn Thai restaurant - flaky, moist, and perfectly paired with its sides (though I can't honestly remember what they were). The not fried fresh salad rolls taste as fresh as they should. The Pad-Thai is pretty standard - squeeze on some lime and you're in business, but it's nothing special. If you're dining on a budget, they have great bar specials - you can eat for considerably less just by sitting at the bar.
Palo Santo
Reviewed by dlevi
at February 4, 12:00 PM
This place sure is cute, huh? It looks like the kind of tucked away gem we all dream of finding. And who knows, maybe someday they'll live up to that vision to which they so clearly aspire. I couldn't have been more charmed by the setting, or the seasonal, local, organic menu. Kudos to Palo Santo for taking an ethical, enlightened approach to food. Unfortunately, my praise must end here. The waiter/maitre'd did not make a good impression at all. He came off as smug, awkward, even "smarmy," to quote my companion. He also poured me a roughly two ounce glass of wine - not what I expect for $11 (a waitress poured my second glass and it was normal, maybe generous). We requested bread and were denied. We ordered a roasted plantain, which was somehow dry, chewy, and mealy. No flavor, or at least none you'd particularly want. Nice that they broke away from the standard oily mess, but, typical for this place, the execution fell far short. The raw scallops were a nice idea, and maybe it just didn't hit the right note for me. They were fresh. My companion's salad was just boring (though certainly fresh). I ate the lamb entree. It was served in a coconut - odd, but hey, why not? The trouble was not the coconut, but the severely overcooked, bone-dry lamb, not the least bit offset by a fairly pleasant sauce and the bit of tender coconut left in the shell. We considered dessert (mostly for completing our Grubsnitch reviews!) but we knew the bill was getting high and, frankly, we didn't feel like prolonging the experience. I would almost give Palo Santo a "Never Again," and it's certainly hard for me to imagine returning unless it starts getting great buzz. That said, I think the basic concept is right. And maybe we misordered. And certainly we would have done better with the waitress. But this was definitely a disappointment.
Totonno's
Reviewed by dlevi
at January 1, 08:36 PM
Oh, I think this place is wonderful. The crust is light, thin, and crunchy while retaining moisture and chewiness on the inside. The toppings are authentically Neopolitan, with great fresh mozzarella. This is absolutely the real deal. BTW - Totonno was the original pizza chef at Lombardi's, the first pizzeria in America. In 1924, he left Lombardi's and founded his own place in Coney Island. This is an authentic, old-school place without the mob scene of Grimaldi's.
Stone Park Cafe
Reviewed by dlevi
at December 5, 11:57 AM
Had great experiences both times, and it's now one of my favorites (taking the place vacated by Rose Water). The prix fixe is the best bargain in the neighborhood, but you have to get there before 7:30. Otherwise, the prices seem totally fair considering the high quality and nice ambiance. Try the bluefish cakes - I didn't know bluefish could be this delicious. The wine list is good, and the $19 Monte Antico is surprisingly good. I had a steak that was not bad but a bit tough. Everything else - appetizers, entrees, and desserts, has been great. The waitstaff is friendly and very attentive (even, in my weirdo opinion, overly so, but that style is probably cool by most people). The place has a great vibe and it's up there with Al Di La as one of my high-end go-to spots.
Miracle Grill
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 24, 09:19 AM
I liked the peruvian chicken joint that preceded this West Village transplant. I like Miracle Grill less, not because the food disappoints (it's totally fine) but rather because it is notably lacking in character for a Slope 'straunt. Bobby Flay opened the original Miracle Grill early in his now phenomenally successful career, but one must keep in mind that he is noted for his easy, semi-refined Tex-Mex rather than for any great subtlety or originality in his cuisine. This is no Jean-Georges. Besides, has Flay ever set foot in the Park Slope establishment? Almost certainly not. Anyhow, the food is satisfying and the portions are huge. You can fill yourself up on tasty things for relatively few Slope bucks. The margheritas are very good, as I remember. At the end of the day, it's just not my kind of place, so while I liked it just fine, I'm not going to bother going there again with other great options like Sette so near at hand.
Peperoncino
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 20, 05:41 PM
Hey Kagome, I've had the pizza and it was disappointing. I was fully prepared to like this place, chatted with the waiter in Italian, yatta-yatta, but everything was off. Mediocre food, lousy wine, inattentive service... who needs it.
La Taqueria
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 10, 12:29 PM
I don't know how the burrito guys can always look like they're in such a rush and yet be so inefficient. Sometimes it just takes bloody forever. Still, they make a damn good burrito. I usually get the Baja, the smaller version of the Outrageous California. It's still enough to let me know I'm getting fatter, just not WAY fatter. Plus I save a buck or two. The marinated mushrooms and roasted corn are great fillers if you don't go for meat. The yogurt is a healthy and satisfying alternative to the sour cream. Funky place, good food, cheap... I could ask for more, but this is aleady enough to make me a regular.
Hanabi
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 10, 12:14 PM
I've never eaten here. I'm just so offended by their caustic, yellow neon sign that I would never, ever eat here. I am not easily put off by appearances, but such wastefulness of energy in an increasingly green neighborhood, such an eyesore at night, such an out-of-place, Vegas-like glare is so out-of touch that it's hard to imagine that they haven't been forced to turn it off. I've never heard anything positive about the sushi, and since Yamato is good and Taro is great, why eat here?
Yamato
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 10, 12:09 PM
Best sushi on 7th Ave. Actually, the only good sushi on 7th Ave. Not to be compared with Taro, which is truly exceptional. That said, since Taro is way out of the way for most near-the-park Slopers, Yamato is considerably more accessible. It's also far superior in decor. Good Japanese food and, by the standards of the genre, not overpriced.
Convivium Osteria
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 10, 11:59 AM
Was highly recommended by a friend with good taste. Some people love it, and I wouldn't say they're wrong. What I will say is that on the night I went, I found it to be too expensive, too dark, not at all friendly, and not for those who appreciate fresh, crisp produce or delicate flavors. The meats are heavy and in-your-face. The dining room seemed cluttered and self-consciously rustic. The old places I go to in rural Tuscany are much better lit, more open and airy, and more obviously clean and orderly. Maybe I could be convinced to try it again if it weren't for places like Al Di La, Sette, and Grocery, none of which is more expensive and all of which are better in every way.
Olive Vine Pizza
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 10, 11:53 AM
Nice Middle Eastern, great prices, fresh ingredients, tasty oven-hot pita (almost more like naan). Not much in the way of decor, but the rear garden is, at least, outside, and that alone makes it nice. The astro-turf style simplicity is better than some mismanaged, overblown styles in the 'hood (think Mango). The lentil soup and bread is a great deal, though it can't touch Bereket on Houston which is unspeakably delicious. The teas are very pleasant, hot or cold.
Cafe Steinhof
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 10, 11:47 AM
Austrian food can be great, but that's rare. Like other variations on German food, it can, all too often, degenerate into bland starches and sausages with limp saurkraut, etc. So, Cafe Steinhof is, I'm happy to report, much better than bad. In my opinion, it falls a solid notch shy of great. Given the moderate prices and small-scale, neighborhoody feel, it's a really good spot and I think we Slopers are lucky to have it. The beers are very good and the lunch specials are a great bargain. Some of the dishes come out a little bland. The cheese speztle is garlicky for no good reason. More often than not, though, ths dishes are authentic, tasty, and exhibit well-chosen, fresh ingredients. The dark and seedy bread is excellent, as it must be in a Germanic joint. Nice decor - feels like central Europe.
Park Slope Ale House
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 10, 11:39 AM
Best neighborhood bar. Not thronged with frat boys, not a dive, not exclusively old folks. Nice dark wood, tons of great beer on tap, and respectable bar food. There's a little known lounge downstairs with a pool table.
Beet
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 10, 11:37 AM
Good Thai food, good prices, respectable trendiness (though the forced modernity and thumping techno seem unnecessary), fair service by cultural standards, and a bizzare menu with some French-Thai fusion dishes that cost as much as comparable dishes at top restaurants but fail to match that level of mastery. Go simple and you'll be happy, including at check-time. The crisp, fresh salad rolls with mint are a must. The curries are better than standard if not quite inspired. Shrimp is a surpisingly affordable option and they will usually be large, plentiful, tasty, and not overcooked. The Thai Iced Tea is really good. Don't think you're going out to a "nice dinner." Keep your expectations in check and you'll have a good spot to satisfy your hankering for Thai food without needing the G train.
Sotto Voce
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 10, 11:29 AM
This place is often packed and I just don't get it. It's OK, but considering that it shares the block with the outstanding Sette, and shares a neighborhood with Al Di La, this last-generation Italian seems too new for kitsch value but too old to keep up with the top-flight Italian food that you can now get elsewhere in the neighborhood. Moreover, the prices are, as I remember, actually higher than at Sette. Maybe long-time Park Slopers feel a nostalgic affinity for this early outpost of culinary renewal. I just don't think it can compete in any way. Even the decor is completely uninspired. The waitstaff does not seem to take any particular pride in working there. The brunch is pretty good, and great if you're looking to get sloshed first thing in the morning (unlimited mimosas). Otherwise, why bother.
Mister Falafel
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 10, 11:23 AM
I rarely crave Middle Eastern food, would never think of this as a place to seek out for dinner, and will maybe eat there once a year now that I no longer live across the street. All that said, Mr. Falafel, ridiculous name and all, is something special. Their food is great. The falafel is crisp and delicate without being oily or overly garlicky (by falafel standards). The salads are fresh and tasty. The meat offerings are good quality, cooked and spiced nicely, and tender. The desserts are uber-sweet, as Middle Eastern desserts always are, but if you go for this kind of thing, they are fresh, relatively un-oily, and tasty. The people are super friendly and the place is very clean - these people obviously take considerable pride in their humble establishment. If this is your kind of food, you'll love it. If you don't go for Middle-Eastern, don't expect this to change your thinking. It's great for what it is but doesn't transcend the form. One of the best bargains in the Slope.
Joe's Pizza of Bleecker St
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 10, 11:16 AM
There's a lot of good pizza in Park Slope and none is world-class. In this game of inches, I think Joe's comes out a little bit ahead of Roma (thicker crust) and the adorable little Oscar's (small slices, rather oily). Pino's lags behind and Smiley's turns me off. Two Boots is sort of a different thing, and not my thing. The fresh mozzarella pizza at Joe's is the real deal. The crust is always thin and crunchy. The ingredients seem a little better and a little fresher than in your typical neighborhood pizza joint. Not the best ever, but when you need a slice it'll get the job done nicely.
Chip Shop
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 10, 11:10 AM
I haven't been to this place in years because it's just so damn hard to justify a big piece of deep fried fish coupled with a salty heap of deap fried potato. But man, when that crude combo starts seeming irresistable, this is the place to go. I lived in London for a while and the only fish-n-chips I had (and I had many) that could compare with the Chip Shop was a fancy restaurant with commensurate prices. For a down-home type place, the Chip Shop rules at clogging your arteries and building your love-handles in the most delicious of ways. The curry, as I remember, is good, but not nearly as good (or genuine) as Kinara.
Taro Sushi
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 10, 11:03 AM
Ranks with the best sushi in New York - really. Every variety of fish is consistently superb, sliced delicately into ideal size bites, and paired with rice that is neither overly sweet, overly sticky, nor overly cooked - just right. The specials can seem weird as they actually represent true Japanese cuisine, and while the flavors may occasionally jar the less adventurous, the mastery of flavors, textures, and presentation is consistently evident. Unlike some, I'm not appalled by the decor - I actually find it sort of charming and homey. That said, given the quality of the food, the scale and appearance of this restaurant skew considerably toward the humble. I love my deck and don't mind taking the sushi out and eating at home. The saki list is decent, but since you don't really go to Taro for the experience of the locale, I'd recommend getting take-out and buying a nice bottle of cold saki at any of the good wine shops in the Slope.
Sette
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 10, 10:56 AM
Sette is my pick for best restaurant on or near 7th Avenue. The food is consistenly tasty, inventive, and genuinely Italian. The prices are very reasonable. The long list of good Italian wines for $20 a bottle is a breath of fresh air. The slightly more expensive bottles also represent good deals and I have yet to go wrong with any wine there. The desserts are often great and usually not overly sweet - at the very least, you can trust your waiter to inform you accurately about the relative sweetness of the desserts, or on almost any question about the food, for that matter. The manager (John?) is very friendly, helpful, and non-intrusive. The waitstaff is, overall, pretty good, but my experiences have varied considerably. My girlfriend and I absolutely adored one waiter (a tall, large man with a beard), but we haven't seen him around in a while. Other waiters have ranged from fully competent to sort of green - one was ridiculously awkward. The patio area is really nice, whether open or closed, depending on the weather. The decor is pleasant, suggesting rusticness without eschewing urban modernity - far more successful, in my opinion, than the forced rusticness of Scottadito and Convivium (neither of which I consider on par with Sette, though the latter is considerably more expensive).
Rose Water
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 7, 07:09 PM
I'm giving Rose Water a "Like It" in memory of how good it used to be. My girlfriend and I were regulars for two and a half years (more for her) and went there 6-8 times per year. The manager, John, always recognized us and treated us well. The food, while never consistently spectacular, was always good, always fresh and inventive, always highlighted interesting local, seasonal ingredients, and was always good - often very good. The wine list was chosen with care and offered a very reasonable range of prices. The wines are usually off-beat and we were turned on to some wines we had never heard of before. The ambiance is lovely. So what happened? Who knows... The food now ranges from bland and ill-conceived to good, but not great. The service, formerly a hallmark, was offensively poor on our last visit (John was not there). The service has steadily declined for at least a year. Even the new awning sucks and just reinforces the unfortunate reality that this former haven of simple, elegant, ethical cuisine is now just another NYC restaurant. I'm basically in the never again camp, but I wish that somehow, someway they could recapture the old magic and find a way to let a broken heart know.
Al Di La Trattoria
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 7, 06:30 PM
One of my favorite restaurants! The sometimes traditional Veneto cuisine is consistently delicious. It's rare, indeed, that anything is short of superb. Meat eaters and vegetarians (though probably not vegans) will both eat very well. The wine list focuses on Italy, though it includes well-chosen selections from most other major wine-producing areas of the world. The wines are singularly well-chosen and priced fairly. Many are small production wines and/or rare varietals. They do not take reservations, which can be frustrating as it is a very popular place. Not recommended for groups of more than four unless you shoot for an off-hour or, maybe, Monday. The service is usually fine though never spectacular. We've been here more than some places where we're treated as regulars but we've never been greeted with any glimmer of recognition. But the food is great, so who cares.