Ample Hills & Outer Borough – Instayums in Brooklyn

Spending a lot of time in Brooklyn lately, due to my involvement in Photoville, I’ve gotten acquainted with the street food scene, which is so easy to love. Aside from exploring the legendary Smorgasburg street food festival yesterday, I also got a taste of the famous Ample Hills creamery. Here are my highlights from these last couple of delicious Brooklyn weekends.

Ample Hills Creamery – Situated right across from Photoville on Pier 5, Ample Hills Creamery boasts a charming little waterfront outpost. I hear it makes for a much more manageable atmosphere than its original location in Prospect Heights, and after tasting their ice cream, I can see why it’s so treasured.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Ice Cream – After trying the chocolate covered banana flavor, I was expecting to be wowed but didn’t fall head over heels, so I instead tried the Mexican Hot Chocolate. I’m happy to report that it was a total win, boasting a perfectly creamy consistency, a dark chocolate rich flavor with a little tickle in the back of your throat from the cayenne. The spicy flavor is subtle but pronounced enough to surprise and delight you.

Outer Borough Taiwanese – Yesterday’s visit to Smorgasburg produced some serious sensory overload. With such a beautiful weather day, the place was packed to the gills with vendors and hungry visitors.

After making my initial rounds and scouting the place out fully, I knew I wanted to commit to the Outer Borough truck, which serves Taiwanese street food mostly in the form of flat scallion pancakes. Loving that the fresh pancake (fried on the spot) was just a vehicle for transporting other ingredients, I admired all the offered fillings and finally decided on the Chinese sausage and egg. It came highly recommended by the staff, as it promised something unique.

It only took a few short minutes to cook up, which came as a welcome surprise (given the horrid experience I recently had at the Blend LIC food truck). Even though it was smaller than I expected, the rolled up pancake was stuffed generously with the salty, smoky sausage and bits of fried egg. Although the egg was a little overcooked, it still complemented the sausage nicely and served as a yummy brunch snack.

Service and Cost:
I’m happy to report that the service at both establishments was wonderful – quirky but definitely pleasant and super fast. The folks at Ample Hills were especially interesting and made a lot of effort to engage Angela and I in conversation.

Costs are affordable, given its street style format at $3 for a small ice cream at Ample Hills and $9 for the delicious pancake rollup at Outer Borough.

I hope you visit one or both of these places next time you find yourself in Brooklyn Heights.

reBar - Definitely a rePeat

reBar - 147 Front Street, Brooklyn NY 11226
718.766.9110
F Train to York Street

www.rebarnyc.com

I love venturing to Brooklyn and especially to areas I haven't yet explored such as Dumbo.  That's why when I received an invitation to attend a tasting at Dumbo's funky gastropub, reBar, I jumped at the chance.  Recently acquiring a new Chef, Jeremy Leech, reBar offered some interesting, seasonal menu items that I couldn't resist.

Atmosphere:

What a gorgeous space! I was thoroughly impressed by its setup and its sheer size.  The exterior of the building looks like a warehouse (not unlike most of the buildings in Dumbo) and while the interior carries that vibe just a bit, for the most part, it looks like a dark, sultry bar with lots of style and attitude.

My favorite aspects of this place are the large communal tables, and the rustic lanterns that are all eclectic (not one is the same).  Overall, the space has a medieval vibe that's slightly mysterious and sexy - still incorporating a few modern touches such as sleek chairs and couches in the lounge area. 

The clientele and the waitstaff fits the setting perfectly with a mix of young hipsters and artsy types that are decked to the nines in trendy garb, but lacking the pretension that's sometimes associated with this crowd.

Food and Drink:
Since we were on a tasting and were free to explore the menu, we tried a wide variety of food and drinks.  While for the most part, everything was excellent, I'm only going to talk about the highlights:

Baby Artichokes - Recommended by the staff, we chose this seasonal appetizer for many reasons a). for our love of artichokes b). for our love of pork and c). because it was unlike any appetizer we've had.  Wow! It really was something special, as the artichokes took on a really amazing smoky flavor from the pork lardons.  While this could be heavy, it really wasn't because it also incorporated fresh peas and a refreshing lemon sauce.

Sweet Potato Cakes - Another appetizer and another winner.  We were so impressed when we saw the fried pieces of goodness on this plate.  First off, they were very generously sized and had the most wonderful crunchy texture.  A side of harissa mayonnaise gave them a sharp kick, giving you a run for your money.  These reminded me of papas bravas on crack - and I mean that in the best possible way!

Polenta - When I first heard about how much this dish was praised, I was surprised. "Polenta? What's so special about that?" Well I had to taste it to understand it and after having some, I was converted.  For this was no ordinary polenta, it was a fancy, sophisticated polenta topped with a sunny side up egg, truffle oil, pine nuts and parsley salad.  Once we mixed the egg into the polenta, it was like magic, the whole thing took on a velvety texture and the sporadic crunch from the pine nuts brought in an element of surprise.
Simply put, this dish was out of this world.

Warm Olives - Yum! Another one of our favorites, this was a simple dish that went a long way.  The cute bowl that it came in was quite deep, holding many green and black olives which rested in fruity olive oil enhanced by aromatic herbs.  We loved munching on these between courses and hung on to them all night.

Dessert - Although the sweets menu changes daily, we had the pleasure of tasting two great desserts - the butterscotch pudding pictured in the above mini platter and a chocolate/orange fudge tarte.  In my staunch chocolate lover fashion, I had a strong preference for the chocolate/orange tart that was super thick and had a great spicy aftertaste from the orange flavoring.  But the butterscotch pudding was also excellent - it was as smooth as the butter from which it was made and had a dollop of fluffy whipped cream on top.

Drinks - Since reBar is after all a gastropub, we were curious about their wide variety of beers and cocktails.  For the beer, we tried the Ommegang (an American take on Belgian beer) that had a lovely fruity finish and a hint of spiciness.  Dan also tried a really fancy cocktail called The Professional, incorporating bourbon, his favorite spirit.  The drink was enhanced by really strong espresso, which smelled divine.  Dan absolutely loved it but it was so strong that I couldn't stomach it, so I left it to the professionals (pun intended).

Service and Cost:
I really liked the meticulous yet relaxed service.  Our waitress was super cool and knew her way around the menu.  She gave us sound food and drinks recommendations and had an easy manner about her.  The other staff members such as the sommelier were great too and overall, we felt very comfortable and welcome here.  It was a fun place to hang out after work and I'd definitely come back for seconds.

Costs are moderate, especially given the generous portions:

Soups & Salads: $4 - $10
Small Plates: $5 - $13

Mains: $12 - $31

3 Mmmms

Motorino Pizza - Neopolitan Indulgence

Motorino Pizza - 319 Graham Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11211
718.599.8899
L Train to Graham Avenue
www.motorinopizza.com

Last night was another Williamsburg adventure--this time with Meg--as we explored Neopolitan pizza at the much-talked-about Motorino Pizza. I've heard so much about this place that my expectations were sky high and I'm happy to report that they were met all the way.

Atmosphere:
Modern, comfortable and trendy, Motorino is all of these things. I was expecting huge crowds based on its popularity but since we came in before 7pm, we had top pick for a table. We chose one in the center of the medium-ish dining room, in front of the large, rustic brick oven. I like that the oven is on display, an appropriate centerpiece for Motorino's "main-event" dish--pizza. Overall, the decor is simple, earthy and classic--you'll see marble table tops, simple chairs, a little bit of greenery at each table and beautiful lemons displayed at the bar, adding color.

Food:
There were so many pizza options and everything looked so delicious, that we had a hard time deciding. We went with a veggie starter, a tasting of cheese, a pizza and two desserts--we just couldn't resist.

Roasted Beet Salad - Both Meg and I love beets so this dish spoke to us. I was surprised at how generous the portion was and I absolutely loved the shaved ricotta salata cheese on top. It gave the sweet beets a salty bite and a hint of creaminess. Lovely fragrance and zest from fresh herbs such as parsley and mint also enhanced this simple salad.

Humboldt Fog Cheese - This is truly a "must" in my book and I'll certainly order it again. Presented beautifully on a rustic "Motorino" cheese board, it was paired with sweet figs, pistachios and honey. The cheese itself was a creamy goat's milk variety, which spread easily on bread and had a luxurious taste with a tang at the end. The inside felt like a traditional goat's cheese but the farther from the center you got, it looked and tasted like brie. YUM!

Soppresatta Piccante Pizza - Fluffy and gorgeous with a lot of char marks, I was really into this pie. The toppings were hearty with just the right amount of kick that tickled the back of the throat. The soppresatta had some heat to it too and it mixed in nicely with the melted cheese. My only complaint was that they burnt the pizza crust a bit--I know that char is part of Motorino's charm but we got too much of it and Meg agreed. I looked over at my neighbors' pie to compare and theirs didn't have black spots, only brown ones.

Bomboloni with Vanilla Custard and Rhubarb - This was a special of the day and naturally, we couldn't turn down homemade donuts with sugar and a rich filling. Because they were homemade, they were super light and not greasy at all. The rhubarb filling was my favorite, slightly sour but also sweet while the vanilla custard was luxurious, dotted with fresh vanilla bean seeds.

Hazelnut Gelatto - A perfect accompaniment to the donuts, this gelatto was everything that it should be, smooth, creamy and fresh. I liked that it was embellished with fresh mint--just another detail that made it more special.

Service and Cost:
Our waitress was helpful and nice. She was knowledgeable about cheese, which proved important when we made our selection. Dishes came out in good time and I liked that the apps came fast and then we waited a little for the entree--it was good to space out the two courses. Overall, no complaints in this department.

Costs are very wallet friendly. For an appetizer, a cheese plate, one pizza, two desserts and two alcoholic drinks we paid $26 each including tax and tip. Buon affare!

3 Mmmms

Stone Park Cafe - Brunch of Champions

Stone Park Cafe - 324 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11215
718.369.0082
F/M/R Train at 4th Ave - 9th Street or M/R Train to Union Street
www.stoneparkcafe.com

This past weekend, Dan, my brother Peter, his girlfriend Fiana and I brunched in Park Slope. Our original intention was to try the 2-for-1 $23 brunch offering as part of Brooklyn's Restaurant Week. Unfortunately, Stone Park didn't participate in that, but it came so highly recommended that we had to try it.

Atmosphere:
Stone Park Cafe is located in the heart of Park Slope's "restaurant row" also known as 5th Avenue. There are so many quaint cafes and shops on this street that it's hard to choose between better and best.

I got a good vibe immediately upon walking into Stone Park, and its simple, clean look made me feel comfortable. The front-of-the-house dining room is buzzing, and it accommodates large and small parties alike. There's a back seating area, which seems to be more private but given that we were there for brunch, we didn't mind the energy of the front room. The bar is also welcoming, with plenty of stools to sit on and some bookshelves, displaying great cookbooks such as the Joy of Cooking.

Food:
Our expectations were high, set by my friend Ivona who recommended this place. They were completely met and we thoroughly enjoyed everything on our plates. We'll happily come back and I'll absolutely have to get the breakfast nachos next time. The food here is original and interesting.

Hangtown Fry - I chose this because it boasted an ingredient that I've never had in a brunch dish--oysters. They tasted wonderful and were fried to perfection, served alongside an omelette with bacon and Vermont Cheddar. The combination of fried oysters and eggs was a nice one--you got a salty crunch from the oysters and a silky buttery taste from the eggs. Well done hash, served on top of the eggs was another tasty--and hearty--addition. The whole thing was super filling, a dish designed to hold you over until dinner.

Sourdough French Toast - Peter ordered this mainly because he was taunted by the heaping plates of it, passing us by while we waited for a table. Served with berry compote and Vermont maple syrup, it was a simple but a great dish. The bread was slightly cinnamony yet not overly sweet. I liked the chunky aspect of the berry sauce, as it added another touch of freshness and rusticity.

Stone Park Burger - Dan, a lover of meat chose the classic burger with bacon sans cheese. I had a bite and liked it but not as much as I liked the burger at the Spotted Pig. The fries were delicious, crispy and plentiful. I didn't get a piece of the bacon but Dan said that it was crunchy and chewy, just the way he liked it.

Breakfast Nachos - Saving the best for last, the breakfast nachos were a true stand-out. Fiana ordered them and I praise her for a choice well made. The crispy, seasoned nachos were topped with a plethora of deliciousness including mushrooms, salsa, tomatoes, pepper jack cheese and eggs over easy. The most exciting part was when Fiana broke the egg and let it spill onto the nachos. It made for a silky sauce that not only looked beautiful, it tasted fabulous too. I have strong suspicion that the the nachos were homemade, as they produced a lovely crunch with each amazing bite.

Service and Cost:
Our server was nice and efficient but he was super busy. Although I never felt neglected, I sensed his stress and knew how overwhelmed he was. What I did like is that he made strong (and very sound) recommendations about our dishes. He didn't hesitate to tell us what he liked, and he really made us feel good about our choices.

Stone Park Cafe is on the expensive side for brunch. Everything has to be ordered a-la-carte instead of a brunch prix-fixe that I'm used to in Astoria. An entree and a drink (coffee or beer) cost us $20 per person including tax and tip. While this this isn't terribly expensive, it's not what I'm used to paying in our neck of the woods. However, I'd argue that you get what you pay for--excellent quality food.

3 loud Mmmms

Palo Santo - Brooklyn Restaurant Week Home-Run

Palo Santo - 652 Union Street, Brooklyn NY 11215
718.636.6311
R Train to Union Street
www.palosanto.us

Three friends of mine--two of which happen to be Brooklyners--and I took advantage of Brooklyn's Restaurant Week and tried Palo Santo. We loved all aspects of it--from the rustic atmosphere to the inventive food.

Atmosphere:
I love the fact that Palo Santo is located on a residential block full of beautiful brownstones. The restaurant itself is set in one of these gorgeous stone creations and the history behind it is evident from first glance. The interior has rich wood accents that have been preserved from its original structure, but Santo's Latin origins manage to shine through as well.

Chunky tables and chairs are wooden and rustic--the tables look hand-crafted with leaves, spices and rocks embedded in them, resembling works of art rather than tools for eating. The dining room is interestingly laid out, due to the brownstone format--there are several nooks and crannies that you normally wouldn't find in traditional restaurants. We got to dine at one of these elevated nooks, located at the back of the restaurant, which gave us the perfect opportunity to talk and to be as boisterous as we wanted to be.

Food:

The cuisine felt more gourmet than at a typical Latin joint. While classic dishes such as tacos and tortillas were the menu, so were more inventive ones such as chayote salad and braised rabbit. We ordered a nice variety of things, and the best offering in my opinion were the desserts. Here are some of the meal's highlights:

Chickpea Soup - I love me a good soup and the non-traditional combination of chickpeas and butternut squash piqued my interest. The prevailing flavor was hearty and slightly sweet from the squash--it also offered nice crunch from the sprinkling of toasted pine nuts on top. The portion was more than generous and it offered a promising start to the meal.

Tortillas and Avocado - Although a simple dish of exactly what its name implied (tortillas and avocado), the beauty lay in the freshness and quality of ingredients. The tortillas were soft and homemade while the avocado was delicately cut into appetizing slivers and dressed with a citrusy vinaigrette and red onions. Julie chose this as her appetizer and I thought that it had a clean, light finish that wasn't overpowering.

Pan Roasted Red Snapper - Janel and I chose this as our entree and we couldn't be happier with it. The fish was cooked to perfection and flaked off beautifully, just like a flower if you will. Being a fan of cabbage, I thoroughly enjoyed the warm bed of red slaw that the fish rested on--it was slightly tart and although cooked, it didn't lose crunchiness.

The most impressive yet the simplest element of this dish was the plantain. Resting in its black skin, it was deliciously tender and a little sweet. Its flavors were subtle yet provided just the right pairing with the fish. I'd recommend this entree to others but note that the type of fish changes based on the day's catch.

Chicken and Dumplings - Julie's main dish sounded and looked great. The portion was generous and I especially eyed the potato dumplings, which I'm a sucker for just by my Eastern European origins. While I didn't taste it, Julie complained that the chicken was too spicy. She seemed to enjoy the marriage of flavors but at times felt that they were overwhelming. Note - pay attention to spicy "warnings" from the staff and make sure to inquire about the degree of spiciness in dishes.

The Desserts - As mentioned, Palo Santo hit it out of the park with desserts. We each ordered a different one, enabling us to try them all. The selections included chocolate mousse with whipped cream, pomegranate sorbet with fresh apple slices, lime pie with whipped cream and coffee creme brulee. Without question, the creme brulee was the best one and we all devoured it with gusto. The coffee flavored custard was intense and luxurious, with a sugar crust that was done to perfection--I hate it when the sugar crust gets burned and this one was flawless. I could be wrong but I think that there was some cocoa flavor in the custard too--it was simply amazing.

My second favorite was the lime pie and I especially appreciated the thick crust on the bottom. I think that it was made of graham crackers and the custard on top had just the right amount of sweetness and tartness. I don't like when lime pies have an eggy aftertaste and this one didn't have a trace of that. The sorbet was my third favorite because it presented the palate with freshness and cleanness while the chocolate mousse came last. It lacked flavor a bit and needed more sweetness or even a hint of coffee perhaps.

Service and Cost:
Our waitress was friendly and very helpful. She seemed knowledgeable when we asked her questions about the cuisine, especially about preparation. It was nice that she smiled a lot and didn't make us feel rushed to make choices. We were also served by the Palo Santo's owner, who was lovely, welcoming and very laid back.

In terms of cost, we paid $23 for three-courses, which is part of the restaurant week offering. Together with sangria, tax and tip, we paid about $39 per person for an exceptional dinner. Normal prices range from $3-$13 for appetizers and $15-$25 for entrees.

3 Mmmms

Al Di La - Simplicity and Goodness

al di la - 248 5th Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11215

718.783.4565

Q Train to 7th Avenue

www.aldilatrattoria.com

Visiting Park Slope is always fun and dining with my friends Ivona and Edita never falls short of a good time--there's always laughter, eating and drinking. While we usually eat at Slovak restaurants, this time we tried Northern Italian treat, al di la, per Ivona's suggestion. For those of you Brooklynites who haven't been there yet, it's a must. And for you Queensies, it's worth the trip on the Q train.

Atmosphere:

Rustic, intimate and cozy describe the look and feel of al di la. While the outside doesn't look like much, the inside is as charming as can be with dim lighting, vintage furniture and eclectic artwork. The tables are the long communal kind and while this doesn't always appeal to me, it fit the persona of this place so well. Creating a feeling of comfort and family, the long tables made me feel like I was in my own dining room eating with my own family. And like any real family affair, this place gets loud, boisterous and crowded. We arrived merely 20 minutes after its opening and the dining room was already filling up. A half hour into our meal and the dining room was completely full--so make sure to arrive early because they don't take reservations.

Food:

We were floored by the simplicity and intense goodness of the food. Everything was made with fresh, quality ingredients that tasted fantastic. The absence of creamy, red sauces was welcomed and made for a lighter dinner. While we stuck primarily to veggies and pasta, I'd like to try their meat dishes next time--especially their braised rabbit. Our dinner included...

Mixed Garden Salad - Although a simple dish, it was prepared perfectly with fresh, thinly sliced veggies such as zucchini, radishes, beets and sprouts. I liked it a lot because there was no lettuce in it, which could sometimes weigh a salad down. The fresh lemon and vinegar dressing was wonderfully refreshing. Again, nothing fancy just good quality stuff.

Zucchini Carpaccio - Long julianned pieces of zucchini and yellow squash made this another light starter. The pickled onions were a nice touch and the vinaigrette was again lemony. There were a few fresh spices added such as tarragon, giving this dish a licoricey taste. I'd get it again in a heartbeat.

Malfatti - A signature dish at al di la, it consists of swisschard and ricotta gnocchi floating in brown butter and sage. These babies are so soft and delicate that they feel like soft clouds dissipating in your mouth. While this wasn't my dish, I tried Ivona's portion, who orders it with every visit. A unique detail, which I appreciated was the crunchy sage--I presume that it was fried in the brown butter. The crunchiness and potent smell of it overtook my senses.

Casunziei - The exotic name of this pasta dish accurately portrayed its non-traditional ingredients--ravioli stuffed with red beets, ricotta cheese over melted butter, topped with poppy seeds. I've never seen such a beautiful magenta color inside a ravioli. The beets were soft and delicious and make for a perfect combination with the cheese. The butter sauce provided a luxurious sensation and the poppy seeds brought out a fun, whimsical element.

Ravioli Special - Edita ordered this pasta special because it sounded too good to pass up. Like my dish, the Casunziei, it consisted of homemade ravioli, however these were stuffed with mascarpone cheese and sweet corn. While we had concerns of it tasting too "desserty" it was just right. The corn provided a sweet crunch while the mascarpone brought forth a decadent creaminess. I hope that they continue to include this dish in their specials or even consider putting it on the actual menu. It was that fabulous!

Gianduitto - Ivona was raving about this dessert the entire time and she couldn't wait to get it--she easily convinced Edita to order one too. I almost joined them until the charming waiter convinced me to order the dessert special instead. I tasted the gianduitto, which is a simple chocolate gelatto with hazelnuts, surrounded by fresh whipped cream. The gelatto itself was good but not the best that I've had. However, there was something really special about the whipped cream. It had a beautiful milky color and was so fluffy and bountiful that it casted a spell on my dining companions.

Dessert Special - I was convinced to get the plum crisp, which was topped with vanilla gelatto. This beautiful dessert came in a rustic, terra cotta dish, which was just a little too big for me. The crumb topping was buttery, crunchy and once it hit my tongue along with the gelatto and plum compote, it melted my heart and my taste buds. Since the dish was so large, I brought the remnants home to Dan and topped it with old fashioned oats, which he liked.

Service and Cost:
Our waiter was lovely and unassumingly charming. We had fun trying to guess where his intriguing accent came from and by the end of the night, we found out that he was indeed Italian. Our dishes were brought to us in perfect time--everything seemed to be spaced out just right so by meal's end we felt satiated but not gluttonously full.

al di la is a treat so be prepared to bring some extra cash with you. Appetizers range between $7-$10, primi piatti between $7-$16.50, secondi piatti between $14-$22.50 and dessert is approximately $7. Wine is sold mostly by the bottle and our entire dinner cost us about $53/each including tax and tip. However, as expensive as al di la is, it's worth every penny because the food is molto delizioso.

3 Mmmms