Fort Reno BBQ - Simply Good Barbecue

This week, I was lucky to attend a special preview of a new barbecue joint in my brother’s neighborhood of Park Slope.  Enjoying the Slope not only for its charm, I just love trying all the amazing culinary treats it offers.  Excited to attend the restaurant’s preview, open just to the media before its big reveal this week, I invited Dan to join me in this yummy meatfest.

Atmosphere:
Even though it’s located on a major street near the R train, Fort Reno is a bit hidden from view and you really have to keep your eyes peeled to spot it.  It helps that its street number is prominently displayed on the outside, so definitely look out for that, as it’ll help you find the way.

Once you get inside, you’ll notice just how intimate it is.  There’s a small bar immediately opposite the entrance and some communal seating off to the left.  To the right of the bar is where you can find the food counter where you place your order and pick up your food.  I first didn’t know how I felt about that, but honestly, it’s all part of the casual BBQ fun and fits in quite well.

I just loved the repurposed look of the whole place, including a mirror mosaic wall, mason jar and colander light fixtures, and repurposed wooden tables and benches.  It set the theme for what was a comfortable evening filled with delightful, homey food.

Food:
Although the offering was a bit limited, featuring 3 proteins and 5 sides, we managed to try nearly everything - even getting a little bonus of a side, which I'll get into shortly.  We really enjoyed the simple, but thoughtfully prepared food, which left a great impression on us and no doubt a burning desire to come back.

Meats - Dan and I immediately gravitated to the pork ribs and the brisket.  The former was ready from the get go and we devoured it, but the latter wasn't yet finished and we had to wait about an hour and change for it (that's where the extra side dish came in).  Even though we thought it'd be worth the wait, I'm not entirely sure, as it was flavorful but too over salted.

The ribs were delectable though, falling off the bone, finger lickin' good and packed with tons of smoky flavor.  There were about 5 in the small rack we got, and we could've devoured another 5 easily.  Despite the small portion, there was a lot of meat on the bones, which was refreshing.

Sides - This is where Fort Reno really shined, and I can't say that any one side didn't completely satisfy me because it clearly did.  My two big standouts were the fluffy, buttery biscuits you see above and the 3-cheese mac 'n cheese.

Let me first start with the biscuits, which were soft and airy, with the most amazing crunchy crust.  I can confidently say I haven't had a biscuit this spectacular to date - and what was fantastic is that they didn't feel the least bit heavy.

My second clear winner was the 3-cheese mac n' cheese, which was just bodaciously good.  It combined gruyere, cheddar and parmesan with small shell pasta and the creamiest bechamel sauce that went down real smooth.  I loved the crunchy breadcrumb crust on top, and because we both recognized its excellence, we nearly licked the bowl clean.

The other sides of baked beans, collard greens and cole slaw were also tasty, and I especially enjoyed the veggies that cut some of the richness of the other sides I just mentioned.

Drinks - Besides the food, Fort Reno is really great at creating sophisticated specialty drinks that pair really well with all the comforting food.  Dan and I both tasted their fun creations, he going with the Old Fashioned and me with a drink called Bobbito Burns.  I was especially drawn to mine because it combined the smoky flavors of mezcal, tequila and even meat bitters.  Yep, you heard me right...meat bitters.  As I initially raised an eyebrow at that, my doubts were put to rest, as this drink delivered something incredibly sexy and masculine, a perfect pairing with the smoky BBQ.

Service and Cost:
Overall, the service matched the atmosphere at Fort Reno, as it was casual and laid back, but everyone was also well informed about what they were serving.  It seems that the place is run by a group of good friends, and they do a nice job of promoting that camaraderie to their patrons.  Dan and I felt it, and it made us feel happy and relaxed.

Prices are affordable and even though this was a complimentary tasting, I inquired about the price point.  They purposely gave us portions reflective of everyday plates and a serving of a single protein and two sides would've set one back about $15 or slightly less.  Specialty drinks are priced at $7 - $11 and beers are $6.

3 Mmmms

Fort Reno BBQ - 669 Union Street, Brooklyn NY 11215
347.227.7777
R Train to Union Street
www.fort-reno.us

Chip Shop - Fry Me Up, I'm Done

Chip Shop - 383 5th Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11215
718.CHIPSHOP
R Train to Union Street
www.chipshopnyc.com

This weekend, Dan and I spent time with my brother Peter and his girlfriend Fiana who live in Park Slope.  I always enjoy visiting their neighborhood, as there's never a shortage of amazing restaurants and bars to try.  This time, we decided on the much-talked-about, Chip Shop, which specializes in everything fried - even candy bars. 

Atmosphere:
Modeled after a casual British fish 'n chips restaurant, Chip Shop pays homage to England through its eclectic decor.  We had fun admiring the fun wall hangings, from funky T-shirts with a tongue-in-cheek "Make Tea Not War" slogan to pictures of the Queen, posters of British rock groups and more.

Overall, the vibe was laid-back, whimsical and very conducive to eating down-home fried food.  The crowd, which is both old and young (even some families with kids) portrays Chip Shop's all-inclusive mentality, because let's face it, fried food knows no age, color, gender or race.  We're all equal opportunity fried food consumers.

Food:
As I already mentioned, almost everything here is fried, and 95% of what we ordered that night was indeed fried, with the exception of the Shepherds Pie.  I guess they draw the line somewhere.

Fried Pizza - I heard about this monstrosity from a fellow blogger and was so intrigued.  We ordered it as an appetizer and cut it into little pieces because who are we kidding, we couldn't each eat a whole slice.  The crust was deliciously thick and crispy and the batter had a slight sweetness to it.  They use great quality oil, because despite its utter gluttonous nature, it didn't feel heavy and was actually a nice way to start this fried feast.  The thing to remember is to share it and cut it into bite size pieces.

Fried Mac 'n Cheese - Less intrigued by this option, since I've already had it elsewhere, my dining companions felt otherwise and wanted to dig in.  "What does fried mac 'n cheese look like," you ask?  Like a big round rice ball actually, except for the interior, which consists of creamy macaroni and mild cheese.  Overall, I wasn't too impressed by Chip Shop's version, as I think it lacked flavor that could've been fixed with simple salt and pepper seasoning.

Fish 'n Chips - We all shared two orders of battered Haddock and chips, which I liked very much.  The fish was really excellent, with a crisp, airy batter that wasn't greasy, while the interior was fresh-tasting and perfectly flaky.  I liked that the piece of fish was generous and more than adequate to share with another person.  But the chips, although plentiful, were on the soggy side, which was disappointing--especially if your name is "Chip" shop.

Classic Shepherds Pie - This is where Chip Shop's English cooking shined.  We all agreed that the classic beef Shepherds Pie was hands-down the best we've had to date.  The top was baked and on the well done side, which I love.  As for the actual potatoes, they were silky smooth and buttery, and once mixed with the juicy ground beef, our tastebuds went on a joy ride.  Yet another plus was the side of giant peas, which were wonderful on their own, or mixed in with the potatoes and beef.

Fried Candy Bars - I can't even emphasize how much I looked forward to eating a deep fried Bounty bar, which for those of you who aren't familiar with it, is like an Almond Joy.  The batter it was coated in reminded me of the pancake batter used in fried oreos.  Frying the candy bar brought out its goodness further by warming it up and slightly melting the chocolate and the coconut inside.

Peter and Fiana went for the fried Snicker's bar, which was also tasty but not my favorite, as I'm not a huge fan of peanuts.  Dan's fried Twix on the other hand was total, utter bliss and I think I'll be getting it next time.  In addition to the candy bars we got, Chip Shop also offers Mars Bars, Twinkies and Reeces Peanut Butter Cups in a fried version. Yowza!

Service and Cost:
We were delighted with the kind service and everyone's cheery attitude.  While not all employees are British, everyone sported a British-style hospitality that was infectious.  Our waiter called us lovely patrons, which I thought was cute, and we walked out feeling happy and not as guilty as we should've, considering the crazy amounts of fried foods we consumed in one sitting.

Prices are moderate and include:

Fish, Meat & Chips - $8.50 - $12.75
Shepherds Pie - $10 - $12
Other English Entrees - $5.50 - $14
Sides - $1.50 -$6.50
Dessert - $3.50 - $5.50

3 Mmmms

Sweet Melissa Patisserie - Oh How Sweet and Sinful...

Sweet Melissa Patisserie - 175 7th Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11215
718.788.2700
Q/B Train to 7th Avenue

www.sweetmelissapatisserie.com

My brother and his girlfriend recently made the move to Park Slope, Brooklyn and I couldn't be happier.  Not only am I excited about their new, quaint apartment, I'm also selfishly happy to sample the amazing restaurants, cafes and bakeries in their vicinity (and take my word for it...there are many).

While helping my brother unpack last week, my mom and I took a walk down the busy 7th Avenue only to discover an awesome bakery called Sweet Melissa. The minute I saw its endearing storefront, I recognized the name, as this place is well known amongst serious dessert heads (me being one of them).

Atmosphere:
I love French country bakeries, not only for their amazingly decadent goodies but also for the rustic and charming ambiance, which has a way of making me feel comfortable.

Although the actual space inside is quite small, it feels very quaint and lived in.  The front has a counter with a pretty sweets display, which includes all their baked goods including beautiful tiered cakes.  And the back offers a sit-down area, where you can sip your coffee and eat your cake on simple but pretty white plates.

Sweets:
During our visit, my mom got herself a strong coffee, which she really enjoyed and we treated my brother and his girlfriend to the Caramel Apple Bread Pudding, served with a side of rum raisin sauce.  Unfortunately I didn't have the pleasure of tasting it because we had a huge lunch that day and I just couldn't fit more in my tummy, but I'll take Peter and Fiana's word for it that it was "unbelievably good."

But aside from my visit last week, this weekend I was lucky enough to actually enjoy Sweet Melissa's goodies, as Peter and Fiana brought over a large box of their Chocolate Peanut Butter Indulgence (pictured above).

Well what can I say...if you read my blog on a regular basis, you'll know that initially, the sound of this dessert probably didn't impress me.  Loaded with peanut butter, which I don't care for, I couldn't understand why they chose this as the filling to these gorgeous cookies.  But...I naturally couldn't refuse a chocolate anything (despite the peanut butter) and dug right in.  Oh, oh, oh my, how good it was!  The cookie, dusted with confectioner's sugar was soft, chewy and ultra chocolatey.  But what enhanced it even more was the light-as-air, delicate peanut butter mousse inside.  That's right...even for a peanut butter hater like me, I thought it was absolutely delicious.  The peanut flavor was soft and gentle, not in-your-face aggressive and thick, which I find to be the case with peanuty desserts.  And even though I was full from a delicious meal that we just had together, I made room for this gargantuan yet unforgettable dessert. 

Service and Cost:
The easy-going, pleasant servers at Sweet Melissa match its vibe perfectly.  They're a bit boho-chic, which isn't a bad thing, fitting in with the overall Park Slopeishness of the nabe.

Prices are steep but so worth every penny:

Pie by the slice....$6
Coffee...$3.50 - $4.50
Cookies....$2 - $5 each

They also serve brunch, lunch and afternoon tea on a daily basis.

3 Peanuty 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