Batter Up with Fried Chicken & Falafel Waffles

Since the weather proved to be gorgeous in Portland this Saturday, Dan and I ventured to brunch at Batter, a new waffle dedicated restaurant in the Northeast.  I've been eager to try it for some time, but just haven't had the time to drop in so I was grateful to finally get the opportunity.  Still in its soft opening, the restaurant has a few kinks to work out but it's undeniable greatness shined through.

Atmosphere:
Located on a bustling block on NE Fremont Street near 44th Avenue in the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood, Batter completes an area of culinary greatness with Bang Bang Thai, Smallwares among others.

The restaurant itself is spacious and open, with an unfinished industrial look.  While this looks like a part of its charm, a few elements inside prove to be a true work in progress which I hope will be tidied up before their official opening.  However, there's many positives including a mix of different sized seating arrangements which suit any kind of party, as well as plenty of outdoor space for nice days.  Even though we didn't sit inside, the whole front of the restaurant was open, so you felt like you were dining al fresco anyway.

Food:
I love the generously large menu of specialty waffle dishes (some traditional and some not) as well as their pancake offering.  Everything about this speaks to me, as I love me some carbs for brunch and all the dishes sound inherently comforting.  Here's what we tried last week:

Chicken and Waffles - Being staunch chicken and waffle fans, we couldn't pass this up.  Happy to see a generously sized portion, Dan and I quickly realized we could've easily shared this between us and been totally satiated.  The chicken was tender on the inside but perfectly crunchy on the outside and to our surprise boneless.  This was a big plus, as it allowed us to seamlessly dig in and enjoy big forkfuls of the savory chicken and sweet waffles, which we generously doused with sweet syrup.  It provided a perfect brunch combo that I'd order again in a heartbeat. 

Waff-lafel - A more non-traditional dish, the waff-lafel actually consisted of chickpea batter waffles topped with generous scoops of hummus, a side of tzatziki and a Greek salad.  The chickpea batter was innovative, giving the waffle an earthy taste and if you closed your eyes, you'd almost not know you were eating brunch.  Because of its hearty ingredients, a little went a long way and we ended up taking a lot of it home, which made for delicious leftovers.

Dan also ordered the Bloody Mary cocktail you see above, which he praised as being flavorful, peppery and delicious.  I liked the unique touch of a pickled asparagus, which I'm not sure I've yet seen in a Bloody.

Service and Cost:

As I mentioned above, Batter is still getting its footing in this initial soft launch phase.  Our waitress was friendly and did her best, but due to the steady crowd (which is a great sign for a new restaurant) got a little overwhelmed. I can't say that the service wasn't affected but when we did get our food, it was delivered to us in a cheery, pleasant manner.

Costs are affordable and offer great value at just $10 and $9 for the respective dishes above.  Together with tip, we walked out of there for under $20 per person.

3 Mmmms

Batter PDX - 4425 NE Fremont Street, Portland OR 97213
971.271.8784
batterpdx.com

Root and Bone - Chicken, Waffles and Overall Comfort

Recently invited out for a belated birthday dinner by my cousin Vicky, she thoughtfully chose Root & Bone, the new farm to table Southern-style eatery as our destination.  While I didn't know much about it initially, Root & Bone quickly impressed me, delivering delicious eats, pleasantly casual service and an overall fun time.

Atmosphere:
Situated in the heart of the East Village on East 3rd Street between Avenue A & B, Root & Bone sits in a cool, trendy neighborhood, which is also exemplified by its clientele.  Mostly populated by young hipsters and foodies, the vibe inside is cheery, boisterous and already very busy at 6 p.m.  Since they don't take reservations, we scored two seats at the bar, which I don't always love but this time it worked out well and provided a more private spot for Vicky and me.

Liking the simple, charming decor in the form of little embellishments such as dried flowers, fresh fruit, vintage bowls, glass containers, and cookbooks, Root & Bone very much reminded me of Yardbird's aesthetic in Miami, which happens to be its sister restaurant.  A total plus in my book, I appreciated the Southern influence felt here, but at the same time Root & Bone also feels very New York.

Food:
Sampling a few items from the menu and sharing is usually how we do and it worked out well again.  Mixing it up with veggie dishes and also some protein created nice balance and left us feeling full and happy.

Lady J Cocktail - The Tito's vodka in this drink sold me right away, indicating it would be clean and smooth, on which it delivered.  Mixed with summery flavors such as strawberry and lemon, it was a vibrant and refreshing drink, and quite perfect on a hot day.

Sprouting Garden Salad - Wanting to start with something earthy, this simple yet colorful salad spoke to us.  Composed of a medley of seasonal veggies such as avocados, watermelon radishes, sugar snap peas, cucumbers, and a sprinkling of root chips, it looked like a Jackson Pollock painting. Loving that each corner of this dish was distinct, we couldn't decide if we liked mixing its elements together or enjoying them separately.

Chicken & Waffle Sandwiches - Looking around the room, we saw mostly everyone's table graced with this signature dish so naturally we had to try it too.  Personally, I love chicken and waffles and have made my own renditions of it many a times, so Root & Bone's version truly excited me.

What came out of the kitchen was a thing of beauty, with two fluffy waffles sandwiched between handsome pieces of fried chicken, a pickled green tomato and watercress.  Not only was the chicken perfectly moist and delicious, we loved the accompanying whiskey maple syrup that added a hint of Southern charm.

Catch of the Day - Although at this point we were getting full, the catch of the day, which was hake provided a delicious finale to the meal.  Loving the beautifully grilled skin and the soft, flaky middle, it was everything that a fresh piece of fish should be. A side of seasonal succotash and a piece of grilled lemon infused even more freshness, showcasing the summer's natural bounty.

Service and Cost:
Our position at the bar lent itself to casual, friendly but also fast service and despite the restaurant being really busy, we felt well taken care of.

Costs are moderate, and not exorbitant for such a hot-spot:

Small Plates - $6-$15
Bigger plates - $22-$33
Sides - $7-$10

3 Mmmms

Root & Bone - 200 East 3rd Street, New York, NY 10009
646.682.7076
L Train to 1st Avenue

rootnbone.com

My Chicken and Waffle Obsession Continues

I've been having a great time playing around with my new waffle maker, and love creating any opportunity for whipping it out.  Last night's dinner included another savory rendition with cheddar cheese waffles, grilled chicken sausage, an onion and zucchini "succotash" with a runny egg on top for good measure.

The dish came together as a loose improvisation of the waffle BLT dish I did a few weeks back.  The recipe for the waffles is identical actually, which I then topped with sauteed, chopped red onions, zucchini and a sweet Italian chicken sausage.  Careful not to overcook the egg on top, it stayed nice and runny and created a silky luxurious texture that made Dan and I swoon with excitement.

We had a few leftovers so we tried a sweet and savory combination by pouring some maple syrup on top of the waffle.  Mmmm...deeelish!

Sylvia’s – Gospel, Comfort, and then Some

Just a few weeks ago, my family and I paid a visit to the vibrant neighborhood in Harlem. Totally wowed by the burgeoning food and cultural scene, it’s certainly a place we’ll return to in the future – especially when it comes to checking out new restaurants. During this visit, we dined at the old dependable Sylvia’s, which was an experience I’d gladly repeat.

Atmosphere:
Since it was Sunday, we were eager to check out Sylvia’s for their Gospel Brunch. The restaurant was quite busy, as during this time they feature live music by a talented gospel singer, so we had to wait outside for a bit to be seated. Unfortunately they don’t take reservations, but since they’re organized, it didn’t take long to get a table, and waiting on line was an experience on its own. We enjoyed hanging out with the other soon-to-be diners and made some friends during our wait.

Once inside, we were glad we waited, as the atmosphere is friendly, social and warm. The space is divided into several dining areas, some larger than others and some more private. We were happy to be seated in one of the prominent rooms, situated to the left of the entrance, which seemed to be where most of the action was taking place (including the singing). The room itself is simple, no frills, but the energy of the restaurant and all the happy people inside added to it.

Food:
We came for the comfort food, and the fried chicken to be exact. Most of us ordered this dish in one form or another, while I decided to be the oddball and chose the ribs instead.

Chicken and Waffles – Simply a good ol’ classic, this chicken and waffles had it going on. The chicken drumsticks and breasts were on the bone, which made them super moist and juicy while the batter remained crispy but not oily. I liked that the batter had a little bit of a kick to it, and the waffle was soft and fluffy on the inside, but also had a slightly crunchy crust you had to get through.

Ribs and Sides – Since I knew I’d get a generous helping of Dan’s chicken and waffles dish, I decided to order something different and went with the BBQ spare ribs and two sides. The ribs were smothered in a slightly sweet BBQ sauce, (aka Sylvia’s Original Sassy Sauce), and the ribs themselves were tender and falling off the bone. They were a little fatty for my taste, but whatever meat I got off of them, I enjoyed.

The sides of collard greens and the candied yams were amazing. Collards can be a hit or miss, but these were perfectly cooked in a fragrant stock that made them taste like home. Out of this world sweet and tender, the yams tasted more like dessert than a side dish. It reminded me of something I’d have on Thanksgiving, except I’ve never had a yam dish this delicious – and for the record, no marshmallows were needed.

Dessert – Even though we were full, we couldn’t resist the temptation of a down home comforting dessert, and ordered a portion of the peach cobbler and the red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. Both things were scrumptious, but I had a strong preference for the red velvet cake, which was really moist. While the cake itself was pretty sweet, the cream cheese frosting gave it a hint of tang that cut the richness. We all agreed this was a pretty stellar take on a Southern classic.

Service and Cost:
The service at Sylvia’s reflected the personal, family oriented vibe of the restaurant. From the lovely hostess (who I think was the late Sylvia’s daughter) to our nice waitress, we felt comfortable and well taken care of. Looking around the room, other diners seemed to have the same experience, and it’s no wonder that Sylvia continues to be the popular foodie landmark in this thriving part of the city.

Costs are fair and certainly not overpriced for what you’re getting. A hearty meal with drinks, entrees and dessert set us back about $28/person including tax and tip.

3 down home Mmmms
 
Sylvia’s – 328 Malcolm X Blvd, New York NY 10027
212.996.0660
2 Train to 125th Street
www.sylviasrestaurant.com

Hangin' at Dame's Almost World Famous Chicken & Waffles

This week, I found myself in the South for a few days, working on a project that's part of my day gig.  I went to Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina to be exact and I really enjoyed myself.  

Besides the unbelievable Southern hospitality found there, I also devoured some delicious eats.  And of course I wanted something really Southern, so I couldn't leave town without sinking my teeth into some down home comfort food in the form of Fried Chicken & Waffles.

I found these at Dame's Almost World Famous Chicken & Waffles in downtown Durham and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting.  My experience was quite magical...

Atmosphere:
Located in the heart of Downtown Durham, which is close to Duke University's campus, I found Dame's just by chance when perusing the shops and restaurants on West Main Street.  The chicken and waffles sign immediately drew me in, and even though it was still early to eat dinner (around 5 ish), the restaurant had lots of patrons inside, which was a good sign.

The interior is simple, but clean and inviting.  Beautiful white Corinthian pillars line the back room, which are just a spectacle to look at.  You can find more history on the walls, as oversized paintings of famous jazz musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie adorn the space.  As a single diner, I sat at the bar, which provided me with a surprisingly private atmosphere and some comfort.

Food:
Dame's menu is a short, simple one, but that's what makes it ingenious. There are 10 core Chicken & Waffles options, and each one sounds dreamier than the next.  After some deliberation and a few recommendations from my waiter, I made a choice.

The Buff Brahmas - What attracted me to this dish right away was the whiskey creme sauce and the peach/apricot shmear.  It all sounded quintessentially Southern in the best possible way, and I decided to get it with the classic fried chicken wings instead of the chicken cutlets.  I thought "if you're going for gluttony, just go all out." So I totally did and loved every minute of it. 

The chicken was truly life changing, as it boasted a perfectly crispy brown skin and the moistest interior I've probably ever had.  It didn't need much else besides the waffle, but of course, I put some extra peach shmear on top to make it sweeter.  The waffle itself was something special too - thin and irregularly shaped, it felt rustic and totally homemade.  Like something your grandmother would cook up.

I'd also like to give some love to the spicy collard greens, which I ordered as a side.  They were beautifully cooked and not overdone, as each bite gave you a little kick from those bright red chili flakes.

Service and Cost:
From the minute I sat down til the very end of my experience, the service was fabulous.  My waiter engaged me in conversation and did a nice job of explaining and recommending my chicken & waffles of choice.  I never once felt I had to rush and really could've sat there all day.

Costs are moderate to inexpensive and only set me back $18 with tax and tip.  And let me tell you, I was fuuuull!

Dame's Almost World Famous Chicken & Waffles - 317 West Main Street, Durham NC 27701
919.682.9235
www.dameschickenwaffles.com

New Yummies from Sugarfreak

Since it's already been an exhausting week and it's only Tuesday, Dan and I decided to treat ourselves to something comforting and yummy.  As it happens, he's never been to Sugarfreak, and I thought he'd really enjoy it, so we went for an impromptu dinner.  Both of us tried new things that really impressed us and we walked out happy, satiated and eager to come back real soon.  Here's what we enjoyed:

Crawfish/Shrimp Bisque - Dan spotted this on their specials menu and it sounded good.  It was especially appropriate since the weather really cooled down, and we wanted something warm and comforting to perk us up.  While the soup took a while to come out, it was pretty good. The broth was rich and hearty and had a real nice, warming spice to it.  There were generous chunks of shrimp and crawfish inside that were fun to find and devour.  But the best part was the buttery and still crunchy crouton that floated on top and really soaked up all that nice broth.

Chicken and Waffles - I'm a sucker for a classic chicken and waffles and like to compare this dish in different spots to see how it stacks up.  While I'd say that the waffles here knocked it out of the park, the chicken was a bit on the dry side and I was expecting something on the bone rather than a breast.  However, the rich bananas foster sauce that decked those beautiful waffles was a good way to get over the slightly dry chicken meat, and actually made the whole combination quite delectable.  Although it was a hefty portion, we couldn't help but finish the whole thing.

Blackened Catfish Po Boy - Dan loved his choice of main and even though it looked huge, he kept talking about how light it was.  I didn't believe him and took a bite only to share his experience.  Each taste was real light and airy, the bun being a good vessel to hold the delicate fish, but at the same time, it wasn't too dense on its own either.  The spicy Cajun flavorings brought it all together and the spicy mayo sauce that came as a side was a nice way to further jazz up this sandwich (or the fries that it came with).

Service and Cost:
Even though the restaurant was real busy, the service was attentive and our waitress checked on us quite a few times.  She took notice of the fact that we were getting a wee bit impatient when waiting for our soup, and really helped to expedite things along.  I like that she bought us a tasty shot of beer to make up for the wait, which didn't go unnoticed.

Costs are pretty fair for the generous portions and the good quality food.
The dinner I just described set us back about $72 in total, including drinks, tax and tip.

3 Mmmms

Sugarfreak - 36-18 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.726.5850
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.sugarfreak.com

The Strand's Brunch Scores

I'm not sure why I keep doing this to myself, but I attempted to go to Sanford's again on Sunday at no avail. Instead, my friend Jenny and I headed to The Strand, which was just a few blocks down from Sac's, where we started at the Queens County Market.

When we got to The Strand, it was already pretty full and they were just setting up for live music.  We didn't want to be too close to it so we can hear ourselves speak, and therefore situated ourselves at a table towards the middle of the room.

Overall, the brunch was pretty solid and the options are exciting to say the least.  Here's what we ordered:

Pulled Pork Omelet - I've actually never seen this type of dish on the menu and was curious as to how it would taste.  It was really hearty to say the least and the pulled pork was flavorful albeit a bit fatty.  Once I got some nice meaty chunks in, I was happy, but overall, I think they could've made the meat a little leaner.  The omelet came with a side of a hash brown cake with roasted red peppers on top, which were fabulous and a super thick slice of Texas Toast.  The latter was stellar, but I could only have a little bit because it was all so filling.

Chicken and Waffles - Jenny went for this classic Southern dish and was really happy.  The quality of the chicken was quite good and it included a mix of white and dark meat.  The batter was semi sweet, which almost felt dessert-like and coupled nicely with the spongy (and also sweet) waffle.  A side of good quality maple syrup and maple butter was a good way to put you over the edge - especially if you didn't mind the calories.

Coffee - Even though I didn't have this, Jenny ordered it.  Served in a cute little French press, each serving gave you about 2 full glasses of coffee, which came at a great value of $3.25.

Service and Cost:
Unfortunately, I can't say that the service was anything to brag about, but it's also something you come to expect at a busy beer-garden-like place like The Strand.  We had to wait a while for the check and pretty much flagged our waitress down, but aside from that, the people were cordial and upbeat.

Costs are affordable, setting us back about $18 including tax and tip.

2.5 Mmmms

The Strand Smokehouse - 25-27 Broadway, Astoria 11106
N/Q Train to Broadway

Yardbird – Weekend Brunch with a Big Helping of Comfort

One of my favorite places to visit when in Miami is Yardbird, and this time around we also went there with friends, Matt and Kate. We were eager to introduce this gem to them, after raving about it so much, and even though Dan and I have both been, we’ve never yet tried their brunch. Just like the other two past experiences I’ve had here, the brunch was absolutely spectacular and a must-try. Here’s what we got:

Drinks – Dan and I started with an order of Yardbird’s signature bloody Marys – spicy, tomatoey and topped with interesting fixins such as bacon, pickled okra, and a cornichon-stuffed olive. I loved all the spices used in the homemade tomato juice mix, which went down easily with our delicious brunch.

Entrees – Going for a wide spectrum of eats, Dan and Matt both couldn’t resist the chicken and waffles, while Kate and I went with egg-based dishes – hers was the omelette special of the day, while I chose the Benedict BLT.

The chicken was fried in the most amazing (and slightly spicy batter), and the meat was soft, juicy and succulent when you bit into it. A perfect combination was to stack a big chunky chicken piece with a sweet waffle and their homemade maple syrup, which was really rich and pure in flavor.

The BLT Benedict was really interesting and I was happy I got it, containing a mixture of perfectly poached eggs, thick slab bacon slices and slightly browned, torn pieces of their signature biscuits, which are out of this world. The tomato portion of this BLT came as a separate side salad with some nice looking, sweet tomatoes and a crunchy frisee salad.

While I didn’t taste Kate’s omelet, she said it was really tasty, but in retrospect wished that she got something a bit more characteristic of Yardbird’s country cooking style.

Shares – Matt and Kate also shared a helping of fried green tomatoes, also done up in Yardbird’s signature style, with caramelized pieces of pork belly and a red pepper remoulade. I had a bite and went to heaven, loving the crunchy tomato, a bit of fiery spice from the remoulade and the sweet, smokiness of the pork belly.

Dessert – In honor of Matt’s birthday, we got the sweet donut topped with bacon, which sold me from the start. I absolutely love this combination, and Yardbird executed it perfectly – the donut being sweet and surprisingly airy (I think they used the same dough as in their biscuits) while the bacon was the perfect amount of savory, creating a harmonious union between the two ingredients.

Service and Cost:
Following the horrendous experience we just had at Prime 112, I’m happy to say that Yardbird continues to deliver on service. Not only were we seated on time and greeted with a cheery disposition, our waiter was totally on point and catered to our every need.

Costs are moderate and totally worth it for the quality of food and the fabulous ambiance:
Brunch entrées – $12-$26
Shares - $9-$15
Desserts - $8-$9

3 Mmmms

Yardbird - 1600 Lenox Avenue, Miami Beach FL 33139
305.538.5220
www.runchickenrun.com

BareBurger Breakfast of Champions

We got up early this weekend to brunch with good friends Moses and Sonya.  Moses' recent move to Oregon has left us missing our friends, so even though this meal was way early in the morning, Dan and I looked forward to it for many reasons, the food being just one of them.

I was amused to see that when we walked into BareBurger, we were its first customers.  It was a cool feeling actually, as this place is anything but mellow during core business hours.  We settled in the extended dining room and scored a comfortable booth, which I always prefer.

Although I've brunched here before, the menu changed a bit since then, and all four of us tried something we haven't yet had.

Carrot Cake French Toast - I always wanted to try either carrot cake pancakes or French toast, so here was my chance.  Not sure if it would be a bread-like texture with shredded carrots inside, or actual carrot cake, I took my chances.  What arrived was the latter - a large, thick slice of carrot cake that was battered in egg and sprinkled with powdered sugar.  It was dense, moist and so very decadent.  Although delicious, it was difficult to finish the whole thing, as it got a bit too rich for my taste.  Dan helped me clean my plate, but in the meantime, I dived into the side of fresh bananas and apples, which were scrumptious.  The home fries that sat in the middle of the plate were also tasty and wonderfully crunchy, but I couldn't see them making much sense with the French Toast, as they were too savory.  It was a rather curious combo.

Chicken and Waffles -Dan was on the fence about this dish and in the end, he chose it still  with some hesitation.  As a result, he was disappointed, as he said the waffle wasn't soft enough and that the chicken was too fatty.  I had a bite of it but didn't agree at all, so it may have been simply a matter of preference.  The chicken meat wasn't all white, which I like but Dan found it off-putting.

Buttermilk Pancakes - Both Moses and Sonya ordered these, and while I didn't try them, they looked fluffy and decadent.  They were a huge hit, as our friends didn't have any complaints and nearly finished the generous portion.  The most amazing part of this dish was the gorgeous Nutella cream served on the side, raising the bar from ordinary pancakes, which these were not.  

Service and Cost:
While our waitress was quirky and a little odd, I really liked her honesty and dedication to our every need.  She checked on us often, and even offered to change Dan's order after his Chicken & Waffles wishy-washiness.  

Costs are moderate and set us back about $19/person with tax and tip.  This included coffee, soft drinks and a beer too.

2.5 Mmmms

BareBurger - 33-21 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.777.7011
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bareburger.com