Kinara II and Other Shenanigans

Things have been quiet in CHF land, with not much interesting eating or cooking going on as of late. We did quite a bit of grilling over Memorial Day weekend, but that was accompanied by quite a bit of drinking and not a lot of picture taking, so there's not much for me to really write about. I'm hoping to post some good grill recipes going into the summer, but I haven't had the chance to sit down and create a post about them yet.

We did get a chance to order from Kinara last night, and it was excellent as before. The deal they have for one appetizer and one entree along with nan for $11.95 is a pretty good value. Last night we had the chicken curry, chicken masala entrees with the chicken mali kebab and pekoras appetizers. Pekoras are described as "assorted fried fritters," but they all tasted pretty much the same and I was a little disappointed. They were great for making use of the various dipping sauces, though.

Neither the curry or tikka masala disappointed, however. I can now heartily recommend both along with the vindaloo I ordered last time.

I haven't tried Amin yet - does anyone have any opinions on how they compare? I'm really an Indian food novice and I'd love to learn more.

Information:

Kinara II Indian Restaurant
368 Myrtle Ave
Brooklyn, NY
718.237.4008

Google Map

Brunch in the Hood

New local blog The Real Fort Greene has an interesting rundown on brunch options in the 'nabe. They tag Olea as their favorite, and as you all know by now, I'd certainly agree.

Olea

Probably my current favorite. Part of the Moe’s, Maggie Brown, Pequena restaurant empire and one of the few spots that serves brunch every day. The menu has all the brunch standards with a Mediterranean touch. My usual order: Green Eggs & Lamb (scrambled with fresh cilantro, tomato and red onion, served with merguez lamb sausage and pita) or the steak and eggs or an omelet. Great mimosas.

I actually didn't care too much for the Green Eggs & Lamb, but that's really my problem, as I'm not a fan of lamb chorizo in general. We here at Clinton Hill Foodie recommend the Savory French Toast. Also, check out the bloody marys. They're among the best I've had.

The 175 Dollar Burger

Not Clinton Hill-related, but in the spirit of NYC food in general, I give you the $175 hamburger.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Its creators admit it is the ultimate in decadence: a $175 hamburger.

The Wall Street Burger Shoppe just raised its price from $150 to assure its designation as the costliest burger in the city as determined by Pocket Change, an online newsletter about the most expensive things in New York.

"Wall Street has good days and bad days. We wanted to have the everyday burger (for $4) ... and then something special if you really have a good day on Wall Street," said co-owner Heather Tierney.

The burger, created by chef and co-owner Kevin O'Connell, seeks to justify its price with a Kobe beef patty, lots of black truffles, seared foie gras, aged Gruyere cheese, wild mushrooms and flecks of gold leaf on a brioche bun.

The eatery sells 20 or 25 per month in the fine dining room upstairs versus hundreds of $4 burgers each day at the diner counter downstairs, Tierney said.

I'd rather go to 67 Burger or make my own, although I admit to not having any truffles around.

Olivino to Open Wine Bar

Olivino, the great wine shop on Fulton, is apparently set to open a wine bar a couple of doors down. Courtesy of Brownstoner:

According to founder Katrine Pollari, the bar will serve beer, olives and charcuterie in addition to a purposefully affordable list of by-the-glass wines. Barring unforeseen delays, the Olivino wine bar, which Pollari hopes will be a real neighborhood gathering place, could be open within the next four or five weeks.

I'm all for it, and will be there as soon as it opens. Picture also courtesy of Brownstoner.

Square Root Cafe Art Exhibit

Thanks to Myrtle Minutes for letting me know that Square Root Cafe is currently exhibiting the works of artist Katharine Sandalls. It's a great reason to stop in and try the place out if you haven't yet. We enjoyed the fare when we were there for their opening.

Information:

Square Root Cafe
584 Myrtle Avenue
718.230.7077
www.squarerootcafe.com

Google Map

New Fort Greene Restaurant

Easy Being Greene points me in the direction of a NYMag tidbit about a new restaurant coming to the Fort soon.

Former Perry Street sous-chef Tyler Kord describes his concept as “New American, with a little Hungarian, some Korean, and a bit of Wisconsin thrown in.”

Sounds interesting, to say the least. The same site has a little rundown on some of the best tender vittles to be had at the Brooklyn Flea.

Outdoor Eateries

It's full-on spring in the 'hood, and the cats over at Brooklyn Based have a great piece up on some of the best places to eat and drink in Brooklyn while sitting outside. Specifically:

Red Bamboo, Chez Oscar, Sushi D, corner Adelphi and DeKalb, Fort Greene

When this corner is jam-packed with outdoor diners, you know it’s spring. For drinks only, try Red Bamboo’s shaded front patio.

I've never been a huge fan of Sushi D, but it's not awful, and I do like Red Bamboo and Chez Oscar a whole lot. Our new favorite watering hole, Rustik, has an outdoor seating area out back that's been great since the weather got nice.

What are your favorite places to eat, drink, and get some sun?

Kif

I never actually got a chance to go into Liquors before it closed, so I'm not among the apparently large contingent of Clinton Hillers who mourned its passing. It's nice to have the space finally filled with someone interesting, though, an interesting Moroccan place called Kif. Feeling like something new, we gave it a try the other night.

It's a pretty small space, but there's a nice open area out back and since the weather was nice, that's where we decided to sit. The decor in the garden could use some work, really. More little plants and trees would help, and music that's appropriate to theme would be welcome. Listening to Top 40 Latin hits wasn't quite what I was looking for. It's a minor issue, though. There's a big hookah out there, although it wasn't in use while we were there.

Kif's got a sparse but interesting cocktail menu, and on weeknights they offer 2 for 1 drink from 5-7, and they don't restrict you to the bar, which is nice. Mick got one of the drinks, something with rum and juice and a cherry - I can't remember the name of it, for the life of me. SOmething to do with a harem, I think. It was pretty good.

To start, I had a very basic dish of pita bread with oil. It was very good, but I felt like this should be provided to every table as a matter of course. It was only a buck, but come on.

Mick got something much more interesting: spinach and goat cheese "cigars," deep fried and served with sour cream. These were outstanding and might have been the best thing we tasted all night. If you like goat cheese, don't pass these up.

For my entree, I had the seared salmon with peppers and chic peas. It's tough to screw up salmon, and thankfully they didn't. I would have liked the whole thing to be a bit spicier, but it was definitely good and I'd order it again.

Mick got the cous cous with seven vegetables, which as far as we could tell was a bit of a misnomer. We only counted six vegetables, but one of the condiments provided was a little bowl of sweet onions, so maybe that counts? I think thats like counting ketchup as a vegetable, frankly. In any event, the dish was good, although it's a big portion and she was a bit bored of cous cous by the end.

Kif's a fun little addition to the neighborhood, and it's definitely worth trying. The menu isn't particularly expansive, but we liked what we had. If anything, the fruity cocktails are worth it for happy hour during the week.

Information:

Kif
219 Dekalb Ave
718.852.7273

Google Map

Have a Drink at Tamboril...Finally!

Tamboril finally got their liquor license, and they want to celebrate:

A night of cocktails as we unveil our cocktail menu. The menu features nuevo latino inspired martinis to timeless classics such as the sidecar. Best of all enjoy our mojito or a caribbean cosmo.

The celebration begins at 5:30pm with a happy hour until 7:30pm

…it’s gonna be a cocktail affair…enjoy your social experience

April 26th, 2008

RSVP info@tamborilnyc.com

I'm a fan of this place but haven't frequented it much because I'm also a fan of a drink with dinner. Glad to hear they finally got that sorted out - the food is pretty great.

Information:

Tamboril
527 Myrtle Ave
718.622.5130

Google Map

I Haven't Been to Kif...

...but Clinton Hill Blog has. They seemed to like it. It's up there on my list of places to try as soon as I have more than twenty free minutes in a single stretch.

Edit: This post is now a lie, as I have been to Kif.

Eating Off the Grid

The wonderful restaurant Luz is having a unique event in celebration of Earth Day. I don't typically celebrate this day of days by doing anything in particular, but this sounds like a great way to start.

And let There be No Luz
(A New York meal off the grid)

On April 22 and 23, 2008 Luz Restaurant, in Brookly NY, will be hosting an event in celebration of Earth Day 2008.

Many things can be disrupted if there is no power. Communications, water, light, building systems, transportation, etc. We have decided to focus on the most basic human act: consuming food. On April 22 and 23 we will be selecting, measuring and combining organic and sustainable products to produce a five course meal without electric power. We will be using all natural, oraganic and grass fed products from local farms and markets. We will also be serving organic beer and wine.There will be no electricity; no telephones, no gas, no credit card machines, no computers, no heat lamps.

We hope that thru our two days of cooking we can promote awareness of environmental issues. We hope to ingest consciousness of the fact that what we do, buy, use or dispose has a direct impact on planet Earth.

We will provide live music, seating and serve food to be consumed on the premises, we ask you to come, engage and enjoy this act which supports life. Come to Luz (with out Luz) and celebrate Earth day 2008.

Earth Day pre-fix $55.00 (metal or paper only) per person

Information:

Luz Restaurant
177 Vanderbilt Ave Btwn Myrtle & Willoughby
718.246.4000

Google Map

Restaurant Week Additions

Thanks to Clinton Hill Blog for the heads up. A few more Myrtle restaurants will be participating in Dine in Brooklyn, including Clinton Hill Foodie favorites Il Torchio and Tamboril.

Il Torchio (L/D)
458 Myrtle Avenue
(Waverly/Washington)
718.422.1122

Café Martino (D)
559 Myrtle Avenue
(Emerson/Classon)
718.636.3966

Tamboril (D)
527 Myrtle Avenue
(Grand/Steuben)
718.483.2152

Yamashiro (D)
466 Myrtle Avenue
(Washington/Hall)
718.230.3313

Brooklyn Restaurant Week

Restaurant Weeks are one of the really exceptional things about living in New York City. I always try to take part in the Manhattan ones, although this year I was sadly unable to find the time. Brooklyn has its own, however, and this year I plan on trying out at least a couple of different places.

"Dine in Brooklyn" week this year takes place from March 24-31, and our friends at Gnarly Vines want to help kick things off this Thursday with a wine tasting event.

Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership

and

Gnarly Vines

invite you to Kick-Off

"Dine in Brooklyn" on Myrtle Avenue

Thursday, March 20, 2008
6:30 PM to 11:00 PM

Event starts at 6:30 / Music sets begin at 7:30 and 9:30

RSVP at NYC Charities - Dine in Brooklyn on Myrtle Ave

Music by:

Legendary bassist Bill Lee - long-time Fort Greene resident - and his amazing jazz quintet - bass, drums, trombone, alto sax and tenor sax.

Wines by Superstar Aussie Wine Importer, The Grateful Palate:

2007 Marquis Phillips Holly's Blend Verdelho - $12

2005 Pure Evil Chardonnay - $14

2004 Marquis Phillips Roogle Red Shiraz/Cab Blend - $12

2006 R Wines Evil Cabernet - $14

2005 R Wines Boarding Pass Shiraz - $20
2005 R Wines First Class Shiraz - $34

10% off wines poured during the event!!!

Food provided by Myrtle Avenue's participating "Dine in Brooklyn" restaurants.

For a complete list click here.

There are a number of Clinton Hill/Fort Greene restaurants participating this year, including some of our favorites, Loulou, Maggie Brown, Olea, and Mullane's.

L = Serving Lunch
D= Serving Dinner
* = Accepts the American Express ® Card

Clinton Hill

Autour du Monde (D)*
860 Fulton Street
718-398-3500

Five Spot Restaurant (D)*
459 Myrtle Avenue
718-852-0202

Maggie Brown Restaurant (D)
455 Myrtle Avenue
718-643-7001

Mojito Cuban Cuisine (L/D)*
82 Washington Avenue
718-797-3100

Fort Greene

Caffe e Vino (L/D)*
112 Dekalb Avenue
718-855-6222

Chez Lola (D)*
387 Myrtle Avenue
718-858-1484

Chez Oskar (D)*
211 DeKalb Avenue
718-852-6250

Epoca Ristorante (L/D)
773 Fulton Street
718-596-9070

iCi (L/D)*
246 Dekalb Avenue
718-789-2778

June Restaurant (D)*
229 Dekalb Avenue
718-222-1510

Los Pollitos III (L/D)
499 Myrtle Avenue
718-636-6125

Loulou Restaurant (D)*
222 DeKalb Avenue
718-246-0633

Luz Restaurant (L/D)*
177 Vanderbilt Avenue
718-246-4000

Madiba Restaurant (L/D)*
195 Dekalb Avenue
718-855-9190

Mullanes Bar and Grill (D)*
71 Lafayette Avenue
718-797-7606

Olea Mediterranean Taverna (D)*
171 Lafayette Avenue
718-643-7003

Scopello Ristorante & Bar (D)*
63 Lafayette Avenue
718-852-1100

Thomas Beisl (L)*
25 Lafayette Avenue
718-222-5800

Cafe Martino Prix Fix Dinner Specials

A reader recently urged me to stop into Cafe Martino, and while I still plan on doing that, I thought I'd relay something I saw over at Myrtle Minutes. Cafe Martino is now offering Prix Fix Dinner Specials in addition to breakfast and lunch.

I've heard nothing but great things about this place but I just haven't had the opportunity to stop in. Now that they'll be open a little later, I hope I'll be able to.

Information:

Cafe Martino
559 Myrtle Ave
Brooklyn, NY
718.636.3966

Google Map

Ruthie's, A Little Bit of Myrtle Soul

Another night where we didn't have the time or energy to cook. There have been a lot of those lately.

We initally tried to order from Peqeña, but it turns out we're outside of their delivery range. Fiddlesticks to that!

Our next choice was Ruthie's, and what a fine choice it was. This little place tucked away on the corner of Myrtle and Emerson is a real treasure. Their menu isn't expansive by any means, but everything is good. I had the smothered pork chops with sides of mashed potatoes and corn (pictures), and Mick got the fried chicken wings with mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. Both platters were excellent, if a little, shall we say, heavy. Don't plan on doing anything strenuous after Ruthie's - you won't be able to move.

For dessert I initally wanted some red velvet cake, but they were sadly sold out. We got the sweet potato pie instead, and I'm glad we did. It's one of my new favorite things in the world.

Information:

Ruthie's Restaurant
560 Myrtle Ave
Brooklyn, NY
718.399.2400

Google Map

CHB's Take on Takeout

The blogoholics over at Clinton Hill Blog have a post up today about takeout in the neighborhood, which reminds me that I'm overdue on a post I've been working on that was requested in a comment a while back about the same thing (Ed Note: Wow, that was an unweildy sentence). A proper Clinton Hill Takeout post will be forthcoming at some point, but off the top of my head:

Kinara is pretty great. I'm taking my first tepid steps into the world of Indian food, but I'm enjoying everything so far. Try the tikka masala or the vindaloo (if you can handle spicy).

Focaccino makes a unique pizza and their sandwiches are pretty inexpensive and very good. Half of them seem to have goat cheese on them, which is fine by me.

As I mentioned the other day, I'm in love with the toasted monte cristo panini from Bergen Bagels. Everything from them is good, though.

Little Louie's pizza on Myrtle is my favorite straight pie, but Liberty is pretty good as well.

For sushi, I've been ordering from Sushi Tatsu for a long time. Try the Samurai Roll.

I'm still looking for my favorite Chinese place. I haven't had much Chinese since moving in, and we seem to try a different restaurant each time we order, so I don't have a good idea of what's the best. Any suggestions?

Rustik is Here!

We've been waiting anxiously for Rustik to finally open for real, and last night we got our first chance to stop in. The closet bar to us is Sputnik, and I've never really been a huge fan - it's all right, but I've been hoping for a while to have a nice watering hole nearby that would be fun to hang out after work or after going out on weekends. Rustik's perfect.

The space inside is open and inviting, and the decor is very classy - lots of wood and brick. There are shelves with old issues of National Geographic along with an old piano in the back. There's also a great outdoor garden space with a fire pit that will apparently be used for grilling in the warmer months.

Their beer selection is pretty good (Blue Moon on tap suits me just fine), and the bartender Ryan promised that they'd be rotating a few of the beers on tap from time to time. One interesting tidbit is that they don't have any Brooklyn Brewery beer, which is fine with me since while it's all right, you can get it at every grocery store and crappy bodega anywhere in Brooklyn. They've also got a decent wine selection for a bar.

I was surprised that they had a kitchen, and since we hasn't eaten, we ordered dinner. I had the Butcherboy Burgers - three ground turkey sliders stuffed with blue cheesed and topped with sauteed onions and served with greens. Mick had the Clinton Hill chili, also made with ground turkey (that seems to be a theme here). I would have liked it to be a bit spicier, but it was very good. Everything on the menu seems priced reasonably, and there's a lot of thigns I want to try - especially the nachos, which I'll have next time. Lots of the menu items are named for nearby streets which is a bit kitschy, but a fun way to make the place feel local.

We got a chance to talk at length with the owner, Frantz, whose goal with Rustik was to bring an old-fashioned tavern to the neighborhood. Their website boasts that Rustik is the best bar in Clinton Hill, and even if I didn't live literally around the corner I'd be inclined to agree. If you're anywhere nearby, do yourself a favor and stop in. My first impression of Rustik is that it's a really special place, and our neighborhood is much better for having it.

Information:

Rustik Tavern
471 DeKalb Ave
Brooklyn, NY
347.906.9700
http://www.rustiktavern.com/

Google Map

Also, dogs love snow.

Buff Patty?

I've walked by Buff Patty on Myrtle a few times, most recently last night, when I decided to order from Kinara. Today I was curious, so I did a bit of Googling. Lo and behold, the place sounds really good.

I think I'm going to swing by tonight. Anyone have a recommendation on what to order? I know I want one of those empenada-like patties, but beyond that, I'm at a loss.

A Little Indian

While I was out waking Riley, I decided that I had no interest in leftovers or cooking anything tonight, so I decided on delivery. As it happened, I was walking by Kinara II, so Indian it was.

I'm not really an Indian food connoisseur - in fact I know very little about it. I ordered a chicken vindaloo principally because I'm a fan of Red Dwarf. Yes, this is how I make many of my decisions.

The vindaloo alone wasn't enough to meet the delivery minimum, so I added some garlic pita bread.

Turns out, vindaloo is pretty good, and spicy as Hell. I absolutely loved it, and highly recommend it. I can't compare it against other Indian places, but everything I've read while poking around the intertrons says that it's pretty highly regarded.

Information:

Kinara II Indian Restaurant
368 Myrtle Ave
Brooklyn, NY
718.237.4008

Google Map

Square Root Cafe Grand Opening

It's a lovely (and cold) day, and in between playing with the dog and doing laundry, we sauntered over to the Square Root Cafe, which is finally open for business. I wasn't in any shape to move on New Year's Day, let alone go to a free brunch, so I missed their soft grand opening a few weeks ago. Today they finally opened up for real, and we went in for lunch.

The space inside is pretty nice and not cramped at all. There's some fun decorations - a 60's-era Coke machine, jukebox, phone booth (?!), etc. It's got somewhat of an old-fashioned diner feel, with some campy hipsterness thrown in.

Since it was so cold out, we ordered up some hot chocolate to sip while we waiting for our food. The chocolate was really, really good - I highly recommend it.

For lunch, we each ordered a panini. Mick had The Bela, which had portobello mushrooms, spinach, and goat cheese. I had The Neapolitan - tomato, basil, mozzarella, and grilled chicken. Despite taking a really long time to show up, both were pretty great. We'll chalk the long wait up to it being their first day, but it's certainly something they need to make sure and work on.

The prices were reasonable (it was less than $20 for the both of us), and the staff was friendly. Since it's so close, we'll definitely be back, especially for a Sunday brunch. If only they served mimosas...

Information:

Square Root Cafe
584 Myrtle Avenue
718.230.7077
www.squarerootcafe.com

Google Map