Mr. Yummy Brooklyn and I recently took a ride down to Bay Ridge to check it out. We sat on the South side of the restaurant, in a sunny room (a little alley, perhaps?) with wall-to-wall windows looking out on the town. It was the perfect setting for a relaxing Sunday lunch, which for us started with a Negroni. For those not familiar with this Yummy Brooklyn favorite, a Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail made up of equal parts gin, campari, and vermouth. It’s a little bitter, a little sweet, and very yummy.

The food proved to be very yummy as well, starting with the special burrata appetizer. It was our first experience with this type of cheese, which is essentially a ball of mozzarella filled with a heavenly mozzarella and cream mixture. Served with tomatoes, arugula, olives, and red onion, it was exactly as our server Matt promised it would be: off the hook. No wonder Vicolo imports it from Italy on a weekly basis!

The Spaghetti allo Scoglio was a medley of seafood in a light tomato sauce. It was full of flavor, but not overly heavy, making it an excellent lunchtime pasta. Tender calamari and spaghetti made fresh from Vicolo’s pasta machine made it a memorable dish that I look forward to ordering again.

And of course, we couldn’t eat at Vicolo without trying a pizza! We ordered the Pizza Italiana and were delighted when it came topped in an Italian flag of arugula, fresh mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes. The pizza was served on a “Golfo di Napoli” plate and with each slice revealed another city on the Gulf of Naples. This was probably the closest I have ever been to eating pizza in Italy, and it was delicious.

Our meal ended on a sweet note with the Torta della Nonna, a lemony cheese cake in a crust of pine nuts. The pressure was on as anything named “Nonna” reminds me of my Nonna and therefore better be good. Luckily, Vicolo’s Torta della Nonna delivered. It was tart and tasty, and didn’t stand a chance against Mr. Yummy Brooklyn’s fork.

Before we left we were treated to one last thing: the tantalizing aroma of Truffled Taglioline being prepared table-side for a lucky group of Vicolo patrons, twirled inside a hollowed out wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano. I’ll soon be making a return trip to Bay Ridge just for that. Who’s with me?

Vicolo Ristorante, Bay Ridge
8530 3rd Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11209
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My first CSA experience is officially underway! Last Tuesday evening I headed to Brooklyn Boulders for the first pick-up of the season, excited to take home my farm fresh veggies from Common Hands Farm.  The first week brought an abundance of leafy green goodness, and so did not disappoint. In fact, I was smitten.

That night I spent hours browsing the web for recipe ideas, storage tips, and the like. This was an important part of the process for me as I didn’t want to waste a single piece of produce. I’ve had greenmarket veggies go bad in the fridge before, and it’s a sad affair. So, I took to Google and handy blogs like Ecocentric (their Real Food Right Now series highlights seasonal ingredients and tells you what to do with them). I also went on a bit of a Pinterest frenzy, the evidence of which you can view here. The following day I woke up inspired and eager to get reacquainted with my kitchen.

I was very excited about this gorgeous rainbow chard and so it starred in my first CSA meal. I decided on a Rainbow Chard Frittata inspired by a recipe from Jennifer Grayson of The Red, White, and Green. The chard was easy to work with: I cleaned it thoroughly, separated the stems, chopped them into a colorful pile, and tore the leaves into large pieces. The stems were then sauteed with onion, filling the apartment with a wonderful aroma. Next the leaves were added and quickly cooked down before the entire mixture was combined with eggs, milk, and cheese and poured into a greased pan. While that was baking, I prepared a side salad of  speckled trout lettuce (also from the CSA) with berries and a simple citrus vinaigrette.

Mr. Yummy Brooklyn and I enjoyed the frittata so much we ate the leftovers the next morning for breakfast. It was delicious both times, with the earthy flavor of the chard taking center stage against a backdrop of eggs, milk, and hints of Pecorino Romano. Thanks to Common Hands CSA for inspiring a meal that gives new meaning to phrase “taste the rainbow” and proves that yummy brooklyn is something that can, and should, happen at home, too.

Are you participating in a CSA this summer? What’s cooking in your yummy Brooklyn kitchen? 

The restaurateurs behind Mominette, Bushwick wanted to create an oasis with their French bar and bistro. Like planting a flower in the desert, they built it in between the bodegas and 99 cent shops of Knickerbocker Avenue. When Mr. Yummy Brooklyn and I visited last weekend, it was nearly 90 degrees out and the restaurant’s bright blue facade was a welcome sight indeed.

Another welcome sight was Mominette’s backyard, a beautiful outdoor space complete with a rainbow of flowers, an overhead trellis, and a bocce ball court along the wall. I felt a little bit like I’d found the secret garden, except it wasn’t a secret and brunch was currently being served.

The hot day called for a cold beverage and I went with a Blood Mary. It arrived in a mason jar, which is always a nice touch. I savored it sip by sip as the sun beat down on my face and the sand from the bocce ball court (which we were sitting in) tickled my toes. In the background, a pair of musicians played guitar, providing the soundtrack to this summery scene. Oasis found.

And then there was the food:  French Toast for the mister and Eggs Florentine for moi. Mr. Yummy Brooklyn inhaled his, but not before I stole two delicious bites. The French Toast boasted the ideal combination of crispy outside, moist inside and was perfectly complimented by sweet maple syrup.

The Eggs Florentine were equally yummy, and the best that I’ve had in a long time. Later, I learned that Mominette’s Chef Wesley is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, and has spent 5 years working in Paris. Now that you know this too, perhaps you won’t be so shocked to hear that his Hollandaise sauce, which had a slight kick to it, was amazing.

Per Yummy Brooklyn house rules, if there is Mac and Cheese on the menu, it must be had! We shared a side of Mominette’s Mac, which featured curly coquillette pasta with béchamel and Gruyere. I loved this version, which was lusciously creamy underneath the surface.

Finally, if you’re wondering what a “mominette” is exactly, I have the answer for you. After spending the past week wondering if it might be an homage to someone’s mother, I did some googling and confirmed with the folks at Mominette that it actually refers a drink similar to an aperitif. It’s a term used in the south of France for a small (half shot glass) strong drink, usually absinthe, served before a meal to open the senses. Mominette currently carries 6 absinthe liquors, 2 of which are imported from France. Now I have something new on my to-do list: return to Mominette for a mominette!

Mominette, Bushwick
221 Knickerbocker Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11237
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I have trouble saying no to mac and cheese, so I started my meal with the Fried Macaroni appetizer, which the menu described as “sounds weird but is bloody lovely.” It was bloody lovely indeed, with it’s thin crispy shell and creamy, macaroni filled center. Here it is in all of it’s golden glory.

Since I have no self control, I had mac and cheese for the next course too. The Mushroom Mac was really yummy, with large pieces of meaty portobello throughout. And despite a warning that the Dine in Brooklyn portions were smaller than those on the regular menu, I found myself with more than enough cheesy goodness to fill me up.  Plus there was a pile of peas. Hardly enough green to redeem me on that night, but at least they were there.

As I was busy eating cheese followed by more cheese, my table-mates enjoyed Fish & Chips, Chicken Curry, and Haggis (google that one if you’re curious, but not if you’re sqeaumish). And for dessert? I continued my eating extravaganza with a decadent and boozy “Adult Milkshake” and the infamous Fried Twinkie, which as you can see masquerades as a (tasty) heart-shaped cake:

While this may have been my unhealthiest Yummy Brooklyn adventure to date, I do recommend ChipShop. It’s a fun place to grab a few pints with your buddies, overindulge a bit, and relax and enjoy the Britain-meets-Brooklyn vibe.

Atlantic Chip Shop, Brooklyn Heights
129 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11201
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Margherita Mac (Oven Roasted Tomatoes, House-made Mozz, Fresh Basil)

“A really long time ago a diabolically smart person (possibly even your grandmother’s grandmother’s grandmother) decided that elbow pasta and cheese should be mixed together and served as a dish. An American classic was born.”  - Elbow Room BK

Mushroom Mac Topped With Crispy Shallots

Mac and Cheese is indeed an American classic. For many it is a favorite childhood memory and the ultimate comfort food. So, if you’re going to devote an entire restaurant to the dish, you better do the right thing and make it amazing. Luckily, the Mac and Cheese gods seem to be smiling down on Brooklyn, because Elbow Room Barclays does just that.

The same gods must be smiling down on me too, as I was recently invited to visit Elbow Room for a taste. On a chilly Saturday afternoon, Mr. Yummy Brooklyn accompanied me to Barclays where we found the entrance to Elbow Room on the quieter, less traveled, Atlantic Avenue side of the arena (during an event, ticket-holders can also access Elbow Room from inside of Barclays).

So… What makes Elbow Room different from Mom’s Mac and Cheese?

Vegan Queso Fundido

Super Fresh, High Quality Ingredients: No Velveeta here! Elbow Room prides itself on sourcing artisan crafted cheeses, local organic veggies, and 100% grass fed beef. The Margherita Mac (quite possibly my favorite of the day) featured a beautiful melty, house-made mozzarella.

A Global Twist: It’s totally cool if you want to keep it classic and opt for the “Old School Mac” featuring NY State cheddar and garlic breadcrumbs. But it’s equally cool that you can take your pick of Elbow Room’s globally inspired macs like Chicken Tinga or Jamaican Jerk. And with rotating weekly and seasonal specials, who knows where their Mac and Cheese will take you next.

A Vegan Version: Arenas, stadiums, ballparks and other such venues are not always the most vegetarian/vegan-friendly of places. So it’s extra nice that Elbow Room offers several tasty vegetarian macs. On top of that they offer a vegan mac so good that it’s actually one of their best sellers. The Vegan Queso Fundido “cheese” is made with a soymilk/tofu base and comes topped with soyrizo, jalapeno slices, avocado, cilantro, and a fun pile of crunchy tortilla strips. It’s a yummy option for vegans, the Meatless Monday crowd, and for those who simply want to try something different.

An Awesome Executive Chef: On their website you’ll find a playful but very mysterious description of Elbow Room’s chef. However, I was fortunate to meet “Mr. Elbow” in person and I found that there was no air of mystery about him, only a passion for food and the joy that eating good food (like mac and cheese) instills in people. So while you’re enjoying your mac, know that a lot of heart went into it. Oh, and the talents of a Le Cordon Blue grad.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Mac with Grilled Pineapple, Toasted Coconut, & Scotch Bonnets

Fellow Mac and Cheese lovers, go on and check out Elbow Room for yourself the next time you are in the area or going to Barclays. The smallest size mac (actually called “Big”) is a meal in itself and an affordable one, especially where arena food is concerned. And if you are in need of more tempting, take a look at the full menu. Which mac is calling your name? 

Elbow Room, Barclays Center
614 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
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Cafe Dada, or simply “Dada” as we like to call it, is situated on the corner of 7th Ave and Lincoln, in the space formerly occupied by Ozzie’s, and long before that a shop that sold “trusses and belts.” It is a French-Hungarian cafe, but I prefer to think of it as an oasis of coffee (Blue Bottle espresso drinks and Brooklyn Roasting Co. drip) and perfectly portioned food. It’s a great place to de-stress after a long work week. Though it’s a busy, the atmosphere is relaxed and the baristas and servers are always very friendly. They are always patient as I stumble over the French or Hungarian words on the menu.

As far as the menu goes, it’s all yummy. You can go the healthy route with a warm bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh berries, or perhaps a yogurt parfait.  Or, enjoy an eggy breakfast sandwich (Mr. Yummy Brooklyn enjoys the Potato Pogacsa, a hungarian style potato biscuit with ham, eggs & asparagus) or quiche.  Instead of a heaping mound of greasy home fries, these items are served with a a healthy, light accompaniment of mixed greens.

Of course, you can also indulge with potato pancakes (served with smoked salmon) or crepes (of either the sweet or savory variety), but even these dishes are light enough that you won’t require a 2 hour afternoon nap to recover from them. Pinky swear.

So, if you’re not interested  in eating your body weight in Huevos Rancheros this weekend, drop by Dada to try their deliciously strong coffee and tasty menu offerings.  There’s also a pastry case if you need something sweet to grab on the go, but I haven’t tackled that yet. Enjoy!

Cafe Dada, Park Slope
57 7th Avenue (corner of Lincoln)
Brooklyn, NY 11217

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