Best Brooklyn Bites 2011: Top 10
2011 was a cool year. The summer was stupid hot, the winter has been weirdly mild, lots of new stuff opened up in the borough, and coincidentally, it's the year Bklynography was born! Hooray! I'd like to take this time, the 10th day in 2012, to recap my top 10 best bites, eats, and meals I enjoyed in Brooklyn in 2011.
Had I planned ahead for this post, I would've been a much more conscientious eater and photographer of my meals out in Brooklyn to provide super gorgeous photos and very detailed accounts of all foods & ingredients. The truth is, I hate being that person (NERD/weirdo) who whips out a DSLR in a quiet, dimly-lit restaurant, and I also can't spare the 5 minutes it would take to adjust the settings to take a picture before I can eat my food. So please, bear with my iPhone photos.
10. Apple Blueberry Bran Muffin from Blue Sky Bakery in Park Slope, BK
I know, a bran muffin!? But believe me, this muffin kills all other muffins, and I am a picky, muffin purist. I used to work at Amy's Bread, so I know my muffins.
Blue Sky Bakery is only open from 7:30/8:30am - 2pm, during which time they are baking those muffins fresh. So fresh, that you can almost always order one that is still hot from the oven. And instead of your traditional cakey, sort of slimey, oversized, over-sugared (yet under-flavored) muffin, these things are absolute beauties. As fresh as they come, the bran muffins are gritty and dense while remaining fluffy on the inside, and crisp on the outside, making a perfect light but satisfying breakfast. And instead of having like 5 blueberries sprinkled throughout, all of Blue Sky's fruit muffins come with a yummy, generously fruit-filled center, which will still be hot if you're lucky.
And for the record, Amy's Bread makes a damn good muffin too. If only they'd open in Brooklyn.
9. Veg Loaf #2 Sandwich from Court Street Grocers in Carroll Gardens, BK
Court Street Grocers is getting a major rep for being a purveyor of excellent, list-worthy sandwiches, so it's no surprise that even their veggie sandwich is a stand-out.
The Veg Loaf #2 Sandwich from Court St Grocers, to be precise. Hearty, warm, and much more satisfying than most vegetarian sandwiches, you won't feel like you're missing out on the meaty sandwich party with this one. The "loaf" is made of chickpeas, and the sandwich comes topped with pickled veggies and roasted tomatoes for lots of added flavor which makes it a little more exciting than a sandwich you'd make at home. The ciabatta also helps to make it a very comforting hand-held meal in a sea of boring veggie sandwiches and cold salads.
8. Fish Tacos from Nitehawk Cinemas in Williamsburg, BK
Tacos are pictured on the left, but on the right are the empanadas which are equally fantastic.
2011 is the year that a movie theater finally opened in Williamsburg, but more importantly, an awesome movie theater finally opened in New York City. My definition of awesome? Something that combines eating with just about any other activity. So whatever.
Offering tasty cocktails and great film programming, the food really is the star at Nitehawk. After spending numerous summers in search of the best fish taco (in New York), Nitehawk has me pretty sold on theirs. I'm not from California or anything, so what the hell do I know about fish tacos right? Right. Well, I liked these, so shut up. The fish was fresh and well-cooked, it had nice traditional additions like cabbage and whatever that sauce is, and the portion was totally decent. AND I got to watch a movie while scarfing them down. Be sure to give them a try, and follow up with a Nitehawk dessert, if you can manage (you had me at "ice cream sandwich.")
7. Black-Bottom Oatmeal Pie from Four and Twenty Blackbirds in Gowanus, BK
This pie is not a dessert, it is a meal. If you eat too much before going to Four & Twenty, you will probably be a failure and be unable to finish your piece of pie, like a chump. They give you giant slices here, and the Black-Bottom Oatmeal in particular is one dense, slightly gooey, filling beast of a treat. Add that thick scoop of cream they put on the side, and you'll probably be all set for breakfast or dinner or whichever meal you choose to replace with sweet, sweet, pie.
The BBO is a longstanding favorite at Four & Twenty, and it seems to know no season, being available most times I've visited. Chocolate, oats, sugar, pie crust; it's a solid bet you can't lose. My second favorite pies are the Strawberry Balsamic or the Pear Bourbon Crumble, but alas, those are subject to the seasons!
6. All Food at Shake Shack from Shake Shack in Downtown Brooklyn, BK
Thank god this opened in the final days before 2012, or else I wouldn't be able to count it!
Shake Shack is always wonderful, and now we won't have to visit that frigid bitch Manhattan to satisfy our craving for perfect burgers and crinkly fries. And cheers for that, because all the recent burger pop-ups aren't even coming close to Shack perfection. Mooburger? Five Guys? Cheeburger Cheeburger? BAD Burger? All pathetic! I'm sorry but it's true.
Conveniently located near many subways, the new Shack at the corner of Fulton St and Boerum Place has all your familiar favorites, plus some new specialty concretes that are available in regular and half sizes, and additional hot dog choices! The prospect of summer crowds doesn't seem too pleasant, as this location has no outdoor seating (for now?) and the dining room is fairly small, so my advice is get in early. What's that you say, it's too cold for custard right now? You're out of your mind! It's never too cold for custard, just like it's never too hot for doughnuts. In fact my favorite item of the moment if the Cinnamon Cream Cheese custard, January's Monday flavor. Get your priorities straight, god!
5. Robicelli's Cupcakes from Robicelli's in Brooklyn, NY
I should really stop raving about these things because it's going to start looking like Robicelli's is paying me. They're not. For detailed adoration of the Robicellis and their cupcakes, click here.
Aside from that, the Robicelli's made their cupcake presence even bigger this year with stints at the Madison Square Market and the ever-crowded Union Square Holiday Market. Currently they're open as a pop-up in Soho at the Openhouse Gallery.
This year they also introduced whoopie pies, brownies, and seasonally available hot chocolate to their line-up. I didn't get to try any of those items (my dad stole my single whoopie pie) but my favorite flavors of the year were classic PB&J, The Iona, Strawberry Rhubarb, The Odessa, and the winter-only Creme Brulee and Riskreme. And there are dozens that I didn't even get to try!
For more info about Robicelli's and their ever-changing, forever thrilling flavors, visit their website.
4. Glazed Donut from DOUGH at Smorgasburg in Bed-Stuy, BK
Doughnuts from DOUGH were the talk of 2011. After opening shop in Bed-Stuy and making major noise on the haute doughnut scene, they quickly expanded by setting up outposts at Williamsburg's Smorgasburg and Cobble Hill's Stinky Bklyn cheese shop. I have yet to visit the original bakery location in Bed-Stuy, but these things are absolutely worth any trek. They've garnered a faithful following and raving reviews from just about any blog that's had them in hand. While they provide numerous exciting and gourmet flavors (hibiscus, dulce de leche, cafe au lait), if you can't decide, the original glazed is sweet, puffy, melt-in-your-mouth perfection on its own.
Pictured is me and my first Dough doughnut at Smorgasburg on the hottest day of summer. You might think 100 degree heat and warm doughnuts don't go together, but these donuts go with everything. If I could make a house out of these donuts and live in it for the rest of my life, I would. That doesn't make any sense but fuck it these things are the greatest.
3. Fried White Beans at Lodge in Williamsburg, BK
Now according to Yelp, people seem to have very mixed opinions regarding Lodge. The prices may be a little steep, but you can just con some guy from OK Cupid into taking you there for free, right? Personally, I've only had great experiences there with a chill but friendly waitstaff, no crowds, and excellent food. I love that their specials almost always include a great vegetarian option and offers some variety from their usual daily dishes.
It was one of these such specials that blew my mind. Fried white beans. Sounds totally lame, right? Fried beans? What are we, Boyscouts? We took a chance and tried the special, only to be wonderfully surprised with the dish we were given - each white bean was breaded and deep fried, similarly to calimari, and they were served drizzled with some sort of spicy oil with fried chilis on top. They were crunchy, spicy, delicious nuggets of awesome.
In the same meal my boyfriend had a short rib grilled cheese sandwich (also a special) that was also on the brink of life-changing, it was so good. So maybe give this place a shot! I've heard they have long waits for brunch on the weekend, but dinner on weeknights is probably A-OK.
2. Zuzu Ramen at Zuzu Ramen in Gowanus, BK
Zuzu exploded this year when they sold a Groupon because people love Groupons. For the record, I've been going to this place for 2+ years and I want all you Groupon people to know that I hate you for making it crowded. Haha, just kidding (no I'm not.) Anyway, the secret is out that Zuzu is bangin'. It makes Naruto Ramen around the corner in Park Slope look like some college microwave Maruchan shit (which it sort of is.)
Out-deliciousing most Manhattan ramen that I've had so far (except maybe Ippudo on a pork bun technicality), Zuzu's noodles (not 100% sure they are made in-house so I don't want to make that claim) are tender and toothsome, just like they should be, and seem hand-pulled (straighter vs. crinkly). The Zuzu Ramen is my favorite dish on the menu, but all their options are a little more creative than your traditional ramen offerings, and often include more veggies & variety which I definitely appreciate. The pork is always tender, the egg perfectly soft.
1. Doug's Pecan Pie Ice Cream Sundae & Pecan Pie French Toast from Buttermilk Channel in Carroll Gardens, BK
I realize this picture isn't great, but it was dark and all I had was an iPhone. You're lucky to get a picture at all because I hate when my ice cream gets melty.
Holy. Crap. Buttermilk Channel is a great restaurant for a number of reasons (not among them the fact that Jay-Z and Beyonce eat there), and at the top of that list for me is the service (they're so friendly and laid-back!) And then right below that is the way this place manages to reincarnate pecan pie as numerous different things. Two different things, to be exact, but two magnificent, head-exploding, freaking incredibly delicious things.
Doug's Pecan Pie Sundae is it. This isn't your Friendly's Happy Ending sundae. This is vanilla ice cream, pecan pie filling, more vanilla ice cream, more pecan pie filling, I think some hot fudge (???), MORE pecan pie filling, and homemade whipped cream that is about five whips away from being butter. Or, heaven in a glass. In the moment after eating this, I felt like I wouldn't be that upset if I got hit by a bus and died because I wasn't sure how life would ever get any better.
Doug, I've never met you, but will you marry me??
Fortunately I didn't die after eating the sundae. I asked myself 'what do you do when you wake up with a sugar hangover the day after and are wondering what will fill the void left in your mouth by Doug's Sundae?' Never fear! You can have nearly the same damn thing as breakfast. That's right. ("Reese's cups for breakfast!?" No fuck you! Pecan pie for breakfast!)
So this french toast is super thick. Not totally sure what sort of bread they use (looks like eggy challah?) but they soak it so that they inside becomes like custard. Not soggy or drippy at all, just perfect spongy sweet bourbony custard inside the crispy outer crusts. And then there's sugared pecans AND whipped cream! If this is the work of Doug again, someone give that man an award.
So 2011 was an epic year in food, which is why I am on an epic diet at the moment. Stay tuned for my list of Brooklyn spots to eat healthy in 2012!
Blue Sky Bakery - 53 Fifth Ave, Park Slope, Brooklyn
Court Street Grocers - 485 Court St, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Nitehawk Cinema - 136 Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Four and Twenty Blackbirds - 439 3rd Ave, Gowanus, Brooklyn
Shake Shack - 409 Fulton St, Downtown Brooklyn
Robicelli's - DeKalb Market, 332 Flatbush Ave Ext, Downtown Brooklyn
DOUGH - 305 Franklin Ave, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
Lodge - 18 Grand St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Zuzu Ramen - 173 4th Ave, Gowanus, Brooklyn
Buttermilk Channel - 524 Court St, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
I know this list is somewhat lacking in recommendations from outer areas of Brooklyn, so in the next year I'm making it my mission to get out and expand my geographical (and foodographical) coverage of Brooklyn. Please leave suggestions in the comments!
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