Allison "Beebopp" T.'s Profile

Something new to the neighborhood and different from the usual chinese and spanish food, I had to try it out and report back to my office peeps. I bought food to take home and sample.

Truffled mac and cheese starter. $4.95. Made with medium pasta shells, a light panko crust on top, real creamy and homestyle and comfort foodie-ish. Tasted like several different cheeses were used, and real butter. Too good to put on a hot dog.

Shrimp fritters starter. $7.95. AWESOME. fried fresh shrimp, not greasy, but crispy. Drizzled with a sriracha mayo sauce & has 2 slices of lemon to squeeze. lemon works, mayo works, just enuf shrimp to share, or make a lunch out of. Nice flavor, I'd get it again for sure.

Short rib sliders starter. $5.95. Excellent flavor. Soft texture, cooked perfectly. The barbecue sauce it's in is married to it, and it ain't no Kraft. tastes like a scratch-made sauce, not cloyingly sweet. This is the stuff you can top almost anything with, and they do. If they sell a cup of it, I'm on it. Roll was buttery, soft and flaky, and worked well with the meat. A sprinkle of fried 'tabasco' onions sat on top of the meat, and helped bring a light crispiness to the slider. This is also shareable. Would sit right with a cold beer.

Hawaiian burger. $6.95. Serious grillin. Soft buttery roll. Grilled pineapple slice, red onion, real hearty cheddar, thick slice of tomato, one crisp leaf of lettuce. Meat was lean and heavy, with a taste of being on a charcoal grill; tastes like summer. They've got a great burger selection, and if i ever crave a good burger, I'm headed there again.

Jimmy Bravo special foot-long hot dog. $7.95. Great tasting, great grilled hot dog, topped with the short rib, and the fried 'tabasco onions'. The flavors worked well together and I'm not a 'crazy things on top of a hot dog' kinda gal, but this tasted good. Only thing that threw me is the huge hoagie roll it was placed in. it took it from 'hot dog' to sandwich, 2-person meal. The roll was ok, large, soft inside, crusty outside, but I'm not sure I liked it with this, I would of liked a more custom-shaped roll for this hot dog. This thing is huge, and can be cut in 3 or 4. Both ends of the hot dog stuck out of my takeout container. It made me curious about the other styles of hot dogs they sell.

Why not 5 stars? Well, the hostess was a lil bored/disinterested/cold/distracted by her phone, her kindle fire, her food. I ordered, and there was no, 'please have a seat, wait, pay when you get it' or whatever. I didn't like the fact that she was far from the kitchen and yet was the person who packed my food into the bag by the front door, without enough room to really do so; she packed the containers from off her chair, no gloves, hair flowing. Handed me my food before I could open my wallet, because she had no room to put it down, so I had to bring it to a table and then go back n pay her. Sigh. Hey, it's a new place, I'mma hope they will get better at that process.

Also, while waiting for my food, weirdly enough, an older asian woman came from the back and handed me a business card and told me she was selling jade jewelry in the back. say wha? I don't knock anyone's hustle, but really? She asked if i wanted to go look, and I stammered, ugh, nuh, nooo, not right now.. and she walked behind the bar and began cleaning up. okey dokey. LOL

Bottom line: good food. I'd go back. I hope they stick it out and stay a while. At least til the summer is over, I think that's when they will really made an impact. Not sure the work buddies will wanna trek there for lunch, but it's a great after work drink and nosh spot.

What an awesome place to be!  It's like hangin out in a huge sunny bay window in a loving relative's house. Genuinely nice staff, a lil bit of samples at the counter, a chalkboard menu with simple, well-done items. Curated artwork on the walls.

I went for a wine-tasting there, but stayed for their holiday party. I ordered a brie and turkey sandwich, which when brought to me looked pretty simple, until it entered my mouth and I tasted the complexity of flavors. Bread is AWESOME, which they get locally. Cornbread sample on the counter that night was moist and lovely. Red velvet cupcakes I did not want to take, but I'm glad I did. Icing enhanced the flavor, sweetness was just right. They even put out a platter of potato chips and veggie dip. Never rushed to leave, never pushed to order more than you want; if I lived nearby, I'd come by in slippers with my laptop.

Love that they are in the area, and feels like a great place to take a casual date, a bunch of friends, or relatives for long convos.

I can't judge the coffee, I don't drink it, but I heard the 'Sinful' something or other is so awesome, it calls to you after you've long gone. If I hadn't been drinkin wines and hot toddy, i would of definitely gotten a big cup of special tea.

Staff very cool, and flavor-helpful. Ice cream process is very cool to watch. I never thought the texture would turn out to what it was, and was surprised to actually love it.

I had sugar free base, with sugar-free chocolate, and mixed in cheesecake, and graham crackers. 'Small' is enough to share; the cup is small, but the pile-up is high. anyplace that provides me with sugar-free indulgence is a keeper.

Playground and seating area out back is cool for kids to release that sugar energy. Love that you could bring your own soy milk, or almond milk just in case they don't have it. And I enjoyed sayin the name...booola...boolahh.

service was good, staff nice. Food was fresh-tasting, and well cooked. My bro said he'd had much better pad thai in a predominate Vietnamese/Thai neighborhood elsewhere, ad although he and I enjoyed our dishes, he said he wouldn't come through again knowing he could get better.

I asked for 'spicy', and was pleased with my choice. Spice didn't overpower the flavor of the noodles and chicken. One star taken off for the bad, nuked-ish fish cakes which sounded wonderful when described on the menu, but were disappointing.

Khane was the one who cut my locs off after 15 years of growing them. Sometimes you are just ready for a new path, and I had to choose someone I thought would understand that, as well as be creative, and sensitive to my decision. I'm glad I followed my mind and picked Camera Ready Kutz.

Camera Ready Kutz is special, such a great vibe, & the artistry fascinates me. Everyone has the cut they 'need', no one looks ridiculous, no matter what designs, what style, or what gender. I've been there only twice, and the space feels like cousin's spot, or Mrs So & So's house, or homegurl round the corner. I adore the creativity and how it flows along along with the utmost professionalism. I especially love the lil doggie, Penny, and the kitty, Magic, who compete for my neck rubs; how adorable they are, as they watch the clients, and shift positions on Kane Kommand. lol.

People ask me why i went to Brooklyn from Jersey City to get my hair cut. Weirdly it feels like more than that. I leave with something extra, emotionally, like after visiting a spa. Also, I bought Euphoric Scents incense which fills my home with aura nice-nice. Second time I got a lavender oil for checking in through foursquare. One day when I'm feeling daring, I'll get a funky original design etched into my haircut, but even with what I get done, it still feels original.

This was the spot I begged to go to after shopping on 'avennuh-U' with moms back in the day. She ordered 7-layer cookies, and cannoli, or the anise-flavored cookies or sandwich rolls. They are quality, and I only know that because as an adult, I've had others that couldn't hold a candle to this place, except maybe Cuccio's on Ave X.

Pastries, rolls, and danish, are all great, but the best thing that keeps me up at night, all the way in NJ on a hot summer night, is the ices. They make a lemon ice with lil bits of lemon zest, and a icy creaminess I have found from no one no where else, EVER. Neck and neck with the pistachio spumoni at L&B's on 86th street, it's sold in a paper cup, the one that gets cold and a lil soggy while you lick, but can be tossed into ya mouf and chewed, or sucked to get the last bit of lemon goodness out. (don't judge me.)

Just seeing a white box tied with red and white string causes a saliva reaction, but before you buy they best pastry you've had in Brooklyn, you get a lemon ice first, and eat it outside the shop in the sun.

FInally got over to eat here for a birthday brunch. I had a preview tasting with Epicurious a year ago, so I knew sorta what to expect fried-chicken-and-mac-and-greens-wise, but I wanted to see the place, and dine in the space.

Waiter, Ephraheim, was real cool. Funny. New Yorker tip-desperate, but in a cute way. The way the bus boys rolled their eyes at him, I figured he was eccentric. Pick him if you can.

Nice that you can see the kitchen, and its dedicated cooks, preparing, shouting, dealing with heat and kitchen drama. Kinda felt bad they had to work, while I sipped on a drink.

I ordered a Spicy Lady cocktail. Gin, jalapeno/rosemary syrup, lemon juice and creole bitters. Don't frown, it was awesome. Pink, with a nice lil kick, and livened me up for the rest of the meal. $13 seemed a lot, but for the originality of it, and brunchy appropriateness, I didn't mind.

Bread on the table made me mumble under my breath about starch and carbs, but I did manage to cut off a piece of cornbread. Lovely perfection. Heavy, buttery, yet light and able to work with the honey butter or tomato jam on the table. I could see it   on plate in a puddle of maple syrup, but that's probably my own diabetic dream. The lingonberry mini muffins, mini croissants and other breads, I didn't try, but I did see 2 people at my table fight over a croissant.

My main dish was the Lenox Smorgasborg, to which Ephraheim gave me a hi-five. fabulous gravlox sprinkled with caviar and red onion, smoked trout salad on a mini bagel, creamy n yum-yum, country ham sliced thin like prosciutto with a plop of country mustard, and pickled veggies, baby carrots, okra, onion. It was a perfect summer brunch-ish dish, everything done well, and with attention to flavor and texture.

Free whiskey fudge was brought to the table, and not many people liked it. It was too bitter, sorta grainy, and the nuts didn't add anything to the taste. A couple of folks at my table told the waiter to keep that off the menu, and filled out a comment card about it. yikes!

I had a scoop of chocolate ice cream. My reward for being carb savvy, and to end my meal with a smile. HEAVENLY. Best ice cream I've had in years. I'd go back just for the ice cream. I do not know what made it so incredibly good. just get it. It was $3, but I'd pay $10.

BTW: The restroom was sooo nice! felt like peeing in my fashionable grandma's house. painted all antique white, auto-flush, pedestal sink, and piped in music. The walls had old photos from the 60's, 70's just taped up, no frames, of people, who knows who they were, not sure anyone knows, I never asked, but I instantly thought I would do that in my own bathroom, cuz it added such a homeyness, and warmth.

Nice place. Outside it's nudged in with the other spots clamoring for trendy Harlem patrons, but inside, it's a whole different vibe, a nice loungey, homey, bring a date, or bring ya mama kinda vibe. I'd go back. and get the chicken next time.

Jeff seems to have a database of taste in his brain, and he draws from it, along with his convictions about portions, timing, lil surprises, dinner party trivia and foodie information. He works with a passion in the kitchen, his baking girlfriend by his side, and the vibe is comfortable, casual, enjoyable, and very very tasty.

I stopped counting the times I've been, I only remember the themes. Each dinner party has one, and the food never fails to live up to it.

I recommend his meetups, his blog, his dinner parties, his twitter. He's the human food guide app that cooks. His passion for food assures me I'll always eat well at i8.

I passed by this place for 5 months on my way to and from the gym, and admired only the logo, not really knowing what kind of shop it was, or what it could possibly sell. An article online about sandwiches peaked my interest, and it mentioned this place, and I eventually remembered where I had seen the logo. I found the website, looked over the choices of sandwich, and decided the next time I passed it I would give it a go.

Ordered:
Pineapple chili soda. Real nice. Summer fresh taste of pineapple, a mild fizz, and an afterburner, much like the afterburner throat action when I drink ginger beer. I expected a lil more sweetness, but I was pleased with it nevertheless.

Brie sub. Nice smooth, creaminess on the brie, bread soft and crispy on the outside, pickle slice gave it a nice twang that balanced out the caramelized onions. Needed more onions I think, which would of deepened the overall flavor. Plantain chips were ok, but not really adding to the overall sandwich. weirdly enuf i think a regular crispy kettle chip would been cool. I would get it again, it's a great cheese sandwich, and I may try to make it at home.

Braised short ribs sub. Do i have to eat short ribs only from Asian spots to get it flavored right? This had lots of meat, a daikon salad which made it a bit soggy, and a coconut mayo which kinda was the third wheel.  I really wanted a good glaze, spice or saucy something on this. I wanted to dip it in some ketchup. Okay, but I wouldn't get it again.

Fried Clams sub. I was looking forward to this because of the pickled strawberries. Didn't disappoint. Fried clams were fat lil buggers lightly fried, a roasted leek mayo worked well here, and the frisee added another great texture. Strawberries gave it a taste of summer. It felt like a picnic or beach sandwich. Would def get again.

The subs are $9 and big enuf to share. Not very much room to eat it in the shop, but I'd take it up the street to the park and chill with it.

I ain't much of a meat eater anymore, but every now and again i crave. I crave the old neighborhood in Brooklyn where I grew up with pork stores, meat markets, delis, pizza, bakery, and bagel shops. And I didn't think I'd find a place that made me feel like the old neighborhood made me feel. This place does.

Sawdust on the floor, one long counter, awesomely clean and bright, white canvas aprons, a lil bit of grocery items on shelves that no one buys.

They have the most excellent salads, potato, coleslaw, chicken, and macaroni for the prices it should cost, with the flavor that tastes specially homemade. Just enough mayo, real diced veggies, and goes fast if you get there late in the day. They have the most excellent ravioli, manicotti, stuffed shells and lasagna rollatini in the freezer section, the cheese filling is sooo creamy and flavorful, and also they do a wheat ravioli, and spinach cheese filling for the health-conscious. I have yet to try their tomato sauce/gravy, cuz I always have some at home. The sausage look edible raw, two 7" links equal a pound, and just enough fat in it, sweet or hot, worth the calories. I go for my beef oxtail fix, and they never disappoint, huge meaty hunks of tail, and they chop it smaller for me if I need it. They also have pre-cooked chicken wings, bbq or buffalo sauced for about $5 a pound, you get 8 juicy wingettes that you can just toss in the oven for 10 minutes and feed on.

Staff is friendly, smiley, no-nonsense, and willing to do whatever you need em to do butcher-wise to make you happy. None of which you can get from the local supermarket chain. They have meat plans that are flexible, and take credit cards with your ID. The lil lady at the register most likely has a pistol under the counter, she just looks that feisty.

Only thing I miss is that they aren't Italian. So no smoked mozzarella, no antipasti, no prosciutto balls or lard bread. Not even a hanging hard salami. But ehh, if I need that stuff, I'll head to Brooklyn; Moloney's is still awesome.