I like brunch.

sneh: breakfast of champions

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:47:53 -0500

breakfast of champions

"PLAYBOY: There’s a controversy about foie gras, which is often made with livers of geese that have..."

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 02:31:32 -0400

“

PLAYBOY: There’s a controversy about foie gras, which is often made with livers of geese that have been force-fed. Should it be banned?

BOURDAIN: I’ll say this on foie gras: I don’t know any chef who would buy the kind of foie gras that is produced the way they show in those PETA films. No restaurant I know of would buy the product of a stressed-out, terrified, abused goose or duck. That equals bad foie gras. But it’s a straw-man issue to start with, because every duck and goose raised for foie gras in this country, at least that I know of, lives a far more luxurious, happier, better life than any chicken ever killed for the Colonel or Popeye’s, as the PETA people well know. They’re picking on foie gras because it’s French, it’s expensive, most people haven’t had it and it looks ugly in the scary films they show. It’s a French thing, and you know those French.…

”

- Anthony Bourdain Interview - Playboy Magazine November 2011 (via themattsmith)

I freaking love Bourdain. If you ever get the chance, watch season 7 episode 13 of No Reservations where he goes to Arizona with Josh Homme, the lead singer of Queens of the Stone Age.

Mr Tim’s Country Kitchen in San Antonio, TX. ...

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:56:00 -0400

Mr Tim’s Country Kitchen in San Antonio, TX. $5.99

I’ll review this soon, but I wanted to show this first.

This makes me think about how coffee is probably the most global...

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 07:18:01 -0400

This makes me think about how coffee is probably the most global commodities that we use every day and completely forget about the entire process it goes through before that sweet, sweet heaven touches our lips.

Mmmmm….

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:12:28 -0400

Mmmmm….

If you need a Google+ invite, click here.

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 00:19:12 -0400

If you need a Google+ invite, click here.

I want these. Now. And sprinkles, why didn’t I think of...

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:59:14 -0400

I want these. Now.

And sprinkles, why didn’t I think of that?!?

Thank you, dear reader

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:41:53 -0400

50 types of Italian coffee: espresso, cappuccino and many more by Charming Italy

foodpornstar: Submitted by gerrymiah This looks like heaven.

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:56:48 -0400

foodpornstar:

Submitted by gerrymiah

This looks like heaven.

suicideblonde: Self Portrait by Ellie Noble This is what my...

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:44:15 -0400

suicideblonde:

Self Portrait by Ellie Noble

This is what my dreams look like.

prettyfoods: Chocolate Chip Brownie Waffles (by Bonnie...

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:50:59 -0400

prettyfoods:

Chocolate Chip Brownie Waffles (by Bonnie <3)

I want this…in my mouth…now.

(via itsjustchristine) Best comment. Ever. Now I want to go to...

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:48:43 -0400

(via itsjustchristine)

Best comment. Ever.

Now I want to go to Honey’s Sit ‘N Eat. If you’re ever in the Philly area, do your self a favor and eat there at least once.

prettyfoods: cuntented:by md&r NOM NOM NOM. Interesting...

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:00:00 -0400

prettyfoods:

cuntented:by md&r

NOM NOM NOM.

Interesting side note: I never knew what strawberries really tasted like until I visited Paris.

Rabbit Hole

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:12:34 -0400

Restaurant Information:

352 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211-5586
(718) 782-0910

Service 12/15 or 75%

Hostess(N/A)

If there was one, I didn’t see her.

Promptness(5/5 points)

This place runs like a well oiled machine. I was amazed and dumbfounded by how fast they got my food out to me. If one bartender was making my coffee, the other was getting me milk and sugar. If one was serving me food, the other had my flatware ready.

Alertness(4/5 points)

I don’t think I even got the chance to thinking about my water or coffee before the waiter was asking me if I wanted a refill. It wasn’t too eager though, so I didn’t mind; it was clear they were keeping everything in check.

Friendliness(3/5 points)

I was going to rate this higher, but then I remember the first thing that was said to me was, “no laptops are allowed in here.” The laptop was closed and being carried like a book; it’s not like I sat down and spread out papers to stake a claim to my territory. The rest of my experience was quite enjoyable. I even overheard them reserving a table so that a dog owner could keep an eye on his dog, but not ruin anyone else’s dining experience.

Food and Drink 15/20 or 75%

Price(4/5 points)

The prices looked really low on the menu. Then, when I tasted my food, I knew I was getting a great deal. I would have easily paid five to six dollars more for my eggs benedict. Probably, I would have paid another dollar more for the coffee too.

Quality of Food(4/5 points)

I had their version of the eggs benedict. It was the complete opposite reaction I had to Prune. Their version was adventurous, but well executed. Instead of a plain English muffin, they used an herb flavored version. Instead of plain Canadian bacon, they used crumbles of well cooked bacon. The sauce was the perfect consistency, not too runny, but not too thick. The home fries left me wanting a little more spice. The side salad just felt like a cop out to me, but I think it could be much better with a few flavor modifications.

Quality of Beverage(4/5 points)

Rabbit Hole might have the second best coffee I’ve had yet. It wasn’t bitter or sweet; it was right in between. The subtle aromas tickled your nose even before you took your first sip and you were left with a deliciously chocolate aftertaste when you were done. I was going to limit myself to just one cup, but after five minutes I decided I definitely wanted another. I regret not having a third, but I know that would have pushed me over the edge. They also lost a point because they have the water bottle problem.

Presentation(3/5 points)

Everything was nicely arranged on the plate, but there was nothing extra done to make the food look nearly as good as it tasted. A subtle flare here and there would have helped.

Decor and Space 15/20 or 75%

Cleanliness(4/5 points)

Cleaning was part of their service process, and rightfully so. I was impressed that not only was everything I used quite clean, but also that the waiter, bartender, and dishwasher all had their own little cleaning roles.

Theme(5/5 points)

This place has the most amazing interior. I really didn’t want to leave when I was finished with my meal and I might make this a more regular location just based on the decor. It’s dark wood; it’s tile floors; it’s candles discretely hidden for ambient light. File this place under excellent spot for a night time date.

Adequate Seating(4/5 points)

Plenty of seats in the front, at the bar, in the back, and outside. The do close the outside seating from time to time, but it’s well worth it for a lovely day.

Location(2/5 points)

This place isn’t even remotely close to a subway stop. The ten blocks from Bedford Avenue on the L does make for a pleasant stroll after you’ve eaten though.

Bonus(5 points)

2 points for outdoor seating.

Overall Score 42/55, with bonus 44/55 or 80%

(via ilikemysilence) Belgian Waffles = Love

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:14:13 -0400

(via ilikemysilence)

Belgian Waffles = Love

Jimmy's Diner

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:16:00 -0400

Restaurant Information:

577 Union Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 218-7174

Get Directions

Service 9/15 or 60%

Hostess(N/A)

There wasn’t a hostess.

Promptness(3/5 points)

This is the kind of place that is quick to take your order once you get a seat, but after that, it’s a toss up in the air. My coffee came in a normal amount of time. My food was on the late side. A woman sitting next to me must have waited ten minutes longer than her friends for her food, which shouldn’t happen.

Alertness(3/5 points)

I would have given this a lower score, but it was clear what had happened: one guy made it to work on time and two stayed out late partying then stumbled in hungover. They became more alert as time passed, but it was bleak at the beginning.

Friendliness(3/5 points)

The people here were pretty friendly, but not overly so. Also, it seemed they were more engaged simply due to their own inability to handle more than one thing at a time. “Sorry, I’ll be right with you,” was muttered at least five times; it helped. I don’t know how long this place has been in business, but it’s still going through some growing pains.

Food and Drink 11/20 or 55%

Price(4/5 points)

You get a lot of food for your buck. The only thing that keeps this from getting a five is that the drinks weren’t worth half of what I paid.

Quality of Food(3/5 points)

The meal was started with a complimentary homemade donut. Unfortunately, my waiter had dropped the ball and served it the same time as my food. I ordered the “Big Boy” platter which consists of: two eggs, two pancakes, home fries or grits, bacon or sausage & cornbread. I ordered the eggs scrambled, grits, bacon. The eggs were served scrambled like real eggs, but with bits of charred food from whatever was previously in the pan. The bacon was rubbery. The grits had great consistency and flavor, but came off a little drier than I like. The cornbread was probably the best part of the meal and it was served in a triangle, a welcomed change of pace. They have some other promising dishes on the menu that I’d like to try if I ever return.

Quality of Beverage(1/5 points)

The coffee was okay at best. It wasn’t served with either milk or sugar, so I had to scavenge for those elsewhere in the restaurant. The woman next to me ordered orange juice and they handed her a small bottle of orange juice you’d get from any corner store and a glass. What taunts me is that one of their kitschy ads/decorations was for coffee that was probably much better than what was served.

Presentation(3/5 points)

They really didn’t try on the presentation. Everything was kind of where it should be with enough room here and there to maneuver your food. It didn’t look pretty, but then again I didn’t expect it.

Decor and Space 9/20 or 45%

Cleanliness(3/5 points)

Everything was about as clean as I would expect.

Theme(2/5 points)

This place kind of has a NYC kitch theme to it, but it’s very slapdash. A lot could be added to make this place more interesting visually.

Adequate Seating(2/5 points)

They used their table seating well and I’ll give them that. But, I sat at the bar and there were absolutely too many stools and not nearly enough room for all of them. A guy actually sat next to me, then promptly got back up and left the restaurant because he couldn’t fit in the open seat and he wasn’t going to wait for a table for one.

Location(2/5 points)

This place is about six blocks from both the Lorimer and Bedford stops on the L. It’s also across the street from a lovely unfinished condo building.

Bonus(5 points)

1 point for serving a donut as a appetizer.

Overall Score: 29/55, with bonus 30/55 or 54.54%

Sorry for the absence of posting; I was in Tahoe for my...

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 15:08:11 -0400

Sorry for the absence of posting; I was in Tahoe for my cousin’s wedding. Enjoy some pictures of the brunch we had while I was there and I promise there will be more reviews coming soon.

ihatemike: (via hazal) Know your coffee options.

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 09:47:59 -0400

ihatemike:

(via hazal)

Know your coffee options.

My blog just turned 1!

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:46:44 -0400

My blog just turned 1!

Poco

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 04:01:20 -0400

Restaurant Information:

33 Ave B
New York, NY 10009

(212) 228-4461

http://www.poconyc.com/

Service 6/20 or 30%

Hostess(3/5 points)

I think the hostess was the last competent person I interacted with at that restaurant.

Promptness(1/5 points)

We were seated probably twenty minutes after our reservations. Our orders were taken shortly thereafter. We ordered a starter and that came out in a reasonable amount of time. Our dishes were served much later, and when we were served three of the four dishes came out together, then there was a ten minute wait for the fourth. I even saw one woman try to chase her waitress down to pay the bill and leave. Simply unacceptable.

Alertness(0/5 points)

These people are fucking clueless; I never thought I’d give a zero, but they really worked for it. I ordered sangria as my drink of choice and I was served a mimosa. When I corrected the waitress, she just said “Oh.” Then I specifically ordered the sangria for the second drink, again I was served a mimosa. I also ordered coffee twice and was never served it until some one else at the table asked a third time; it was served with no spoon so I was forced to use my knife. The last straw came when I tried to order bacon as a side dish: I was given the “just one minute” gesture, by not one but two waiters. I gave up after that.

Friendliness(2/5 points)

The hostess was nice. The waitress we had faked nice, but obviously didn’t care. I kind of wish I hadn’t tipped her.

Food and Drink 9/20 or 45%

Price(2/5 points)

The meal was prefixed at $22, which was about ten dollars higher than it should have been. The appetizer was $12. I feel like I got scammed, I really do.

Quality of Food(2/5 points)

We started with the lobster mac and cheese; it was bland, but creamy. It really needed a hint of paprika or some kind of seasoning. I ordered the poco pancakes: chocolate chip pancakes with a dulce leche drizzle, light on the drizzle. I sampled the home fries off my friend’s plate and they tasted like over cooked potatoes, nothing more. The salmon benedict just tasted gross. I couldn’t even eat a second bite of it. My friend left it half eaten, as she faced the same problem.

Quality of Beverage(2/5 points)

The coffee was undrinkable. The mimosas tasted like they were made with the worst quality ingredients and I doubt it was even orange juice that was used. The drinks that come with the meal are served in half mason jars, which are kind of pointless.

Presentation(3/5 points)

There wasn’t anything really special about the presentation, just middle of the road.

Decor and Space 11/20 or 55%

Cleanliness(3/5 points)

Everything was about as clean as you would expect. Nothing really stood out here.

Theme(4/5 points)

It’s a Spanish restaurant and bar. It should stick to that. I loved the turquoise painted air conditioner. The walls were colored vivaciously and I loved that they opened up the windows and doors so you could feel outside even if you weren’t.

Adequate Seating(2/5 points)

They simply don’t have enough seating. Also, the table we sat at had ridiculously high stool chairs. I’m 6’5” and my feet were dangling, not touching the ground. The women I was with had to basically climb into their seats. I’m not sure if this is the greatest idea considering the amount of booze people are focused on drinking here.

Location(2/5 points)

Unless you live in the neighborhood, you’re going to have quite the hike getting to this place. It’s probably a better idea to save yourself the hassle and go somewhere else.

Bonus(5 points)

1 point for taking reservations

Total Score 26/60, with bonus 27/60 or 45%