I’d wanted to go to Franny’s since it opened a few years ago. The lure of crusty, oozy, ooey, gooey pizza is not one that I can often resist and Franny’s was not supposed to be so forever situated on the restaurants-I-want-to-try queue; however, circumstance after circumstance never allowed me to make it to this mecca.
First it was the Brooklyn thing…but then I moved to Brooklyn. Then, a few times I tried to go but they were closed. Then I tried to go when they were opened but the line was too long and we were too hungry.
Finally, last night, some great spirit brought my uncle and me together at Franny’s. He was the one who had originally mentioned it to me when they opened. And last night, when, on the spur of the moment, I decided to call him, I had no idea that he would be up to come to Brooklyn. I had no idea that I would be up to make the pilgrimage (after all, said restaurant is in South Brooklyn and I live in North). But there we were, hugging each other on Flatbush Avenue on a Monday night, ravenous for pizza. After an hour wait—during which we sat at the bar eating stewed zucchini followed by swings of Six Point Sweet Action—we were led to the garden. Only six tables are situated out back—a total anomaly for a Manhattan restaurant (so much wasted space!!) but par for the course in Brooklyn.
We decided to go for one salad, one pizza, and one pasta; this being the maiden voyage. Escarole doused in a hefty portion of shredded Parmiggiano Reggiano with intense notes of citrus arrived first to whet our appetites for the main events.
Next came the pasta—unfathomably delicious penne pasta with zucchini and mint and light cheese—and the pizza. The pizza was a single serve, but we chose to split it, since we’d had several rounds of appetizers during the wait and also had pasta. I was glad we’d made this decision because I know that I would have continued to plow through as much food as was put in front of me. Our pizza—tomatoes, olives, garlic, and oregano—was fantastic. Everything you read is true.
And then some. We squeezed in a chocolate sorbet for dessert, which we liked almost as much as the pizza and pasta! Save the wait, this was a perfect Monday night meal—one I’d been anticipating for ages.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Popcorn
Back in December, I was gearing up for my first Christmas tree and it was decided that this one would be a classic popcorn-and-cranberry rendition. Not finding any microwave popcorn that was unbuttered, I decided to purchase a bag of kernels and pop them the old-fashioned way—stovetop. That single $1.79 purchase has lasted six months now (and counting), despite a routine (I’d say weekly) habit of popping. For this reason, I highly suggest investing in this two-pound delicacy. This way, you can make your popcorn to your liking—with butter or oil (or both), with gobs of salt or none, with spices—chili, cayenne, and pepper is a good combo—or with cheese—try Parmesan and pecorino. You’ll have such a surplus; when you’ve finished the bag, you’ll have perfected your snack!
Lobster Roll
I can’t write about Ditch Plains again, but I was recently back. The lobster roll was too luring to forget from the last time I went. I won’t wax poetic for too long, but the hot dog bunned Mt. Everest mound of lobster salad is the best in the city. It may be more expensive than Mary’s or Pearl, but that’s because they give you twice as much meat!
Anyway, we decided this time around that the key is—besides the typical loading it with mayo, toasting the bun, and chopping both green onions and chives into the mix—is to mix in a pitch of Old Bay seasoning in with the rest.The Old Bay is both smoky and refreshing. It is distinct and yet blends with the seafood effortlessly.
Even if this isn’t the Ditch Plains secret, who cares? It’s special enough for me—and I am happy to claim it as my own discovery. I know that Old Bay won’t go to waste so long as I’m near water this summer.
Anyway, we decided this time around that the key is—besides the typical loading it with mayo, toasting the bun, and chopping both green onions and chives into the mix—is to mix in a pitch of Old Bay seasoning in with the rest.The Old Bay is both smoky and refreshing. It is distinct and yet blends with the seafood effortlessly.
Even if this isn’t the Ditch Plains secret, who cares? It’s special enough for me—and I am happy to claim it as my own discovery. I know that Old Bay won’t go to waste so long as I’m near water this summer.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Late Night at Ditch Plains I
When my boyfriend and I found ourselves wandering around at midnight, famished per usual having missed the dinner hour due to a 4:30pm lunch, we were in heaven when we rode a wave right into Ditch Plains. I’d been to this restaurant when it first opened a little over two years ago, but I’d immediately written it off. Originally, the place had been teaming with frat boys and Carrie Bradshaws, and I didn’t want to inflict that kind cacophony on my guest of the moment. Also, previously, this location had been Yumcha, the beloved Chinese restaurant Quentin Dante so lovingly opened only to have it closed shortly after due to horrible complications beyond his control. So, it’s fair to say that I’d been avoiding this place as a late night epicurean option—for which we consistently need—for fair and honest reasons.
However, after all my other efforts had been thwarted on a recent Saturday, I gave in to my restaurant rolodex of a mind, which kept landing on the mildly surf-themed Ditch Plains, named after the Hamptons sweet spot for catching waves.
When we opened the front door, I was surprised and relieved that the diners I’d associated with the fancy fish shack in the past had either gone home to bed or found another place to play drinking games. The place was perfect—quiet yet lively, with a few tables of people finishing up and a few just getting started. It wasn’t so crowded that we missed the hard wood and steel and glass interior design, which explains so much about the restaurant: Ditch Plains isn’t trying to be a New England seafood pit stop; it claims itself by Manhattan aesthetic. And with rockin’ music streaming at a reasonable level, this place fully creates the ideal vibe of a late night refueling point.
Moreover, never in Manhattan have we experienced such friendly service at a post-midnight meal. Our waitress was beyond pleasant; we loved her. She was witty and sweet, nonchalant and efficient. We gave her wine; she gave us dessert. She offered suggestions in an unhurried manner. The kitchen here is opened until 2am every single night. So, when you cruise up at midnight, there won’t be anyone hassling you that the kitchen closes in ten minutes—major bonus for the late night dining set. Our sweet waitress was used to folks like us. (Cont. top article)
However, after all my other efforts had been thwarted on a recent Saturday, I gave in to my restaurant rolodex of a mind, which kept landing on the mildly surf-themed Ditch Plains, named after the Hamptons sweet spot for catching waves.
When we opened the front door, I was surprised and relieved that the diners I’d associated with the fancy fish shack in the past had either gone home to bed or found another place to play drinking games. The place was perfect—quiet yet lively, with a few tables of people finishing up and a few just getting started. It wasn’t so crowded that we missed the hard wood and steel and glass interior design, which explains so much about the restaurant: Ditch Plains isn’t trying to be a New England seafood pit stop; it claims itself by Manhattan aesthetic. And with rockin’ music streaming at a reasonable level, this place fully creates the ideal vibe of a late night refueling point.
Moreover, never in Manhattan have we experienced such friendly service at a post-midnight meal. Our waitress was beyond pleasant; we loved her. She was witty and sweet, nonchalant and efficient. We gave her wine; she gave us dessert. She offered suggestions in an unhurried manner. The kitchen here is opened until 2am every single night. So, when you cruise up at midnight, there won’t be anyone hassling you that the kitchen closes in ten minutes—major bonus for the late night dining set. Our sweet waitress was used to folks like us. (Cont. top article)
Oak
Near my apartment in Brooklyn, there is a fantastic place called Oak. I have walked passed it a million times and written it off each and every time until a few weeks ago when I learned of the backyard garden.
Feeling peckish, I popped in for an early evening/late afternoon bite. The food was delicious and the garden was the ideal place to eat it. The menu is comprehensive, offering European cuisine with a slight emphasis on Spain. Gingered sea scallops were quivering with freshness; they arrived on a mound of arugula salad with fennel and red onion tossed in tasty citrus vinaigrette. A tuna panini proved to be gourmet with the addition of capers, olive tapenade, roasted tomatoes, and basil. I liked the drink selections. I only wish the fig tree growing next to our table was in bloom. Next time!
Feeling peckish, I popped in for an early evening/late afternoon bite. The food was delicious and the garden was the ideal place to eat it. The menu is comprehensive, offering European cuisine with a slight emphasis on Spain. Gingered sea scallops were quivering with freshness; they arrived on a mound of arugula salad with fennel and red onion tossed in tasty citrus vinaigrette. A tuna panini proved to be gourmet with the addition of capers, olive tapenade, roasted tomatoes, and basil. I liked the drink selections. I only wish the fig tree growing next to our table was in bloom. Next time!
Late Night at Ditch Plains II
The article bellow leaves out a certain aspect of the meal… oh yeah—the food! Read this article second.
So, that lovely waitress served us lovely food. The late night menu does not skimp on tasty options. Warm crab dip served with bagel chips came out bubbling in a French onion soup bowl. Fish tacos came three to an order and were loaded with strips of breaded white fish, lettuce, tomatoes, and a spicy sauce the tied the whole thing together wrapped tightly in a corn tortilla. We defaulted to the lobster roll ($27!!!) after peel and eat shrimp were unavailable. After one bite, we were glad we did. THIS is the best one in the city. Forget Pearl, Mary’s, and Ed’s. Enormous chunks of lobster pile into a delicious, doughy (we think gourmet) hot dog bun. Splitting it is easy enough, especially with the homemade sweet potato chips that we aptly used in chaser fashion: one bite of lobster roll, three chips, repeat. Perfection. We can’t wait to miss dinnertime again.
So, that lovely waitress served us lovely food. The late night menu does not skimp on tasty options. Warm crab dip served with bagel chips came out bubbling in a French onion soup bowl. Fish tacos came three to an order and were loaded with strips of breaded white fish, lettuce, tomatoes, and a spicy sauce the tied the whole thing together wrapped tightly in a corn tortilla. We defaulted to the lobster roll ($27!!!) after peel and eat shrimp were unavailable. After one bite, we were glad we did. THIS is the best one in the city. Forget Pearl, Mary’s, and Ed’s. Enormous chunks of lobster pile into a delicious, doughy (we think gourmet) hot dog bun. Splitting it is easy enough, especially with the homemade sweet potato chips that we aptly used in chaser fashion: one bite of lobster roll, three chips, repeat. Perfection. We can’t wait to miss dinnertime again.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Kittichai
I hadn’t been to Kittichai in several years, but upon returning last week with a few family members, I was reminded of how delicious each dish really is. Despite the restaurants über-hip décor and wait staff, the pretense stops there. The Rockwell Group headed up the interior design and architecture of the space in 2004 and since then, those staying in the Sixty Thompson Hotel have been treated to a lavish, extravagant version of hotel dining. The principals responsible for Indochine, Bond St, and Town are behind the concept, which includes a Feng Sui dining space, waiters clad in designer duds, and a chef imported from the Four Seasons in Bangkok. Of course, all of this is old news if you’ve read Zagats in the past four years.
What’s new, however; or, at least, what’s refreshing is the fact that after these four years, the place is still hopping—and it is due to the outstanding quality of the food. While presented with much pomp and production, so as to match the ambiance—each dish proved to be honest and unique. From tuna tartare—presented with mini tuile cups and a giant pitch fork looking thing for decoration—to sea bass tempura served in what looked like a Thai or Chinese spice box, the appetizers were pure in taste and flavors. Fluke sashimi was as good, if not better than a similar dish at Nobu.
Entrees like the pineapple braised short ribs in green curry and tiger prawns with garlic sauce and green beans had my brother and I practically licking our plates. Four enormous prawns lined up on the plate next to cubes of watermelon—perfect to ring in summer and the short ribs where fall-off-the-bone fantastic. Another stand out was the sea bass with morning glory, also called water spinach. The delicate sautéed greens and the crispy-skinned fish was a dream for my grandmother. We were lucky she shared. Other choices looked fantastic, too:a Thai omelet with lump crabmeat, crispy rock shrimp with grilled eggplant, the list continues.
Whether you are going with friends, with family, on a first date, or your anniversary, rest assured this is the place for a beyond doubt wonderful meal.
What’s new, however; or, at least, what’s refreshing is the fact that after these four years, the place is still hopping—and it is due to the outstanding quality of the food. While presented with much pomp and production, so as to match the ambiance—each dish proved to be honest and unique. From tuna tartare—presented with mini tuile cups and a giant pitch fork looking thing for decoration—to sea bass tempura served in what looked like a Thai or Chinese spice box, the appetizers were pure in taste and flavors. Fluke sashimi was as good, if not better than a similar dish at Nobu.
Entrees like the pineapple braised short ribs in green curry and tiger prawns with garlic sauce and green beans had my brother and I practically licking our plates. Four enormous prawns lined up on the plate next to cubes of watermelon—perfect to ring in summer and the short ribs where fall-off-the-bone fantastic. Another stand out was the sea bass with morning glory, also called water spinach. The delicate sautéed greens and the crispy-skinned fish was a dream for my grandmother. We were lucky she shared. Other choices looked fantastic, too:a Thai omelet with lump crabmeat, crispy rock shrimp with grilled eggplant, the list continues.
Whether you are going with friends, with family, on a first date, or your anniversary, rest assured this is the place for a beyond doubt wonderful meal.
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