Category Archives: Food and Drink (incl. Restaurants)

Colala on Washington: Reviews are Rolling In

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Source: Whynot31 on Brooklynian

Colala, the new Asian (Japanese and Chinese) restaurant at 791 Washington Ave., has finally made it to Yelp,  and the reviews are a bit equivocal at this point.

While it’s got a great location close to museum, and is pretty affordable thanks to its (for now) BYOB status and close proximity to  liquor store, there have been some order mix-ups, and the food has been characterized by some as “average” and “bland,” and there are extra demerits for playing the pan-Asian card; i.e. trying to cover more than one Asian cuisine, rather than specializing. “I’ll keep this place on reserve for those nights when I am making dinner plans with an indecisive or conflicted group torn between Japanese or Chinese food,” writes Nyota W.

On Brooklynian, however, the 4 of 4 reviews posted so far are positive and suggest this is going to be a great neighborhood option if you set your expectations accordingly:

“(We) had the Szechuan Beef combination, and … Mu Shu Vegetable. We felt the food was good. Bill was $21, before tip.”

“I agree the food is “good” … the food was ready and waiting for me at the register no later than 20 minutes after It was placed. What, no fortune cookies? No Crispy Noodles?”

“Had their cold noodle last night- it was really good, not nearly enough sauce though.”

“I shared their vegetable lo mein and the general tso’s tofu lunch specials yesterday with my gf. Pretty good! Would definitely try again.”

Categories: Food and Drink (incl. Restaurants), Washington Ave.

24-Hour Restaurants in Prospect Heights

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Photo: NY Drinker

Despite the proliferation of businesses in Prospect Heights over the past few years, there are still very few 24-hour restaurants in the area. Even the venerable Antonio’s Pizza stops pickup/delivery by 10:30 pm. One of the closest options is Daisy’s Diner in Park Slope, which doesn’t deliver to Prospect Heights, and has been compared to an lost island of the damned, if you’re into that sort of experience.

There are a few issues at play here: first, there’s probably insufficient demand for Prospect Heights late night and early morning dining, and for a long time, it was too dicey in the neighborhood for delivery guys out during the wee hours, locals say.

For now, you may have to settle for a short list of late-night options, and plan your schedule accordingly. One of the closest things to 24/7 dining you’ll get is Key Food on Flatbush, which indeed, is open all night. Beyond that, some late night options include Woodwork which serves food until 1 or 2, and Plan B, which actually delivers until 3:30 am. And don’t forget the White Castle on Atlantic is 24/7, if you consider that to be a food option.

If all else fails, try checking Delivery.com or Seamless Web for novel options (some outfits in Queens or Manhattan will deliver to Prospect Heights … for a price (and a large minimum delivery amount).

Categories: Food and Drink (incl. Restaurants)

Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe Can’t Seem to Get Orders Right

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Source: Business Insider

In a neighborhood dominated by Bergen Bagel, there were high hopes for Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe, which was opened across the street from Zaytoons by Zaytoons partners Ahmad Samhan and Faried Assad.

While most agree that the bagels and gourmet deli items, organic salads, and pastries and sandwiches are tasty, the Shoppe seems to have a bit of a customer service problem, including complaints about long lines, inefficient staff, and, in a number of cases, it seems that they just can’t get the orders correct.

“I was so happy when Olde Brooklyn opened because I figured I would no longer have to walk to Bergen Bagels,” Jack Krohn wrote on Brooklynian. “After several months of giving Olde Brooklyn a try, I’ve returned to Bergen, despite the walk from my home.”

Why? Olde Brooklyn just can’t seem to do anything efficiently, according to Jack. Despite a simple order–bagel and cream cheese–it takes as long as 15 minutes to wait for the staff to complete the order. Compare and contrast that to the hyper-efficient Bergen Bagel, where staff dart about like parts in a well oiled machine. What’s more, Bergen rarely makes mistakes. In another post, user Smokin’ Joe says he’s a regular, but deals with an “annoying” wait and on a mildly complicated order (like, egg sandwich instead of just a bagel and cream cheese) “they’ve gotten it wrong a couple of times … i’m not sure where the flaw in their system is, but they should study terrace or bergen.”

Sure enough, multiple reviews on Yelp criticize the Bagel Shoppe for botched orders: “One-third of the time they will get your order wrong,” says one reviewer. “That is not really an exaggeration … However I am confident that these guys will pull it together and their food is good enough.”

Bottom line, by Champika F.: Walk a couple of blocks and go to Bergen Bagels instead: “I think this place is way overhyped … the service i’ve experienced is insanely bad. They’re nice but my orders have always been wrong. On one visit I asked for a whole wheat bagel toasted with scallion cream cheese. I even confirmed with him while he was preparing it – ‘scallion right?’ ..’Yes, scallion’. What I got – whole wheat, un toasted with vegetable spread.”

Categories: Food and Drink (incl. Restaurants), Uncategorized

546 Grand Ave. Restaurant to Reopen

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Reports on Brownstoner suggest that the space formerly occupied by the unpretentiously named 564 Grand Ave. Restaurant in Crown Heights (pictured here in its hole-in-the-wall heyday) will be reoccupied by a potentially snazzier, more upscale restaurant that’s still focused on Spanish-American Food. So goes the neighborhood. Folks say the old 564 was dumpy but nevertheless a great place to grab a tasty meal and a refreshing Corona or two.

Categories: Crown Heights, Food and Drink (incl. Restaurants)

Prove Me Wrong About Palava Hut

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Palava Hut

Originally uploaded by dailyheights.com.

Raulism writes in the Prospect Heights Message Boards: “I’ve mentioned Palava Hut on Dailyheights a few times, and I don’t think anyone has ever responded. But now comes this article in the NY Press. So … Has anyone else even been to Palava Hut? And can anyone set me up with a steady supply of palm wine?”

Here’s some key excerpts from The article by PH-er/CH-er (and DH-er) Joshua Bernstein (JoshB):

“In Africa, a palava hut is a town hall with a high, thatched roof and waist-high halls, so that everyone can catch the goings-on. On Atlantic Avenue, Palava Hut is one of the warmest, most welcoming establishments I’ve visited in months (992 Atlantic Avenue btw Grand & Classon Aves., Prospect Heights, Brooklyn; 718-623-3174)…”

“What you find is a serve-yourself policy and a dusty, see-through fridge. It’s stocked with mini-pyramids of Guinness, Heineken and Beck’s in the stomach-pleasing 24-ounce size. Pay four bucks per bottle, grab a plastic cup, crack the beer’s cap with a Corona bottle opener and sit at a plastic-topped table. Now you can marvel at the exploded-curio-shop decorating scheme…”

“…The well-spoken proprietor, Remy, can often be found resting her head on a clump of pillows, watching PBS on a tiny color TV. The scene is all grandma’s kitchen, if grandma lived in Nigeria.”

“During the daytime and early evening, Palava Hut sells gigantic plates of home-cooked vittles. Though I have yet to sample every delicacy, on one visit I tried fried rice, served alongside goat on the bone (in ‘red sauce’)… The okra-studded fried rice was savory and delicious–and large enough for two–while the goat was tender. The red sauce, however, was a five-alarm fire … Palava Hut (also) offers pepper soup, cow’s feet, beef, traditional yam dishes and ‘land snails’… ”

“You can drink … surrounded by a cast of characters (including) Baba Jagun … During the ’80s, he drummed for Fela Kuti … I feel a little awed by this obscure legend, happily toiling away on Atlantic Avenue, miles away from the stage.” Read more…

DISCUSS: Prove Me Wrong About Palava Hut [Prospect Heights Message Boards]

Categories: Food and Drink (incl. Restaurants)

Quick Take: Tavern on Dean

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tavern on dean brunch-tn.jpg

noisefootprint writes:

“We really liked it. We sat in the back room and they played old R&B and the Beatles the whole time.”

“I don’t recommend the calamari appetizer — rubbery, hard to bite through. He really liked his shell steak, though. I wasn’t crazy about my catfish, but I’d still return to the place because the menu was better than I expected.”

Discuss: Prospect Heights Message Boards

Categories: Dean St., Food and Drink (incl. Restaurants)

The Burgers at Soda Bar

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Soda Bar, Brooklyn

Originally uploaded by urbanshoregirl.

Eating for Brooklyn writes: “Slightly hungover Saturday morning (or was it afternoon?), I was craving a burger to help cure me and a place that wasn’t too bright…”

“For about $6.00 you get a sizable burger that is charred to near perfection. I also opted for the greasy onion rings for $3.50. The dough was fried nice and crispy while the onion was heated up to release just the right amount of sweetness. Most of the draft beers, except some of the pricier imports like Belgium’s Delirium Tremens (overrated if you ask me), are $3.00.”

Link: Eating for Brooklyn

More ideas for burgers in Prospect Heights and Park Slope: Prospect Heights Message Boards

Categories: Food and Drink (incl. Restaurants)

Getting to the Bottom of the FreshDirect Story

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Lucas wrote in the Prospect Heights Message Boards: “I just spoke with Fresh Direct’s PR. The story about the CMO handing over his business card was very compelling to me, so I had to get to the bottom of it (I work with a biz mag, thought it might have been a story.)”

“Fresh Direct says the CMO never met with Tessa, the blogger. Fresh Direct says it did send an official to meet with her, though the official was apparently a guy from the Transportation division. And while he did bring photos and leave his business card, the company says he ‘absolutely did not’ tell her to hold it up to the door – or present it to the delivery person.”

“Can’t say who to believe, but I gotta believe it would be pretty audacious for Fresh Direct to lie about all of the above…”

Discuss: Prospect Heights Message Boards

Categories: Food and Drink (incl. Restaurants)

Aliseo is Back

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Ben writes in the Prospect Heights Message Boards: “For those of you who have not happened down Vanderbilt Avenue recently, Aliseo has finally reopened. As far as I can tell, the main difference is that they renovated the kitchen. It looks like they’re still working on a garden.”

“… ate there last night and it was delicious as always. The menu is slightly larger — there are some more pasta dishes … The amazing bread that comes before the meal is slightly different but still heavenly. As usual, Albano was disappointed that we didn’t want wine.”

“Service was not quite up to the usual high standards — the waitress (who was new to me, but apparently has been working in Albano’s other place across the street) brought oil but no vinegar for the salad and took the bread away (!) before we were done to make room for the salad.”

Read more: Prospect Heights Message Boards

Categories: Food and Drink (incl. Restaurants)