Overall I really enjoyed it and will definitely return. Enjoyed the company very much too. Hope to see you again soon.
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A shout out for Bar Bête where my kids and one partner and I ate the other night to celebrate all (!) of their 30-something birthdays (falling within 3 weeks of each other) and Mother’s day (rationale that the birthdays are the reason for that celebration)! We ate our way through a lot of the menu: oysters, chicken liver parfait, tuna toast (two orders, we all love this), scallop crudo, little salad, spaghetti alla chitarra (w/red crab, ramps, ginger-scallion & spinach pesto), duck breast and wagu brochette. Ended with two orders of their yellow cake (one of only two desserts, but doesn’t matter to us, as we are addicted to the cake) with chocolate frosting (they brought three candles!). We love this place. It is on the expensive side. With a bottle of wine and cocktails, the bill was about $450 before tip. Still, for four people celebrating mightily, I thought quite reasonable!
If you don’t know Bar Bête, it’s a happening place in Carroll Gardens with a shifting, seasonal, essentially French menu. Can get quite noisy, so if that’s not your thing, give it a miss! The waitstaff is friendly and helpful. Reservations essential.
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I guess we might have to go back and try it again, as I’ve gotten similarly good reviews from others I trust in the neighborhood as well. We’ve gone several times, none recently, and thought that the food was very good, but that the menu was a bit too limited in choices. I agree that everyone was friendly and the atmosphere lively, but I thought that it came at too high a price point. However, these days, other places in the neighborhood seem to have “caught up” to the cost without providing as good a meal, so maybe approx. $135pp after tip for what you ate/drank isn’t so unusual for Smith St. any more.
By the way, its more a French Canadian place, as the chef is from Montreal (not that this is of much importance - just thought I’d mention it since we’re both on the Paris board a bit).
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Wasn’t sure of the chef’s pedigree, so thanks for clarifying. For this heathen, “French” is a catchall description, but I am sure you are right and that there are differences. It’s definitely not the corner diner, and not white table cloths either. I agree, on the expensive side, but enjoyed by my crowd for sure!
I was all set to write a post about how the prices at that charming little place we visited had inflated like our favorite president’s promises only to realize we hadn’t been there at all. No, it was Bar Tabac, so I consulted their website (which, thankfully didn’t auto-play smooth, french jazz at me), and lo, the prices have indeed ascended. Looks like ordering a bottle of wine now requires a loan application.
best,
Another fun meal at Nowon in East Village. I think the name means if you dont order the burger, there’s Nowon but you to blame. Its best to stick to the classics here like the excellent Black Sesame Caesar Salad, the almost Momofuku Rice Cakes, Burger and some others I didnt order this time. The big one miss - Mushroom Gapchae Noods featuring Mushrooms, glass noodles, soy garlic. Shockingly flat considering the flavors of the other dishes.
The burger has reached legendary status from all the coverage, so if one expects a life changing experience they may be disappointed. But its really just a very solid, well crafted, perfectly balanced fast food like cheeseburger. The tots with the honey butter sauce as per my more local oldest (this is her favorite restaurant) was just a tad too sweet. Great Black Sesame Creme Brulee for the finish
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First meal in New York since December, Saturday night at BORGO; sat in the room with the open kitchen. Went with three others; we were all happy and the total seemed pretty fair considering that our friends had a number of glasses of wine and two of us had cocktails… I only took photos of what I tasted:
Chicken liver crostini (foreground_; could have eaten the entire platter myself and called its a night; bread comes from She Wolf so its excellent (at USQ Greenmarket Mon,Wed,Fri) and the restaurant might begin selling it as well)
Focaccia; I think this is supposed to be influenced by the legendary focaccia of Manuelina in Recco; it was delicious but more cracker-ey than I remember from Liguria, and not as cheesy as I would have liked although it’s made with three cheeses, including stracchino, personal fave not so often found here (just bought some last week at Eataly, though)
Puree of fave, with what they call “marinated greens,” like the fave e cicoria ubiquitous in Puglia (the space was formerly occupied by I TRULLI). Great rendition but it’s it’s always a little bland for my palate, so not my most favorite Pugliese dish: I left it to the others to scoop up…
A smashing whole, butterflied (?) branzino blistered and served atop great ceci beans; I gorged on the appetizers so I ended up taking half of the fish home. You can see a glimpse of the chicken at the far right of photo. And a peek at the pasta at the upper left of photo.
One of my friends had the roast chicken which was so moist and flavorful…just perfect if you want roast chicken. Large portion.
The two others had the rich and terrific pappardelle with guinea hen ragu…big hit at the table and I did not get even one taste…next time. No photo.
Delicious little meringues for dessert, with bill.
I’d certainly go back…it’s a solid spot, warm and adept service…all positive, A great return to the city of great eating! They had an interesting cocktail list; two of us liked the “Party Villian,” vodka, vermouth, bergamot and a couple of other ingredients…very tasty!!
This week will take me to Flushing on a boring errand, so I hope my reward will be some great take-away rice rolls heat up at home…where to pick those up while partner waits in car?? Joe’s Rice Roll??
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I have not had better, although I have had as good.
Thanks…I have a craving!!
