Monday, May 20, 2013
Is GoogaMooga Ever Coming Back? Should It?
Posted by Virginia K. Smith on Mon, May 20, 2013 at 5:06 PM
We've been known to poke fun at GoogaMooga over here, sure. But given the strenuous efforts on the part of the festival's parent company, Superfly, to make amends for all the things that went wrong at last year's inaugural event—refunding the cost of tickets to disappointed VIPs, adding more booths and an overall tighter ordering system to streamline things at this year's event—we were all really rooting for things to go right this time around.
Friday, May 17, 2013
What to Eat at The Great GoogaMooga
Posted by Sarah Zorn on Fri, May 17, 2013 at 12:07 PM
In theory, the Great GoogaMooga sounds like the most mind-blowing food festival known to man. Free admission. Almost 200 of the city’s best restaurants, breweries, and wine purveyors assembled in the bucolic Nethermead Meadow in Prospect Park. Pop-up dinners like Roberta’s Urban Ren Faire, The Spotted Pig Haus, and Little Wisco Seafood Boil and BBQ. Collect-them-all-trading cards (I’ll swap my pic of “Hamaggedon,” the steel pig-shaped functional rotisserie, for your mug shot of Andy Ricker, the evil genius behind Pok Pok ny!) And oh yeah, there’s music too. But tell that to last year’s intrepid Googa attendees, left baking in the sun on endless lines with no water, bathrooms, or cell phone service to speak of, and greeted by — more often than not — empty chafing dishes by the time they reached their desired booths. And forget about the poor suckers that forked over $250-plus for the pleasure of remaining above the fray in VIP, which by all accounts, devolved into a fight to the death over passed platters of Blue Ribbon fried chicken.
So, ready to give it another go?
7 Things That Will (Hopefully) Be Different At This Year's Googa Mooga
Posted by Virginia K. Smith on Fri, May 17, 2013 at 11:22 AM
For all the people who are feverishly excited about the return this year of the Great Googa Mooga, there are plenty of other people who are just kind of happy to turn the whole thing into a punching bag. And admittedly, aspects of last year's festival were, well, sort of a disaster. But, this time around, no one can say that organizers aren't making a major, good faith effort to ensure that things at this weekend's event are better for everyone involved.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
After A Massive Fire, Oslo Re-Opens Today With Free Coffee
Posted by Virginia K. Smith on Thu, May 16, 2013 at 11:35 AM
- Photo via DNAinfo
Some of the best news we've heard in a while: following a major fire that more or less ravaged the place back in January, the Bedford Avenue location of Oslo is officially back open for business, starting today. And with free coffee, no less.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
The 10 Best Outdoor Dining Spots in Brooklyn
Posted by Sarah Zorn on Wed, May 15, 2013 at 12:04 PM
Spring is about three things… long days, balmy nights, and eating and drinking outdoors. Luckily, the city has tons of al fresco options, and we don’t just mean a few table and chairs spread out on the sidewalk (although that’s perfectly enjoyable too). So if you really want to make the most of the season, study up on our outdoor dining guide, featuring the bucolic garden at The Pines in Gowanus, and the sexy rooftop at Juliette in Williamsburg.
Monday, May 13, 2013
11 Gin Cocktails You Should Be Drinking This Spring
Posted by Virginia K. Smith on Mon, May 13, 2013 at 12:38 PM
Everyone needs a little good news on a Monday, don't they? And, ideally, the promise of a stiff drink. This weekend, the New York Times provided both, with the welcome announcement (via the lovely Rosie Schapp) that gin? Gin is back.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Where to Spend Mother's Day in Brooklyn
Posted by Sarah Zorn on Fri, May 10, 2013 at 11:19 AM
Chances are, your mom dealt with your toddler tantrums, indulged your New Kids on the Block obsession, bought you your first car, sent you to college, and suffered through a string of unsuitable significant others. And let’s not forget that whole pushing you out of her birth canal business. So why not make a few installments on a lifetime of payback, by taking her out on the town for Mother’s Day? From a family brunch at Stone Park Café to an out-of-borough day trip to City Island in the Bronx, this handy guide will help show your mom how much you really care.
That Fake Chicken You've Been Eating Was Maybe Just Real Chicken
Posted by Virginia K. Smith on Fri, May 10, 2013 at 9:00 AM
I realize it's not for everyone—different strokes for different folks, some of whom are cold-blooded murderers and some of whom are not—but around here, we have a certain amount of respect for fake meat. Or at least, respect for the fact that few things in this world are grosser or more disconcerting than slowly (or retroactively) realizing that something you've been eating wasn't... exactly what you thought it was.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Photos: At the Village Voice's Choice Streets Event
Posted by Mike Conklin on Thu, May 9, 2013 at 3:35 PM
On Tuesday night the Village Voice held its second annual Choice Streets event, where dozens of New York City's food trucks set up shop on Pier 86 of the Intrepid Air and Space Museum. Those in attendance were treated to a wide variety of food, from vendors like Coolhaus, Phil's Steaks, The French Quarter, Miami Food Machine and many more. Plus, there were some very, very nice views, captured here by photographer Robert Caputo.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Chef Dale Talde Connects Cultures at the Brooklyn Museum
Posted by Kristin Iversen on Tue, May 7, 2013 at 1:12 PM
This Thursday, renowned chef Dale Talde (of Pork Slope, Thistle Hill Tavern, and Talde) will be speaking at the Brooklyn Museum as part of its "Connecting Cultures" program which highlights the intersectional aspects of different artistic mediums, including, in this case the culinary arts.
Friday, May 3, 2013
5 Tacos You Should Be Eating This Weekend
Posted by Virginia K. Smith on Fri, May 3, 2013 at 3:34 PM
As we've already discussed, Cinco de Mayo is this weekend. The greatest of spring holidays! Even if you're just sort of blindly using it as an excuse to booze and snack, like, a little more than you normally would.
6 Great Brooklyn Vegetarian Restaurants NOT in Williamsburg
Posted by Henry Stewart on Fri, May 3, 2013 at 10:00 AM
Cinco De Mayo Tips from Williamsburg's Dos Toros Taqueria
Posted by Sarah Zorn on Fri, May 3, 2013 at 9:55 AM
There are plenty of places in the borough to drink margaritas, Coronas and sangrias, eat guacamole and chips, and pretend you know why you’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo this Sunday. And Williamsburg’s recently opened Dos Toros, a relaxed, Cali-Mex taqueria with branches throughout Manhattan, is one of them. Leo and Oliver Kremer, two brothers from the San Francisco Bay Area, offer carne asada, carnitas, and rice and bean-stuffed burritos, tacos, quesadillas and salads, all for wallet-friendly prices. But since celebrating at home is even cheaper, they were kind enough to share their top, “Cinco de Toro” tips, to ensure that your Mexican-themed Sunday supper is a rousing success.
Kentucky Derby Drinking at Maison Premiere
Posted by Sarah Zorn on Fri, May 3, 2013 at 9:30 AM
If what excites you most about the upcoming Kentucky Derby is horseracing and oversized hats, well, you’ve come to the wrong place. For us, the annual event is nothing less than an unabashed celebration of the mint julep, one of our favorite, seasonal cocktails. Considered the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby for over 70 years, the standard julep is made with bourbon, sugar, water, and mint, and traditionally served in a silver or pewter cup. But this in NYC, not the Deep South. And our cocktail scene is infinitely more exciting — so why limit yourself to sipping a single rendition of the centuries old tipple all night?
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Ramp-mania is Real and It is Taking Brooklyn By Storm
Posted by Sarah Zorn on Wed, May 1, 2013 at 12:49 PM
We have no idea how ramp-mania initially started. Because honestly, when’s the last time culinarians went rabid over scallions, or got all hot under the collar about cippollini onions (way more praiseworthy than ramps, in our mind)? But there’s no denying that in the last few years, the onset of spring has been officially marked by the appearance of ramps on restaurant menus. Food blogs, newspapers, magazines and Twitter feeds alike enthusiastically broadcast each sighting — “Franny’s serves ramps with bucatini and chili’s!” they cry. “Hurry, or you just might miss the spring ramps with hominy, morels, and aleppo pepper at Seersucker!”
None of the "World's Best Restaurants" Are in Brooklyn
Posted by Virginia K. Smith on Wed, May 1, 2013 at 12:28 PM
Hey, Brooklyn food, you heard of it? A lot of people seem to think it's good! Some even take it far too seriously. None of those people, however, seem to have had anything to do with the just-released 2013 "World's 50 Best Restaurants" list, which, while the expanded 100-restaurant list includes 9 New York institutions — a totally impressive ratio! — includes exactly zero from Brooklyn.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
5 Trucks to Watch at Next Week's Choice Streets Festival
Posted by Virginia K. Smith on Tue, Apr 30, 2013 at 10:18 AM
Granted, food trucks are never not hugely popular, but as the weather (we hope) gets warmer by the day, well, we're headed into the season where it's not only sanctionable but generally encouraged to eat every single one of our meals from a truck. Meaning, the Village Voice's 2nd annual "Choice Streets" event couldn't be coming at a better time.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Will Somebody Please, Please Buy The Endless Summer Truck?
Posted by Virginia K. Smith on Fri, Apr 26, 2013 at 2:15 PM
- Bess Adler/Brooklyn Paper
Hey, somebody, anybody! Well, anybody, with $60,000. That's got to be at least one of you out there? Anyway, I'm politely insisting that you purchase the Endless Summer taco truck — which is now up for auction on Ebay — devote your life to the serving of tacos, and prevent one more beloved institution from disappearing from this world forever. As far as these things go, it's actually a pretty good deal.
This Weekend, Bushwick Gets A Much-Needed Ice Cream Parlor
Posted by Virginia K. Smith on Fri, Apr 26, 2013 at 11:28 AM
Living in Bushwick, it can start to feel like a new bar opens up at least once a week. It's not a problem, exactly, but a little variety wouldn't necessarily hurt. You can't drink (or eat brunch) at all hours of the day. Or at least, you probably shouldn't. Francisco Garcia, owner and operator of Evergreen Ice Cream co., apparently felt the same way. "I saw an opening," Garcia explained of the shop, which opens to the public on Saturday. "I wanted to do something that anyone could enjoy, and the neighborhood doesn't have anything like this. And when my girlfriend and I get dinner in the area, the question's always been, 'Where are we going for dessert?'"
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Another Local Beer Now Available in Cans
Posted by Mike Conklin on Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 11:53 AM
Just in time for the spring thaw and the gradual arrival of outdoor drinking weather, local canned beer offerings from Brooklyn and Sixpoint will be joined on store shelves by another local product: For the first time since they began operations in 2011, The Bronx Brewery will be selling its flagship beer, Bronx Pale Ale, in 16oz cans. It's the brewery's first foray into the world of retail; their beers were previously available exclusively on draft.
