Cheers! (vs. SEA)

Cheers is our local thai spot. The decor leaves a bit to be desired, though they do have a backyard... We opt for take-out. The food is phenomenal. Now, a lot of folks come all the way to Williamsburg to check out SEA, our other thai restaurant- but for me, Cheers beats SEA hands down, though I do occasionally venture to SEA, too. A play-by-play:





Decor:
Cheers: ugly.
SEA: Super chic, but looking a little worn?

Scene:
Cheers: no wait, 10-15 minutes for food
SEA: 1 to 2 hours on popular nights, total madhouse, we prefer lunchtime!

Apps:
Cheers: the spring rolls are amazing. They are always fresh, lightly fried, and super tasty. Love the plum sauce.
SEA: the spring rolls are tasty here too! I also like their version of Thom Ka Khai- a coconut soup with galangal and cilantro.

Entrees:
Cheers: Favorite for Ryan- Chicken Panang Curry. A red creamy, spicy coconut curry with red pepper. Me: Green vegetable curry with tofu- spicy coconut curry with eggplant, zucchini, green beans, and carrots.

SEA: I love one of their specials, "Rama the King". A mixture of red curry and peanut sauce! SO yummy.

With a cup of jasmine tea, I'm in heaven!

Cod with lemon, rosemary, and olive oil

So last night I was very very brave- and tried grilled fish. It might not sound that crazy, but you have to understand that I'm one of those... bread it & fry it or for god's sake at least put some hot sauce on it-type fish eaters. In other words... I generally like to cloak my fish in other flavors, so going for the grill was a big leap. My beloved worked very hard to make a tasty treat, and I must say, the raw ingredients got me pretty excited. Garlic, extra virgin olive oil, fresh rosemary, red bell pepper....and then he pulled out the fish, which I did not love the smell of as much. (I'm trying!) BUT I have to say, the final product was extremely tasty!

Cod or other white fish filet
fresh sprigs of rosemary (dill)
extra virgin olive oil
garlic
red bell pepper (cherry tomato)
lemon
salt & pepper

In a tinfoil pouch, mix together all the goodness. Grill for about 15 minutes.

Serve with haricot verts and red new potatoes!!

Banjara

Tonight Ry & I went to our favorite Indian Restaurant, Banjara. "Loyalty" is not the right word for how we feel about this place- as far as we're concerned, you could close pretty much every other indian restaurant in town. Yup, that into it. We've been coming here for a solid 5 years, pretty much since I left the UWS and the Indian Cafe by Columbia. Never had a bad meal! We make a pilgrimage here now probably every 2-3 months, although we tend to go more as the weather improves...

What we love: the vegetable samosas and the mint chutney. YES.

Ryan: Murg tikka masala- which is a creamy version of the classic. White meat chicken in a tomato/cream based sauce that is not spicy, but very flavorful.. and a side its of naan to dip in the sauce.

Me: Chicken or Vegetable vindaloo, as hot as they are willing to make it for a white chick. Usually they look to Ryan for permission/confirmation that I am not insane. Oh man, over the basmati rice, with a little raita and naan....so good.

A Taj Mahal beer for Ryan to boot, and the meal is complete.

leftover veggie salad!

Continuing my trend of throwing together food from what is in the fridge.....

A different type of 'potato' salad!

french green beans ('haricot verts')
potatoes
garbanzo beans
cherry tomato
(Possible add-ins: cheese, fresh herbs)
Splash o' dressing= delish!
salt & pepper

Proof that simple can taste great!

To Dumont, or not?

I've been eating at Dumont for 6 years now, and have a lot of memories in this Billyburg 'standard'. Back in the day, it was one of the few nicer restaurants off the Lorimer stop, and it had a cute backyard. For our first year here, it was our go to for out-of-town guests if we wanted an 'upscale' bite. I have always been a fan of the salad- well, really, the dressing- its an awesome vinaigrette, and always dressed nice and light, just the way I like a salad. The mixed greens are always fresh, and a little pepper makes this simple and a bite of perfection.

The burger is pretty famous- and though I haven't tasted one in a while, my husband, and good friend Rosalia- swear by them. It's definitely in the top 5. One complaint Ry has is that prices have creeped steadily higher, including the burger, which now runs $14.00 with cheese, and I believe might rise to $15 for bacon. I have always opted for the Dumac and Cheese, which is by far my favorite "creamy" roux-style mac. I don't usually order this out, as it tends to disappoint, but they have it down to a science. A creamy 4-cheese sauce, usually including gruyere, is topped with pancetta and baked until the top is well done. (Ask for well done when you order, you want that nice crisp). It is hard to stop eating it, and it really is the ultimate comfort food.

Over the years, I've tried many of the specials- and I am a big fan of the pastas- usually served in a chicken-broth based something-or-other that is just heavenly. Unfortunately, these menu items have now risen to the $25 price, which I just can't bring myself to order on a weeknight out. Too bad, because I really think this stuff is awesome. If you are here on a special occasion, indulge, and you will not be disappointed. Same goes for the pasta dishes at their sister-restaurant Dressler. Get them. They are phenomenal.

Now, before I forget, they also do brunch here, and the huevos rancheros gets extremely high marks every time.

If only drinks and food weren't quite so pricey, I might still come here on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, as I once did. But these days, the prices have just gotten too high. But, sometimes... You just gotta "do-mont"!

Rye & Huckleberry

I have been wanting to take Ry to Rye for a while. Like so many places in Williamsburg of late, Rye features old-fashioned cocktails at a beautifully crafted bar and intimate tables. There is no sign outside, but it stands out on an otherwise residential block. The interior features a lot of dark wood and white candles, and the restaurant was quiet enough to enjoy conversation.
There was an odd smell of chlorine and cleaning products right when we walked in that was not appetizing, however, and seemed out of place in a 'classy' joint...

We were seated right away at a great little table for two, in a curve in the booth that afforded a great deal of privacy, and I liked the people-watching view.

The cocktails were tasty and served on silver trays with hand cut ice cubes, a very nice touch. The wine list had several $9 and $10 glasses that were tasty. I tried the beet salad, which was quite good. The beets were sweet, with a creamy goat cheese and with peppery microgreens on top. We both agreed it was refreshing and savory at the same time. On the other hand, Ryan was not as thrilled with his brisket sandwich, which he reported was not very tender, and actually quite tough. For the carnivore he is, it was odd watching him pick meat off his sandwich- practically unheard of. The side of mac and cheese was quite large, and I found it tasty, but not rave-worthy. A bit bland. Overall, we found the food hit or miss. Other items on the menu looked very promising, but I wonder about execution.




After Rye, we headed over to the Huck bar, which is conveniently located just up from our apartment. Again, offering a selection of old-fashioned and crazy cocktails, this bar is a bit pricey, but upscale for the lorimer stop, and with plenty of wines and cocktails to choose from. Ryan first tried some Witches Brew that was strangely smoky, and later an old-fashioned, and I stuck to wine. I like the atmosphere here, and it's usually full but not crowded, a nice balance. The food is cute and a good nosh, but again, be prepared to burn some money. A fun note, they make their own grenadine, and shirley temples here are not just for little girls!!! I've come here once or twice after being out in the city and wanted to keep the fun times rolling while switching to a non-alcoholic beverage, and this was fun!!

DOC Winebar

I'd like to take credit for actually taking this picture (for once!) A relatively rare thing on this blog. Anyway, last night Ry & I went on a date to what is probably my all-time favorite spot in all of NYC. Yes, grand praise. We've been coming here for almost as long as we've been dating, and it never ever disappoints. I've brought my mom here, friend after friend from out of town, and my Aunt & Uncle most famously last summer. It rocks everybody's socks, so I hope it rocks yours, too. Why the italian meat and cheese counter? Because it might as well be in italy- the food is imported by the owner, along with the wine, on a weekly basis.




The interior of the restaurant is like a cozy italian kitchen, but we prefer to go when the weather is nice and sit outside. The wine menu is extensive and fabulous- ask the owner, (ie the cute bald guy with the killer italian accent), for some recommendations, and be prepared to be blown away (both in taste and quality... and a little less pleasantly in price). Some highlights of past sampling include a fruity, cherry-forward red, and a verdicchio that was neon yellow and had flavors of pineapple. If you are new to italian wine or tend to stick to the boring varieties of pinot grigio (AKA "water") and chianti, then this is a great place to come explore. The menu includes vermentino, verdicchio, montepulciano, nero d'avola, and falanghina, all worthy of your time and taste.

As for the food... wow. As I mentioned previously, the wine is not the only import here. The mozzarella is fresh, soft and salty, with a slightly firmer outer crust. Somehow the tomatoes always taste like summer here, as does the basil. The meat & cheese plate is awesome, and is served with a house-made olive oil and rosemary bread/chip that is addicting. All the fresh, home-made pasta specials and sauces are insanely good, as are the crostini and the salads. I don't think i've ever tried the panini, but I bet they are good too... Even the desserts are delish...



I can only think of 2 complaints. They only take cash (sooooo over this, Brooklyn) and they may or may not charge you your first born child. But hey, after a few glasses- or bottles- of amazing wine, who cares??