Category Archives: neighborhood

Favorite Things: Tagliatelle al Ragu at Al Di La Trattoria

One of my favorite treats in Park Slope, Brooklyn is the Tagliatelle al Ragu at
Al Di La, which is just absolute perfection. The restaurant itself is a crowd pleaser and has never been a disappointment. They do not accept reservations so arriving before they open for dinner is key. Brunch crowds are a little more manageable before 11 am.

I love this dish so much I once ordered it for Friday dinner ($16.50) and again for Sunday brunch ($12 – score, and a bigger serving!) on the same weekend.

I am usually more adventurous than ordering pasta with meat sauce but I cannot resist this one. It’s just all sorts of heavenly and more.

(While at Al Di La, order the Seppia Oxtail appetizer – a stew of cuttlefish and oxtail over polenta – for a rendezvous with flavor and surprise.)

Favorite Things: Pho at Nicky’s & My PHO-naticism

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Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwiches (311 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn) is a family-run restaurant that offers the best, uncontested pho and banh mi around.

The pho is tasty and generous, and the banh mi roll is unparalleled in NYC. Although those two are great enough standard-bearers for the store, take a chance on their rice and noodle dishes. I’m a fan of the grilled pork chop over vermicelli.

They also have a full iced coffee/pearl tea counter if you’re so inclined.

It’s always a treat to catch Quynh’s hospitality if she’s there, although lately she’s been running around both stores (there is another one on Nassau st in the City). But not to worry – a brother, mom or dad is always around to make you feel welcome and cater to your palate’s desires.

Nicky’s has been our neighborhood go-to for many years and we’ve never been disappointed! But don’t listen to me, I’m just a PHO-NATIC.

Favorite Things: Ihawan Indulgences

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Ihawan Restaurant (70th & Roosevelt in Woodside, Queens) is the place to go for authentic Filipino food in New York. Known for their pork barbecue skewers, we also frequent this place their other specialties, namely Daing na Bangus (fried milkfish), Crispy Pata (fried pork knuckles), and sisg (sizzling pork facial muscles and ear).

The Daing is perfectly fried and the serving is very generous. Served whole and butterflied and deboned, it is a favorite breakfast treat eaten with rice and dipped in spiced vinegar.

The Crispy Pata is just fried pork personified. The photo is self-explanatory.

And finally, the Sizzling Sisig is an explosion of taste. A famous drinking dish, finely chopped cheek muscles are sauteed in onions and sprinkled with lemon juice before serving. I don’t think you’ll find anything quite like it.

I’ve lived in NY for a decade and have sampled several restaurants in the tri-state area, but nothing comes close to Ihawan in authenticity and value. And I haven’t even mentioned the avocado shake yet! (Say what?!) Notice I didn’t mention anything about decor and ambience. It’s a Filipino restaurant. What do you want?

Mangia!

Favorite Things: Banana Split, Chocolate Room

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One of the special treats I enjoy in the neighborhood is a post-meal Banana Split at The Chocolate Room. They serve free samples of their chocolate sorbet or hot chocolate upon being seated, but my favorite item on the menu is their banana split with three ice cream flavors, hot fudge and a bruleed banana. Of course it’s to share ($11), with other notable menu items flourless chocolate cake and brownies. Don’t forget to grab some spiced chocolate caramel popcorn from the counter on your way out!

Tom’s Restaurant, Brooklyn

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Don’t you love it when places seem to be frozen in time? Tom’s is one of those places, with menu boards and handwritten signs for their daily specials. The food is cheap and lovely, and they open at 6 am, perfect for your hungover self. Lines get long on weekends after ten in the morning so expect to wait. It’s definitely worth it, especially with the very nice touch of being handed coffees and treats (cookies, beef sausages, fries) while standing in line. Why don’t other restaurants do that? That’s a smart way of keeping guests entertained, pleasant, and hooked on a menu item even before they’re seated. Tom’s is an institution in Brooklyn, and there’s a reason the hundreds of brunch places haven’t changed that.

The legend’s decor speaks for itself.