ReelTasty - Brooklyn Supper Club

Supper clubs combine the quality of a restaurant meal, with the familiarity of breaking bread with friends. One recent summer night, we had the pleasure of attending a supper club held on a spacious roof deck of an apartment in Greenpoint.

The night started with drinks, including a potent homemade sangria, and appetizers - candied bacon peanuts, goan avocado salad, hanger steak bruschetta, and corn & mushroom fritters with a spicy dipping sauce. Though some of the guests new each other, most were only distantly connected, so in addition to the great food, the other nice thing was a chance to meet a whole new circle of people.

Dinner was served after an hour or so. The table was set for 16, with specially printed menu's folded into paper airplanes, in honor of the movie to be shown. The meal that followed was excellent. The dishes complemented each other well, and included prawns with yogurt sauce, a vegetable cous-cous, and my favorite, an Indian roasted chicken, which had just the right amount of spice and was succulent and tender.

Prawns with Yogurt sauce, & Vegetable Cous-cous:

Indian spiced roasted chicken with chickpeas:

One twist from other supper clubs, was that following the dinner movie was projected onto the building across the deck. This night's selection - Airplane. Of course, the hosts kept the food going through the movie and served home made popcorn, and shortcakes for dessert.

All in all, a great and unique experience - highly recommended. This particular supper club was co-hosted by two friends, who aren't in the restaurant business, but definitely have the knack for it. Check out Reel Tasty Brooklyn for additional pics, recipes, and information on the next supper club event.

Blue Ribbon Sushi - Park Slope

Sushi is everywhere in NY nowadays.  You can get cheap rolls from delis, and fairly tasty takeout from any of hundreds local sushi spots.  In many ways its become a commoditized part of our food culture. But if you're a sushi fan, there's nothing like treating yourself to an authentic sushi restaurant. There's probably a few dozen of such spots in the city, and at all, sushi is still treated as delicacy.  

Blue Ribbon Sushi's Park Slope outpost, definitely falls in this category.  The restaraunt is on the nicer side, but still inviting.  It's spacious and bright, with a long wooden sushi counter and  twenty or so tables and booths. I prefer sitting at the counter, to see the sushi chef in action, and for them to see your reaction when you try their creations.

The menu is extensive, with a number of hot dishes, dozens of appetizers, and an extensive assortment of rolls, sushi, and sashimi combinations.  The age dashi tofu was perfectly crispy and great hot dish to start with. Also tasty was the lightly seared bonito, with yuzu  

For the sushi, it's best to ask the waitress what's fresh that day and what's recommended from the page of daily sushi specials, but you can't really go wrong with whatever you pick.  There are some interesting rolls-  the salmon and ikura melted in your mouth. But overall I would say stick to individual sushi and sashimi over rolls.  The kanpachi (amberjack) was fresh and had great thick texture.  The special anago (sea eel) melted like butter, and is far tastier than the usual unagi available in most restaurants.  If you've never tried uni (sea urchin), this is a good place to start.  The botan ebi (shrimp) sushi came with the body raw and the head deep fried and edible, a nice combination.   To end the meal we had a maki roll with plum, cucumber and shiso. 

What Makes it Good:
It's  all about the quality of the fish, and the subtle flavors added

Know Before you Go:
- There can be a wait on weekends

- The sushi can add up, its not cheap

- There's a branch in Soho, but its not as good

Recommended Dishes:

- Age Dashi Tofu

- Salmon and Ikura Roll

- Spicy Lobster wrapped in Egg Sashimi

- Anago, Uni, and Botan Ebi Sushi

Blue Ribbon Sushi - 278 5th Avenue (bet. 1st Street and Garfield Place) - Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY 11215
718.840.0408

NYSimplified on Twitter

For all those with short attention spans, you can now follow us on Twitter @ NYSimplified.  We'll be adding more frequent reviews of restaurants and bars in NYC. 

Larry Lawrence - Hidden Bar on Grand Street

Unless you look carefully, you're likely to walk right past the entrance of Larry Lawrence, a chill bar on Grand Street in Williamsburg.  The entrance has a simple sign that says bar. Once through the speakeasy-esque wooden door, you walk through a long dimly hit corridor to get to the main space.  Its a big space, with exposed brick walls, wood panels, modern furniture and a long bar. The vibe is chill, and the crowd is mixed (not another hipster hangout).  Drinks are cheap, and even smokers are treated well - there is an elevated outdoor smoking area. The bar is also used as a space for photo shoots, weddings, and other events during the day.

What makes it good:

- There's something satisfying about "discovering" a hidden bar

Larry Lawrence Bar

95 Grand St Brooklyn, NY 11211-4406 - (718) 218-7866

Hotel Delmano - Cocktail Bar on Berry Street

Good restaurants and bars tend to cluster together, and that is exactly whats seems to be happening at the corner of North 9th and Berry. On one corner you have Silent H, on the other Miranda, and then there's the Hotel Delmano, a cocktail bar that shares the intimate and classy vibes of its neighbors.

From the outside, the Hotel Delmano does not call much attention to itself. With oldish looking frosted glass windows all around, and a simple sign by the door that says "Bar", it would be easy to walk by this place, if not for the usual steady flow of patrons coming and going. When entering, you feel like you are stepping into another era, like someplace out of the Great Gatsby. The lighting is low and dim, the furniture is vintage brasserie style, and the bar is long with plenty of seating, and backed by shelf after shelf of bottles reaching to the high ceilings. The crowd here is a little older and a little cooler than your usual Williamsburg hipster hangouts.

While there are small snacks available like cheese and meat plates, patrons seem to brave the waits (yes there can be wait to get in on the weekends), mainly for the cocktails. In addition to the dozens of types of rums, whiskeys, brandys and other liquors on hand, the Delmano makes some killer cocktails. On my last visit I tried a concoction that included rum, egg whites, chartreuse, amongst other things. Between the taste and the beautiful presentation, you can tell that these bartenders take pride in their craft.

What makes it good:
- Intimate, classy vibe
- Well made cocktails

Know before you go:
- Friday and Saturdays can mean a wait at the door
- Drinks range from $12- $14



Hotel Delmano 82 Berry St (at North 9th), Brooklyn, NY 11211 (718)-387-1945

Egg- Southern Brunch in the Burg

One of the nice things about eating out in Williamsburg, is that you rarely have to wait in line for a table. You especially wouldn't wait in line for a table for brunch. But every Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine, without fail, there is a line of people outside of Egg on North 5th Street.

Egg is set in what could be mistaken for a garage. In fact it may very well used to have been a garage. Its a long, narrow unadorned space with small wooden tables, squeezed together and an open kitchen on one end.

If the atmosphere isn't that exciting, its the food that doesn't disappoint. The brunch menu has tasty traditional southern breakfast dishes like Biscuits and Gravy, Eggs and Cheese Grits, and Country Ham. The sides are just as good, with crisp bacon, sausage and crunchy hash browns.

For good, hearty southern food Egg is worth the wait.

What Makes it Good:
- Theres no health food on the menu
-Sometimes you just have to have biscuits and gravy for breakfast

Know Before you Go:
- Egg has just extended their hours- From 9am on weekends and open for lunch and dinner.
- Breakfast is available all day

Recommended Dishes:
- Cheese Grits
- Eggs Rothko

Egg 135 North 5th Street, Williamsburg Brooklyn (Between Berry and Bedford) 718-302-5151

Walter Foods - Williamsburg Raw Bar

As much as Bedford Avenue is the street for pizza joints, coffee shops, and other hipster hangouts, Grand Street is developing into a serious destination for those looking for good restaurants. Walter Food, at 253 Grand Street, just recently opened, and offers a raw bar, seafood and meats. It is rare for people in Williamsburg to actually agree to wait for tables, but here customers endured 30-40 minute wait because the place looked that good.

With large picture windows facing Grand Street, the newly renovated space has classical feel. A long wooden bar with fifteen or so high stools lines one side of the restaurant, and comfortable booths and tables fill up the rest. When I went last Friday night, the place was filled, with many drinking at the bar waiting for tables to open up. We started at the bar and enjoyed cocktails from a drink menu that contained many classic American cocktails. I started with a very stiff Tom Collins and we had some fresh oysters from their raw bar.

As an appetizer, the grilled shrimp was perfect. Just the right mix of crisp outside and juicy inside. For entree's, we went big and had the Surf and Turf and the Filet Mignon. The lobster in the Surf and Turf was very tasty and juicy, though the portion could have been bigger. The lobster came with a strip steak that was good, but would have been better if I had ordered it cooked more. The dish was served with a side of "crushed potatoes" - think slightly crispy mashed potatoes, and various greens. Overall a very good dish.

The Filet Mignon was the best. It was served with similar sides, but was so soft and succulent that it just melted in your mouth. The pepper sauce on top gave it an extra kick that put this over the top.

Walter Food had all the right elements to make it a restaurant that will keep people coming back. Stiff drinks, a comfortable but classy atmosphere, fresh seafood and savory steaks.

What makes it good:

- Fresh seafood and great steak

- Classic retro restaurant atmosphere

Know before you go:

- The bill can add up
- There can be a wait, but you can eat comfortably at the bar

Recommended dishes:
- Shrimp appetizer, Oysters, Filet Mignon

Walter Foods 253 Grand Street, Williamsburg Brooklyn (between Grand and Roebling) 718-387-8783

Persimmon - Neo-Korean

Located on 10th street near Avenue A, sits a quaint restaurant named Persimmon - Kimchi House that serves a tasting menu of modern Korean food. It has a long communal table that seats 20 people and a counter with 4 seats facing the open kitchen. The atmosphere is nice and clean, nothing over the top.

The appealing aspects of this restaurant come from the chance to taste a lot of different Korean dishes in a less chaotic atmosphere than the places you will find in K-Town. The modern aspects applied to the Korean food didn't come through when tasted. However, if you like Korean food, Persimmon definitely delivers on flavor.

The friendly servers liked describing the food in great detail. During busier times, the staff may be overwhelmed, but the slow night that we went, the service was great. If you like Korean food and live in the area, this place should definitely be checked out.

What makes it good:

- Great value for a five-course tasting menu
- Enthusiastic service and nice atmosphere

Know before you go:

- The restaurant consists of a communal table of 20 seats and 4 counter seats.
- Only two dining options, $39 single portion tasting menu or $69 shared portion menu. Two people cannot share one single portion.
- The tasting menu courses consist of an appetizer, a mid-course, a main course, a soup, dessert, and tea. The menu changes frequently.
- No longer B.Y.O. due to lack of liquor license (They didn't know you needed one, even for B.Y.O.), but they are in the process of obtaining a beer and wine license.

Here's what we ordered as an example of the types of dishes Persimmons serves:

Appetizers- Salmon Sashimi, Chilled Sliced Beef (rare) with a Melon Sauce
Mid- Braised Pork Belly, Jap Chae (stir fried glass noodles and vegetables)
Main- Soybean Stew with Pork, Salmon and Salmon Roe Rice in a Stone Bowl
Soup- Tomato Gaspacho
Dessert- Watermelon Balls in Syrup, Sesame Cookies
Chilled Cinnamon and Ginger Tea

Also recommended: the fruit juices- Korean Pear, Grape, Tangerine, and Aloe. They taste similar to the Asian drinks have pulp or bits of fruit in the can.

Kasadela - Japanese Small Plates

On 11th Street, near the corner of Ave C., is Kasadela, a neighborhood Japanese that does not disappoint. With its subtle entrance and simple sign, its easy to walk right by.  Once inside though, you see why there is always a steady crowd.  The waiting area is centered around a small sake bar, and the dining area is made up of around twenty tables in a warm and homey brick lined room with a glass front looking out onto 11th street.

The food follows the comfortable feel of the restaurant and is comprised of Japanese home cooking meant to be shared as small plates.  Dishes range from bite sized portions of tofu, tar-tar, and salads to larger portions of fried dishes such as potato croquettes and tempura, to donburi's (meat or fish over rice), and grilled meats and fish.  My favorite dish, and the perfect combination with a nice cold beer, is the Tebasaki which are sweet and crispy grilled chicken wings.   In addition to the extensive regular menu, there is a printed special menu as well as additional specials on several chalkboards. With the wide selection of dishes, it can be difficult to judge what to order all at once, so if you have time, take the meal slowly and order one course at a time.  The restaurant encourages this and usually will leave the menu with you even if you don't ask. 

No Japanese izakaya can be complete without an extensive sake selection, and Kasadela definitely delivers on this as well.   I've yet to master selecting sakes, but the few times I went, the friendly staff was able to steer us to a good sake to match the food.

What makes it good:

- Tasty Japanese home cooking

- Comfortable and casual atmosphere

Know before you go:

- Its not a huge restaraunt and the portions are small to share, so its best to go in a small group

- For two people -  1 salad, 2 small appetizers, and 2 larger dishes (chicken wings and unagi) was more than enough food

Recommended dishes:

- Tebasaki (the best chicken wings) 

- Buta Kimchee (daily special)

- Snow crab and arugula salad (daily special)

- Miso Cod

- Potato Croquette

Kasadela 647 East 11th Street, (At Ave C), New York, NY 10009  212-777-1582

Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches

I've been told that any true vietnamese sandwich shop has to sell other goods to be considered "authentic". Some of the most authentic in the city are apparently located in the back of jewelry shops, or sell their sandwiches alongside offerings as varied as as bootleg dvd's, fake watches and lingerie. Nicky's (fortunately or unfortunately depending on your viewpoint) keeps it simple and all about the sandwiches. Located in a little shop on 2nd street, just around the corner from Avenue A, Nicky's is a consistently popular spot for those looking for a quick five dollar sandwich fix. There's nothing fancy about the place, and I would have avoided it if not for the raving reviews from my friend. Its mostly a takeout joint, but if you can snag one of three tables, you can sit and enjoy your sandwich while watching The Simpsons (they've had it playing every time I've been).

What makes it good:

- Soft french bread and the perfect combination of ingredients.

Know before you go:

- If you're hungry, go for two sandwiches. You'll regret it for sure if you don't.

- You can order the sandwiches spicy, but I think it takes away from the taste (they use very spicy jalapenos).

- They are closed Mondays, and only open to 9 on other days. Also they sometimes sell out of sandwiches before 9.

Recommended dishes:

- The classic and the pork sandwich

Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches 150 East 2nd Street (Bet Ave A and B) , New York, NY 10009 212-388-1088