Union Smith Café

305 Smith St.
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: (718) 643-3293

Menu

Union Smith’s spacious outside patio is what attracted me as an observer. Despite random negative comments (possibly fueled by NIMBYism due to patio noise) I decided to make it my Saturday brunch option. It was hot and I should have postponed and dined in someplace air-conditioned. I was hung over and sweaty, I reminded myself of Will Farrell in Anchorman “It's so damn hot... milk was a bad choice.” But I tried not to let it sway my opinion.

Let me start off positive, they have amazing coffee mugs. They are not only large but have the perfect size handle for gripping and perfect size rim for sipping. Due to my addiction to caffeine I require large maintenance doses of caffeine, so this scored points. It is good that the cup was large because the wait staff was a little sluggish. Not turtle slow, but no real sense of urgency.

The menu offered a good variety of lunch and breakfast options. It was a little pricey for brunch and sans the free mimosa you could argue it was not worth it off the bat. But I stuck it out and decided on the macaroni and cheese per my waitress’s recommendation. My roommate ordered the fish and chips and his lady friend did the mac and cheese.

First, the macaroni and cheese was not macaroni and cheese. It was rigatoni. I understand if you serve mac and cheese you have to church it up, but it said “macaroni and cheese” on the menu. Liars. The rigatoni did not really work for me. It is just a bit too large of pasta to get the correct cheese to pasta ratio. Conchiglie, farfalle or rotini would have all been better options. The cheese was great; I would just recommend a change in pasta.

I had to steal a taste of the fish and chips. Generally I am picky when it comes to fish and chips, well, with fried food in general. I usually drown my fish and chips in vinegar to mask the oil taste. I will just say the portion was minuscule and the fish may have been from a box. But the fries were good!

Now, like I said before I was sweaty, hung over and had to work later that day so I was not in the best mood. I tried to be objective in my writing but sometimes emotions and hangovers bleed into reality.

Ceol

191 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(347) 643-9911

Menu

I have always enjoyed the booze at Ceol but never gave it much consideration as a dining spot. Food was usually not on my mind when I walked through those big green doors. That is until I heard a rumor they served a great brunch and it seriously peaked my interest.

My laziness kept me from brunch week after week and I really wanted to try the cuisine. Sometimes the local pub houses some good chow and I needed to know. So I drug my roommate in for some wings and quesadillas on our way home from the gym one night. The prices are good and the food was definitely above average for pub food.

I take issue when you order buffalo wings in this city and end up with deep friend chicken wing with no sauce. Not sure what that is, but it sure ain’t no buffalo wing! Please don’t disrespect our brothers to the north folks. I was pleased when a plate full of nice size wings came out dripping with sauce. The quesadillas were also quality, a nice portion and they came with a variety of toppings. All and all I would do it again.

Cubana Cafe

272 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: (718) 858-3980

Menu

THE MIGHTY CUBAN

The Cuban sandwich, also known as the cubano, is a popular meal in south Florida where many Cubans have settled since the early 20th century. These tasty, toasted Cuban sandwiches are definitely Tampa and Miami, Florida's favorite snack. These treats can be found in most restaurants in these cities, but the best places to buy them are from the street corner-snack bars, called loncherias…

The number one reason I seek out Cuban restaurants is to get my hands good Cuban sandwiches. I found a respectable Cuban at Cubana Cafe, but not entirely crave worthy. I would definitely recommend it; it’s just that I set the bar high when looking for something so specific. Everyone has a favorite spot to get a slice, hotdog or wings. You would still eat those foods outside the desired venue but it’s still not the same. I need to have this with the Cuban.

The menu lists a multitude of reasonably priced Cuban and Latin American specialties. Entree choices range from braised beef, pounded chicken, garlic shrimp, poblano chile, hanger steak and spiced pulled pork. The extensive menu is worth exploring outside of my narrow-minded views and lack of deviation from the Cuban sandwich. Just make sure you comment on your experience so I do not have to vary from my staple.

Lastly can I say, “oh buddy”. The cocktails are amazing. I recommend their Mojito. They use fresh quality ingredients and always seem to employ great mixologists. If you do not go for the cuisine and cute décor you should stop in for a Mojito, but be prepared to drink more than one.

Vinny’s

295 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 875-5600

Menu

This utilitarian restaurant serves up large portions of well-prepared home-style Italian-American classics for around $10.00 a plate. No matter if it originated from land or sea the generous portions will easily serve two, maybe even three people (depending on their girth).

The food is pre-prepared but always fresh due to high demand. This would be next to impossible to achieve in any place less desirable. Vinny’s literally has a menu that is alive. Your feast is right there in all its glory, offering itself to you (creepy).

The food is great and the red sauce is nothing short of amazing. It always fully satisfies my thrust for some great pasta (I may lick the plate when I think no one is looking). Vinny's is unique do to its reasonable price, grand proportions and traditional clientele. I look forward to trying something new each time I walk into this classic Italian restaurant.

Apartment 138

138 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-858-0556

Menu

Apartment 138 is an escape from the shiny restaurants that litter Smith St. Upon entering you’re taken back to a seaside establishment you’re not sure you’ve ever really been to. Cozy, candle-lit two tops scatter the dark wooden floors, while the bartender pours strong drinks from his fully stocked, homey enclave.

Although the interior of the restaurant is a great place to spend the evening making googly eyes at your companion, not all is romantical at 138. If you choose to move down a narrow staircase, you’ll be dumped out in to a game room of sorts. Arcade games, pool and Foosball tables are provided for your, probably by now, tipsy entertainment.

If dimly lit rooms and a game of pool aren’t your bag, have no fear because Apartment 138 provides one last surprise. . .the always elusive patio. And what a patio it is. A continuous bench lines the dimensions of this overly large for Brooklyn outdoor space. Tables and greenery are scattered along the benches as well as throughout the elevated wooden floor. And a water wall adds a bit of serenity to the bustling activity of the servers and patrons. Parties big or small are welcomed with a smile.

But enough with the atmosphere. It’s time to get down to the food. I was in the mood for a burger but not ready for the guilt of what a beef burger would do to my body. I opted for the turkey burger, sided with greens and seasoned fries (don’t judge). Before my meal arrived I had a chance to peek at a few other plates from the surrounding eaters. The portions were gigantic and every one seemed to be enjoying their meals. During the comfortable wait for food, drinks were always replenished and bread was put out as a pre-meal tummy pleaser.

The food arrived, visually appealing. The burger sat atop a juicy slice of tomato and crisp Bibb lettuce and all was nestled between a fresh English muffin. A few bites of mesclun with house balsamic accompanied the burger while a generous portion of fries demanded almost as much attention as the main attraction. I’d give the appearance an A- (given the ingredients) but the taste a C. The burger had that great fresh off the grill taste but lacked flavor and individuality. And although the burger lacked oomph, the lightly seasoned, crispy fries and the slightly sweet vinaigrette salad helped to boost the meal’s delish factor.

I’d definitely go back but I’ll probably try another dish (with a side of fries, of course).

By Saint Ramsey Von Spinkle

Bar Tabac

128 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11201-6258
Phone: (718) 923-0918

Menu

Every time I walk past Bar Tabac, it is packed. I always assume there will be a wait, and I never have the patience to even try for a seat. From the sidewalk I can hear upbeat music and often a live band jamming while folks eat or just hang at the bar.

I had the fresh calamari brochette for an appetizer and the truite amandine (almond trout, string beans, steamed potatoes, lemon, brown butter) for my main course. Why would someone kill calamari with hot lard I asked myself when my appetizer arrived? You deep-fried calamari lovers should be ashamed of yourselves. Nothing beats fresh calamari with a light sauce or maybe just a bit of lemon juice. The calamari brochette was a perfect summer appetizer.

I love fish and chips but often feel the same way about calamari as I do all seafood. If it is fresh then keep that shit out of the lard…tubby. The truite amandine at Tabac was definitely up to par, cooked and seasoned well. The string beans and steamed potatoes were a nice addition.

I have read reviews of Bar Tabac that criticized the service, but my server did a fantastic job. Maybe peer review and blogging makes a difference. After reading about their lackadaisical servers, Tabac decided to upgrade staff. In the age of technology, accountability is certain. Hint, hint…COMMENT!

Lastly, Tabac does not make the mistake of sacrificing food quality for décor and atmosphere.

Amazon Café

227 Smith Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
718-852-5948
718-852-7860 fax

Menu

“A Chipotle burrito minus the heart attack” says the Daily Burrito

They make amazing wraps, fresh salads and smoothies. I enjoy the wide range of vegetables and other fillers they offer. They are all about food that tastes good and is actually good for you, weird concept.

The online menu seems to be missing some items that exist on the in store menu. It would be helpful for them to post the full menu online for all to see…

I have always been pleased with the staff and have been accommodated when ordering special items. The chairs and tables are pretty comfortable, especially the arm chairs in front. They are perfect for people watching and booty staring. A little known secret is that there is a patio outback, who knew.

They also have free WiFi and I have seen people hanging out on their laptops without bother. They also take debit and credit cards with no minimum, big plus!

Zaytoons

283 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 875-1880

Menu

This is from another one of our many guest posters here on Best Street Brooklyn. It comes from a person whose critique of Middle Eastern cuisine is one of the best on the stoop. Check it out…


One of my favorite things about Middle Eastern restaurants is that
they tend to be BYOB, a plus for any New Yorker on a budget. With a
six pack in hand to split with my dining companion, this Zaytoons in
Carroll Gardens was already a step ahead of the game (note that
Zaytoons on Smith & Sackett is BYOB while its sister restaurant on
Vanderbilt in Prospect Heights is not, once again proving that Smith
Street = Best Street).

We selected a table in the back of the restaurant (probably a bit too
close to the bathroom for my taste, but not worth moving for). While
Zaytoons is almost always a bustling scene, with the cooks hard at
work in the open kitchen and a handful of people gathered around the
register waiting for their take-out orders, our candlelit table in the
back was surprisingly calm and almost romantic. To top it off, the
service was prompt, and the waiter happily opened our Heinekens.

To start, we ordered a plate of grape leaves. These came quickly and
hit the spot, though the leaves were a bit tough for my liking. For
dinner we selected the 10" vegetable pitza (pita + pizza). The pitza
was loaded with tasty vegetables -- green peppers, spinach, scallions,
and mushrooms -- especially heavy on the spinach, which I like
personally but does result in making the middle a bit soggy. But
otherwise the pitza was delicious, with a chewy pita crust and just
the right amount of sauce and mozzarella. Not to mention it's the
perfect size for sharing.

All in all, you can't go wrong with this Zaytoons order. I would also
recommend staples like the falafel wrap and the salad combo plate,
which is perfect for those
who can't decide what to order and/or vegetarians (and make sure to
try the Turkish Salad as one of the 5 combo items, which is sweet and
spicy without the overpowering quality that sun-dried tomatoes usually
bring).

Caserta Vecchia

221 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 624-7549

Menu
Website

Dear Pizza, I love you....

Caserta Vecchia offers a spacious indoor dining area with a romantic feel, perfect for a hot date. The wood fired brick oven reminded me of a restaurant around the corner from where lived in Sicily for two months. This was a bit of a nostalgic meal for me, but I did not let it influence my judgment, to bad.

Caserta Vecchia has a nice outside patio with a mix of chairs and wood benches for all ass types. I ate outside and usually do if offered. It is nice when a place puts money into landscaping and decking. Eating on gravel is a drag, unless you are at the Astoria beer garden.

After the seemingly authentic wait staff sat me I noticed I felt a bit sober. So I reached for the the menu and perused the drink selection. Do I try the Basil Mojito or just get a beer? The Basil Mojito is going to be really good or fucking putrid I thought. I rolled the dice and won, it was a great reinvention of the traditional. Highly recommended.

After sipping a whole drink on an empty stomach within seconds I started to feel a bit inebriated. An overwhelming cornucopia of options on the menu and a slight buzz was making it impossible to focus.

When I go out to have a nice Italian meal I often look over the pizza section all together and sprint to the pasta. Since I could not focus (by the way I was half way into my second drink at this point) I decided to keep it simple. Pizza and mixed greens it was.

I ordered traditional mixed greens dressed by the house. The salad was crisp and the dressing was excellent. I tend to enjoy dressing on the more acidic side and have been know to just eat vinegar on my greens, but this was a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. This meal was off to a great start.

Now for the main event. When I looked down to order I noticed something quite amazing. They offered whole wheat home made dough. You do not see that to often in any pizza or pasta joint. This excites those of us who love to enjoy pizza while avoiding type II diabetes.

When the pizza came out it was topped with the perfect amount of cheese, a bit of sausage and a couple well-placed olives. It not only looked and smelled fantastic, it was a damn good pie. Dare I say best pizza in Carroll Gardens?

The crust had good flavor, the sauce was seasoned well and the cheese was not overpowering or excessive. The three main pizza components where joined together like a three piece Voltron of perfection

Oh, and they took credit cards! I wanted leave, puke in the street and come back for another meal.

Elote (Williamsburg)

Elote. The good, the bad, the tequila.

366 Union Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-599-2655

This is the first of many guest posts here on Best Street Brooklyn. It comes from a person whose opinion is level headed and her literary skills are only exceeded by her wit. Elote is in one of NYC’s hippest hoods, so the bar is set high!

Enjoy…

This predominately Southwestern style restaurant is fast becoming a neighborhood staple thanks to its flavorful creations and outdoor patio. Formally known as Santa Fe, Elote boasts an impressive tequila list (35 + choices) and some of the best muddled margaritas a girl could ask for.

In addition to it’s overstuffed drink menu Elote carries a loaded dinner menu Some local favorites. . .

Sandwich de Barbacoa

Slow roasted pork shoulder pulled and slathered in a sweet-spicy sauce on challah bread, topped with fried onions and sided with slaw and refried beans.

Dia de los Puercos Mole Negro

Plantos Machacados topped with slow cooked pork cubes in peanut, chocolate and chile sauce.

Taco Salad

Lime-marinated, spiced steak served throughout a bowl of greens, corn and tortillas chips. Mixed with a light, slightly sweet creamy dressing.

Although some of these listed are among the fave of the pack, I’d have to say the a la carte chicken or pork soft tacos take the Elote crown. Warm tortilla shells encase some of the most delicious stewed chicken or pork I’ve ever given my tongue the chance to taste. This perfectly tender meat sits on a slather of beans and is topped with lettuce and a drizzle of sour cream.

But with all the raving going on, one would wonder whether Elote has its faults. Don’t worry pessimistic ones, it does. . .

Elote seems to overall lack the spice gene. Yeah the taco salad has a little kick but not enough to require a flushed “ooh that’s spicy” reaction. If I’m eating Mexican or Southwestern cuisines, I want me some spice!

The prices are nothing to brag about either. Although Tecates run a cheap $2, the margaritas will cost you $5 a piece. And if you’re like me with tequila, you’ll always want just one more. As far as dinner, the prices will run an average of $15 a plate. A little expensive for Mexican food and the neighborhood it calls home.

The décor is okay, although with an open kitchen and bar seating it’s hard to be boring. There’s a slew of tables to choice from and the waitstaff is always accommodating, no matter your party size.

One thing I must mention is the outdoor patio. Outdoor patios in NYC are like people with foreign accents. Attractiveness increases ten fold. Nicely flooded with greenery, Elote’s patio holds a sea of wooden picnic tables and a sprinkling of kitschy, plastic two tops.

As I bid adieu, I’ll leave you with these thoughts. At Elote, waitstaff is your friend, the food always smells great and you’ll probably walk out satisfied, if not a little more than tipsy.

By Saint Ramsey Von Spinkle

Café LULUc

214 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 625-3815

Dinner Menu

Breakfast/Brunch

It was a beautiful day and I was in the mood for an outdoor feast. There is nothing better for a hangover than 10 cups of coffee, a gallon of water and a satisfying meal outdoors. Café LULUc looked like a good spot from the sidewalk and I was correct. They have an impressive, large wooden patio with a big old tree poking out of the center.

First, LULUc is cash only. If you do not have a horde of coinage in your pocket move on, its Smith Street, not like you lack choices. Do not get me wrong. They have decent food, but not worth paying an ATM fee to turn around and give the money right back. I am not cheep (always), but paying to get my own money troubles me. The more folks pass up cash only establishments the more pressure we put on business owners to join us in this decade. Oh, did I fail to mention I was being treated? Lets move on to the cuisine.

I ordered a fruit, yogurt and granola plate. The dish I received was full of yogurt topped with granola, perfectly sliced bananas and fresh red strawberries. When I order a dish that has fruit I weigh my opinion heavily on how fresh the fruit is. The fruit was fresh, the granola was crunchy and I enjoyed my brunch.

My friend ordered an omelet with mixed greens and fries. The omelet was a good size and the mixed greens looked fresh and crisp. I tried a couple of his fries and oh were they special! I loved the size, cut and texture. Add some vinegar and ketchup combined with being outdoors and I was teleported to the fair.

To sum it up, average food, amazing fries, good portions and a nice patio. Would I go back? Maybe. But I am sure I will stumble over a fine plastic craving restaurants that will make my mouth water in the realm of mid-priced traditional brunch.

Pita Grill

Pita Grill

329 Smith Street
Brooklyn, 11231
718-875-0500

Menu/Order

Yeah yeah, I know it is a chain and some may take points off just for that. Aside from some evil capitalism there are several things I enjoy about the Pita Grill.

1. They take credit/debit cards so I do not have to search for my bank if I have no cash.

2. They have free delivery.

3. You can order online to avoid word of mouth style misunderstandings when trying to specialize your order.

4. The provide real healthy options!

I had a chicken gyro with fat free yogurt sauce on a whole-wheat pita. For health nuts this is the perfect combo. The wheat pita keeps the meal low on the Glycemic Index, chicken provides lean protein and they have low fat sauce options. Oh yeah, and it tasted good! Who knew with a little ingenuity you can make healthy food taste good…weird.

Those of us who attempt to eat right on occasion really appreciate healthy sauce options. Full fat and sugary dressings and sauces can ruin a healthy meal. I also had the stuffed grape leaves. I thought they were a bit below average and a tad small, but they satisfied my craving.

Trout

Trout
269 Pacific St
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Menu

Who do they think they are? My general sense is that since they have outside dinning and a trendy décor they think they can serve food that tastes like it was all prepared in the microwave.

Looking forward to a refreshing cocktail on this beautiful sunny day I decided to start off with a mojito. According to Bacardi the drink should have consisted of 1.5 oz Rum, 12 fresh spearmint leaves, 1/2 lime, 7 oz club soda and 2 tbsp. simple syrup (or 4 tsp. sugar).

I was served a cup of club soda with some spearmint leaves mixed in. It was not a refreshing take on the mojito.

Lets move on to the cuisine. I had muscles, a salad and watermelon. The best part of the meal was the watermelon, for obvious reasons.

The muscles were overcooked, about ¼ were closed and uneatable. They were swimming in a sauce that resembled seawater with some spinach, onion and boiled waterlogged sausage tossed in. It is hard to fuck up muscles, just steam and serve. Usually anything else is bonus, but they did a fabulous job of wrecking one of my favorite summer snacks.

Some folks may have enjoyed the salad but I found the dressing to be overly sweet. My distaste for the salad may have been purely personal preference. The greens were fresh and crisp and I will leave it at that.

For my first entry I hate that it has to be so harsh, but I felt like I was fooled. Fooled by the shiny outside seating, like a raccoon drooling over tinfoil. The place reeked of laziness in the kitchen and should consider becoming BYOF.

By no means am I a chef or a food critic. The purpose of this forum is to give layfolk like myself one mans point of view and share experiences. I cannot remember a time when I went out to eat and actually felt a bit violated.