Not Fancy, but Good

Buckley’s Tavern
2926 Avenue S
Brooklyn, NY 11228
718 998 4222

Not Fancy, but Good

Buckley’s Tavern has grown up what started as a local bar with food is now a real restaurant and catering hall. Unlike some expansions Buckley’s has had the sense not to change what made them special. Their menu is limited with daily specials, but what they do they do well. There is a large local crowd and the waitress’s know most by name and are often invited to sit at the table to gossip.

You can start off with Onion or Lentil Soup and an individually baked loaf of hot bread shows up. The meats are simple but always done perfectly and the Chicken Parmigana makes you wonder if Buckley’s is not really and Italian name in disguise. The portions are gigantic, doggy bags are the rule.

Dinner for two is about fifty dollars without drinks

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Bice, a chain restaurant, like you have never seen

Bice Ristorante
4 East 54 Streets
New York, NY

212 688 1999

Bice New York, is part of a chain of restaurants, but this is not your fathers McDonald’s

There are several Bice restaurants around the world we were at the Manhattan branch. The first thing you notice that the décor is lively but dignified, in some ways similar to Kellari. The next thing to notice is that even though this is not an inexpensive restaurant (dinner can easily be $ 100/person) there are children at the table, albeit well dressed and at there best behavior. Indeed three generational tables are not uncommon.

The most important thing about any restaurant is the food and Bice truly shines.
A classic beet and spinach salad is upgraded by using goat cheese rather than the traditional blue cheese, add slivered baby white and green beans and you know you are at someplace special.

Lobster bisque separates the cooks from the chefs. Most cooks add corn starch to try to thicken the broth the result is usually clumpy or cloying. If you try to reheat the bisque the cream will scald and the bisque will often smell and taste burnt. Bice’s bisque was hot, tangy with tomato, but smooth with cream. The Lobster medallions on top were proof of the bisque pedigree.

There are many good dishes at Bice try the Veal Scaloppini. Normally this is made with lemon slices or juice and the result is a sour taste. But at Bice preserved lemon is used gone is the sour taste replaced by a wonderful lemon bouquet and taste.

For more see www.ditmasestates.com

Bice, far from the usual chain restaurant

Bice Ristorante
4 East 54 Streets
New York, NY

212 688 1999

Bice New York, is part of a chain of restaurants, but this is not your fathers McDonald’s

There are several Bice restaurants around the world we were at the Manhattan branch. The first thing you notice that the décor is lively but dignified, in some ways similar to Kellari. The next thing to notice is that even though this is not an inexpensive restaurant (dinner can easily be $ 100/person) there are children at the table, albeit well dressed and at there best behavior. Indeed three generational tables are not uncommon.

The most important thing about any restaurant is the food and Bice truly shines.
A classic beet and spinach salad is upgraded by using goat cheese rather than the traditional blue cheese, add slivered baby white and green beans and you know you are at someplace special.

Lobster bisque separates the cooks from the chefs. Most cooks add corn starch to try to thicken the broth the result is usually clumpy or cloying. If you try to reheat the bisque the cream will scald and the bisque will often smell and taste burnt. Bice’s bisque was hot, tangy with tomato, but smooth with cream. The Lobster medallions on top were proof of the bisque pedigree.

There are many good dishes at Bice try the Veal Scaloppini. Normally this is made with lemon slices or juice and the result is a sour taste. But at Bice preserved lemon is used gone is the sour taste replaced by a wonderful lemon bouquet and taste.

For more see www.ditmasestates.com

Would you like an Aria with that?

Tomasso Restaurant

1464 86th St. (cor. Bay 8th St. )Brooklyn, NY 11228
ph# 718-236-9883

Deep in the heart of Italian Brooklyn is Tomasso’s restaurant. The food is real Italian, not like the fake Australian Outback steak house across the street. The lasagna had sausage, pork, beef. This is the way it’s made in homes in Italy. Olive oil and basil is on the table to have with your crusty ethnic breads and the wine list is perhaps the best in Brooklyn. Special attention is paid to large groups. The prices go down with entrees in the 20’s, as easily as a good Priorat(ferrer/bobet)05.

Most amazing is the wonderful singing voice of Tom Tomasso himself. He led us in a chorus of God Bless America that would make Kate Smith proud. On weekends he often performs with his staff.

For real Italian food and a really good aria I recommend Tomasso’s

for more see www.ditmasestates.com

Don't count the calories, or chloresterol--Just enjoy

Delmonico's56 Beaver StreetNew York, NY
212 509 1144

Don’t count the calories or the chloresterol. just enjoy

I have eaten in some of the best steak houses here and abroad, while Florentine beef is
very good, Delmonico’s is still number one.
Yes, historic Delmonico’s, originator o Lobster Newberg, Baked Alaska and Chicken ala Keene (king). The service is still first rate and atmosphere hasn’t changed since 1837. The only curious thing is that the appetizers and desserts are small while the main courses are enormous
We celebrated a birthday there recently and we were not disappointed. The double porterhouse was buttery and even sweet and cooked just right. The serving was so big that we served three instead of two. The sides were very good and both were swimming in heavy cream or butter.
For dessert a chocolate mouse cake sandwiched peanut butter and vanilla ice on the side made me think about spending an extra hour at the gym, but it was worth it

for more see www.ditmasestates.com

Maybe you can taste the atmosphere

Mendy’s Kosher Deli
61 east 34 street
New York, NY

212 576 1010

I haven’t been to Mendy’s on 34 Street in a while. They have redecorated and updated and the results were interesting.

The food is still very good, if anything better. There is now a salad bar and the front counter still makes sandwiches that must be handled with two hands. They still have the best kosher deli especially corned beef in town. It is lean without being dry and crumbly. The only complaint was the kasha knishes had mashed potatoes mixed with the kasha. The potato makes them easier to eat, but dilutes the special gritty taste of the kasha

But something is gone and I can’t quite put my finger on it. If pushed, I would say it’s the heimshe or home style feeling. Gone are the male waiters, who had an opinion on everything. Instead young orthodox women, extremely modestly dressed, covered from ankle to neckline, whom seem to be afraid to talk to you, are the new wait staff. Perhaps, it’s the general trend in orthodox Jewish circles to become stricter and even more observant. This holier than thou attitude has replaced warmth with elitism and narrow mindedness.

I know you can’t eat atmosphere, but a smile does aid the digestion
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Mimi's Hummus is delightful

Mimis Hummus1209 Cortelyou Rd(between Westminster Rd & Argyle Rd)Brooklyn, NY 11218(718) 284-4444

There is somethimg delightful about Mimis Hummus. Although the food is good and there is enough variety among the middle eastern dishes for a vegetarian or a carnivore, There is something intangible, that shines through.
The tangibles ( food) are good and inexpensive with main courses for under $ 15 and lots of salads and sides that can be upgraded to mains. Some of the combination salads are definitely worth tryiog for example I had a salad plate of roasted beets, white beans and hummus, which could have beeen a meal by itself
It could be the intangibles (ambiance, helpful, friendly young ladfies eager to help or the new wave, music background, some of it original works), but there still something more
In retrospect it was the combination of the food, ambiance and service --- that delightful balance and good karma, It rare when it come together, but when it does it can make your whole evening.
Try Mimi’s and see if you can feel the specialness of the place
for more see www.ditmasestates.com