TABARE, YOU HAD ME AT "BAGUETTE"

Tabare is the cutest little restaurant modestly hidden on S.1st between Driggs and Roebling. I found it while searching on freewilliamsburg last week but never heard of it otherwise. They don't currently have a liquor liscence so it's "B.Y.O.B" which are my favorite kind of places. I haven't found any others in Williamsburg so that was exciting. While reading about Tabare, I discovered they bring you a baguette with an olive tapenade, which pretty much sold me on this place. I love any restaurant where carbs are provided from the moment you sit down. We also had the mussels appetizer and couldn't even finish them (although I did drink the broth). Basically everything on the menu sounded good to me so being as indecisive as I am, I just picked the first thing on the page which was Uruguayan Shepard's Pie. Greg ordered this amazing sandwich with filet mignon, bacon, mozzerella and a fried egg. For dessert we had dulce de leche cookies and the owner gave us a slice of their flourless chocolate cake. We had an extraordinary meal and the bill was under $50. I will definitely go back. //$$

(221 S 1st St between Driggs Ave & Roebling St Brooklyn, NY 11211 917.862.5014)

PETER'S

Southern, home cooking style restaurant with really great lunch specials. ( 1/2 chicken and 2 sides + salad for $10) I like this place because it's really cheap and one order will go a long way because you'll probably have leftovers.  I've never seen this place too busy so it's a good "go to" restaurant when you just want something filling yet inexpensive, or even if you just want a beer.

Don't eat here if you're on a diet. //$$

(168 Bedford Ave between 7th St & 8th St Brooklyn, NY 11211 718.388.2811)

MY FAVORITE SPOT IN MANHATTAN

I was so focused on Williamsburg restaurants, I nearly forgot to mention my all time favorite restaurant in the city, Freeman's. I realized the one thing all my favorite places have in common is- their capacity to take me out of New York when I walk in the door. I feel removed from the rest of the city and for a moment, I forget where I am.

Freeman's is not somewhere you would notice while walking down the street, as its hidden down Freeman's Alley which branches off Rivington Street in the Lower East Side. Complete with wood paneling and taxidermy decorated walls, you very much feel like you are in a log cabin. There are two bars in separate rooms which are great to sit at while waiting for a table ( they don't take reservations for parties less than 6) or just to try one of their special cocktails which all seem to be made perfectly with lots of care and attention.  I rarely revisit restaurants because I want to try as many different ones as possible, but I have been here three times; once with a girlfriend just for a drink, I took my Dad here when he came to visit and I went here for an anniversary dinner as well. //$$$

To all 3 of you who read this- If you want to go here sometime, call me.


(End of Freeman Alley New York, NY 10002 212.420.0012)

A TASTE OF BARCELONA (IN WILLIAMSBURG)....MERCAT NEGRE

Mercat Negre is a beautiful gem of a restaurant complete with dark wood floors, very high ceilings and white brick walls. Anyone who reads this should go here. We went for an early dinner the other night and I can't wait to go back. I will definitely go again during the 5-8pm happy hour where I can get a $5 Sangria and a free tapa. We were able to sit in the open-air doorway which was delightful. There weren't that many people there yet (after all it was around 6:30) but the people who were there seemed a little older or on the professional side, as opposed to the twenty something hipster crowd (like myself).

The tapa I chose was the shrimp croquetta which was simply fantastic. In fact, I can't stop thinking about it. I wish I could say I LOVED everything else we ordered but for what it cost, it just seemed ok. I got the pork belly topped with a poached egg, and it was pretty good but the portions are relatively small, so don't plan on totally beasting out here. I think the best bet would be to just order some appetizers, as everything is meant to be shared anyway. This is the perfect place to go for nice drink and tapas. I heard that there will soon be a roof deck open during the spring so I can't wait to check that out. Also, the staff was very nice and attentive and we didn't feel like we were being rushed at all. I felt very relaxed here and I really can't wait to go back (and get that shrimp croquetta). //$$$

(65 Grand Street Between Wythe & Kent Ave Brooklyn, NY 11211 347.223.4599)

GIRL'S DINNER @ ZENKICHI

I found Zenkichi on Yelp, but never knew anyone who had actually been there. I must have walked by this place a hundred times, but never noticed it despite the wood paneled corner it inhabits on N.6th and Wythe in Williamsburg. When you walk in, you immediately forget you're in Williamsburg. Upon walking upstairs you're taken through a labyrinth of private booths separated by Japanese screens. Each seating area is very private which is perfect for a small group or a couple. I read one review where a guy said the booths weren't "private enough", but I feel if they were any more private, you would have your own studio apartment. Also, you can summon the wait staff with a buzzer at your table and that is the only time they come to you.

As far as the interior design goes, this is the coolest restaurant I have been to in NY. It's the perfect place to bring out-of-towners, or spend a special occasion. It feels pretty fancy inside, so it's not ideal for a big rowdy group. I went with 5 other girls, and we did get scolded for being too loud. That was pretty understandable, however.

I'd say Zenkichi was very similar to the restaurants I went to in Japan. So if you want a very authentic Japanese dining experience, definitely go here. The one thing I would say you must try is the pork belly, which is making me hungry just thinking about it..//$$$

*They also have an open air seating area with the same private booths.
(77 North 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 718.388.8985)

EASTER DINNER

For Easter dinner, I made a date with my good friend Torey and decided to go to Five Leaves. The restaurant was established by Heath Ledger but obviously was never brought to fruition until new owners came along. I had been there once before, but just for some tea and wine. Ever since then, I wanted to go back because of how cute the place was. It reminded me of being in Paris. Except that I've never actually been to Paris so I guess it just reminds me of what Parisian restaurants look like in movies. But I imagine the distressed walls and rustic tables somewhat mimic a french cafe. Despite that feeling, you won't find french fare on the menu, but instead American. I've heard that there is usually a really long wait, as it's a small, cozy place with not alot of seating. However, we went pretty early and didn't have to wait at all. (They don't take reservations).

I had a pretty big breakfast and I've been trying to eat healthier so I opted for the salad (which sadly, is something I never do). Unfortunately, I won't be doing that again, at least at Five Leaves. I tried the beet and blood orange salad but was immediately disappointed. The arugula topped with goats milk yogurt tasted bitter, unpleasant and just wrong. Despite the salad failure, the waiter busted out my order of celery root mash and Five Leaves completely redeemed itself. Might I just say, this was the best ordering decision I have made in a long time. I don't know if I'm exaggerating because I loooove mashed potatoes, but this side dish was extraordinary. It will single-handedly reel me back in for a third try.

I'm not giving up on you, Five Leaves, because I still want to go back and try the real food instead of some b.s salad. R.I.P Heath //$$$

(18 Bedford Ave Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY 11222, (646) 510-6467)

SOME OF MY FAVORITES..

As a resident of the East Williamsburg/Bushwick area, I love to discover new places in my part of the borough. One of my favorites (and possibly my favorite place) is El Almacen in Williamsburg. It is the perfect place for a date as it's setting is very romantic but homey as well. I really love the brick walls and the pots and pans used as wall decor. It's pretty much what I would want my own restaurant to look like if I had one. It's Argentinian cuisine which is typically alot of meat, so not there aren't too many vegetarian options . For appetizers we ordered the avocado fries, which are pretty much exactly what you think, but something you don't see on every menu. We split the tacos de carne and the homemade Papardelle for our entrees. I loved the tacos but the pasta dish had coffee braised oxtail (which I realize sounds delicious) however, I wasn't loving it. Overall, the dessert was really the best. I only say this because I probably have the biggest sweet tooth of anyone I know and churros dipped in warm dulce de leche is pretty hard to top in my book. //$$$

(557 Driggs Ave between 6th St & 7th St Brooklyn, NY 11211 718.218.7284)















Another place my boyfriend Greg and I frequent, is Awash in the East Village.  I never thought I liked Ethiopian food, but after going here I don't know how I could have ever believed that. If you're looking for a swanky, hip destination to take someone to, this is not the place. But if you just want really good food and excellent service, definitely try this modest gem.

We always order the lamb platter which comes with your choice of a few veggies all served on a spongy bread plate. You eat everything with your hands (utensils are not provided), and the best part is that when you're done, you get to eat the spongy bread that you're meal was served on. Any restaurant where it's appropriate to eat your plate, is a place I stand behind. //$$

P.S. Don't forget to order the honey wine!

(338 East 6th Street NY, NY 10003 212.982.9589)

For my birthday last year, Greg took me to Alta in the village. This is one of the places that I recommend most often. For me, the atmosphere or decor of a restaurant is almost equally as important as the food. Alta is superior in both.  It was romantic but would also be a great place to go with a group as its pretty spacious. Because of the size of the plates, you have to order a few which can get a little pricey- especially if you order drinks, so that makes this the perfect place for a special occasion, or if you just feel like splurging.

The menu itself is ridiculous. It's composed of small plates, which we shared about 5 of. Being as indecisive as I am (especially when it comes to ordering food), it took me forever to decide because there are about 50 tapas to choose from.  I really think it would be hard to make a bad choice here. And if you're really indecisive, or just have an extremely large party, you can order the entire menu for a grand total of $420. Actually if you think about it, that's pretty reasonable if you have a party of 10 or more.  I hope to be able to do that one day. // $$$

(64 West 10th St. NY, NY 10011 212.505.7777)