240082 Fri Apr 25 12:41:53 -0700 2003 66 19 Outer Boroughs 0 1273436 post your park slope top ten lists here! i haven't put mine together yet, but right now yamato would be at the top. i'm curious what others think! Fri Apr 25 12:41:53 -0700 2003 0 Sondra 1 1273437 Al Di La Los Pollitos Cafe Mexicano Cocotte Gingko Leaf Geido Long Tan Beso Blue Ribbon Sushi Brawta 7th Ave. (I also like Vegetarian Paradise and Jack's on 5th.) Fri Apr 25 13:18:30 -0700 2003 1273436 0 Kerry 2 1273441 Bonnies Bistro St. Marks Convivium Los Pollitos Cocotte Sugarcane Rosewater Geido Fri Apr 25 14:54:27 -0700 2003 1273437 0 josh L 3 1273443 I second Bistro St. Marks! whoops, forgot Fri Apr 25 15:38:13 -0700 2003 1273441 0 Kerry 3 1273459 I'm TOTALLY mystified that no one's offered up 1. INDIA HOUSE 2. DONUTS (7TH AVE. & 8TH ST.) 3. KATINA'S 4. PURITY 5. CORNBREAD CAFE 6. ALEGRE 7. LEMONGRASS GRILL 8. HUNAN (ANYTHING) 9. UNCLE MO'S 10. SNOOKY'S Hmmmm. Fri Apr 25 19:27:16 -0700 2003 1273441 0 Mike R. 4 1273462 I've actually not had good experiences at some of those places :-( I actually wonder how the Park Slope India House makes a living because it's almost always empty. I love a good diner, but I don't think Purity, Donuts or Katina's are terrific. Where is Alegre's? Fri Apr 25 20:08:51 -0700 2003 1273459 0 Kerry 5 1273482 Oh, Kerry...are you ever the believer...:-))))) Anyway, "Alegre" is across 1st Street from Connecticut Muffin on 7th Avenue...It's Mex-Tex...On the diagonal from Yamato...on top of the other sushi place. Sat Apr 26 13:25:58 -0700 2003 1273462 0 Mike R. 6 1273487 In another words, "Alegre" is really "Triste"! Sat Apr 26 16:08:28 -0700 2003 1273482 0 Kerry 7 1273500 OOPSY..."RANCHO ALEGRE" is on Garfield & 7th...(above the FUJI SAN) Sun Apr 27 09:57:39 -0700 2003 1273487 0 Mike R. 8 1273501 Rancho Alegre is usually packed! It's funny, most of the places you mentioned are always packed (except India House, which has to be a front for some kind of illegal import-export business). So, while I may have had nauseating experiences at many of those restaurants, other people obviously disagree with my opinion. Unforunately, I would add Mr. Won Ton and Amin to your list. Sun Apr 27 10:11:45 -0700 2003 1273500 0 Kerry 4 1273463 Baffling, indeed! Fri Apr 25 20:17:17 -0700 2003 1273459 0 brooklynmonkey 4 1273476 Yeah, and what about Bibi's? Sat Apr 26 11:25:27 -0700 2003 1273459 0 Peter Cuce 5 1273481 BiBi's?...do they have a long-term lease? I've only peeked inside the window a day before their "Grand Opening." Sat Apr 26 13:17:35 -0700 2003 1273476 0 Mike R. 4 1273490 Most of the so-called food at Donuts may be the epitome of greasy spoonism, but when the glazed donuts and bowties are fresh out of the oven, they're better than Krispy Kremes and about half the price. Sat Apr 26 17:54:45 -0700 2003 1273459 0 Pulpio 4 3405080 Gee, Mike - do I detect just a soupcon of the facetious? ;) Sat Feb 16 17:35:25 -0800 2008 1273459 161804 chowhundius 1 1273440 In no particular order (impossible for me to order them, they're such different species) -Bistro St. Mark's -al di la -Geido -Annabel's (or is it called Christie's?)--the little patty shop at the corner of Sterling and Flatbush. -Long Tan -Tom's Diner (not really Park Slope, I guess, but technically neither is Geido) -Mexican Sandwich Co. (went for the first time last weekend--WOW) -Beso for brunch -12th Street Bar and Grill -Cousin John's (the chocolate ganache cake is outstanding) Haven't yet tried Cocotte or Blue Ribbon Sushi. As for Yamato...eh. Some of the rolls are delicious, but after being underwhelmed by Osaka (its sister establishment in Cobble Hill) I question the quality of the fish at Yamato. Fri Apr 25 14:39:28 -0700 2003 1273436 0 brooklynmonkey 2 1273444 I too was underwhelmed by Osaka. As a general rule (don't quote me), I think sushi restaurants owned by homesick Japanese tend to be the best (Osaka and Yamato aren't Japanese-owned). Fri Apr 25 15:48:24 -0700 2003 1273440 0 Kerry 3 1273446 That's been my thinking, too... Fri Apr 25 15:53:43 -0700 2003 1273444 0 brooklynmonkey 4 1273534 Frankly, the only time I ate there I found Yamato to be pretty disgusting, partiicularly the sushi. The one thing it seems that non-Japanese sushi places never get right, and the one thing that is THE tip-off of a non-Japanese sushi place, is the sushi rice. The rice-to-vinegar ratio is usually way off (most often on the vinegar-short side), the rice has been mixed improperly and has little "shine", and cheaper non-Japanese vinegars are often used which can give the wrong flavor. I found all of these to be the case at Yamato. Mon Apr 28 15:13:01 -0700 2003 1273446 0 Detroit Al 3 1273480 i stopped going to osaka after the tuna sushi that had grizzle in it took 10 min. to chew. Sat Apr 26 12:11:21 -0700 2003 1273444 0 bean 1 1273442 al di la Bistro St. Marks 12th St. Bar and Grill Beso (brunch only) Bonnies Yamato Chip Shop Mexican Sandwhich Co. Cocotte Press 195 Fri Apr 25 15:09:52 -0700 2003 1273436 0 Hippo 1 1273450 al di la bonnie's los politos (but only for the chicken) cocotte the minnow press 195 Tom's Diner Olive Vine Christie's (the Jamaican patty place on Flatbush) --and for a really quick bite and good turkey burger -- Grand Canyon. Fri Apr 25 16:26:35 -0700 2003 1273436 0 sloper 1 1273451 after the top 3, order of preference gets a little fuzzy..... al di la bonnie's rosewater chipshop mexican sandwich co convivium osteria inaka nana press 195 los pollitos Fri Apr 25 16:32:35 -0700 2003 1273436 0 slopey mcslope 1 1273453 No order, but only 5: Layla Taqueria DF Chip Shop Blue Ribbon Long Tan I miss Monika's the old Polish place on 5th near 18th... Fri Apr 25 17:15:28 -0700 2003 1273436 0 sarahoc 2 1273514 Amazingly, the only one (so far) to mention Blue Ribbon as one of the top 10 restaurants in Park Slope. I politely question many of these folks who think Beso is a better restaurant than Blue Ribbon... Mon Apr 28 08:45:51 -0700 2003 1273453 0 bob 1 1273461 Radio C-H-O-W "Top Ten Survey" sez: 1. al-di-la 2. Bonnie's Grill 3. Minnow 4. Convivium Osteria 5. CocoRoco (to go!) 6. ChipShop/CurryShop 7. RoseWater 8. Yamato 9. Cocotte 10. Rice Thai .and there's still a lotta doin' to do! Fri Apr 25 19:39:46 -0700 2003 1273436 0 Mike R. 1 1273488 to many of those already mentioned, i would add second helpings for their quick and yummy organic wraps and soups. (though the setting leaves much to be desired...) Sat Apr 26 16:55:35 -0700 2003 1273436 0 Sondra 1 1273509 Geido Bonnie's Bistro St. Marks Christie's Convivium al di la Chip Shop We could only come up with 7. Sun Apr 27 19:18:44 -0700 2003 1273436 0 laura s. 1 1273528 Do you know if any of these places have websites? We're planning to be in the Park Slope vicinity on Mother's Day and wanted to take Mother out for some good chow. Coming from NJ. Mon Apr 28 13:11:13 -0700 2003 1273436 0 Murghi 1 1273530 In no partic. order Rosewater Convivium Bistro St.Marks Nana Ginko Leaf Mexican Sandwich Co Los Pollitos Olive Vine (Pita and Spinach pies) Long Tan Blue Ribbon Sushi Mon Apr 28 14:08:46 -0700 2003 1273436 0 eve 1 1273825 - Rose Water - Magnolia - Bistro' St marks - Blue Ribbon Sushi - Convivium - Al di la' - Porta Toscana - Yamato - Layla - Nana Sat May 03 01:48:05 -0700 2003 1273436 0 Moni 1 1273848 Does Carroll Gardens count? I just found my NEW favorite place on Smith Street- CASERTA VECCHIA. Sun May 04 01:49:45 -0700 2003 1273436 0 Carla 1 3363922 Some of these lists are outdated, my top 10 list of the slope and prospect heights (no specific order) - Applewood - Al Di La - Blue Ribbon - Geido - Song - Convivium Osteria - Beast - Little Miss Muffin - the beef/chicken patties are amazing - Long Tan - Rose Water Mon Feb 04 11:39:28 -0800 2008 1273436 103178 ginsbera 2 3369354 I'm glad since the list seems to be expanding to see Beast on here, i love that place! Sadly, i'm won't return to Applewood after an extraordinarily upsetting interaction with the host that a friend and I had last spring when we tried to go to brunch there. One of the owners responded appropriately to a letter I wrote, but it just wasn't enough to shake the utter humiliation that we experienced. Convivium Osteria = delish! Song I love, and the food is so good, consistently, but it's so loud in there (is it me?) that i usually wait to eat there in the summer when the back patio is open. I've never been to Al Di La and many many people have it on their list - I'm now extremely curious... Wed Feb 06 05:28:36 -0800 2008 3363922 81157 budsmom 1 3363993 I'm surprised noone has mentioned Taro or Tempo yet. Anyways here are mine in somewhat rough order. Taro Tempo Al di la Tempo Presto Bar Totto La Taqueria Bonnies Hunan Delight Long Tan Mon Feb 04 11:57:56 -0800 2008 1273436 12047 millerd 2 3366960 i left off tempo, my mistake. but tempo presto is closed. I thought bar totto was good, as was taquqeia, but certainly not the best of that kind of food in the area (elevated bar/bistro food and mexican) Tue Feb 05 10:20:41 -0800 2008 3363993 103178 ginsbera 3 3367434 Tempo Presto on 7th closed, but the one on 5th is still open. Bar Totto and Taqueria are more basic kind of places. But I like them for what they are; very good everyday neighborhood places, and very good values. I wouldn't want to compare them directly to Tempo or Al Di La. I included them in my top 10 based on the type of restaurant they aspire to be and the need they fill. But I can understand why other people would think of their top 10 differently. Tue Feb 05 12:13:20 -0800 2008 3366960 12047 millerd 4 3367698 have you tried burrito bar, los pollitos, or maria's mexican bistro? Just looking for your opinion of those mexican restaurants in comparison to Taqueria. Personally, I like take out/counter side of Taqueria better than the sit down side. Tue Feb 05 13:29:52 -0800 2008 3367434 103178 ginsbera 5 3369549 I tried Burrito Bar once and thought it was awful. I've tried Los Pollitos and liked it, I would nearly include it on my list. I haven't tried Maria's but have been curious. I usually get take out at Taqueria, but on a couple of times that I've been to the sit down side I've had specials that have been very good that were not available at the counter. Santa Fe isn't too bad either, though a bit generic. I was disappointed in Chile's and Chocolate. Wed Feb 06 06:58:19 -0800 2008 3367698 12047 millerd 6 3369712 Really? That's surprising. I find Burrito Bar, while tacky, actually pretty good. The food is very fresh and the pricing is very low. I had a terrible meal at Sante Fe, it's barely a mexican restaurant in my opinion. I did a Cinco De Mayo restaurant crawl last year, tried Los Pollitos, Maria's Mexican Bistro, Mezcal's and La Taqueria. I thought Los Pollitos (though more expensive) was the best of the bunch, but Maria's had some mighty strong margarita's. Wed Feb 06 07:46:53 -0800 2008 3369549 103178 ginsbera 6 3378092 Santa Fe's the only place I ever had a burrito made with frozen corn and peas. Fri Feb 08 12:48:42 -0800 2008 3369549 10340 Peter Cuce 1 3364141 Al di la Taro Blue Ribbon Stone Park Cafe Palo Santo Franny's (if that counts) ... Unexceptional but somehow functionally good— Anthony's Sheep Station Cocotte Bonnie's Song (rather bad actually but so cheap !) Have not been to: Sugarcane, Rosewater Dislike: Convivium, Tempo, Chip Shop, Pollitos, Beso, etc. Mon Feb 04 12:34:05 -0800 2008 1273436 19304 zbs 2 3364451 Beso's been gone for quite a while. I like Convivium a lot. Can't imagine lumping it in with Pollitos! Mon Feb 04 13:53:04 -0800 2008 3364141 10340 Peter Cuce 3 3402039 Yes the only similarity is that I do not enjoy eating at either place. Also, I would add Fish Camp to the first group. Fri Feb 15 14:05:36 -0800 2008 3364451 19304 zbs 2 3366969 i was dissappointed in Anthony's. I got take out and then ate there and both times the crust was soggy. Taste was good, but Amorina on Vanderbilt has much better pizza. Franny's as well. Tue Feb 05 10:21:39 -0800 2008 3364141 103178 ginsbera 3 3378223 I've walked by Amorina quite a few times recently and I've never seen it open. I believe it has closed. Fri Feb 08 13:14:29 -0800 2008 3366969 56187 offtheeatenpath 4 3405231 I dont believe so. Sat Feb 16 18:37:57 -0800 2008 3378223 11130 jen kalb 1 3368041 Beautiful dinners: Al di la Convivium osteria Burgers: Sidecar Bonnie's (but haven't been in a while) Pizza/Casual Italian: Anthony's Pizza Delivery: Pino's Thai: Watana siam Chinese: Hunan Delight Chan Yang Garden Japanese Sushi/Sashimi: Taro Japanese Rolls: Geido Yamato Oshima Heros: Russo's CitySub French Toast: Cocotte Tue Feb 05 15:04:19 -0800 2008 1273436 14665 prcentauri 2 3372316 prcentauri, I love how you split out nigiri from rolls... It is a necessary distinction in the case of Taro vs Yamato. I am surprised that people find Yamato to be of questionable quality. I too am somewhat unimpressed with Osaka and have not been in a few years, and I know that they also own Yamato, but I've always found it to be much better than Osaka. I actually get the bluefin toro and kampachi from there and always find it really good. I do go there primarily for the rolls, but the sushi is not "bad" by any means. Sakura Cafe on 5th avenue is also good. Also, Watana Siam is fantastic! Rice Thai Kitchen has gone a bit downhill and Watana Siam is a breath of fresh air. The chef's special shrimp in spiced coconut milk in a carved out pineapple is wonderful. Wed Feb 06 20:28:23 -0800 2008 3368041 56230 hamstrman 1 3368401 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/240082# Reply I like Tutta Pasta which is mediocre Italian cuisine.. I know of a Brawta on Atlantic Ave. Did they open up a sister eatery in the slope? Tue Feb 05 16:52:46 -0800 2008 1273436 163544 slimgoody 2 3371300 The Brawta Outpost in the South Slope closed down about a year ago, maybe a little longer. It's now Thai I think. (Just what we need around here, huh?) Wed Feb 06 14:15:20 -0800 2008 3368401 63035 HankyT 3 3374002 1. Tempo 2. Al di la 3. Convivium 4. Blue Ribbon 5. Palo Santo 6. Applewood 7. Little D 8. Rose Water (only been for brunch but thought it was great) 9. Anthony's 10. 12th Street Bar and Grill I note that 1-5 are much preferred to 6-10. Also, The Montauk Club has a new chef/food manager and the food is great, as is the wine list. It would make my top 10 now. You have to be a member but it isn't one of those stuffy places with onerous membership requirements. The menu changes several times a week. I think Tempo is incredibly underrated and I'm not sure why. I've had some outstanding meals there and I have never been disappointed. Al di La would be my #1 except that they barely seem to change their menu, regardless of what is in season or what the weather is. Also, I think it's a bit strange to have two filled pastas that have the same sauce (sage and brown butter). Those are just pet peeves but enough to push it down on my list. Thu Feb 07 11:16:51 -0800 2008 3371300 100874 mmm...food 4 3374436 I really do need to try Tempo. For the price and understood quality it seems like a fantastic deal and experience. I actually thought about it for valentines day, but they pushed the price up to $69 from the normal $25/35 prix fixed menu. I have also been hearing great things about Alchemy on 5th ave. I'd like to add to this post, and maybe begin a new one: Best Bar Food in Park Slope/Prospect Heights area. Any thoughts? I always enjoy Lighthouse Tavrern, Soda and Beast. Thu Feb 07 13:09:44 -0800 2008 3374002 103178 ginsbera 5 3374667 Unfortunately, Alchemy has really gone downhill. There are some posts about it in another thread that you should check out. I agree that Beast is great. The food at Soda is ok but the atmosphere is great. I've never been to Lighthouse Tavern. Thu Feb 07 14:04:46 -0800 2008 3374436 100874 mmm...food 6 3374680 thats too bad about Alchemy, I was looking forward to trying it eventually. Soda has it's moments I agree. I just like the idea of having great music, great microbrews and a big ass burger there. Though everything is heavy on the grease. Lighthouse used to offer a few dominican options, but they recently revised their menu. Upped the prices, but added a lot more options. Typical bar menu just done right. Thu Feb 07 14:08:27 -0800 2008 3374667 103178 ginsbera 6 3378068 I haven't been in a while (went twice soon after they opened), but I'm thinking Sidecar might win for best bar food. Fri Feb 08 12:45:11 -0800 2008 3374667 132036 cmballa 7 3378117 I've always found Sidecar's food a bit overrated (and I really really want to like the place). The menu is far too limited and several of the items are inconsistent. If you are going to have so few items each of them really has to be executed perfectly. Having said that, I don't eat red meat and I hear the burgers are excellent. Also, the drinks are great. Fri Feb 08 12:53:58 -0800 2008 3378068 100874 mmm...food 8 3378254 I never usually care about service, but it really should be said that the owners at Sidecar are the nicest guys around. We went with bottles of liquor while they were still BYOB soon after opening, and spent some good hours with several employees utilizing our booze in various ways; pretty awesome time. Fri Feb 08 13:20:21 -0800 2008 3378117 132036 cmballa 1 3374786 I'm really surprised no one has mentioned Sakura for Japanese. It's a Japanese owner, a master sushi chef, and has got Japanese home cooking as well as sushi. My top ten: al di la sakura Blue Ribbon Sushi Little D Melt Convivium Brooklyn Fish Camp Franny's Tempo Zillis Unfortunately, I think Bonnie's has gone way downhill. The original owner is gone, right? Used to love the wings and mushroom burger, but no more. Thu Feb 07 14:40:24 -0800 2008 1273436 108071 cavafan 2 3378119 I've gradually become quite a fan of Sakura. I haven't had the sushi yet, but they consistently have good grilled fish: saba shio every night and usually an interesting special such as yellowtail. They also have a great seasonal sake right now that's hard to find in the US. Here's a terrible picture of the bottle that I took with my phone: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/2208052249_527f07f8a0_o.jpg Fri Feb 08 12:54:02 -0800 2008 3374786 10340 Peter Cuce 3 3378367 al di la applewood stone park palo santo blue ribbon 12th street bar and grill little D anthony's Fish Camp Flatbush Farm (i guess that might be right outside the PS boundary, but close enough) Melt I would say Franny's, but across flatbush i cannot consider it PS. The Farm makes it because it sits right on the other side..closer to PS. Fri Feb 08 13:45:12 -0800 2008 3378119 107339 cdog 4 3386393 I am so happy to see that Brooklyn Burger Bar has not appeared once. Mon Feb 11 12:32:18 -0800 2008 3378367 88006 McJ 1 3405118 There's a new-ish sushi place on 5th next to Perch that I like. Also, had really nice tacos tonight at the taco joint on 5th and 12th. Al di La is terrific, of course. Glad someone mentioned Beast. I particularly love their brunch. Some of the best scrambled eggs I've ever had, and the poached eggs w/ chorizo hash is awesome. Also very fond of the Total Wine Bar. Too bad the Slope lacks: 1) Anything Central or Eastern European, 2) top-tier Italian, 3) Scandinavian. Sat Feb 16 17:48:03 -0800 2008 1273436 161804 chowhundius 2 3406666 For Polish/Czech/Slovak food, you can try Milan's, which is some blocks south of the nebulous border. http://www.sunset-park.com/mall/MILAN/index.html Sun Feb 17 11:31:06 -0800 2008 3405118 87656 fat_hot 3 3417741 Good tip re Milan's - thx. Wed Feb 20 12:40:01 -0800 2008 3406666 161804 chowhundius 2 3410694 You say there is no top-tier Italian in the slope, but you state Al Di La "is terrific". As far as a diverse blend of top tier Italian places, OK, we may not have that many. Cafe Steinhof is not a bad option for some Austrian food. And Scandinavian, well you only have Aquavit in NYC, so thats a tough one to ask for. Mon Feb 18 16:47:03 -0800 2008 3405118 103178 ginsbera 3 3414846 I'm surprised no one has mentioned Moim, a really good new Korean place on Garfield and 7th. It's a little crowded after the hype in the Times, but worth a wait. Had some tasty dumplings and wonderful pork ribs there recently. Among the French bistros I like Moutarde on 5th ave, great brunch. My top ten would still be pretty consistent with other posts here: 1. Blue Ribbon 2. Al di La 3. Franny's 4. Applewood 5. Brooklyn Fish camp 6. Palo Santo 7. Taro 8. Convivium 9. Moim 10. Geido 11. Two boots, gotta get an honorable mention Tue Feb 19 17:21:38 -0800 2008 3410694 167480 whoismikejones