405803 Mon May 28 09:16:12 -0700 2007 12 19 Outer Boroughs 0 2607712 Every time some body moves out to Williamsburg they try to lure you out and convince you of the great cultural episodes you are missing by staying in the drab isle of Manhattan and not venturing out to Brooklyn. I decided to Williamsburg the benefit of the doubt anyway and made the trip to go to a new Italian place that I heard about. It seems as though I stand corrected and dumbfounded because Baci and Abbraci (Italian for hugs and kisses) is a true gem. I had a trout special there that knocked me off my feet. They had a sort of mascarpone and parmigiano paste that was served as an appetizer which, not even in Italy had I tasted. The desert was really what was the best of all. It was a layers of fillo dough filled with some sort of cream that was out of this world. I am seriously considering giving Williamsburg more benefit and less doubt Anybody else have some more Billy Burg surprises I should try? Mon May 28 09:16:12 -0700 2007 101582 corvin 1 2609439 I find the ambiance, service & trout (sans blackening) at The Lodge (Grand Street @ Havemeyer) compelling. Wburg is chock full of surprises and well worth the effort to get there. Tue May 29 03:06:38 -0700 2007 2607712 101765 fauxpress 1 2609574 I have been hyping this place since it opened. Simply the best true to form Italian I have had anywhere in the city. Clean, simple flavors prevail. And who knew you could get friendly service in the 'burg??? Service is on point. Tue May 29 06:04:32 -0700 2007 2607712 11149 noodles 2 2609920 I'm no W'burg expert, but we've enjoyed Aurora (Italian), Dumont Burger (awesome burgers, fries, beer, etc.) and Fornino ("haute" pizza, wine, salads, antipasti). Aurora would be especially nice at this time of year, to sit in the little courtyard outside. Tue May 29 08:32:36 -0700 2007 2609574 12876 parkslopemama 1 2612133 Dear Corvin, there are a few great restaurants in Willyburg that are not sloppy hipster places. The first is Dressler on Broadway right near the bridge. Great food, the place is as slick as they come. The next is Aurora, terrific Italian food, great ambiance. They have an outdoor area with brick walls and vines growing... they have wine tastings and special culinary evenings. Then there's The Diner on Broadway, it has a ever changing menu and publishes it's own magazine with recipes it uses. The kind of place where they sit and tell you about the 15 specials this night. Right next door is Marlo and Sons. Hands down the BEST chicken liver pate in the city. Pair it with a nice Muskadet, order some of their oysters, and it's an evening. All four of these restaurants are totally date proof, just make sure to come earlier on the weekends, as they get crowded. If you like Baci you'll really love these four. They're better. Tue May 29 20:05:16 -0700 2007 2607712 80274 ccalleo 2 2613250 Thank you so much for your reply its really helpful. I think that this will become my new hangout neighborhood. I am already making a list of places to hit up, possibly a date tonight at dressler (ill post a review if I do) Wed May 30 08:51:09 -0700 2007 2612133 101582 corvin 2 2621428 Since my date cancelled on me two days ago I decided not to go to dressler but went instead to marlow and sons with my ex roommate who really loved it. It seems as though I have made another Williamsburg devotee as he comes from the UWS as well. As a matter of fact I might take a date here some time any way, it’s a really cool place. They had such great selections oysters, cheeses and wines and it was great to feel like you don’t have to be a suit wearing, white collar, pencil pusher to go there. I also really liked the atmosphere. I would have to say that the mussels (really well prepared) were the high light, though my friend liked the chicken liver pate. Apropos my date, she would have to not mind oysters and cheese, but a girl who doesn’t like oysters and cheese isn’t the kind of girl I want any way. The more I spend time in Manhattan the more I think that I will soon find my-self looking for a place in Williamsburg. Fri Jun 01 13:25:30 -0700 2007 2612133 101582 corvin 3 2625965 I love that chicken liver pate... Sun Jun 03 15:27:02 -0700 2007 2621428 80274 ccalleo 2 2644935 How can you pair Muscadet with pate??? Yikes. Oysters? Yes. Sat Jun 09 12:13:21 -0700 2007 2612133 11149 noodles 3 2653503 Oh? what would you pair? CC Tue Jun 12 14:12:38 -0700 2007 2644935 80274 ccalleo 4 2655415 With that particular pate? Quintarelli Valpolicella 1998. Or for a more pedestrian option: Domaine la Grand Blanche (Cotes de Provance) 2006. cheers! n. Wed Jun 13 06:32:14 -0700 2007 2653503 11149 noodles 5 2684351 I don't think they had that by the glass... But thank you! Prost! Fri Jun 22 09:20:22 -0700 2007 2655415 80274 ccalleo 1 2711442 We went last weekend to Baci and Abbracci after a failed jaunt to Lucali's (note to 'hounds, they don't open till 6). I had been wary of the place before, not because of the food, but the unbearable noise level with the cement walls and floor. This time we went at 4 in the afternoon, sat on the lovely, mostly empty patio and enjoyed a pizza with mozzarella, pancetta and carmelized onions and a side of sauteed broccoli rabe. Both dishes were absolutely delightful and reminded me that I should return; on off hours though to enjoy the food with a bit less noise. Delicious! Sun Jul 01 15:13:12 -0700 2007 2607712 21555 chompchomp