TOP 5 RESTAURANTS WITHIN TEN BLOCKS

[eateryrow]

Since I write a restaurant blog, I thought it might be a good idea to skip the Zagat numbers and Yelp, et al. stars and just ask: What are the top five restaurants in your neighborhood within ten average walking blocks from your front door? If you cab it, it's too far.

[Claire]

In Windsor Terrace: Rhythm & Booze for burgers; Hot Diggity Dog for hotdogs; Crossroads Cafe for coffee, soup and sandwiches; Windsor Cafe for a decent dinner breakfast; and once in a while, Elora's for Spanish takeout. Haven't been to Enzo's, the new brick oven pizza place yet. The neighborhood is fairly limited food wise.

[culprit]

YIKES! Fairly limited is right--I wouldn't eat in any of those places except Elora's. Elora's has great Cuban/Puerto Rican/Spanish food, best roast pork in town. Enzo's brick oven pizza was decent, crust could've been crunchier. Dub Pies is good at what they do.

But hey, if you eat hot dogs and other foodlike substances, I guess you'll eat anywhere.

[MRich]

Rhythm & Booze has very good burgers. Terrace Bagels is also very good.

[cixous]

I agree, Rhythm & Booze has amazing burgers.

[Claire]

Spare me the "foodlike substances." A great hot dog is a delicacy, and while Hot Diggity Dog's franks are no Nathan's, they're pretty good. I think Dub Pies are awful.

[tempehtempeh]

Loss of Lonelyville from the WT is huge - not that the coffee was great but it served a purpose (and was much better than Crossroads IMO). And does anyone think that any of the Indian/Thai/Japanese joints in the hood are worth the walk? (Any love for Sushi Yu from anyone other than me and my bf?) Also, Lia's Soups (the once and future Lia's Ices) - anyone tried the soup?

[Claire]

The coffee at Lonelyville was good, better than Crossroads, I agree, but the food was awful and one of the owners never stopped talking. I don't think any of the Thai/Indian/Japanese places are worth the walk. I've been to Sushi Yu and it's okay, not great. I tried Lia's Soups a few weeks ago. The black been soup was terrific--that place is worth the walk.

[lizisinflatbush]

So, I moved to Windsor Terrace recently. I really, really like the burgers at Rhythm and Booze. I also dig the pizza at Bene on PPSW. The vodka slice, while nothing to write home about, is super tasty. And have you been to the burrito place on PPW? It's pretty fine, too. The neighborhood's not going to win any food awards (for Pete's sake: I take the subway to Trader Joe's for groceries!), but there are a few good finds.

-----
Rhythm and Booze
1674 10th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Bene Pizzeria
157 Prospect Park SW, Brooklyn, NY 11218

[Claire]

Hi neighbor. Rhythm & Booze makes a great burger. Bene is okay to eat in; their delivery pies are always awful, I don't why that is. There's a new place on PPW called Le P'tit Paris Bistro that I've heard great things about; I like the little pies at Enzo's; and I love the dogs at Hot Diggity Dog. So food wise, things are looking up in our little hood.

[MRich]

Hi neighbor.

I also like R&B's burgers. You can't mean burritos at Clements. You must mean Elora's?

7th ave has some good stuff too, some of which is worth the walk.

[Claire]

I agree, Clement's isn't worth the trouble. I forgot to mention Fez Cafe. I like the food and in the summer sitting the garden is lovely.

[yt28]

I'm in Jackson Heights: Sripaphai; Unidentified Flying Chicken (UFC); Zabb Queens; Arunee Thai; urm...any of the Indian/Bangladeshi restaurants around 74th St - I can't choose one!

[doona]

In Astoria Queens:

Trattoria L'Incontro - Italian
Watawa - Sushi
Taverna Kyklodes - Greek
Cavo (scene) - Green/Fusion
Momento (with new owner) - Italian

[Claire]

I'm jealous.

[KiwiGirl625]

In Forest Hills: Nick's Pizza, Sushi Yasu, Munch Cafe, Corfu. I know it's supposed to be five places, but the other eateries around me aren't very "top" list worthy.

[eateryrow]

No Q? We're in disagreement there.

[pellegrino31]

I'm in FH too and can't come up with a top 5 within walking distance. I'm with you KiwiGirl on Nick's and Sushi Yasu, and the only one I'd add is 5 Burro. I can only mention 3. I wish I could add Danny Brown's but that is too far away. That is the best restaurant in FH.

Hmm, Munch Cafe and Corfu? I've been to both and wasn't all that impressed.

[KiwiGirl625]

I admit that Munch and Corfu aren't that stellar, but I'd consider them "top" compared to the other offerings in the neighborhood. Munch's veggie wraps are great for a small, healthy lunch, and Corfu's gyros hit the spot when when I don't want to be as healthy and am craving greasy junk food.

I ordered take-out from Q once and was not pleased. My walnut and goat cheese salad was literally swimming in dressing, and the noodle dish I got was nothing special. Is it a different experience if I eat at the restaurant?

[eateryrow]

Yeah, I really think eating there makes all the difference. I ordered once from Q too and was unimpressed. Although I think that my problem was the amount of time it took TakeoutConnection to get to me so it was not as hot as it should have been.

[me1234]

No Dirty Pierre's by the lirr. The burgers are great there.

[bchygirl9]

absolutely! although I think we need to extend to Metro so we can include Danny Browns..........

[JFores]

Cab? What's a cab? I've never been in a cab in my life and I lived in Brookly until I moved to London at 18...

Well, within 10 blocks is very harsh given that I'm/I was in Dyker Bensonhurst so... Howabout within walking distance? My walking distance would be 1. Di Fara Pizzeria (20-30 min walk) 2. John's Deli (20 min) 3. L&B Pizza (20) 4. Gino's Foccacceria (super close) 5. Meze (very good Greek and I'd put it higher if I wasn't too lazy to change my first 4) 6. Aunt Butchie's (very very close) 7. Pizza at the bakery next door to my house (74th and 13th Av) 8. -Insert Italian on Avenue U here-

Oh, it's top 5! Woops.

[eateryrow]

a 30 minute hike's quite a trek for pizza.

And beaten down, dented town cars count as cabs. :)

[JFores]

Not when it's Di Fara. I used to do that walk once or twice a week.

[ToastMaster]

You, obviously, haven't been to DiFara's.

[NAtiveNewYorker]

John's Deli on Stillwell? Or John's Deli on 5th Avenue?

[JFores]

Stillwell

[NAtiveNewYorker]

Any standouts on Avenue U?

[JFores]

Meant to say X. My mistake and yes, a few.

[NAtiveNewYorker]

I know of Anthony's. Any others?

[EricMM]

I live in Rego Park, right near the Forest Hills border. Top 5 within a 10 minutes walk ....London Lennie's, PJ's Steakhouse, Woodhaven House...hmmmm I'll include the Shalimar Diner and Cheburechnaya (my boys love it, I'm not so hot on it...).

[eateryrow]

I've already reviewed london lennies. They were good. I have PJs and Woodhaven House on my list. PJ's ain't cheap though.

[Rainbowthespian]

ohhh aunt butchies, swoon

[David B]

I'm in the heart of Carroll Gardens so within 10 blocks are:

Lucali's
The Grocery
Chestnut
Frankie's 457
Crave
Ferdinando's Focacceria
Savoia

The 10 block rule just barely knocks out a few of my other favs which are certainly walkable (I had to cheat with mapquest to confirm).

[eateryrow]

Frankie's is very good.

[matttroke]

I too am in the heart of Carroll Gardens, and would like to add a few:

Fragole
Mazzola (not a restaurant, but oh that lard bread, yum)
Cafe Luluc (just for the pancakes)
Hanco
Bocca Lupo
Chip Shop

[MRich]

Amen to most of those choices, although you need to be in a pretty specific place to be 10 blocks from both Fragole and Chip Shop.

[majorette]

I moved from Carroll Gardens almost 5 years ago and still miss it! My "old school" CG favorites are:

rice balls and Italian sandwiches from Joe's Superette on Smith
panelle special from Vinnie's Pizzeria on Court
fresh mozzerella from Good Food or the Italian specialty store across the street from Vinnie's
soft, chewy almond macaroon cookies from Caputo's Bakery on Court
plain (dry) wings from Hanley's on Court

[Psychobabble]

OK, I'll bite...

North Brooklyn Heights Top Five within "ten blocks" (this includes DUMBO, of course).

River Cafe
Henry's End
Superfine
Petit Marche
Grimaldi's (I'm constrained to say)

Wild card would be Five Front

[Kwonton]

Williamsburg:

Aurora
Dumont
Il Passatore
Bahia
Noodle Studio

[Claire]

You prefer Superfine to Five Front?

[eateryrow]

I've been to Five Front and really liked it. Henry's End I'd like to try.

[Nancy816]

Ok, well I've got South Brooklyn Heights. Fyi doesn't actually include much:
1. Fatoosh Cafe
2. Atlantic Chipshop
3. Cafe on Clinton
4. Tazzo
5. Teresa's

[ToastMaster]

Jack the Horse Tavern! Great "comfort" food and fantastic old school cocktails. Great braised short ribs and amazing mac n cheese.

[timmernyc]

I am in Sunnyside, and to comply with your 10 block limit I will place my front door at 48th Street and Greenpoint Ave. so that I can include all 5 fav's.

De Mole - 45 St & 48th Ave.
Tangra Asian Fusion - Queens Blvd & 39th Pl.
La Flor - Greenpoint Ave & 53rd St.
Donovan's Pub - Greenpoint Ave & 58th St.
Pio Pio Rico - Greenpoint Ave & 46 St.

[JFores]

Acasa?

[sean f]

my alltime favorite for irish gets no better no where in the country than DONOVAN'S i totally agree.

[mepm231]

Do you mean Roosevelt Ave?

[timmernyc]

My bad ... of course Roosevelt! Greenpoint turns into Roosevelt at 48 - 49th St.

[monalisawoman]

What about Natural Tofu on QB & 40th??
(Korean)

[nater144]

Natural Tofu is fantastic! Haven't been to La Flor or Pio Pio so can't say whether it should knock either out of the top 5, but NT is killer and, in my experience, somewhat unique.

[zemilideias]

great list, timmernyc, but I can't imagine how Pio Pio Riko got on there...that place has nasty old ceviches, dryed up tamales, but good lombo. I wouldnt go there if you want peruvian...go over to JH for that

[jillysp]

In Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, there are more good restaurants than I can keep up with. I had to cut some good ones to get to this list:

Karam (4th Avenue at 86th Street) - best Lebanese in the city!
Grand Sichuan House (5th Avenue at 87th Street) - amazing spicy Chinese
Brooklyn Bagel Cafe (5th Avenue at 87th Street) - new great bagel shop
Kettle Black (3rd Avenue at 87th Street) - terrific wings and bar fare
Austin's Steak House (5th Avenue at 89th Street) - for steaks, lobster, salads, and soups

[dorilou]

my top 5 in bay ridge...

kettle black (burgers, wings, etc)
Papa's (red sauce Italian)
Mambo's
Trattoria on 4th and 88th
on the SE corner of 86th and 4th is a great Greek place...Plaka Taverna...something like that...delicious

[Kitchop]

What about Tuscany Grill? Elia? La Maison de Couscous? Tanoreen? How good IS Brooklyn Bagel Cafe? ;-)

[jillysp]

Tanoreen wasn't within 10 blocks of where I lived in the Ridge, but it likely would've made the list had it been. For the value, I still think Karam is better.

Tuscany Grill wasn't great when I visited -- really mediocre and they served scotch in aperitif glasses (which my boyfriend promptly knocked over and soaked the tablecloth). Needless to say, the whole meal smelled of scotch since they didn't change the tablecloth.

I tried Elia during Brooklyn restaurant week last year and was quite pleasantly surprised. I think I'd have to go again when it wasn't a special menu to judge, but I do remember the standard appetizers being TOP NOTCH (amazing hummus / ghanoush) and the desserts being great. Believe I had a Greek yogurt and fresh fruit plate that was fabulous.

I thought the bagels at Brooklyn Bagel were better than another other place around -- certainly a much better option than the Dunkin Donuts chains that keep popping up all over the Ridge.

[MellieGal]

What about Tanoreen?

[Astoria Lurker]

LIC:

Tournesol
Bella Via
Manducatis
La Vuelta
Lucky Mojo

[AimeeD]

Within 10 blocks from my door In Park Slope:
-Al di la
-Franny's
-Brooklyn Fish Camp
-Blue Ribbon Sushi Brooklyn or Taro Sushi
-Grand Canyon (for the burgers)

[seb]

Boerum Hill 10 blocks:
Saul (the special event place)
everyday places:
Lunetta
Bedouin Tent
Caserta Vecchia
Szechuan Garden

[NYJewboy]

I will rate them on a scale of 1 (lowest) -10 (highest)

1. Henry's End -8
2. Noodle Pudding -8
3. Grimaldi's Pizza (8 years ago) -5
4. Five Front -3
5. River Cafe -6

[brooklyn1966]

An alternative rating of 5 N. Heights restaurants:

1. Henry's End -5
2. Noodle Pudding -4
3. Grimaldi's Pizza -9 (take out only, don't bother battling the tourists)
4. Five Front -8
5. River Cafe -10

[oolah]

Only 5? I can easily name 10 places I go to regularly within 10 blocks! OK stalkers -- see if you can guess where I live.

In order of best-est-ness
1) Lucali
2) Saul
3) Hanco
4) Petite Crevette
5) Chestnut (esp on Tue & Wed)
6) Frankie's
7) Hibino
8) Bocca Lupo (mostly for the PLT)
9) Waterfalls (mmm Baba Ghanoush)
10) Black Mountain (more wine than food)

Bonus: Pit Stop

Thanks for this post. I'm always complaining about how there's no good Indian or Mexican right around here, but putting this list together made me realize how lucky I am to have so many delicious places of other stripes.

[brooklynr]

My guess: Strong Place, closer to Kane.

[oolah]

Ha! I didn't think I *really* had any stalkers. Looks like I'm going to need that restraining order after all :)

[wanderluster]

oolah, we're neighbors with similar tastes.
I'd add the Chip Shop. Love that Grannie's mac.

[Carol Gardens]

Just some desserts to go with that: Chocolate-covered graham crackers from Sweet Melissa, those cookies with the hazelnuts from Cammerreri, rugulach from Margaret Palca bakes.

[irishnyc]

North Flushing.... nothing.

[eateryrow]

ouch.

[skooldya1]

I'm in Bayside

Mickey's Place (sushi)
Bonne Saison (Thai and French)
Erawan (Thai)
Il Vesuvio (Italian/pizzeria)
Toss up between the Little Greek Tavern and Cascarino's

[skooldya1]

yo im an idiot, instead of little greek tavern or cascarino's, i am putting uncle jack's...i totally forgot it was there lol

[eateryrow]

Uncle Jack's on the list

[eateryrow]

Bonne Saison sounds interesting. Do they blend them or serve the two cuisines side by side?

[skooldya1]

hey sorry it took me so long to reply...they have a thai menu and a french menu, with dishes one may find at a brasserie...the head chefs/owners are husband and wife...one is an acclaimed thai chef, the other is a veteran french chef...both menus are excellent and authentic

[kenito799]

We are about to move to Bayside, thanks for the suggestions...
I have not tried many places but will add Wish Ne Cafe (on Bell Blvd, used to have a different name), delicious Turkish food, unfortunately it has been empty every time we go...try them!

[ginsbera]

1. Al Di La
2. Flatbush Farm
3. Garden Cafe
4. Amorina Cucina Rustica
5. Melt
6. Beast
7. Convivium Osteria
8. Miriam
9. Franny's
10. Alchemy

All within 10 blocks of my apartment in Prospect Heights. Pretty proud of that.

[Stuartmc910]

I live on Roosevelt Island. There isn't 5 restaurants within a 10 block area. No, Astoria is MORE than 10 blocks!

A Romanian Restuarant opened on 36th Avenue and Vernon Blvd., within the 10 block criteria. We dined there last night. My meal was OK, my wife's was so-so. Not a place I'd highly recommend. The only saving grace was it's BYOB for now. Caveat: They do not accept CCs. A Japanese Restaurant is scheduled to open on RI shortly. Politically incorrect, but I guess that's our great yellow hope.

[welle]

I'm in Woodside, half a block away from Sripraphai. Since the usual "10 blocks" measurement is not a good comparative factor when it comes to irregular Queens streets, I'm using "10 min walk measurement". Here it goes - 10 min walk east puts me in Jackson Heights; 10 minutes west put me in Sunnyside and 10 min SE put me in Elmhurst. And that's not counting Woodside restaurants. Nuff said..

[NAtiveNewYorker]

How about some restaurant suggestions?

[HankyT]

South Slope (in vaguely geographic order -- a U shaped saunter):
Sidecar
Tacos Nuevo Mexico
That new Bay Ridge Pizza Joint
Beer Table
Dram Shop
Steinhof

Plus I'd start at Jubilat to pick up one of their smokies (what we call em in Cleveland) as a little forschpeiss to fuel stroll.

[welle]

my personal top 5:
Sripraphai
Sapori D'Ischia
Donovan's Pub
Mangal Kebab
Lao Bei fan noodle house

[round2]

Agnanti
Tratorrio L'Incontro
Michael Angelo's II
Balkh Shish Kabab House
Wave Thai
Stamati's
+ 2 bakeries: St. Honore, and Artopolis

further afield in Astoria: Walima (great Moroccan), Kebab Cafe, Ovelia

[elbev]

Sripraphai
Spicy Mina
La Flor
Sapori d'Ischia
Donovan's

take-out bonus:
Peppino's
Tamale Cart
Peking BBQ
Thai Malay Cafe

[hatless]

46th St. area of Astoria, d/b/a The Astoria-Woodside-Sunnyside Borderlands:

- Cruz Mexican Deli (41st St. just off Broadway)
- Poodam's Thai
- Cevabdzinica Stari Most (42nd St. off 30th Av.)
- Rizzo's Pizza
- Brasilianville Cafe (34th Av. near 43rd St.)

Bonus section:
- Dos Banderas (48th St. off Broadway)
- New York Diner (Northern Blvd.)
- Pollos a la Brasa Mario
- The halal cart on the NW corner of 34th Av. and Steinway
- The souvlaki cart at the SW corner of 31st Av. and Steinway

Though frankly, we don't consider cabbing it until it's over 25 blocks, ill-served by mass transit and the weather is really bad.

[eateryrow]

You, sir, are a true New Yorker.

[comestible]

"Within ten blocks" is a tough criterion on Staten Island. You might not find 5 restaurants of any kind within ten blocks.

Nonetheless, here's my list for the area I live in, Stapleton. Listed by distance, closest first. The last two may be beyond 10 blocks, but walkable (blocks are irregular here, anyway)..

Vida (eclectic)
Dosa Garden (Indian)
Sanrasa (Sri Lankan)
The Polish Place
Enoteca Maria (Italian)

[phuh3]

my 5 in prospect heights:
1. cheryls
2. Islands
3. Geido
4. Moim
5. Chilies and chocolates

[Claire]

Moim and Chiles and Chocolate are in Park Slope.

[Westminstress]

Top 5 in Ditmas Park:

Di Fara
Farm on Adderley
Pomme de Terre
Cafe Tibet
Pakiza

Hey, that's a pretty good list!

[Steve R]

Not bad, but dont think that you can so easily get away with claiming that DiFara's is in Ditmas Park. I admit to liking Pakiza, although I dont think it's great... have you tried most of the others on Coney Island Ave &, if so, is it really the best of the bunch? A bunch of us did go to Cafe Tibet and, although it was verrrrry inexpensive, I didnt much like the cooking. Only one chickpea dish really stood out.... the rest was ehhh. Didnt you forget the falaffel place near you on CIA?

[bobjbkln]

Have to somewhat disagree about Café Tibet. We ate there recently and thought that, while not memorable (except for the delicious momos, I don't remember what we ordered), the food was pretty good . We certainly will return, although it is definitely not within our 10 block range.

[Westminstress]

Hi Steve R, sorry I missed your post! Here's my response 1.5 years later ...

I have been to most if not all of the Pakistani places near me along CIA and my preference is for Pakiza. A lot of folks in the neighborhood like Madina the best, but I think they haven't tried Pakiza. Let me know if you want any specific recs as to what to order.

I still really like Cafe Tibet, but not everything on the menu is great. I mostly stick with the momos and sha baklap and noodle soups. Of the veggies in the case, my favorites are the chickpeas, mustard greens (with hot sauce!) and radish.

I didn't forget the falafel place near me ... Famous Pita on Ditmas and CIA. Really excellent falafel (just didn't make my top 5). I also like Gyro King at CIA and Foster -- if you like to visit a halal street cart now and then, you should check out this place. Same general idea, executed 1000 times better.

Sadly, Pomme de Terre has closed since I posted my top 5. However, we have a bunch of great new places including Mimi's Hummus, Purple Yam, and Costello Plan, all of which have good, interesting food. Ditmas Park is a great neighborhood for chowhounds!

And DiFara's is within a 10 block radius. Though I rarely go there anymore because of the crowds.

-----
Pakiza
1032 Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11230

Madina
563 Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11218

Gyro King
1017 Foster Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11230

Purple Yam
1314 Cortelyou Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11226

Mimi's Hummus
1209 Cortelyou Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11218

Famous Pita
1001 Newkirk Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11230

[Steve R]

Thanks for the response (a little late, but what the hell). I have to get to Purple Yam... on my short list for almost a year now (well, since they opened). I've also not been back to Pakiza or Cafe Tibet. I guess I'm just ignoring the neighborhood and going to MIDWOOD, where DiFara's is! My ex-wife grew up in that colorful house on the corner of Rugby and Dorchester and, since we met in High School, several of the neighborhood houses are past homes to my old friends. Very nice and I'm glad to see that some interesting restaurants are now around.

-----
Pakiza
1032 Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11230

Purple Yam
1314 Cortelyou Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11226

[eateryrow]

Wow, so many responses. Nearly double the Manhattan one. I have a solid page of notes to look places up and try to schedule in some eatin' time.

And I guess I should include my neighborhood. Forest Hills, 10 blocks, no particular order.
Thai Pot, Nicks, Sushi Yasu, Q, Bangkok Cuisine. It's Thai heavy, but whatcha gonna do? FH has a lot of 'em near me.

Pahal Zan would be in there, but it's removed from the shackles of having any tables. Danny Brown and Dee's are out of range. Jade has great atmosphere, but they can't beat the one's I've mentioned foodwise.

Still have to get to PJs and Il Poeta and Aged and MoCA.

[monikamost]

I'm in Greenpoint! My top 5 places to walk to in GRNPNT are:
Sappuro Haru
Lamb and Jaffy's
Greenpoint Coffee House
Amarin Cafe
Lomzynianka