Moving to Prospect Heights

[douglas525]

We're looking for the best spots from around Flatbush to as far east as Franklin, but those are not hard boundaries. So far, we've tried Aliseo on Underhill (loved it) and The Islands on Washington (loved it too). Any recs for any cuisine in any price range are appreciated. Specifically, we're looking for:

Super cheap take-out
Rotisserie chicken (again, probably take-out)
Half-price sushi
Authentic Mexican
Latin (Dominican, probably) with a hot counter
Romantic and cozy
Trendy
Neighborhood diner and/or hangout
Sunday morning coffee and/or hangout
Caribbean roti/curry etc
Pizza

Thanks in advance. We're looking forward to living in this neighborhood.

[douglas525]

I wanted to add (and recommend) Kaz An Nou to this topic, which opened since we started posting. My review is here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7229....

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Kaz An Nou
53 6th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

[Sneakeater]

Mitchell's Soul Food is the best restaurant on Vanderbilt Ave.

The Vanderbilt is the second best; I can imagine people calling it disappointing, but I can't imagine them calling it bad.

Anyone who thinks Amorino is better than Franny's is thinking with their wallet (or maybe their sense of social justice) rather than their pallet.

I don't understand how Aleseo could even be considered good.

Franny's is the best restaurant in Prospect Heights, and probably the second best in Brooklyn (after Luger's).

James is not worth going out of your way for, but is fine if you're sick of everyplace else in the area.

The Beast is affirmatively bad.

Cataldo's is fine for what it is.

Weather Up is embarrassing as a top-level cocktail bar (compared to, say, the Clover Club in Cobble Hill).

I think Prospect Heights dining is pretty overrated. And I say that as a strong neighborhood loyalist.

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Mitchell's Soul Food
617 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Clover Club
210 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Weather Up
589 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[Peter]

Wow. I agree with some of what you said, but Beast is "affirmatively bad"? I just had dinner there three weeks ago and found it to be as fantastic as always. We ordered maybe 12 different things and found at least 8 to be superb and the other 4 to be lovely.

[ginsbera]

Can't say I agree with much of the above. Franny's, Weather Up and James are the top dining spots in the hood, but I also enjoy Maya Taqueria, Amorina, Little Miss Muffin, Geido, and Mitchell's. Franny's is definitely better than Amorina (although not the 2nd best in BK), but can surely cost a ton more and is a completely different type of environment (Amorina's square slices are a steal too.) I used to frequent Beast, but just wish they would change up the menu some. I don't know if I would call the dining scene overrated, as it has surely changed a ton in the past few years, allowing people to get excited by it. It's no Carrol Gardens, or West Village for that matter, but it sure is nice to not have to leave the neighborhood to eat or drink out.

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Geido
331 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Amorina
624 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Weather Up
589 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[douglas525]

To the Vanderbilt, I was somewhat underwhelmed. The atmosphere and the service were great, and the food was fine. But for the prices (especially for BK), I expected to be wowwed by at least a couple of dishes.

Aliseo, one of the first places we tried, is one of our top picks for the hood. They have a new spring menu, apparently, and it's where we plan on taking my parents when they come to town. This is the review I gave on Oct 17 from http://menupages.com/restaurants/alis... Check the dates from the bad reviews here. Apparently, this place has gone a transformation since 2007, because Chowhound reviews are showing the same pattern--bad then, good now. Our experience last night was wonderful. An excellent glass of wine was selected based on my wife's description of what she wanted, the calamari was prepared perfectly, the braised beef with mantigliati was exquisite, and the short rib with polenta was earthy and delicious. It's a cozy and friendly atmosphere that would serve well for a date, or pleasant dinner with friends.

To Franny's, are the prices that outrageous? I'm seeing an average of around $15 for a pie. If this is for a personal pie, and the toppings are as skimpy as a lot of reviews say, then yes, that's a pretty outrageous price.

Finally, regarding the comments a made about A Slice of Brooklyn earlier in this thread, I ordered there a second time, and I'd like to upgrade my assessment of their pizza from fine to very good.

Thanks again for the suggestions and the spirited debate.

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Aliseo
665 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

A Slice of Brooklyn
685 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[jen kalb]

Re Aliseo, we have always thought their food was distinctive and good - and glad you found it so also.

I dont see any point to "reviewing" Franny unless you actually try their food. Yes, it is a higher than average price, but their housemade charcuterie and scrupulous sourcing, among other things. set them apart.

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Franny's
295 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Aliseo
665 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[douglas525]

I wanna go ahead and add my two cents on Chicago 60 on Nostrand (I know it's east of PH, but they deliver). I ordered online, and when I called over an hour later, they said they didn't get it, so I ordered then over the phone. When the pizza came, it was average. So whatever. But when I got my credit card bill, I saw they had charged me for both orders. The woman at the place said there was nothing they could do about it unless I came down in person with my statement. So I had to call Chase and contest the charges that way.

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Chicago 60
770 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216

[ginsbera]

didn't mean Weather Up for food, meant The Vanderbilt. whoops!

-----
Weather Up
589 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[douglas525]

Hi again. I was just poring over these posts, and I think I only see one pizza place: Amorina's. It seems to be getting mixed reviews, especially for takeout. Does anyone have any other recs in the area? Anywhere between Vanderbilt and Bedford would be great, but outside those avenues would do too. So far, I've had takeout from A Slice of Brooklyn on Franklin--the delivery time was good and the pizza was fine, but not great. I'm looking for thin crust I might enjoy for dine-in as well as takeout for the game or movie night. Thanks.

[missp]

You might enjoy Cataldo's on Vanderbilt between Dean and Bergen for takeout. It has a fairly thin crust and they use decent ingredients. It tends to be a bit soggy in the middle and the crust itself isn't great, but I would still recommend it for its wood-fired flavor, not-too-sweet tomato sauce, and fine toppings.

There's also other yummy food to be had here. I particularly endorse the delicious fried calamari sandwich (when I've had it the calamari was fried to crispy perfection and very tender inside), and I have heard the meatballs are delicious. Some of the dishes from behind the counter (chicken fillets an stuffed/rolled meats and fishes) are overcooked and lifeless, but some are satisfying and balanced. Go up to the counter and look everything over before ordering one of these. Pastas are just OK -- red-sauce joint passable, but not worth the trip. Avoid the salads and overcooked vegetables.

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Cataldo's
554 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[douglas525]

OK, here's one. Where can I find non-alcoholic beer besides regular O'Doul's? I like O'Doul's Amber and Beck's. Both a store and a restaurant/bar would be appreciated. TIA

[douglas525]

Yeah, this is definitely my winner as far as number of posts goes. Thanks so much for all your input. Wierdest thing, it was actually up for two weeks before the first response. Anyhoo, I've found that the burgers at The Spot are pretty dang good, or at least sizeable, for the money, and I think we've found our regular burger joint.. Their ceviche is creamy, which I've never had, and I've gone back for that as well. So far the only places we've been underwhelmed by are Tavern on Dean and Tom's. The burger at Dean was embarrassingly small; the Cobb salad was fine, but then, how do you mess that up. At Tom's, everything was OK, but nothing justified the line I typically see around the corner. There was nothing wrong with my wife's eggs and sausage, but there was nothing remarkable about it either. And my crab cakes Florentine were pretty disappointing--frozen spinach topped off with a deep fried crab puck. Is there something else I was supposed to order at Tom's? If not, I'm just going to stick with Shane next door, because I was all over the fish and grits.

I'll keep trying places according to the recs here. Thanks again to everyone!

[ginsbera]

For Tom's I usually opt for the pancakes. Their blueberry and lemon-ricotta are, light and fluffy, everything else is standard diner fare, but it's just a comforting place to visit. Key is to show up before 11 on weekends or you will always be waiting in that long line.

The Spot for top burger? Never been, or heard people talk about it and isn't that in Crown Heights? Of the burgers I've had in Prospect Heights I recommend Soda and Beast also, but unfortunately not James.

[jen kalb]

curious, what's wrong with the James burger?
My kids always liked the burgers (and the cherry lime rickeys and sodas) at Toms but Ive never had them. Weve had goodluck with pancakes too - crabcakes would be a reach (its just a diner after all)

Helios does a good burger if you are in that end of the neighborhood..

[ginsbera]

I found the James burger to be dense, underseasoned and overcooked. Fortunately I had it during their happy hour so it wasn't the full $15 pricetag, but it was rather disappointing. I wish there were better burger options in Prospect Heights, but I really have only found Soda and Beast to have worthwhile options on this side of Flatbush. A short walk into the slope and I suggest Alchemy.

Definitely Tom's for pancakes.

[douglas525]

Yeah I guess technically The Spot is in Crown Heights because it's a block east of Washington. I'm in what the realtors like to call Prospect Heights but what in reality is Crown Heights. And it seems I overreached at Tom's. Maybe we will go back for the pancakes, and we did enjoy the atmosphere with the guy I'm guessing is the owner who comes around and makes everyone feel at home.

[risolatte]

I know I'm super late on seeing this post, but I wanted to put in a good word for India Place on Vanderbilt near Park Pl. I only order the vegetarian entrees (saag paneer, chana masala, etc) but they are all pretty tasty and have made this sort of my go-to place for veggie comfort food. The yogurt/tamarind/etc chaat appetizer is nice if you like that sweet/savory combination. It's not fancy in any way and not trying to be, but a solid inexpensive neighborhood place. The people that run it have always been very nice and you usually get a little free cup of rice pudding at the end of a meal.

Also concur with a lot of the other posts recommending Chavella's, Amorina, and Beast. I haven't been to Aliseo in a while (kind of pricey) but the few times I went, I really liked it... wonderful wines too. Also really love the seasonally changing appetizers at Franny's -- we often get a whole bunch of appetizers and then share a pizza, or something like that. Also the homemade vermouth at Franny's is amazing -- sometimes not on the menu but you can ask and see if they have it.

Haven't tried Vanderbilt or James or Tavern on Dean b/c they seem a bit too meat-heavy. Really hope Pequena opens soon!

[virtualcook]

so happy about these posts! I also second Teddy's for good and cheap takeout. The gyro sandwich is a good bet and they are BYOB. In the summer, the garden in back is far nicer than the bland inside decor.

Also, on Franklin, more things have been opening. I like Lily and Fig for their cupcakes and they have AMAZING bread on the weekends. They are cheaper and nicer than Joyce's bakeshop. There is a new coffee shop on Franklin and Lincoln but the seating is inadequate.

The glass shop on Classon and Sterling is nice for good coffee and a nice vibe.

Chavellas is pretty good and if you can make it to happy hour, their tacos are 2bucks (M-Th, F? 4-6pm).

Welcome to the neighborhood!

[douglas525]

Thanks for the heads up about the two buck tacos at Chavella's. I'm gonna order about ten of their pork ones and leave in a food coma on a stretcher.

[ginsbera]

Their tacos are probably some of the best (not saying a whole lot) without going to Sunset Park, or Tacos Nuevo Mexico in S.Slope. I did really enjoy Chavella's Chile Rellenos Torta as well.

[ItsAKimbo]

So pleased to see so many replies in this thread-- nice one douglas525!

I tend to buy a lot of produce from the Grand Army Plaza farmers market every Saturday, though the quality of the produce has changed with the turn of the season, understandably. I'm pleased with the groceries I get at the Flatbush Key Foods and the Vanderbilt Met-- what's this I hear about a Korean grocery? Can't wait to go to Brooklyn Larder.

I revisited Cheryl's Global Soul on Underhill recently and it was great! Reasonably priced, changing menus, and friendly staff, very cozy. Mussels are great too.

Also went on a date to Aliseo's recently and while it's romantic and cozy I waited over an hour for our food. Our waiter was friendly enough, though he admitted that he completely forgot about us while he was chatting with three other tables. Besides being cold, the food, which was recommended by our waiter, was unimpressive, undercooked, and overpriced. We didn't love anything we ate and the only pick me up in the evening was ice cream from Blue Marble on Underhill-- a splurge that's actually worth it. If you want to go on a nice date for Italian food, walk the extra blocks to Al Di La on 5th Ave. The food there is amazing, though the wait is admittedly rough.

While I have no comment to make on its authenticity, I hear that La Taqueria de los Muertos on Washington has yummy tacos that are a good value for delivery. I still have yet to try it.

I'd like to add just one more thing- for a decent cheap burger, Teddy's on Washington is a good bet. Happy dining!

[ginsbera]

I would recommend Chavellas over Taqueria de los Muertos. The food at the latter was bland for the most part, I only enjoyed my cantaloupe aqua fresca when I was there.

The Korean grocer is called Natural Land, just up from the subway and under Crunch. Open 24hrs with good produce, sometimes good fish, and fresh bread from a handful of top bakeries.

[LSteffel]

I have to say I've found Sushi Gen (on Washington) to be far, far, far superior to Geido or Taro Sushi!

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Geido
331 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Taro Sushi
244 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

[ginsbera]

Really? Good to know, although Geido and Taro are just much more convenient than Gen.

-----
Geido
331 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

[douglas525]

So far we've been to Aliseo, The Island, Shane, Udom Thai, Gen, and Chavella's, and we haven't been disappointed yet. Everything is ranging from pretty good to excellent. We're really excited about the food in this neighborhood. We're actually east of Washington, so I suppose technically, we're in Crown Heights. We'll make our way over to the Vanderbilt Avenue suggestions once we get more settled in and feel like taking a walk. Thanks again to everyone.

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Aliseo
665 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Chavella's
732 Classon Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Udom
661 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[ginsbera]

Welcome to the neighborhood. It's a fun spot with tons of change in the works!

[rschwim]

I like Mitchell's Soul Food (Wed-Sun) on Vanderbilt for fried chicken if you're into that...The price is definitely right, too. The wings were very good, especially when I ate them there (rather than letting them steam on the way home in a styrofoam container--that definitely doesn't help fried chicken) Haven't had much else there. Sides of mac n chesse and collards were good.

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Mitchell's Soul Food
617 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[ginsbera]

for some reason I've never had the food from here, but I feel like I better have it soon. With all the changes you never know how much longer these antiquated (but great) locations will be around.

[ginsbera]

Not sure if anyone wrote it here but for slices of pizza go to Amorina for their takeout deal. $5 for two slices and a Boylans soda. Can't beat offer and so much better than the neighborhood slice joints.

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Amorina
624 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[stapress]

Glad someone finally mentioned Amorina. I think's it's far better than pretentious Franny's and a fraction of the price. It's friendly and homey and you really feel like you're in someone's kitchen. Go there for whole pies (individual-sized), salads and dessert. They only serve wine and beer, but the bar, Plan B, is right next door, if you feel the need for a real drink.

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Amorina
624 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Plan B
626 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[ginsbera]

Amorina is BYOB with a $10 corking fee...not bad if you have figure a bottle usually runs $18+ in the restaurant...

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Amorina
624 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[douglas525]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I'm realizing I forgot to ask about groceries. Is there a place to get some decent meats, cheeses and fresh herbs and produce?

[buttertart]

We've been in PH for 10 years and love it. For a general supermarket, the Met on Vanderbilt just below Park Place (orienting yourself from Grand Army Plaza) is our favorite - they have quite good produce and some unusual items as well as the usual stuff, and the people are very nice. I prefer the meat at the Key Food on Flatbush to the Met's somewhat, but have bought plenty of it at the Met as well (their halal chickens are particularly good). The new shop on Flatbush by Bergen St has gorgeous specialty products as do Blue Ribbon and Union Market in the Slope. How lucky we are.

[douglas525]

Thanks, especially for the specialty stuff...that place on Bergen is right on my way home every day.

[ginsbera]

Definitely go to Key Foods for groceries and Natural Land on Flatbush for produce. The Met's produce and meat section is really not up to snuff.

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Key Food
120 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

[buttertart]

I find the Met produce to be preferable to Key Foods, myself. Chacun a son gout.

[ginsbera]

Have you been to Natural Land? Puts them both to shame.

[buttertart]

But of course. buy there too, hadn't thought to mention it. For day to day produce usually hit the Met, it's closer to our place, shorter schlep.

[jen kalb]

I second Met for standard groceries and some ethnic items at reasonable prices and Brooklyn Larder (the place near Bergen) for special cheese, bread, meats and prepared foods at correspondingly high prices. I dont find the Flatbush Key to be superior, just more yuppified. As a poster points out sealand, a Korean market, is also available for produce as well as some fish and packaged groceries but its prices are correspondingly high. If I were buying routine groceries for cooking in PH, I would go to Met first.

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Bklyn Larder
228 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

[bobjbkln]

If you are at the northern end of PH, the Ft. Greene Park green market has great produce from May through Thanksgiving. If you are in the southern end, the Grand Army Plaza green market is great.

[buttertart]

Didn't think to mention the GAP Greenmarket apparently since it's so deeply embedded in my mental map of our neighborhood.

[buttertart]

Agreed, I don't care for that Key Food at all, don't find it to be anything special. My husband shops there a bit, primarily for meat. I far prefer the Met. They definitely make an effort to cater to their food-obsessed clientele and I find them cheaper on most items. And the people are much much pleasanter.

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Key Food
120 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

[roux42]

For specialty foods there is Blue Apron on Union and Divine on 7th Street for bulk spices and grains and other interesting things...

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Blue Apron Foods
814 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215

[douglas525]

Thanks for all the grocery tips...I'll be sure to check out the specialty stores mentioned here.

[roux42]

Tavern on Dean for Burgers and Bar Food
Weather Up is very trendy for drinks - nice but we are not trendy
Cornelius (at the very end of Vanderbilt) is trendy but manageable
Aleisio (sp?)very romantic and yummy.. but a special night out
Sepia is very nice bar with decent wine specials
and the new The Vanderbilt - trendy and we have not tried it yet

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Tavern on Dean
755 Dean St, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Weather Up
589 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[ginsbera]

The Vanderbilt is delicious. IMO the best restaurant in Prospect Heights hands down.

[FoodWine]

We dined at the Vanderbilt once (went there ready to love it, since we used to love Saul), but were stunned over how mediocre (to bad) everything was. If it does not get better, there is no reason to go there at all.

[ginsbera]

That's too bad, I have nothing but good things to say about the food and have never heard about any bad experiences.. Perhaps just an off night, even the best of restaurants have them...

[FoodWine]

No, it was not only us and not only one night. Before you, I have not heard a good word about the Vanderbildt: not here and and not in person, from neighbors and friends.

Here is a chhowhound link, specifically talking (not happily) about the Vanderbilt: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/662063

But I am happy for you, that you did not have to feel the stunned disappointment we did.

[jen kalb]

Feels like time to wait and let them settle out. Im not going to waste my bucks until they do - until then General Greene is doing this kind of menu really well - its worth the walk.

Wish Beast were better - was really underwhelmed by the overall food quality, even crudity of some of the product - some good dishes, mostly not. I think Beast is slamming it out with inadequate kitchen resources attendtion to flavoring, etc.

[ginsbera]

Beast needs to revamp their menu. It has been the same for so many years and it could use a new boost. Aside from that, they have consistency issues, delicious chorizo one day then the next they forget to reduce the wine in the sauce and it is horrible. With the street picking it up in terms of Bars and Restaurants hopefully they will feel the pressure as it will be beneficial to all.

[ginsbera]

That's pretty shocking, since I went opening night. If you visit Brooklynian you will find more people that liked it (likewise on yelp):
http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/vie...

What did you not like specifically?

[FoodWine]

Hey Ginsbera,
I now have a more detailed post of what we had, on the thread that I mentioned earlier, at: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/662063#

Like I said, I am happy for you if you had a good experience. Trust me, we really want to like this restaurant.

[ginsbera]

I saw, thanks. It seems we had very different dishes. I recapped my whole evening on my blog (always-eating), but the only dish we both had was the duck rilette. I actually enjoyed it and found plenty of duck taste coming through and when we asked for bread we received the same toast that it was initially served with, just twice as much. Other than that, my other 5 dishes were completely different. Only dish I wouldnt recommend, the octopus.

[pjr206]

I ate at The Vanderbilt once and will never go back. It was very bad! I actually sent one dish back and couldn't eat the dish we got as a replacement because it was so terrible. I left having spent an exorbitant amount of money and was still actively hungry!

[ginsbera]

That's too bad, what was the dish? I just went with a large group this past weekend and ordered a good portion of the menu. Everything was good to excellent, with the Pig's Feet, Meatball special, Rilettes and Blood Sausage really standing out.

[chowbie]

ItsAKimbo gave you a great list. I especially second Beast (not romantic, but just awesome for food and coziness). I think James is good but not great (and it is loud, and often cold, so I don't think of it as cozy even though it is darned cute). Geido is my fave sushi joint for atmosphere & price, but Taro is probably better for quality (technically not in PH because it's across Flatbush... but only just). Very slow for delivery though... Koto is cheap and very fast.

El Castillo de Jagua on the corner of Flatbush and Park is great for your Dominican craving. "Authentic Mexican" doesn't exist in our neighbourhood, but Sunset Park is oh so close. Pizza aside from Franny's is not that great, but since Franny's doesn't deliver, I do order from Cataldo's and Amorina. "Trendy"--well, just keep your eye on Vanderbilt and Washington, cool new things just keep popping up all the time. Welcome to the hood!

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Geido
331 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

[douglas525]

Thanks for the input. Have you been to Chavella's for authentic Mexican? I've heard that's the real deal. And as far as crossing Flatbush, that's fine. Atlantic and Eastern Parkway too. We're centered in Prospect Heights, but we don't mind a little walk.

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Chavella's
732 Classon Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[jen kalb]

we wetn down to Chavella's once - its a long way from our part of PH - We thought it was very good and fresh but nothing I would take that long walk for again. Its faster for us to drive to Sunset Park for more options. As a local choice its fine.

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Chavella's
732 Classon Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[douglas525]

Yeah, we'll hit Sunset Park for sure. But we went to Chavella's the other night and absolutely loved it. The quesadilla's were great, as was my pork taco with pineapple. The beef taco was good, but not memorable. My wife enjoyed her avocado torta too.

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Chavella's
732 Classon Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[jen kalb]

glad you liked it, we liked it too, in a mild way.. I think everything depends on where you live. I live at the other end Prospect Hts.and for us it isnt "worth it"

[ginsbera]

Definitely agree on Geido, best in the immediate area. Beast is good, but they never change their menu and have consistency problems. El Castillo de Jagua is a good cheap standby. Little Miss Muffin for snacks, muffins and delicious BBQ chicken patties. I'll never go back to Cataldos after they put canned vegetables on my pizza.

We also have a new Thai spot opening up next to Frannys, Pequena will eventually open near Bergen/Vanderbilt, The Vanderbilt is amazing, another Mexican spot is opening in place of Bob Law's and I bet in the next 6 months we will have another 2-3 spots open up as well.

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Geido
331 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

[buttertart]

I hope it's at least a closer approximation to Thai food than the other perfectly dreadful Thai places in the neighborhood, that would be nice. Keeping an eye open for the others you mention, and want to try the Vanderbilt.

[jen kalb]

I dont think there is any reason to believe the thai restaurant will be chowworthy , since I dont believe it is run by thai people - tho I am willing to be proved wrong. indeed would be happy to since it is literally in my backyard. So far we are lucky in the number of quite good restaurants we have in Prospect Hts but the fact that there are a lot of places potentially filling genefic needs doesnt necessarily thrill me.

[buttertart]

So true, none of the "Thai" places in PH and the Slope are Thai-run as far as I can tell (or even Thai Chinese - seem to be Malaysians in most cases). There are good places but real (non-Japanese) Asian food would be a treasure - oh for a Grand Sichuan or analog for example. None of the Chinese places are worth a toss.

[douglas525]

We ate at Udom Thai the other night and loved it. (Sorry, I asked for opinions and now I'm giving them. We're between kitchens as we move, so we're eating out a lot more than usual.) Is that not real Thai? I'm far from an expert on the cuisine, but both my wife and I were very happy when we left.

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Udom
661 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[buttertart]

We ordered in from there once and what we got was very poor. Thai doesn't lend itself terribly well to takeout so that may have been a factor. The menu (and the food for that matter) made me think the restaurant was run by Malaysians - certain ingredients, preparations - (it's rather typical of the area - Lemongrass on 7th Ave is, and it shows). On another note, El Castillo de Jagua (seconding recommendation here) is very reasonably priced for large portions of very good Dominican food - their rotisserie chicken is my favorite dish on the menu. They also somehow always manage to have perfectly-ripe avocados available for salad.

[jen kalb]

A side point, but the lemon grass grill people are not malaysians nor I suspect even necessarily from that area., I think, they are overseas chinese, maybe from SE Asia, but not malaysians per se - the chinese restauranteurs have been great at grasping the essential points of many other cuisines and presenting them (albeit in a slightly modified form) all over the world.
.
Not too many malaysians in the restaurant business.

[buttertart]

Really? i was told they were Malaysian (considered as nationality not ethnicity). As far as I know, there are a goodly number of Chinese Malaysian people in the restaurant business (people of Chinese descent being almost as numerous in Malaysia as Malays) . Actual Malay people, maybe not.

[jen kalb]

I dont disagree with you and they could very well come from malaysia - Im probably making a distinction that is irrelevant , especially on this thread. That same family ran a vietnamese restaurant down in the current Miracle Grill space as I recall.

There is enormous versatility in this population, for example the ethnnic chinese owner of of one Malaysian restaurant in brooklyn told me he came from Calcutta.

YOu may have a point that it was a natural segue for a malaysian-rooted chinese entrepreneur to enter the thai space, tho it seems like these entrepreneurs have historically entered all kinds of available spaces from mexican taco shops to sushi shops and earlier to creating restaurants adapting and evolving the local cuisine wherever they went in the world.

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Miracle Grill
222 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

[elecsheep9]

Do you mean the Vietnamese place Mekong, which was were AOC Bistro is now?

Before Miracle Grill, it was Cucina Cuzco and before that, Coco Rocco, although to tell the truth, I could never really tell the difference between the two.

[jen kalb]

before those versions.
there have been multi failures in that spot over the year.

[ItsAKimbo]

My favorite take out place is Zaytoons on Vanderbilt and St. Mark's, and they have a really excellent Oven Roasted Chicken that is always juicy, tender, and perfectly seasoned-- this and their Couscous al beit are my go-to delivery meals.

I haven't heard of any half-price sushi but get back to me on this one if you do!

It gets mixed reviews but I actually really like Chavella's on Classon and Park. Really nice people, unpretentious, and a great brunch to boot!

Aliseo's is about as romantic as it gets in Prospect Heights but I like Beast and I've always wanted my boyfriend to take me to James for dinner because it looks cozy and gorgeous from the outside. I need to drop more hints.

Trendy... Franny's (NYT drools over them and this answers your pizza question as it's frequently called the best pizza in Brooklyn-- it's always too crowded for me), Geido for sushi, and Flatbush Farm for grass-fed, organic meals- and a hell of a brunch. For hanging out, Beast or Soda. For drinks, Weather Up (it's a speakeasy so there's no sign), Washington Commons, or Franklin Park. Loads of people go to Plan B and Tavern on Dean. I live down the street from Sepia and that's a nice place too, though I can see why it's out of peoples' radar.

Tom's Restaurant is THE diner to go to, and is now open on Sundays, lucky you.

Saturday/Sunday morning you'll find me in one of these places: Cheryl's, Flatbush Farm, Joyce Bakery, Shane's (chicken and waffles!), or still in bed.

Caribbean: Islands, obviously. If you haven't gone, go now.

Happy dining! You'll love our beautiful neighborhood!

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Geido
331 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Zaytoons
283 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Flatbush Farm
76 Saint Marks Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Aliseo
665 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Tavern on Dean
755 Dean St, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Chavella's
732 Classon Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Plan B
626 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Franklin Park
618 St Johns Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Weather Up
589 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Washington Commons
434 Park Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[buttertart]

The food at James is good but the one time we went it was unbelievably noisy (it was a Sunday night and full but not crowded). Noisy does not equal cosy romantic in my estimation.

[douglas525]

We've been looking at James the couple times we've passed, and it doesn't look noisy. Of course, we didn't press our ears to the glass, so I can't be sure. I wonder if Sunday nights are special, or if there was just a rowdy crowd there when you went.

[buttertart]

It didn't seem that noisy until we were seated - at the very back of the restaurant against the wall. The waiter had to shout to be heard. Nice food though.

[ladypandora]

Also for jerk chicken you gotta go to the Spice of Life on Franklin between Lincoln and St. John's. It's a hole in the wall take out place but the jerk chicken is A+. Skip their other dishes. It's not bad, just not memorable.

[douglas525]

I think I went to this place, or one very much like it. The jerk chicken was awesome, but I'm pretty sure the vegetables in the cabbage were canned, so it seems you're right on the mark with your review. There was a Dominican place directly across the street. The whole chicken I got was terribly dry, although the flavors were fine.

[douglas525]

Thanks so much...I keep hearing good things about Chavella's, so that may be our next place. And it seems we may not be official Prospect Heights neighbors until I've been to Tom's, so that's in the near future too.

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Chavella's
732 Classon Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238