BEST BRUNCH in Brooklyn

For the second installment of our brunch series, I asked my cousin Mary Therese, amazing artist and native New Yorker, for favorite brunch spots in her borough of Brooklyn. When she's not collaborating on creating Broadway props, museum exhibits and movie backdrops with her partner in love and art, John of Jerard Studio, MT does mural and faux painting for many restaurants. She's also a great cook herself, so I knew she'd have wonderful suggestions for Style Maniac readers. Here's MT's top picks (along with some of her comments) for Best Brunch in Brooklyn:

Brooklyn Heights: Jack the Horse Tavern.

Carroll Gardens:  Lilla, new but really delicious; and Alma for both the food and great views of the city.  [Read the New York Times review of Alma here.]

Cobble Hill:  Bocca Lupo, my friend Jeff's place (No brunch at his new one, Strong Place on Court Street, but the best oysters in town, I swear).   

Park Slope: Stone Park Cafe [shown above].

Have a favorite brunch spot in Brooklyn or your home town? Add it in the comments below.  Next month:  Brunch at Home.

A LOVELY BRUNCH: Camparis on Crete

The first in a mini-series of warm and wonderful brunch places around the world.  This one's pure fantasy for me, as I've never had a Campari, never been to Crete and it is after all a Tuesday.  But I trust the Barefoot Contessa, and her Campari Orange Spritzer recipe, suitable for daytime; and the recommendations of the stylish Eleni from My Paradissi, who calls Crete home.  Imagine coffee on that terrace, followed by a leisurely all-day picnic on the shores of Triopetra Beach.  Or spend the day at Pagopoieion (Ice Factory) in Heraklion, where a brunch can easily extend to an afternoon and evening of food, music and mingling with friends.  Shall we all book a flight right now?

Have a favorite brunch spot you'd like to share?  Please email me (click on Contact in the sidebar).  Your selection and site link may appear in a future post.  Next month:  Best Brunch in Brooklyn.

Top photo from Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics.  Terrace photo, Marie Claire Maison;  Triopetra Beach photo courtesy Eleni, both via My Paradissi.

COCKTAIL SANDWICHES, ANYONE?

We've found the bag, the hat, the shoes and yet another sublime vintage dress ... now how about we go out for a cocktail sandwich?  Not a cocktail with a sandwich, but a cocktail that is a sandwich.  Or at least an alcoholic version of one.

When I first heard of Carnivorous Cocktails they did not appeal.  Images of Bloody Marys festooned with sausage and pickles danced in my head, and the salt overload made my eyes puffy just thinking about it.  But a recent podcast from The Splendid Table has me re-considering.  In the hands of a master mixologist, artisan ingredients carefully and creatively combined form a magical marriage.  Or so I hear.  Think I need to take a drive down to PX in Alexandria, VA to personally try Todd Thrasher's BLT Cocktail and then fly off to Nacional 27 in Chicago to taste Adam Seger's Iberico Ham with Cheese Swizzle.  Or at least find a version at one of  the swanky new speakeasies popping up in my town.  All in the name of research, dear stylish readers, all in the name of research.

Photo of PX by Matthew Worden via Washingtonian Magazine

FALLING CLOUDBERRIES

I'll admit it:  I often buy books for their covers, even cookbooks.  Having once designed books, I appreciate the challenge of capturing the personality of the text and writer in just the glance of an eye.  And I figure if that much care is put into design, the content and editing should hopefully show the same.  So, yes, the lush image and pretty pattern of Falling Cloudberries captivated me first.  And then I opened it to discover inside an entrancing mix of memory and mouth-watering food.  Tessa Kiros' exotic family tree twines in branches from Finland to Greece to Cyprus to South Africa to Italy, a path that perhaps very few of us know.  But at its core is the influence of her heritage--her parents and grandparents--on her cooking and recipes.  In much the same way my own family tree has influenced my thoughts on home ... fashion ... style ... love ... life.

She's also written one wicked good fried potato and artichoke recipe.

Falling Cloudberries: A World of Family Recipes by Tessa Kiros available in Style Maniac's Amazon Boutique (see sidebar or click link above).

WHAT TO EAT RIGHT NOW: Vanessa's Fried Cheese

Heavenly, gooey, crusty yumminess. I nearly drooled all over the computer screen when I came across this perfect fall treat from Vanessa Uttaro. Vanessa follows Style Maniac via Tumblr (the platform that hosts the website) and I'm so happy she does 'cause that led me to her amazing images of food, travel, vintage housewares and more. But mostly the food. Her recipe for this Fried Cheese couldn't be easier:

Olive oil
Queso fresco
Slice the cheese into squares or rectangles. Fry in olive oil, turning frequently once they begin to brown. Serve still-hot on crackers.

 Or, my version:  forget the crackers, and your burning fingertips, and pop directly in your mouth.

Photo & recipe courtesy Vanessa Uttaro / decorate, eat, repeat & the broke foodie

I LIKE NEW YORK IN JUNE ... HOW ABOUT YOU?

UPTOWN: Central Park on a glorious spring day ... the dramatic view from the terrace after a concert at Lincoln Center ... Patricia Field's fun and glamorous Sex & The City 2 windows at Bergdorf Goodman ... the bar at Jean Georges Vongerichten's new mouth-watering and surprisingly affordable restaurant at The Mark Hotel.  DOWNTOWN: The style maniacal yellow doors at The Standard Hotel ... the sublime High Line and views of the Hudson River ... brunch at charming Cafe Gitane in the Meatpacking District.

Mark Bar photo by Julie Glassberg via The New York Times. Cafe Gitane photo by Katie Sokoler via The Gothamist.  All other photos by Doreen Creede.

FIESTA

Some Cinco de Mayo celebration inspiration.  Salud!  {To hear some of the tracks on my Creede Cantina playlist visit twt.fm/stylemaniac.  For my favorite Mexican cookbook click here. And to raise awareness of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill share this.}


Images 1, 3, 4 from InStyle Magazine.  Image 2 by Doreen Creede..  Image 5 by Doreen Creede/The Redecorators LLC.  Image 6  from Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic. 

CAFÉ SOCIETY: Houston, Littleton & Chicago

As promised at the beginning of the month, here are outdoor cafés recommended by Style Maniac correspondents across the country. Merci, mes amis, for the wonderful suggestions.  Can't wait to come visit and try them all!  And please, chic readers, share your favorite spot in the Comments section below.

In Houston architect and fabulous cook Karen Krauskopf, recommends The Grove (above) a clean, modern restaurant bordering a park downtown. "It's a very peaceful place--my escape for a cool glass of white wine.  Even when it's 100+ degrees and 90% humidity, this place set amongst the oak trees and skyscrapers cools me."  The Grove  1611 Lamar Street (Discovery Green Park), Houston TX

 

Karen also loves Backstreet Cafe (above): "This quintessential neighborhood spot is right around the corner from us.  Good food, nice wine list.  Intimate (it's a re-purposed house) and romantic, but also a great place to meet friends.  The courtyard offers a wonderful, almost private outdoor dining experience, especially at night.  Again under giant oak tree.  We do love our big trees here in the blistering heat of the south."  Backstreet Cafe  1103 South Shepherd Drive, Houston TX

Across the country, Andrea Sowitch recommends JaJa Bistro in Littleton, Colorado (just outside Denver) for its outdoor dining and authentic charm. "My class from Alliance Française has made it a tradition to celebrate Bastille Day at JaJa.  The owner Stephan Poullier hails from the South of France and grew up working in his family's restaurant in Provence. My favorites are the stuffed dates, moules frites and enjoying a kir on the patio." (By the way, JaJa is French slang for getting together for a drink with friends, something Andrea and I have been doing since bonding during our college semester abroad in Nice.)  JaJa Bistro 5641 South Nevada Street, Littleton CO
   
Trish Woodson writes a knitting blog ttwcreative, and although I don't knit a stitch, we have discovered so many common loves through our blogs, I just knew she'd have a great recommendation for a Chicago café.  And she did:

"We only get a few months of alfresco dining here in Chi-town, but we know how to make the most of it.  One of our best little spots is Anteprima, a regional Italian eatery focusing on fresh, local and organic food.  This particular spot is especially perfect for Style Maniac readers because it's mere blocks away from nationally-recognized (but still affordable!) interior design shops like George Lowell, Scout and Brimstone.  If you're in Chicago one nice day, pop on your can't-miss sundress and head to the Andersonville neighborhood for shopping and a wonderful dinner.  Don't be disturbed by the busy dining room, you called ahead and made a reservation for the secret garden hidden behind the restaurant, didn't you?  Sip a cocktail while sitting amidst the beautiful greenery and peruse a selection of starters--you can get 8 of them for $15.  While you decide between the risotto with peeky toe crab and crispy trout, sit back and enjoy the wonder that is Chicago in warm weather."  Anteprima, 5316 N. Clark Street, Chicago IL

PHOTOS 1 & 2 via The Grove Facebook Page, PHOTO 3 via Backstreet Cafe Facebook Page, LOGO via JaJa Bistro.com , PHOTO 4 via anteprimachicago.net

BURGER FRITES

Yes, the classic French bistro dish is Steak Frites.  But who can afford to eat that out these days?  At Union Trust Steakhouse in Philadelphia, steak options average 40 or 50 bucks--without the sides.  During weeknight Happy Hour in the dramatic and glowing upstairs bar, however, you can get a prime burger and perfect fries for $7.  Plus drink specials, $1 oysters, a dazzling view of the restored former bank with its soaring 65-foot purple medallion ceiling and impeccable service.

Similar Happy Hour specials can be found at high-end restaurants all over the country.  A good way to discover them is to check your local weekly newspapers (in print and online). And then sometimes you just have to ask:  Union Trust's happy hour specials were not advertised nor were they available at the main bar downstairs. (The "burger frites" special, though, can be ordered at lunchtime throughout the restaurant, located at 717 Chestnut Street).

For a truly comprehensive look at burgers options in Boston, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia and San Francisco, check out The Burger Register  from New York Magazine's Grub Street blog.  Bon appetit.

Photo by Doreen Creede

BISTRO MAGIC

Every neighborhood deserves a perfect French bistro.  Lucky us, we have one just around the corner from our Queen Village home.  Bistrot La Minette has great food and polished yet personable service, of course; but it's the atmosphere that really seduces me. There's no theme park gimmicks, just genuine care and flair.  And, oh, those red velvet banquettes! They make any night sizzle.  Bistrot La Minette, 623 South 6th Street, Philadelphia PA

Image via www.bistrotlaminette.com

WE'LL WILE AWAY THE DAY AT AN OUTDOOR CAFÉ

 In January I asked some stylish friends to share their warm and cozy cocktail spots.  This month, with balmy weather teasing us and Paris on our mind, we'll be exploring chic spots across the country at which to wile away a sunny afternoon or spend a sultry evening.  First up, my favorite Philadelphia spot.  Check back for fantastic finds in Denver, Houston, Chicago and more.

Rouge's luscious wines, crisp cocktails, stellar people-watching, intimate curtain-swathed interior (designed to look like a French hotel lobby from the 1920s), views of verdant Rittenhouse Square--and of course the coveted sidewalk tables--combine to make it a spot where something always sparks.  Whether it's conversation with a crowd, a romantic evening for two or an unexpected just-a-drink-turned-into-night out with the girls (oh yes, I've had all of those!) Rouge makes you feel a bit like a star in your very own French film.

Rouge, 205 S. 18th Street Philadelphia PA

Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC via gophilly.com.  

A VERY PHILLY CHRISTMAS

 

FAVORITE Laughter, food and music--definitely three of my favorite things.
Find out more (and post your own holiday photos and favorites) on Style Maniac's Facebook Page. 

Photo by Doreen Creede

WAVES

THE BEACH: Westhampton Beach, NY
My husband's favorite beach, to which all ocean waves are compared. I find it amazing that such blue water and untrampled miles of dunes exist only 60 miles from New York City.

THE BOOK: Heat by Bill Buford
As I sweltered in Manhattan during a trade show last week I thought of this book, the account of a New Yorker writer who takes a year off to apprentice with Mario Batali. Entertaining, elucidating (sometimes too much so); and who knows, out in the Hamptons you might actually run into Mario himself.

Photos by Doreen Creede

BACK IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

One of the great things about living in Philly is the array of fantastic food practically in our own backyard. We're just a few blocks from the Italian Market and shop there weekly. When visiting out-of-town friends and family I often bring an antipasto spread from the market--sweet and tangy sundried tomatoes, spicy poppers, luscious marinated artichokes, salty Kalamata olives, creamy Chevrion goat cheese and warm-from-the-oven Sarcone's bread. Just as often I pick up a few items for Kevin and I to enjoy. Here's one recipe for an easy, no-cook meal (and a shopping excursion that's so much better than a grocery store):

STEP ONE: Go to Claudio's (924 South Ninth Street), preferably on a weekday to avoid the crowds. Wander past the hanging provolone and racks of olive oil ...


... sample goodies from the olive bar ...


... while you wait for Sal to slice paper-thin prosciutto ...


... or Ben to scoop up mounds of pillowy soft fresh mozzarella (made on premises).


Before leaving, stock up on a hunk of parmigiano-reggiano for tomorrow night's dinner.


STEP TWO: Pick up a bag of baby arugula from the farmstand near Anthony's Coffee House (at a fraction of the cost of Whole Foods up the street).

STEP THREE: Stop by Sarcone's (758 South Ninth Street) for a seeded loaf.


Go early (they sell out every single day).



STEP FOUR: Once home, arrange the washed arugula in a bowl. Top with curls of prosciutto and slabs of mozzarella.


STEP FIVE: Crack open a bottle of J. Lohr chardonnay, grab the bread, head out to the backyard with someone you love and toast to a soft summer evening in the city.

Photos by Doreen Creede. Salad inspired by Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers' Italian Two Easy cookbook.

SUMMER IN THE CITY

Drinks on a roof deck ... dinner on the patio ... Sunday mornings at the Farmer's Market ... Tuesday nights at the neighbors' ... five dollar martinis and dollar oysters in the corner bistro ... art shows, music mixes, no-cook recipes, Philly favorites and fashion finds: Welcome to Summer In The City, this month at Style Maniac.

Photo by Doreen Creede

PHILLY FAVORITE: Core de Roma

A few weeks ago I suggested eating in on Valentine's night and eating out another time to enjoy better service, food and prices. Another way to save money: choose a BYOB or find out about BYO specials at restaurants with a full bar. The latter has become a lot more common recently, but one of our favorite spots, Core de Roma, has offered patrons that option for years.

Just around the corner from our home, Core de Roma Trattoria serves up great Italian food and the friendliest, most welcome atmosphere of any restaurant I've ever been to. All thanks to owner Papa Gigi and his sons. Ask for the Artichoke alla Romana special and enjoy a break from washing dishes. Buon appetito.

Note: The nifty photo effects above were created with the free and easy to use Sumo Paint application. Give it a try!

Photo by Doreen Creede