I was looking at an apartment near McGolrick Park the other day and decided that if I were to live in Greenpoint, I would need to come to terms with Polish food. So of course I set about haphazardly choosing a Polish restaurant on Nassau Avenue.
Now I must note that I'm not Polish, that I have no complicated history with Polish cuisine. Neither of my grandmothers made me potato pancakes which forever shaped my preferences as regards the dish. To put it another way: I don't know shit about Polish food. Sure, I have the same vague ideas as anyone (lots of meat, potatoes, and cabbage), but that's about it. I stumbled across and into Basia between Diamond & Jewel St. just before noon. There were posters on the door promoting Polish dance parties in and around the city.
The restaurant itself is a plain cafeteria, a flatscreen television blaring Polish satellite news into a large, shadowy box containing 12 or so modest wooden tables. A counter wraps around one corner of the room, and drink coolers hum nondescriptly in a little nook. There was a pretty young lady at the counter, and one can see through a window in the wall into the kitchen where two oldish ladies were preparing lunch.
"For here or to go?" asked the young lady. For here, of course. Menu items are spelled out in white stickers on an unnatural looking paneled wooden board above the counter. The names of dishes are written in Polish, with a vague description below each one in English.
I was on the spot and ordered potato pancakes before really sizing up the menu. The waitress turned and briskly relayed my order in Polish to the cooks. But then I realized that I wanted something more. I asked the young lady what I should have with my potato pancakes, and she looked at me quizically. "I don't know?"
I suppose that I was that annoying customer who comes in and is all, what's good here? In fact I was simply hoping for a small side of vegetables (really, though: vegetables? in Polish food?), but she did not seem to understand what I was asking.
At this point I began to look at the right half of the menu board and realized that I had ordered prematurely. The "Entrees" section of the board revealed numerous meaty delights (all varieties of pork, really, in addition to various schnitzels, some seafood, etc.), and I regretted my selection of placki kartoflane from the board's "Blintzes" subdivision. Still, the two women in the kitchen had already set about making my pancakes, and I couldn't just ask them to stop.
I took a different tack: "Okay, so if I get the pancakes and the gulasch, will that be too much?" Her face contorted as she strove to answer my likely-stupid question as judiciously as possible. After a pause: "This would be too much."
Oh-kayyy...umm...
Then, unexpectedly, the young lady came to my rescue. "Maybe you get the Hungarian pancakes. This is the potato pancakes with the pork stew."
"Yes, thank you! Excellent! I'll do it."
"Anything to drink?" (I checked my watch, verifying that it was, alas, too early for a beer.)
"Uhh...just some water."
"Okay?" (She gestured toward the drink coolers.)
I tipped her and sat down at one of the long, plain tables. There were some fake tulips adorning one end. I started reading, variably trying to decipher Polish news items on the television. Workers started to filter in for their lunch. I glanced surreptitiously at the counter, to check on the status of both my food and the cute counter lady. She was nowhere to be found, but I noticed a portrait of John Paul II hanging over the counter.
Business in Basia (excepting, of course, dealings with outsiders such as myself) is conducted entirely in Polish. Customers order and then retrieve their own bread, silverware, and napkins from a bin near the counter. After I noticed everyone else doing this, I followed suit.
Some of the other customers' dishes came out before mine: soup, schnitzel. The waitress called each customer by name when his dish was ready, and each in turn went up to the counter to get his lunch. She brought mine out on a tray and told me warmly to enjoy.
The plate contained two massively oblong potato pancakes sandwiching really thick pork gulasch. The top pancake was garnished with a dollop of sour cream and a tomato wedge. The pancakes were browned to perfection and glistened with a greasy sheen.
To the side of the plate were three piles, made up, respectively, of 1) homemade, slightly sweet sauerkraut, 2) carrot salad (aside: what is carrot salad, really, but shredded carrots? If this is the case, why does it magically become a salad when you shred the carrots?), and 3) a dill salad of cucumbers, green cabbage, and green onion.
The gulasch was a thick and savory stew of delicious, slow-cooked pork, some carrots, peas, and corn. The potato pancakes were different from latkes or German Reibekuchen, in size and, more significantly, texture. Basia's placki (pronounced plahts-kee, I think) were deliciously crispy on the outside, but they seemed to be made of very, very finely grated potatoes, almost mashed. There wasn't the familiar latke texture of coarsely grated potato and onion to them.
I plodded through my meal, enjoying it thoroughly, and at some point a news bit about the Obamas' new dog came on Polish television. I kind of grinned stupidly at the room, all, "Shucks, I know what they're talkin' about!!!" No one was paying any attention to me, though. Just watchin' Bo frolick on Polish satellite news.
Everything was fantastic, and I left feeling really full. It was a struggle to finish the dish, but only because the portion was huge. The Calorie-to-Dollar Ratio would assuredly smile upon my meal at Basia. At $10.25, it offered a lot of bang for one's buck. I will definitely return. My sense of Polish food as comfort food seems justified after my visit to Basia, and I'll be back next time I'm craving some hearty meat-n-potatoes-type stuff. Also, I'm kind of curious to see what the evening scene is like.
Basia/Basia's Place
167 Nassau Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11222
718-383-0276
Friday, April 17, 2009
Monday, July 28, 2008
Al di Là (di da di da) -- A new Decemberists song?
Cait's parents took us to Al di Là on Friday night. Located across from Moutarde at the intersection of 5th Ave. and Carroll St. in Park Slope, this self-proclaimed trattoria is amazing. The service was excellent. The food was better.
Google Al di Là and you'll find numerous glowing (and professionally written) reviews. I'll thus leave the raving to the pros, and only turn your attention to the casunziei (homemade ravioli stuffed with roasted beets and ricotta topped with a poppy seed and butter sauce) that Cait's mom ordered, the simple tortelli in a tomato basil sauce, deliciously rich in citrus, that Cait and I had, and the homemade gelati sampler I had for dessert. The day's flavors were "burnt orange and bitter chocolate," "honey," and "earl grey tea." Portions of everything were small, but filling.
Al di Là is the ultimate restaurant to have your parents take you to when they're in town. Or the ultimate restaurant to go to when you (finally) find a job.
-Sam
As everyone knows, Al di Là doesn't take reservations. We got lucky and walked right in on a Friday night, but this is pretty rare from what I understand. Try going on an off-night, and trust that the wait is worth it.
Google Al di Là and you'll find numerous glowing (and professionally written) reviews. I'll thus leave the raving to the pros, and only turn your attention to the casunziei (homemade ravioli stuffed with roasted beets and ricotta topped with a poppy seed and butter sauce) that Cait's mom ordered, the simple tortelli in a tomato basil sauce, deliciously rich in citrus, that Cait and I had, and the homemade gelati sampler I had for dessert. The day's flavors were "burnt orange and bitter chocolate," "honey," and "earl grey tea." Portions of everything were small, but filling.
Al di Là is the ultimate restaurant to have your parents take you to when they're in town. Or the ultimate restaurant to go to when you (finally) find a job.
-Sam
As everyone knows, Al di Là doesn't take reservations. We got lucky and walked right in on a Friday night, but this is pretty rare from what I understand. Try going on an off-night, and trust that the wait is worth it.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Things To Do
This marks the first installment of a new semi-regular feature briefly highlighting some fun things that we have done in the past little while.
-Go to the Boathouse in Prospect Park and take a boat tour for $6. Hear about duckweed, the history of the Prospect Park Lake, and how a cop once drove his prowler into the lake, mistaking the duckweed-covered surface for a lush, meticulously manicured grassy meadow.
-Leave Brooklyn and head to Astoria and its Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden. Order a pitcher of Staropramen and enjoy the great atmosphere outside. One of the last bastions of NYC smokerdom, for those that are so inclined. They also have foosball on a great Tornado, but it's overpriced at $1.50/pop.
-Round up your comfiest picnic blanket. Get a cheap bottle of wine, some bread, and some cheese, and head to the Bandshell in Prospect Park on Tuesday 8/12. Bob Dylan will be playing. Don't have the 70+ bucks to get inside? Not a problem--just sit outside on the grassy knoll directly across from the stage. The fence will be covered, so you won't be able to see the performance, but you'll hear everything quite nicely.
-Go to the Boathouse in Prospect Park and take a boat tour for $6. Hear about duckweed, the history of the Prospect Park Lake, and how a cop once drove his prowler into the lake, mistaking the duckweed-covered surface for a lush, meticulously manicured grassy meadow.
-Leave Brooklyn and head to Astoria and its Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden. Order a pitcher of Staropramen and enjoy the great atmosphere outside. One of the last bastions of NYC smokerdom, for those that are so inclined. They also have foosball on a great Tornado, but it's overpriced at $1.50/pop.
-Round up your comfiest picnic blanket. Get a cheap bottle of wine, some bread, and some cheese, and head to the Bandshell in Prospect Park on Tuesday 8/12. Bob Dylan will be playing. Don't have the 70+ bucks to get inside? Not a problem--just sit outside on the grassy knoll directly across from the stage. The fence will be covered, so you won't be able to see the performance, but you'll hear everything quite nicely.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Check This Out...
From Only The Blog Knows Brooklyn:
Brooklyn Blogade Prospect Park Picnic This Sunday
The monthly Brooklyn Blogade, a get-together for bloggers, blog readers, those interested in blogging and their friends, meets this Sunday.
When: Sunday, July 27thTime: 12:00 noon - 3:00pm (walking tour @ 11:00 am see below)
Who: Brooklyn bloggers, prospective bloggers, their family and friends
Brenda of Prospect: A Year in the Park and Dave of Dope on the Slope are co-hosting this month's Brooklyn Blogade Roadshow, which will be held in Prospect Park near the Music Pagoda.
Brenda will be offering a guided walking tour of the park prior to the picnic. Learn why the park serves as an "oasis for the city soul," the title of a recent New York Times article describing Brenda's labor of love.
There is no charge for the event, although we are soliciting volunteers to bring food and will be passing the hat to defray expenses.
Come share Brooklyn's backyard with your fellow bloggers.
Please RSVP at blogade.rsvp@gmail.com.
Here are the 'tails about the walking tour with Brenda
Starting point: the Music Pagoda, same place we hope to have our lunch. (See map link: http://www.prospectpark.org/visit/interactive_map).
We'll retrace the footsteps of the Redcoats and rebels in some of the Revolutionary War ground of the Battle of Brooklyn, and make our way to the wonderful hidden Ravine and waterfall, before returning to our rendez-vous point for lunch. The last time I did this walk, I was challenged to a duel by a killer crayfish, but I cannot guarantee he will be there next time; however, one never knows what other interesting things will pop up. If by any chance there is a very large group, we can do the tour in two shorter shifts, or do a second tour after our lunch and meet-up. Wear comfortable shoes; tour will take place in (light) rain or shine and should run about 45 minutes.
Brooklyn Blogade Prospect Park Picnic This Sunday
The monthly Brooklyn Blogade, a get-together for bloggers, blog readers, those interested in blogging and their friends, meets this Sunday.
When: Sunday, July 27thTime: 12:00 noon - 3:00pm (walking tour @ 11:00 am see below)
Who: Brooklyn bloggers, prospective bloggers, their family and friends
Brenda of Prospect: A Year in the Park and Dave of Dope on the Slope are co-hosting this month's Brooklyn Blogade Roadshow, which will be held in Prospect Park near the Music Pagoda.
Brenda will be offering a guided walking tour of the park prior to the picnic. Learn why the park serves as an "oasis for the city soul," the title of a recent New York Times article describing Brenda's labor of love.
There is no charge for the event, although we are soliciting volunteers to bring food and will be passing the hat to defray expenses.
Come share Brooklyn's backyard with your fellow bloggers.
Please RSVP at blogade.rsvp@gmail.com.
Here are the 'tails about the walking tour with Brenda
Starting point: the Music Pagoda, same place we hope to have our lunch. (See map link: http://www.prospectpark.org/visit/interactive_map).
We'll retrace the footsteps of the Redcoats and rebels in some of the Revolutionary War ground of the Battle of Brooklyn, and make our way to the wonderful hidden Ravine and waterfall, before returning to our rendez-vous point for lunch. The last time I did this walk, I was challenged to a duel by a killer crayfish, but I cannot guarantee he will be there next time; however, one never knows what other interesting things will pop up. If by any chance there is a very large group, we can do the tour in two shorter shifts, or do a second tour after our lunch and meet-up. Wear comfortable shoes; tour will take place in (light) rain or shine and should run about 45 minutes.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
L&B Spumoni Gardens
L&B Spumoni Gardens has the best pizza in Brooklyn. Nay, the best pizza in New York.
Nay, the world.
It is fantastic. They specialize in Sicilian pizza or, as they call it, "squares." The dough is just the right thickness, prepared to just the right crispiness. The sauce on this pizza is found atop the cheese, meaning if one was to take a cross-section of a slice it would appear as follows, from bottom to top: crust/dough, mozzarella, sauce, a perfect dash of parmesan.
I don't know what they're putting in that sauce, but it rocks. It's just a little sweet, with a little bit of a spicy bite. The crust is also sprinkled with parmesan cheese, which burns to perfection in the oven.
Oh, and it's really cheap! It's $36 for a 24-slice pizza square. When I went, 6 of us split one of those bad boys. 4 slices each for $6! There were fantastic leftovers.
For dessert, I obviously had their renowned homemade spumoni. L&B's spumoni surely wins the gold medal, and as a native New Yorker and a good Italian, I can say that with confidence. It is creamy, flavorful, and full of real pistachios. The vanilla-chocolate-pistachio medley is wonderful.
There is a large, canopied outdoor seating area and segregated counters at which you can order pizza, pasta and dessert. You can also dine-in in their dining room, which is decorated much like a 1980s mobster's living room.
For those of you further north in Brooklyn, L&B Spumoni Gardens is well worth the travels down to Bensonhurst. If you have no reason to be going down to Bensonhurst, this place warrants a trip in itself.
-Cait
L & B Spumoni Gardens
2725 86th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11223
718.449.1230
Subway: N to Avenue U
Nay, the world.
It is fantastic. They specialize in Sicilian pizza or, as they call it, "squares." The dough is just the right thickness, prepared to just the right crispiness. The sauce on this pizza is found atop the cheese, meaning if one was to take a cross-section of a slice it would appear as follows, from bottom to top: crust/dough, mozzarella, sauce, a perfect dash of parmesan.
I don't know what they're putting in that sauce, but it rocks. It's just a little sweet, with a little bit of a spicy bite. The crust is also sprinkled with parmesan cheese, which burns to perfection in the oven.
Oh, and it's really cheap! It's $36 for a 24-slice pizza square. When I went, 6 of us split one of those bad boys. 4 slices each for $6! There were fantastic leftovers.
For dessert, I obviously had their renowned homemade spumoni. L&B's spumoni surely wins the gold medal, and as a native New Yorker and a good Italian, I can say that with confidence. It is creamy, flavorful, and full of real pistachios. The vanilla-chocolate-pistachio medley is wonderful.
There is a large, canopied outdoor seating area and segregated counters at which you can order pizza, pasta and dessert. You can also dine-in in their dining room, which is decorated much like a 1980s mobster's living room.
For those of you further north in Brooklyn, L&B Spumoni Gardens is well worth the travels down to Bensonhurst. If you have no reason to be going down to Bensonhurst, this place warrants a trip in itself.
-Cait
L & B Spumoni Gardens
2725 86th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11223
718.449.1230
Subway: N to Avenue U
Press 195's #13
Park Slope panini joint Press 195 (5th Ave. between Union and Sackett streets) has something special going with menu item #13 (Sec.: "The Hot Press"). From the menu: "Sliced ripe tomato, fresh basil, fresh Mozzarella cheese and Press 195’s famous pure maple syrup basil pesto." It's the maple syrup pesto that places this sandwich above its tomato-mozz-basil rivals. Really terrific, that famous maple syrup pesto of theirs. Eight bucks for this 'wich, which, by the way, is served on delicious fresh ciabatta. Add prosciutto for an extra dollar if that's your thing. Also, they have Gaffel on draft and great-looking homemade sangria.*
-Sam
Press 195
195 5th Ave. in Park Slope
718-857-1950
-Sam
Press 195
195 5th Ave. in Park Slope
718-857-1950
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Skip to the Beet
Yeah. Good Thai at Beet Thai on 7th Ave. between 9th and 10th in the Slope. We ordered takeout the other night and it was tasty. Veggies were all very fresh and crisp. Prices were reasonable—I had a great dish of sautéed vegetables and deep-fried tofu in a delicious garlic ginger sauce for $8. 'Nuff Said.
-Sam
Beet Thai Restaurant
344 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 832-2338
-Sam
Beet Thai Restaurant
344 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 832-2338
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