Friday Photo

(DeKalb Ave)

Lunchtime With Tillie: Black Iris

Hello out there, neighborhood. It’s Van, and I just want to say this about Tillie: She sure is a saucy kind of gal!

I mean, really – ketchup, marinara, spicy mayo, you name it. Now, I can add tahini sauce to the list as I discovered when we went to Middle Eastern restaurant Black Iris on Dekalb and Clermont for our latest lunch date. And it’s a good thing the tahini sauce was there or I don’t know what she would’ve eaten!

Our day had gone like any other dad-and-daughter day: a little playground action, some block stacking, we even made it out to the library for story time.

When we got home, I put her down for a nap and around when I expected her to wake up, I started packing up a bib, towel, little spoon and some food for her to take with us. A couple of times recently, I’ve gone out without any backup food, but having never been to Black Iris, I didn’t know what to expect for myself, much less her. Tillie’s mom and I make dishes for her that we pack up and freeze into little containers, and on the menu this time was some mashed potatoes with a little ground-up hamburger patty and carrots all mixed together. She didn’t eat it the day before, but I thought I’d give it another shot.

So after her nap, we got down to Black Iris and it was a pretty tight fit going in, as they had the tiniest outer door entrances I’ve ever seen. Then when we got in, we were hit by this blast of hot air – like really, really hot. Two tough things to handle and we just walked in the place!

The restaurant had a crowd for a late afternoon, but we were able to get a seat at a table by the window. I set Tillie up in her high chair and the waiter came with a glass of water for me and a cup with a straw for her. Water is still an old Tillie fave, so I took the straw and gave her some sips. Also, she seemed to be in a cheerful mood, which was indicated by her dancing to the music pumping out of the speakers!

As I was looking at the menu, I had the notion of getting a couple of falafels for her to try. To me, it seemed like it would be right up her alley. Who doesn’t like fried ground-up chickpeas? I was torn between the chicken kebab and merguez platters, but decided to go with the merguez.

While we were waiting, I decided to try to feed Tillie the little meal I packed up. Upon opening it, I was a little taken aback by the smell of it, which, just so we’re under no illusions, was not particularly appetizing. I took a bite of it and it tasted fine to me, despite the scent, and tried to sell Tillie on it with a big smile on my face and a “Yum!” thrown in for added measure. I gave her a tiny bite and just like the day before, it came right back out. I guess we can call that dish of mine a failure!

The falafels came out soon and I took a little pinch just to make sure there wasn’t any crazy spicy seasoning going on. It was good to me, so I gave her a little piece dipped in the tahini sauce as I know she’s big on the condiments. She licked the sauce off, but didn’t try the falafel at all. And when I tried to give her the falafel again, it was no dice. Uh-oh, what do I do now? That’s two of my meal options for her already rejected, and my food hadn’t even arrived yet!

Good thing I’ve learned to be a little quick on my feet over the course of our LWT excursions. The falafels came with a little lettuce and tomato, and as she’s usually a fan of tomatoes, I gave her a piece. She ate it, but then I decided to jazz it up for her with the next piece dipped in tahini sauce. And ladies and gentlemen, we had a winner! That woke up her taste buds and she was clamoring for more.

My food arrived in the midst of the feeding frenzy: a huge plate of rice topped with the merguez and a big salad on the side. I took a bite of the sausage and it was very flavorful, with a nice spiciness to it. I was going to keep it away from Tillie, but I gave her some of the rice that was underneath it. She had a bite, but wasn’t that into it. However, when I took some rice and put it on a little plate, then mixed up some tahini sauce in it … ding, ding, ding! Another winner! Man, I was racking up the “awesome dad” points!

As she was in an eating groove, I wanted to see if I could keep the good times rolling. This time, I gave her some of my pita – dipped in tahini sauce, of course. It wasn’t as successful as the tomatoes and rice, but she still ate some of it. I was so focused on feeding her that I barely paid attention to my own meal. I finished most of it, and it was tasty, but as far as savoring every bite goes, I didn’t get to do that. No biggie at all, though: I’ve had plenty of meals in my lifetime compared to Tillie!

So after all the eating was said and done, I got the check, which was really reasonable at $13, considering I had a huge platter of food and the extra falafels at the start. I would go back there again, for sure, especially with the staff being so nice and the place so accommodating – once you made it in the tight squeeze at the door and walked past the hot kitchen area, that is! As a matter of fact, we went there to pick up a couple of falafel sandwiches the next day – and Tillie ate the falafels this time. I had to douse them in tahini sauce, but hey! Whatever works!

Lunchtime With Tillie: Madiba

Greetings neighborhood, this is your captain Van writing, and on behalf of my co-pilot Tillie, we’d like to welcome you to LWT Airlines! Next stop, South African restaurant Madiba, on Dekalb between Carlton and Adelphi.

As you can probably tell, I’ve had Tillie in that plane on my mind for quite some time! On a nice day last week, we finally made it happen. And it worked well for me because I was on a personal redemption mission with Madiba.

In all my years in the ‘hood, I’d only eaten there once and it wasn’t the greatest of experiences –  and that’s no one’s fault but my own. When I went before, I was a complete African restaurant neophyte, and instead of asking my dining companions or the waiter for recommendations, I decided to try to figure things out myself and thus, not be penalized any “cool points.”  I ordered some type of beans and “slap chips,” or twice-fried french fries, thinking it would be a tasty combination. It wasn’t, and I hadn’t eaten there since. Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, it was a nice day out, a perfect one , actually, for sitting outside. And by the time we made it out there, we had our choice of where to set up camp, which it becomes in a way when you’re unloading snacks and toys.

While I was doing this, the waiter came back with T’s high chair and menus for the both of us. And Tillie’s menu – besides the simple fact of it being a menu, which is usually exciting for her – also doubled as a coloring sheet. Tillie’s really gotten into coloring: as much as a 13-month-old can, I guess. I was torn between ordering her the chicken “madibits” and fries or the veggie plate. I know, it shouldn’t be that tough a decision, but don’t worry: The veggies won out! For me, though …

I felt myself flashing back to Madiba ’05. I wanted to try something outside the norm, and finally decided on the meat pie with mashed potatoes. I felt good about my choice, but the waiter came back and told me they were out of the pies. I went to my backup option, the Yebo burger and chips. That’s exotic, right? (I know, not really!)

As we were waiting for the food, Tillie was enjoying her coloring and her cheddar bunny crackers. Actually, she was enjoying the crackers at an exceptionally fast pace. So I asked the waiter if we could get her vegetables as soon as possible before we were left with just the essence of cheddar bunnies in her little container. We were down to her last four or five, and then the veggies came out: a plate of carrots, broccoli, green beans and mushrooms, all served nice and hot and tender. I took a little bite to see what we were working with and speaking for her (since she can’t really hop on my computer and type it out herself), they were really good. She enjoyed all of them, especially the broccoli and carrots.

Then my food came out and the burger was about as big as Tillie! It was topped with mushrooms, caramelized onions and baby greens. There was also a little bit of sauce on it, which I wasn’t too thrilled about after asking the waiter if there was going to be any on it and he said no. But I gave it a try and it was fine. I cut the burger in half, took a bite and was instantly satisfied. There were pieces of onions in it, which only enhanced the flavor. There was also an order of slap chips that came with the burger, and they were perfect. I guess it’s the twice-frying process, but they maintain a crispiness, while being soft in the center, if that makes sense!

These slap chips were so good, I figured I’d give some to my fry-loving lil’ buddy. She liked them, but when I dipped them in the ketchup for her, that took the fries to a whole new level! A level so high, in fact, that the veggies she was eating so well were quickly forgotten. When will I learn: Don’t give her fries until she’s filled up on vegetables!

I tried to pass her a carrot, but you could see the slap chips and ketchup dancing in her eyes. So, I thought, “Hey, this baby carrot is kind of fry-shaped: I’ll dip it in ketchup and see how that goes.” I was able to get her to finish off her carrots, at least, by doing that. Tillie didn’t fall for it when I tried that with the broccoli, though! I helped her finish off MY fries and that was that.

I got the check, which wasn’t bad at 17 bucks, I felt, because we both ate pretty heartily. The accommodations were perfect for us and the waiter was very nice. Plus, I got to exorcise any Madiba demons I might have had!

And then, there’s the airplane outside of the restaurant! Before we left, I plopped Tillie in, but unfortunately, I didn’t have any change on me. I shook her around a little in it and she seemed to have fun doing that. That’s another reason to return, for a really good ride.

So, on behalf of my co-pilot Tillie, we’d like to thank you for choosing LWT Airlines! See you next week!

CHB Previews: Roman's

It's pretty obvious that Roman's is just doing a soft opening, but that didn't stop the husband and I from hustling right over last weekend to check it out.  I'm calling this post a "preview" as opposed to a "review," since it's really just first impressions.

First of all, it was awfully strange to get a table immediately on a Saturday night in this small and formerly bustling space.  Obviously there's no signage up yet, but I'm used to sitting on the window ledge drinking margaritas for awhile.

A few small interior changes have been made - the wall behind the bar has been been completely redesigned and restocked, new light fixtures have been added and a decorative wall was erected between the dining room and kitchen.

The menu, for now, is pretty bare bones.  It's small plates, and it needs explanation / guidance from the wait staff.

It's a small-plates setup, which often ends up in a trial-and-error ordering experiment. (How many plates do we need?  Are we going to be stuffed or left hungry?).  We started with the "heirloom radish," which consisted of a chopped radish and a few other radish-like roots, salted and served with creme fraiche.  It was light and fresh, though a few bites were oversalted and others were not salted enough.

For second courses, we split the sauerkraut soup and the panette.  Both were delicious.  The soup was well-favored without being sour, and included a delicious bite of some sort of meat (pork?) and an egg.  The panette, small penne pasta, was served with a delicious sauce and toasted pine nuts.

Our third course was a stuffed meatball.  Delicious, but small.

For dessert we went with the dark chocolate, assuming it would be some sort of torte.  But in actuality, it was a pile of dark chocolate with some almonds.  For $6.  I looked at Will and said, "This is good chocolate, but it's... a pile of chocolate."

I'm really interested to see how Roman's develops.  I was unable to get a good grasp of the vibe they were going for.  Partly, it seemed to be trying to mimic the trendy 1920s thing that's been pervading popular culture these past few years.  But the cuisine suggests otherwise.  The bill was fairly pricey for the quantity, but I'm game to go back once they have a regular, full menu (and they are already taking credit cards).

If you're wondering about the name, it's clearly a reference to Rome, Italy.  Not only is the food described by the waitstaff as being Italian-influenced, but the outside of the menus feature an illustration of two infants being suckled by a wolf.  My renaissance-literature-professor husband informed me that it was a depiction of Romulus and Remus.  (Romulus was, according to Roman mythology, the first King of Rome).

Roman's?

The old Bonita space on DeKalb (nr Vanderbilt) has a hand-made sign on the door that says "Roman's" and "OPEN."  The door also boasts a stop work order.

Inside, the place hasn't changed much.  The bar area has been fully stocked, and a decorative wall has been added in the back.

So, are they operational?  Are they in fact open from 5-11?  Or did that pesky stop work order stall things?

Lunchtime With Tillie: Umi Nom

Hello everyone and welcome to a special super-sized edition of Lunchtime With Tillie! It’s me, Van, with her, Tillie, and as a special treat, we’ve brought along one of T’s best friends, 14-month-old Amira, and her dad, Marquis, aka “Amira’s pop.” It’s twice the kids, twice the grown-ups and twice the excitement!

And this lunchtime caravan of ours ended up at one of the neighborhood’s hottest new spots, Thai-Filipino restaurant Umi Nom on Dekalb and Classon. What can I say? We’re all just fancy like that!

Just kidding, because Umi Nom is as unpretentious as they come. I went there for dinner with Tillie’s mom, Amira’s parents and another couple a few months ago, and we had a wonderful time. It was just like having friends over for dinner and a bottle of wine or two (or six or seven, if you’re counting)!

Anyway, I had been hearing rumors about the restaurant being open for lunch, but I wasn’t planning on investigating any time soon. Part of that was due to me thinking they would just offer the small plates they serve at dinner. The dishes are all excellent, but if you end up getting a few to fill you up, it could make a little dent in the wallet.

It’s funny how we ended up there this time. We were all at the playground as part of our twice-weekly dads’ group meeting, but after a while of chasing the kids, Amira’s pop and I both worked up an appetite. I told him Tillie and I were about to go on one of our LWT adventures and that he and Amira were welcome to join us. As we started to gather up the kids, another dad in the group showed up, having just gotten back from Umi Nom. I told him my concerns, but he let me know there was a whole lunch menu and how great his food was. We already had a decision on where we were going, but I looked over at AP and I saw he was thinking what I was: Let’s go to Umi Nom!

When we entered, we were greeted warmly by the waiter. We were offered to take a seat anywhere we liked, but coming in with kids and strollers, it’s not exactly the easiest of tasks. Our strollers were able to be stored in the back of the restaurant near the open kitchen without folding them up, which is always a bonus to me. (I just hate taking out the stuff in the pouch underneath the seat, like the diaper pad, toys, stroller cover, etc., all the tools a parent on the go needs!)

After getting the kids situated in their high chairs, we took a look at the menu. The options all sounded so good, plus another bonus: They were all reasonably priced –  I don’t think anything exceeded 10 bucks. Even though I was tempted to go with Umi Nom’s spin on the burger, I decided on the bahay kubo – stir-fried rice with chicken, sausage, shrimp, egg and soy – and Amira’s pop got the chicken pad-seow and a side of garlic rice for Amira.

While we were waiting for the food, the waiter brought out some toasted bread for the kids, which was greatly appreciated. He even came back later to see if we wanted some more. (Probably because AP and I were munching on it!) I broke out with some of the pasta I made a literal vat of for Tillie a few weeks ago and gave her some. I also set some aside for Amira, which she really seemed to like. It made me feel proud of my baby-food-cooking abilities, even though Tillie’s mom called me out for the lack of vegetables in said vat.

The kids were having a great time interacting with each other, which they always seem to do. Tillie gets real excited around Amira, kind of like that looking up to the older kid situation. Between feeding the two and picking up crumbs, the two dads were able to catch up.

My food and the garlic rice came out first, and it was a most welcome sight! I took a bite first to determine if the seasoning would be OK for Tillie to handle, which it was. (Well, that’s part of it: Remember, I was starving!) Amira’s pop dished up some garlic rice for the kids while waiting for his food to come out, and I offered him some from the heaping mound on my plate. We both agreed that mine was delicious: The rice had a slightly sweet taste to it, while the shredded vegetables had a nice contrasting tanginess to them. And there was enough meat for a piece in every bite. Tillie’s been a big rice eater, so the dish worked for her, too.

Also, you can take this as an indication as to how good it was: You know how I usually have pictures of the food included? My food was so tasty that it totally wiped out any intention of taking shots of it – eating it was the main priority!

The noodles came out shortly and Amira got a little bit of the dish set aside for her. She tried to feed Tillie a couple of pieces of chicken, but the two couldn’t pull off the transaction without the food hitting the floor!

After the eating was done and the bellies were full, we packed the kids up to go – all the while raving about how good our food was. They were both getting kind of tired after being out and about for a while. We got the bill, which was about $27 for the two of us – a good value for all the food and the wonderful experience we had.

So just in case more of a recommendation is needed: Run, don’t walk (or stroll) there. The staff couldn’t be nicer and the food couldn’t be better. Plus, it’s great to go there with a chum – child and grown-up alike!

Lunchtime With Tillie: Red Bamboo

Hey everyone! It’s Van and Tillie, and for our latest culinary adventure, we boldly went where no Van had gone before: vegan/vegetarian restaurant Red Bamboo on Dekalb Avevue. Now, I know my record of past lunch choices (any place with a big, juicy hamburger) might not support this claim, but I promise Red Bamboo had always been on my radar. The bold aromas as I’ve walked by with Tillie on the way to the playgrounds in the area piqued my curiosity: “Man, what’s going on in there?” I’ve often asked myself. “Maybe I’ll give it a shot one day,” I’ve answered, then moved on.

But after getting called out by Tillie’s mom, Tillie’s mom’s mom and just for good measure, my mom, about my recent bacon and cheese run, I figured I need to do something maybe a teensy-bit different the next time out. A suggestion from among the comments in the last LWT made me see that this was my time for the Red Bamboo foray.

We went on another one of those late-sleeping-Tillie days, but I was a little more prepared to stave off starvation. I ate a small plate of some leftovers at the start of her nap, and that held me over. The leftovers had a dual purpose, too: They were kind of a pre-backup plan for Red Bamboo, because I had no idea what I’d be getting into there – you know, what if I just didn’t like it? I had never been to a vegetarian restaurant; this could be tough.

Anyway, when she finally woke up, I was prepared for us to roll out immediately with her lunch packed and some snacks. When we got there, I was hoping to sit outside, but the tables weren’t set up. It was nice out, but it had been raining for the past two-and-a-half days, so that made sense.  I rolled her in, and we had our pick of where to sit, so I chose a nice, plush booth and Tillie got the high-chair treatment.

While I’m looking over the menu, the waitress arrived with a glass of water for both Tillie and me. Tillie didn’t have the using-the-straw-on-her-own thing down yet, but it was good to have backup for us! And about the menu: I looked through the whole thing before going to the lunch section, and I have to say it all looked really appetizing! The lunch menu, which ran from noon to 4, continued that and it took me a while to decide on what I wanted. It’s split into three price sections – $5.95, $6.95 and $7.95 – all of which seemed reasonable to me. And whatever you pick comes with your choice of soup, salad or collard green roll. I decided to go with the soy butterfly chops and collard greens with the calalloo soup.

Also, this go-around, even though I brought along lunch for Tillie, I wanted to order her something off the menu (her very first dish specifically for her!), so I got a side of the sweet corn mashed potatoes.

As we’re waiting for the food, Tillie seemed restless. Looking back, I probably shouldn’t have put her in a stroller mere minutes after waking up. Plus the fact that she managed to actually stand up in her high chair despite being buckled down at one point would indicate she wanted to be running around!

After strapping her back her down, my soup arrived. I never had this type of soup before – a spicy broth with spinach, okra and onions. Tillie was reaching for some, but I couldn’t give her any as it was just too hot for her, but it was very nice for me! Her mashed potatoes came out shortly thereafter. I had a bite of them first, and I was like, yum! These will be perfect for her! She had a few bites, but wasn’t devouring them like I thought she would, so I got out her little container of pasta I packed. My main course came out while I was feeding her: the breaded soy pork chops with an apple-raisin sauce on top and side of collard greens with vegetarian ham.

Here it was for me: the moment of truth. The soup and mashed potatoes were just precursors into the vegan world for me, this was the real deal. SOY chops? VEGETARIAN ham? Those things didn’t even sound like something I should be eating! But after the first bite, as with the soup and potatoes, I was hooked. The seasonings were perfect, and please take my word on this: As someone with the deepest of Southern roots by way of Louisiana and Alabama, I like to think I know what good collards taste like. And these were by far the best that I’ve had in the neighborhood, hands down, vegetarian ham and all!

Tillie had a bite of the greens, but she was really interested in the apples and raisins on top of my chops, along with her pasta. Despite wanting to eat all of the food in one sitting, I managed to get out of there with a chop left and a scoop of mashed potatoes. We got the bill, which was $13, and proceeded to pack up.

Now, our bill was in the double digits because of the extra potatoes, but as I mentioned earlier, the price selection they have is great. Our experience there was perfect with excellent service and wonderful food. I learned that I can’t take Tillie from crib to stroller to high chair in one fell swoop. And I also learned that I can thoroughly enjoy a vegan meal. I can’t wait to go back!

The Faces of Tillie's 2009

Tillie's has an awesome photo show lined up for October! The Face of Tillie’s 2009 Portrait of a Brooklyn Café Photographs by Bill Kontzias October 12th – November 14th 2009 A Clinton Hill resident for over thirty years, Bill Kontzias has photographed  princesses and presidents as well as celebrities ranging from Truman Capote to Rita Hayworth. Last fall he turned his camera to the denizens of Tillie’s in a delightful group portrait that was acclaimed all over the area, promoted on the Brooklyn Academy of Music site, and lauded at a meeting of the Society for Clinton Hill. Now he continues and enhances his project with a new series of portraits, shot not just in and around Tillie’s but also in other locations where the “regulars” work, live and play, including nearby Fort Greeene Park as well as Greenpoint and Coney Island. He states: “All of my subjects are special to me. As the project has gathered momentum, people have been so generous in sharing themselves: They meet me more than halfway. It’s my goal to capture the inner light of these ‘uncommon people,’ to frame that Tillie’s café spirit with my camera. To me the portraits, in sum, become a wonderful non-linear narrative about this time and place.” The full series can be seen online at www.billkphotography.com under the “Tillie’s Project” heading. Bill Kontzias is Adjunct Associate Professor in the Communications Design Department at Pratt Institute. Reception: Wednesday October 14th, 7 – 9 p.m. For more information on any of the above contact Patricia Mulcahy at 718 783-6140 or mail@tilliesofbrooklyn.com. For directions, see “Getting Here” on the site.

Tillie’s of Brooklyn 248 Dekalb Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11205 718 783-6140 www.tilliesofbrooklyn.com

Lunchtime With Tillie: Brooklyn Public House

We’ve done Thai, Mexican, Indian and Italian. But how about something simple, like a good ol’ hot dog and fries?

Hey everyone, it’s V and T here with the latest in Lunchtime With Tillie-ness. This time, I decided to take it down on new tastes for the little one sample and took her to the neighborhood’s new gastro-pub, Brooklyn Public House on Dekalb Avenue

It’s not that I don’t want her to try new things, it’s just this time around, the idea of eating a Public Dog just took over! It’s a hot dog wrapped in Applewood smoked bacon and slathered with cheese. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds. I did give Tillie something to try, though, and it almost backfired on me, but more on that later!

After a trip to the playground in Fort Greene Park, we headed on over to the Public House. Upon entering, the waitress/bartender directed us to the roomy dining area since I had the stroller with me. I asked for a high chair and they didn’t have any, so it looked like Tillie would be going retro and eating in the stroller like she did as a younger youngster.

I got a menu, but since I knew what I was going to eat, it didn’t really do me much good. However, the lunchtime drinks special did pique my curiosity, especially after seeing that the Checker Cab ale was among the discounted options.

Here’s the Van Sias guide to Public House happiness (and this is for the grown-ups): Order the Public Dog and a Checker Cab or two, and you, my friend, will be thanking me at the end!

Anyway, so after a mini-debate within myself, I decided to top off my frank and fries with a beer. But the Checker Cab was out of the rotation of the beers on tap, replaced by something else not available among the discounted options! Arrgh! But I guess that’s a good thing because I don’t want to go down a slippery path and see “Lunchtime With Tillie” become “Lunchtime With Tillie at the Public House and Dad Eating His Daily Hot Dog and Drinking Beer”! So I just went with water instead.

While I was waiting for my food, I took Tillie’s out: some butternut squash soup Tillie’s mom made up. I managed to get her a few bites in, then mine appeared just like that. (There wasn’t much of a lunch crowd, which I guess contributed to the speed of service.) There it was in front of me: the bacon-wrapped hot dog with cheese melted over it and a basket of overflowing fries! I thought to myself, “You know, I can’t just indulge my selfish lunch cravings: I have to let Tillie try something. I know, I’ll let her try a French fry.” And that is where the backfire comes in!

I gave her a fry and she really enjoyed it, which was fine. But when I tried to give her another bite of the squash, she pushed my hand away! Was she just going to want fries? That’s not a good lunch for her to have! I tried again, and she replied with the hand push. Yikes! What was I to do? I couldn’t call Tillie’s mom for help. Do I call my mom? No, Van, you’ve been a dad for nearly a year now, you can handle this!

Then I came up with this plan: I’d dip the fry in the squash soup, which was thick enough to stick to it, and let her eat the next fry like that. After some success, I took it a step further: I’d put the soup on the fry, then pull it out of her mouth before she could chomp down, basically using the fry as a spoon. And it worked! I even got her back to eating the soup from the regular spoon again.

My meal was a little hectic, but my delicious hot dog and fries promptly got eaten. I’m glad I held off on getting the hot dog topped with turkey chili because that might’ve been a little too much (but probably would have tasted excellent)!

After all the soup and big kids food was devoured, I fed Tillie some grapes for dessert. I got the bill, which was only $9.25, not including the tip (or that Checker Cab), paid it and we were off.

We’ll be back, and I’d recommend others to go, too. The no-high-chair thing wasn’t a big obstacle to overcome, the lunch menu was reasonably priced and the waitress was really friendly. She was even cheering me on in my squash soup-fries battle, which I won in the end: a big victory for dads everywhere!

Art at Tillie's: Maya Edelman

Maya Edelman has gained a loyal local following since her first show at Tillie's.  Check out her drawings and paintings on wood this month at the coffee shop.

September 8th – October 10th 2009

In her youth Maya Edelman was known to say that when she grew up, she either wanted to be a ballerina, a little boy named Igor, or an artist. She is currently pursuing the latter of these goals.  After emigrating from her native Russian city of Rostov in 1993, she landed in New York, and has been living and drawing in Brooklyn since.

She received her BFA from Pratt Institute in 2008, and has since taught media arts and worked on various projects, most recently an animated “pitch” for a new film by director Michel Gondry. Though she received her formal training in animation, she has never lost her love for traditional media such as painting and drawing.

Her current materials of choice include wood she finds in the dumpster, pieces of furniture, and acrylic paint. Her art is focused on expressing alienation and awkwardness, and the juxtaposition of organic and mechanical objects. Her subjects often include birds, typewriters, and rotary phones. Reception: Wednesday, September 9th, 7 – 9 p.m.

CHB Reviews: Umi Nom

On Friday, Will and I hit up the new Umi Nom on DeKalb just past Classon.

I like that they've retained the old laundry sign and added their logo.

Will asked beforehand if I had made reservations, and I said, "Reservations in the neighborhood?  Nawww."  Heh.  Umi Nom does indeed take reservations and when we arrived, there was already a 15-20 minute wait for a table inside the narrow restaurant space.  Not a big deal, but not something I'm used to facing locally!

Umi Nom doesn't have a liquor license for now, so it's BYOB.  (Also, like many new restaurants, it's also cash only.  I've become accustomed to this, but it's still annoying.)

Will ran out to buy some wine, and we chilled out at the small bar in front waiting for our table.

We ended up being seated at the front window.

The menu is small plates, varied in price.  The waiter (who, by the way, was by far the friendliest waiter I have ever encountered in the neighborhood) recommended two plates per person, which range from around $5 to $13 (with one whole fish dish topping out at $21).  We decided on the spring rolls, the jalapeno lollipop wings, pad see ew, and the asian greens.

As a starter, the waiter brought us two complimentary fried crab won tons, which were delicious!

The spring rolls were giant, and came with a sweet / spicy sauce (spicier than the usual orange thai sauce).  The veggies were delicious, slathered in garlic and salt and some other seasonings we couldn't place.  The wings, though, were a bit bland.  They were covered in jalapeno slices and a deep fried coating, but didn't come with any sauce.  We ended up dipping them in the spring roll sauce.

For dessert, we went with the chocolate chili cake.  It was a little twist on the ubiquitous molten chocolate cake, with a little bit of chili spice and a fruity topping.

Before tip, the meal totaled about $48.

Pros: Excellent service, nice variety on menu, BYO (for now) Cons: On the expensive side, cash only (for now)

Umi Nom is located across from the projects and adjacent to fast food takeout with bulletproof glass.  Yet the place was packed.  We definitely felt like we were in the midst of an intriguing sociological crossroads.  (Sputnik and Rustik are both close by.)

Umi Nom 433 DeKalb Ave at Classon 718-789-8806

Is Bonita on DeKalb Closing?

A few weeks ago, it was announced that the original Bonita in Williamsburg would shut its doors.  Now Eater is reporting that the DeKalb location will also close (and might reopen as a Marlow and Sons). I am NOT pleased.

Umi Nom Grand Opening Scheduled for 7/29

Umi Nom, the long-awaited Kuma Inn outpost on DeKalb just past Classon, originally scheduled to open in May, will open its doors on Wednesday, July 29. Per TimeOut:

Umi Nom Kuma Inn chef-owner King Phojanakong and co-chef Soulayphet Schwader branch out to Brooklyn with this 50-seat bamboo-and-brick-clad restaurant, expected to open July 28.* As at its LES counterpart, the menu consists of small plates based on Filipino and South Asian flavors. Tapas-size items like salt-and-pepper chicken wings and barbecued pork ribs make up most of the menu, along with Asian-American creations inspired by Phojanakong’s mother’s adaptive immigrant cooking, including a bunless burger with sticky rice. While the original restaurant’s name was a play on the Tagalog word kumain, meaning “to eat,” the moniker here is based on the verb for “to drink,” so expect food-friendly sakes once the liquor license clears. 433 DeKalb Ave between Classon Ave and Taaffe Pl, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn (718-789-8806)

* TONY's report lists the 28th, but I was told 7/29 when I called the restaurant directly Sunday afternoon.

Lou Lou on DeKalb: Closed

A reader has alerted me that Lou Lou on DeKalb is closed.  I think I originally "heard" the news via Myrtle Shuffle's Twitter.

Truth be told, I only ate here twice.  I remember it being fine, but not being blown away.  Yet I know it had many loyal followers.

How much will you miss them?

You Are Here: Christened

Last night, I stopped by the community mural painted on the side of Tillie's for its official dedication.  The mural, a colorful map of the neighborhood, was painted at the crossroads of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill.  Local residents had the opportunity to paint a dot on the map representing their home.

It was a gorgeous, summery evening, and a lively and diverse crowd showed up. We were treated to desserts and drinks by Tillie's owner Pat, and guests were still mingling an hour later, enjoying the weather and the warm light from the setting sun.

I was finally able to paint my own dot on the map! I missed last summer's dotting as I was out of town. Ellie and Pat promise to hold a few more painting sessions this summer -- stay tuned.

Earth Day Trunk Show @ Thistle & Clover

The girls of Thistle & Clover, Camilla Gale and Rand Niederhoffer, cordially invite you to our first annual Earth Day Trunk Show. We are proud to present the Spring 2009 Collections of 2 independent, Brooklyn-based, and eco-conscious designers: Francoise Olivas and Sublet.

Running from 4-7PM on Wednesday, April 22nd, customers are invited to take advantage of a 15% discount extended to all trunk show items and enjoy complimentary sweets and bubbly.

Eats and tipples provided with love by local favorites Jewels of New York and Thirst Wine Merchants. A portion of all the Earth Day Trunk Show proceeds will be donated to Fort Greene Park Conservancy.

FRANCOISE OLIVAS, www.francoiseolivas.com

FIT graduate, and former Artistic and Brand Designer for Nanette Lepore, Francoise Olivas creates environmentally friendly clothing, using natural dyed fabric and yarn. The designer works closely with a variety of artisans from around the world--most recently with a cooperative in Guatemala--employing fair trade practices and entitling her collaborators to 'living wages'. All garments are made locally. Olivas says of her line, she “endeavors to create a line of products that are gentle both on the world and the mind.”

SUBLET, www.subletclothing.com

Best friends turned business partners, Tara and Inessah, met in 2005 through a Craigslist post for a summer roommate (hence the line’s name). Sublet focuses on supporting and driving the sustainable movement forward through integrating traditional and emerging sustainable materials, practices and processes. Materials incorporated into Sublet’s collections include organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, surplus, and vintage fabrics. From inception to production, every raw material used is chosen to have the lowest impact on the environment possible. Sublet’s garments are manufactured in the United States in factories that adhere to fair labor standards.

THISTLE & CLOVER, www.thistleclover.com

Thistle & Clover opened March 2008 in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. Co-founders Rand Niederhoffer and Camilla Gale conceived of Thistle & Clover as a home away from home. Stacks of beautifully wrought bangles and rings sit amidst vintage books and hand pressed note cards. The clothing is carefully hand picked from an exciting group of young, up-and-coming designers that fit into Thistle & Clover’s unique and accessible aesthetic.

221 DeKalb Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11205 (718) 855 5577

iCi Offering Prix Fix Specials

Last night I went to iCi to try out the $25 Prix Fixe.  For $25 - it's a hell of a meal.  Only problem was that I forgot my camera!! Menu changes every two weeks which is nice.

From their website: January 1, 2009 NEW YEAR! NEW START! NEW MENU!

Alice Waters 40 years ago launched the Delicious Revolution. At iCi we believe that the time has come for that revolution in a larger scale. In 2009, more than ever, we will stay committed to the quality we provided for the past 5 years, working with local farms, using seasonal ingredients and on a daily basis, with all the astringencies of running a business in NYC, trying very hard to be socially and environmentally correct.

2009 will be the year of change in politics and economics affecting all our decisions, even the most basic ones. But who says one shouldn’t eat out 4 times a week anymore as a New Yorker does? For that matter, we are launching a $25 3 course dinner prix fixe, assorted with a wider selection of (natural) wines by the glass. The menu will change every 2 weeks. Offer with no time limit. Happy New Year!

Catherine.

iCi 246 DeKalb Ave

Out With the Old, In With the New

Two local businesses have recently shut their doors. Urban Spring, the tasty but pricy all-natural smoothie and snack joint on DeKalb near the park is no more (via The Local).  Their smoothies were tasty and I really respected their environmental friendliness (cups made out of corn), but man was it expensive!  I only ever went a handful of times, because I could just never really justify buying a small juice for $6.  (A commenter suggests hitting up Karrot on Myrtle near Clinton for a still-not-cheap-but-more-affordable organic juice.)

Up on Myrtle, the well-loved Cafe Martino has shut its doors (via Brownstoner).  I heard mostly lovely things about them over the years, but also that the owners were a bit disorganized.  I'm sure they'll be missed.

Is it The Economy?  Or just the regular business cycle in the big city?  I'm fond of the phrase, "The only thing constant is change."

In more positive news, three new businesses are slated to open on Myrtle (via Myrtle Minutes):

Green In Bklyn (432 Myrtle) is a one-stop green home goods store opening on Earth Day, April 22nd. The store, according to its owner, Ellisa Olin will provide eco-friendly solutions for daily living. Products available will be everything from light bulbs to cleaning supplies to bed linens to recycled paper towels to baby diapers and baby bottles—all eco-friendly, of course. Ellisa has a long work history as a performing artist and caterer. Green living has long been an important part of her life and she is looking forward to sharing that passion with the neighborhood. Ellisa lives on the border of Bed-Stuy and Clinton Hill and is excited that she can walk to work and “loves the opportunity to make a difference where I live.” Ellisa’s business plan for Green In Bklyn was a top winner in the 2008 Brooklyn Public Library’s Power Up Business Plan Competition. [Ed. I'm pretty excited about this, both for the plethora of offerings and the fact that Ellisa is a local.  Also cool that another Power Up winner has chosen to open a business in the neighborhood.  Last year's winner, Jessica Stockton Bagnulo, has been working on opening an indie book store in Fort Greene.) Health First Medical Supply (322 Myrtle Avenue) is the business endeavor of owners – fiancés, Emmanuel Alada and Denise Hudson. Having worked in the medical supply business for 7 years prior, Emmanuel began to learn and love the business and thought, why not bring such a business to his own neighborhood. Health First Medical provides home medical equipment: power and manual wheelchairs, hospital beds, bathroom safety equipment and diabetic products, amongst other offerings. Though they are awaiting additional inventory, they are officially open for business. Walk-ins are welcome. They can be reached at 718.596.6204.

Metro PCS (518 Myrtle Avenue) is a new cellular phone business, next door to Blockbuster and the post office. According to a Crain's NY article published two weeks ago, Dallas-based Metro PCS Communications Inc. was "the surprise winner in a 2006 auction of $3.6 billion worth of licenses covering the New York area." The company’s network covers 10 million customers in the New York metropolitan area, including the five boroughs and portions of Bergen, Hudson, Union and Essex counties in New Jersey. Though we have tried to reach out to the owners, including calls to the company’s Dallas-based headquarters, the only update comes from someone waiting inside the store for a delivery a week or two ago, “we thought we would be open by now; we are expecting to have our doors open possibly any day now.”

Thai Restaurant Coming to CH/BS Border

The Real Fort Greene reports that an outpost of the popular LES restaurant Kuma Inn will open at 433 DeKalb Ave, just east of Classon Ave.  Gothamist includes some awesome pics of the currently raw space, which used to be a laundromat. A few Gothamist commenters have questioned the choice of location, but Rustik Tavern and Sputnik are both close-by.

New Gastropub Opening in Fort Greene: Brooklyn Public House

Soft Opening For the Public on Sunday, February 15th, from 5pm ‘til Late! (All are welcome!)

If you’ve been wondering what was happening at 247 Dekalb (between Vanderbilt and Clermont), the answer was worth the wait -- Brooklyn Public House will offer simple quality pub fare, 16 beers on tap, and classic cocktails, all in the first floor of a beautifully restored brownstone. I sat down with business partners Kevin Lunney and Gerry Rooney to learn more about their venture.

(Chris Morgan is also a partner, and Chef John Parlatore will be running the kitchen). The three partners met while working together in Manhattan. Kevin and Chris both live in the Fort Greene area. Here’s what we talked about:

Bar, restaurant, both?

Both. It’s a gastropub so the focus is on the food and the beverages. The front room is more of a bar area; it has a 30 ft. bar, high tables, and two banquets in the windows. The back room has a number of cozy booths and wooden tables, and will have more of a dining room feel.

The food

Comfort food; no pretense, just good home style cooking. The menu consists of straightforward appetizers, sandwiches, lots of burgers and toppings, entrees and salads, such as artichoke dip, fish and chips, pot pies, mac and cheese, and cast iron pizzas (cooked in cast iron pans).

The drink

They’ll have 16 beers on tap, including their own brew, Brooklyn Public House Ale. A note for beer aficionados: They’ll be using a nitrogen port to carbonate the beer on tap, as opposed to CO2, so no flat beer here. There will be classic American cocktails and wine as well.

The décor (and some history)

The main portion of the building dates back to the 1850s, most likely around 1858. The building used to be an old candy shop during Prohibition, and while renovating Kevin, Chris and Gerry found old pulleys used to transport the candy up from the basement.

They also found old posters and newspapers (and even a mirror) dating back to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, which you’ll see hanging throughout the pub. If you look closely at some of the walls, you can just make out the text of old newspapers that papered the walls at some point during the building’s history. Another find: Old opium bottles from Behrens pharmacy, just down the block, probably from the mid 1800’s, when opium was legal.

The ceilings in the bar area are the original tin, and the tables in the back room were made using original wood flooring from the building. (Just try to pick one up, they weigh a ton.) The benches along one of the walls in the back room came from an old monastery in Manhattan.

Basic Info:

Address: 247 Dekalb (between Clermont and Vanderbilt), Fort Greene

Phone: Coming shortly

Hours:

On February 15th: Soft opening for the public on Sunday, February 15th, from 5pm ‘til Late. Come enjoy a drink and sample the menu.

Starting February 16th, open every day:

Dinner*: 4pm -2am on weekdays; 4pm -3am on Fridays and Saturdays *Late night menu available from midnight, on

Lunch and Brunch: Coming very soon; within the next week or so

Prices:

Appetizers: $8-$12

Sandwiches/Burgers: $8-$12

Entrees: $13-$18

Cash and Major Credit Cards accepted.

Look for outdoor seating come Spring!