Weeknights on Bedford Ave

On the nights during the week where I'm not caught up doing necessities, I have a little ritual with a few key people.

We start at Maison Premier for $1 happy hour oysters. The deal ends at 7pm, so we act quick. Sit at the bar instead of wait for a table, and order a dozen each. Some are briny, some are creamy, some are viscous, some are mild. We've compiled quite the list of favorites and least favorites at this point. Delaware Bay, Chincoteague, East End and Rome Points are agreed-upon favorites. Penn Cove, Sister Point and Fanny Bay are on the do-not-call list. Cuttyhunks go either way.

Now that we're full on oysters but not on actual food, we head across the street to N. 3rd for a taco from the Endless Summer taco truck. I usually stick with a basic pork taco, double wrapped in tortilla and topped with queso fresco, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. We eat it standing or on our way to our next destination.

Which is... the beloved Rosamunde Sausage Grill that we first experienced in San Francisco! Now here in Brooklyn! The first time I went into the new spot right after Hurricane Sandy I stared into the glass display case full of beautifully, fatty encased meats and grinned like a loon. I finally said, "I'm so glad you guys are here!" They must have thought I was special because the response I got was "We're glad you're here, too."

This Rosamunde is even better than San Fran's, because they have a full bar. With growlers! And Dogfish Head! Even picklebacks, if that's your thing. They make their own sodas, too. The cucumber one goes nicely with the spicy sausages.

Ah, the sausages. At this point I've almost tried them all. The duck with figs are my favorite, the lamb with fennel a close second. The beer sausage has those deep spices that remind me of mulled cider on Christmas. The cheddar brat with the oozy center. The positioning of this outpost has been a blessing and a curse.

Then I walk home along the bus route. And since the B62 is definitely cursed, I get a good mile and a half walk home.

It's a pretty awesome ritual.

Maison Premier

298 Bedford Ave (betw. Grand & S. 1st)

Endless Summer Taco Truck

at Bedford & N. 3rd -- USUALLY.

Rosamunde Sausage Grill

285 Bedford Ave ((betw. Grand & S. 1st)

Fun Summer Treats

Play doh ice cream from Hershey's in Nags Head, North Carolina

Lobster roll from the Lobster Joint in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

White chocolate nonpareils from Perkins Cove Candies, Ogunquit, Maine

Cashew caramel ice cream from Annabelle's, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Beer sampler from Portsmouth Brewery, New Hampshire

Popovers (with maple butter!) from Popovers on the Square, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Molasses taffy from the Goldenrod in York, Maine

Roquefort, cheddar and red pepper-studded sheep's milk Rustico Peperoncino from Corks n Curds, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Coffee frozen custard at Kill Devil's, Outer Banks, North Carolina

Friday Night Beer Tasting at Brouwerij Lane

Two weekends ago, a little beer shop called Brouwerij Lane popped up about half a block down the street from us. I kept meaning to go but when I heard they were having a $2 beer tasting on Friday night, I stopped putting it off.

I'm glad I did. I was really impressed with their beer selection -- over 150 bottles, and many I had never heard of. Rob recognized some from his travels in Germany. That's probably a good sign.

They have ten beers on tap, and they switch up their selection quite a bit. They actually keep an updated list on their blog which is pretty cool. While these are usually reserved for $10 growlers, Friday was the first night you could try before you buy. They had a nice little atmosphere for a beer store: a couple of makeshift tables and chairs (aka boards on upturned crates) and a woodfire in back. The guys working there seemed really nice too. Nice that we finally have a great alternative to buying the same old stuff at the bodegas.

Brouwerij Lane

78 Greenpoint Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11222

*4/14 Update -- They now have beer tasting during all business hours!! WOOHOO!