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)

Greenpoint Groupons, Goodies & Gems

We've been keeping it local lately. It's too cold to go venturing out on long walks like we do in the summer. Even walks along the bus route is risky. Does the B62 even exist anymore? Luckily we've had some Groupons and new openings around Greenpoint to keep us occupied.

Spritzenhaus, right on McCarren Park, is fun and lively even in the winter. Our Groupon got us an order of double dipped fries with a homemade condiment (we chose sweet & spicy bbq and Greek yogurt sauce), and any sausage or brat with any topping. I had the artisanal Argentinian (beef sausage, rosemary, garlic) with caramelized onions and peppers; he had the duck sausage with bacon, jalapeno and fig spread topped with sauerkraut. Both very good and hot off the grill. It reminded me a little bit of San Francisco's Rosamunde Sausage Grill, but it's not quite as good as the west coast.

Ah, Paulie Gees. Seems like PG gets so much press, the place is always crowded, people rave about how its the best pizza ever. I'm trying to like it, but can't quite get there. No doubt they've done wonderful things with the space since it was quiet and secretive Paloma. We went when they first opened awhile back, and the service was slow and the dough was undersalted. We had Motorino nearby then, so we didn't see a need to come back. But now that Motorino's out of the neighborhood and we're starved for quality pizza, we headed back to see if changes had been made. Yes, and no. The salt problem seems to be resolved, but the bottom of the pizza is SO unforgivably soggy. And the balance is all off. The Hellboy sounds like my ideal pizza (Fior di Latte, Italian tomatoes, soppressata picante, parmesan and hot honey) but there was so much pork and so little cheese and sauce that it just felt sloppily thrown together. Same with the Cheek Corea salad, with chick peas, hardened bits of old pasta, red onion and lemon juice. But the crispy guanciale was good at least.

No. 7 Sub opened a block away from us on Wednesday, at the corner of Manhattan Ave and Kent St. I'm excited, but it also makes me nervous for the neighborhood. Usually Manhattan transplants head for Bedford Ave (like the Meatball Shop). I wonder if this will set off a chain reaction.

Anyway, I'm a fan of No. 7 Sub, but I wasn't too impressed with what we brought home Wednesday. The General Tso's Tofu had way too much ginger, and the beef brisket was a little fatty. I'll have to try a few others off the Greenpoint menu before I write them off, though. I hope they stay open late; it's a great place for a night cap and a better alternative to bodega sandwiches.
 

Brooklyn MAC. It's this borrough's answer to the East Village's S'mac (and it might be even better). I like the idea of building your own, always hot and creamy inside and crunchy on the outside. I usually go for a combination of smoked gouda and bacon (they call that one the Red Hook) or something equally salty. They also have a great salad called the McCarren Park with baby spinach, candied walnuts, gorgonzola, apples and raisins, but they add way too much balsamic. Ask for it on the side.

 There are a few great places hidden away in the northern part of Greenpoint, too. The Lobster Joint has been pretty quiet since its winter and all, but they have a great creamless lobster bisque with herbs. It warms you from the inside out. Milk and Roses, which used to be a daytime coffee spot only, has morphed into a cute nighttime respite. We had a Groupon for a wine and cheese pairing for two. Walls of books, a grand piano, oil lanterns, hushed conversation, a girl curled up on the couch with a book and a cup of tea. I love this place even more now. And the owner's a nice Italian man that always waves when we walk by. 

Spritzenhaus
 33 Nassau Ave


Paulie Gees
60 Greenpoint Ave

No. 7 Sub
931 Manhattan Ave

Brooklyn MAC
77 Norman Ave

Lobster Joint
1073 Manhattan Ave

Milk & Roses
1110 Manhattan Ave

Adventures in San Fran: Burritos and Sausage

Dinner out in San Francisco was never a glamorous expedition for us, but we did try some fun places that filled us up before a night at the whiskey dive bar (like Whiskey Thieves) or a beer-based dive bar (like Toronado). After all, what's vacation if you aren't eating and drinking well?

I really wanted to have some good Mexican while on the West coast, so we headed to the Mission District for burritos at Pancho Villa Taqueria. This place was big and bright, with super high ceilings and florescent lighting beating down on the grill and assembly line. It kind of reminded me of a bigger, more theatrical version of a Chipotle.

Unfortunately (and I really hate to say it), I'd take Chipotle over this place. My veggie burrito didn't have much taste to it -- the rice was mushy, the guacamole was bland. Rob said the shrimp is his shrimp burrito was perfectly cooked, but agreed about the blandness. I guess the salsa gods decided to punish me for my complaint, because the last bite had some kind of insane hot pepper that burned my mouth for the next half hour. Luckily the Mexican Coke with sugar cane instead of high fructose corn syrup helped to temper the pain a little.


Pancho Villa Taqueria
3071 16th St (between Caledonia St & Julian Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 864-8840

Another night we walked the two miles (uphill both ways... no, really!) to Rosamunde Sausage Grill for some cheap meats with crazy good reviews on Yelp. This tiny hole in the wall has a small counter with a display case and minimal seating. Most people take their sausages to go and enjoy at Toronado (where I had a fantastic Belgian style pale ale called Perdition.) We sat and tried to enjoy for a few minutes of peace first.

Anyway, I guess we got there a little late, because our top sausage picks were already gone (the duck with figs, and the wild boar with apple and spice). I tried the beer sausage with onions and sweet peppers, and Rob had the merguez (spicy lamb and beef) with onions and sauerkraut. My beer sausage felt lonely without its usual honey mustard companion; too bad I was already done with mine before I realized they had honey wasabi mustard dijon that would have completed the taste and then some. I really wanted to be hungry enough for a second one but these modest sized sandwiches were way more satisfying than I was expecting.


I will definitely return when I visit SF again... but early enough for the duck or boar this time!

Rosamunde Sausage Grill
545 Haight Street (between Fillmore St & Steiner St)
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 437-6851