Brunch Porn: Brooklyn’s Ted & Honey

&&
Snuggled right next to a park, this adorable little red cafe is the perfect spot to while away a sunny weekend afternoon. Ted & Honey is in a prime spot in Brooklyn’s lovely brownstone-filled Cobble Hill neighborhood. Here, you order at the counter and they bring your food to you. Or you can get a coffee, sit at their communal table (or at the bar in the front window and read the paper – love that!) As we sat on the patio eating, lots of folks rolled up and ordered their food to go and took it next door to shady Cobble Hill Park to eat.

Of course this being Brooklyn, the chef uses locally sourced ingredients, but I’m over that. What’s more notable is that he makes his own ketchup, salsa and various pickled things that he sells in jars on the shelves of the market (also overplayed in Brooklyn, but still cool). But the real headline is his homemade pop tarts filled with strawberry preserves, bananas and chocolate and a variety of other delicious things. Gourmet junk food – what a fun idea! Now if someone could only get the yodel down…

See our meal after the jump …

Brunch Porn Courtesy of Brooklyn’s Fatty ‘Cue

“What would make you want to pay to eat in an alley like that?” I hear you asking. And I get it. It ain’t cute, but damn, Brooklyn’s Fatty ‘Cue is tasty.

Exhibit 1: The smoked pig brunch special last Saturday ($16). Two eggs sunny side up over smoked pulled pork, ramps (a sort of green onion/garlic-type green all over New York menus in early spring), house made pickled radishes and white rice. Paired by my husband with a watermelon mimosa.

Eataly Will Have to Do For Now

Until we can get the baby to Italy, Eataly will have to do. The other day we took her to Mario Batali’s new Italian mega-market/restaurant complex, Eataly, in New York’s Flatiron district.

Here we are in the produce area, which isn’t very Italian but the place is filled with different themed areas for Italian cheeses, cured meats, gelato, fresh pastas, etc.

Here’s the bread counter, where we picked up a traditional Italian Easter cake to bring to a friend’s Easter party in Richmond.

Heading to Long Island Wine Country

We’re hopping in a rental car and driving out to Long Island’s North Fork for a little wine tasting weekend. Have any suggestions? Look at all those wineries!

New York’s Top Outdoor Bars

Spring has sprung in the Big Apple and the biggest sign of the season is the new crowds on sidewalks and rooftops. Restaurants’ cafe tables have come out of storage and the sidewalks are now packed, Parisian-style, with people-watchers, coffee-sippers and, of course, cocktailers. Whether you’re looking for the streetside scene, the hidden garden or the top-of-the-world views from rooftops, there’s a new hot spot in New York that fits the bill. Here’s where to see and be-sipping this spring.

1. Crosby Street Hotel

   This new SoHo hotspot has been all the buzz among design circles since it opened in October. Developed by London’s Firmdale hotel company, the art-filled interior was designed by Kit Kemp, who designed all the Firmdale’s six London properties. Her signature is a mix of modern art, antiques, and fresh fabrics and colors for a cleaner, younger British look. The newest addition to the Crosby Street is its interior courtyard sculpture garden (right). The adjoining Crosby Bar begins serving in the courtyard on May 1. On a recent afternoon, the bar was filled with creatives from the neighborhood taking meetings behind thick-rimmed glasses and crowned with messy buns.

2. The Strand Hotel

   In the Garment District, Empire State Building views are plentiful, but it’s still hard to come by a public space at which to enjoy them. The Strand, which opened this winter, is the exception. It may have the best view of the one-time tallest building in all of Manhattan. The Top of the Strand, the hotel’s zen-like rooftop bar has a retractable glass roof that when opened, makes for one of the best spots to grab an after work drink. Note: Fashion Week will be a particularly fun time to sip at this spot, as fashion industry folks will likely fill the hotel because of its proximity to the showrooms.

Read my full story at Luxist.

Brunch Porn for Your Weekend Enjoyment

This weekend don’t forget the most important meal of the week. Here’s a mouth-watering example of it’s import: two poached eggs over cheese grits with house made pork sausage and smoked pork jus. And of course a savory bloody Mary.

This week’s brunch porn is from Cookshop in Chelsea, N.Y.

 

What’s your favorite brunch spot?

Hibiscus Tea Me

After a bike ride to the Fort Greene’s Brooklyn Flea on Saturday I was darn parched so I rolled up to these fine ladies doling out exotic tonic and got myself a frosty glass of …  hibiscus tea!

The taste: Slightly sweet, a bit tart, a little cranberryish. Perfect at $2.

The Effect: People drink hibiscus tea all over the world, especially in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. It’s sometimes used as a mild medicine and it’s been found to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. Even better.

The Best of Richmond: A Filling Farewell

I was asked a sort of dying wish, repeatedly, during my last few weeks in Richmond, Va. Where do you want to eat before you go? But after 10 years in Richmond, it was just too hard to decide. Did I want a Chiocca’s Chicken Coup sub? Of course. The lobster puff-pastry egg dish at Millie’s Diner? Heck yeah. White bean, garlic, arugula heaven at Mamma Zu? Absolutely. But alas, there was neither time nor money for everything. But luckily I did get to a few last suppers.

Colorful Cuban spot Kuba Kuba served the most satisfying send-off lunch. My friend and I hungrily ordered black-bean soup and avocado salad (she) and a pressed Cuban sandwich and salad (me). At any lesser establishment there would have been plenty of elbow room. But god love Kuba Kuba. Your arteries, not so much.

I’ll Have What She’s Having

Occasionally in my work I get a little wined and dined, but never have I been so deliciously cheesed.

Reps from Gaylord National Resort, a new hotel-conference center on the Potomac River in Maryland, came to town to introduce Richmond press to their new jumbo facilities complete with 2,000 rooms, a rooftop lounge, water taxi to Old Town Alexandria and an 18-story glass atrium.

That was all well and good, but they had me at Maitre d’fromage.

Make Mine (Bargain) Virginia Wine

Visiting wineries in Virginia is usually fun and lovely but not always especially palate-pleasing or affordable.

The state does two things well: Cabernet Franc and Voignier, so if you don’t like the tobacco-y red or sweet-floral white, you’re usually out of luck. Plus, prices usually hover around $20 a bottle, which is too high for so-so wine.

So, I was pleasantly surprised to find a fine, Meritage at Blenheim Vineyards for just $10. A touch of oak and tannins with nice hints of cherry and plum. Not bad at all. In fact, pretty darn good.