Prosperity is in Sight

First Duane Reade and now this! Prosperity Dumpling is opening up a Brooklyn shop down the street from the park. 43rd and 8th will now have cheap, fresh, carry-it-with-you-to-watch-the-sunset food. According to Eating in Translation, it should be open by the end of August.

Thanks to Leah for sending this my way!

Cheap Eats: Dumplings and 5th Avenue

Two suggestions from various sources for weekend chow:

1. TimeOutNY has a list of the "Best Cheap Dumplings in NYC" and Sunset's Wong Wong Noodle Shop is first on the list. Here's what they had to say about it:

Wong Wong Noodle Shop
While the whap-whap of hand-pulled wheat noodles dominates this soup shack, the place also fashions fat little purses of pork and scallions that dribble meaty juices with each bite ($3 for 12). 5410 Eighth Ave at 54th St, Sunset Park, Brooklyn (718-633-5633).

Love the use of onomatopoeia, and I wish they made dumplings with just scallions and cabbage. But there are plenty of places on 8th where you can buy dumplings (veggie or otherwise) for 4 for a dollar or so. Several places that look like they don't sell anything (just a white booth with a see-through window) actually sell delicious stuff to take home a cook. It's inexpensive and usually quite good. Enjoy.

2. How did I miss this? Brokelyn also points out that this Sunday will be a 5th Avenue walking delight:

Sunday from 11 to 6, the Sunset Park BID is turning Fifth Avenue from 44th to 52nd Street into a pedestrian zone, which is great by us because that is a great drag for cheap stuff. Your starting point: a $5.45 Dominican breakfast at the International Restaurant, across the street from Sunset Park at 4408 5th Ave. between 44th & 45th Streets. Or grab a mango pastry from La Gran Via, a few blocks south at 4516 Fifth Ave. Either way, you’ll have to walk to Bay Ridge to work off the calories. http://www.brokelyn.com/brokelyn-approved-weekend-events-2/

Sunset Park's Green Market Starts Saturday!

Having made the most amazingly fragrant and creamy and scrumptious guacamole recently using Mimomex cilantro (thanks, neighbor!), I'm really looking forward to seeing Mimomex Farm on Saturday. (I think they are referred to as Rodri-Mex in the information below.)

Last year's opening was not only beautiful but delicious. Be sure to get there early, and make sure to be assertive if you want fresh corn. Some Green Market attendees are very disrespectful of the produce. Many ears of corn have been tossed to the ground after not passing the "peel and check" test. The farmers get very irritated when people rip open the corn to check it. I can't blame them, but it is disappointing to get home and see some kernels missing from the top. If it's like last year, just ask one of the workers for corn from inside the truck. They have plenty.

According to an email from Yolanda Gonzalez, the seasonal EBT manager, we'll be seeing fish from Gill's Seafood this year. There are usually eggs and milk available as well, but you need to ask. You can read more here.

EBT, WIC and Farmer's Market Nutrition Program coupons are accepted. WIC participants who don't have FMNP should definitely ask for it. If you are denied, call 311 to report it. I heard about two instances last year where participants were told it was not meant for them. LIAR! Okay, I'll be generous. Misinformed employee. Eventually at least one of the women who was denied received the FMNP benefits.

from Yolanda Gonzalez' email (and the website linked to above):

Sunset Park Greenmarket:

Open since 2001 and set on a hill a stone’s throw from the upper New York Bay, this bustling market serves a predominantly Hispanic and Asian population with a bountiful variety of fresh local products including vegetables from two specialty Latino growers, Angel and Rodri-Mex Farms, not-to-be-missed peaches from Toigo Orchards, and an exciting new addition this year— fresh fish from Gill’s Seafood.

Location: Located on 4th Ave btw 59th & 60th Sts

Time: Open every Saturday, July-November, from 8am-3pm

EBT/Food Stamps Accepted. Many farmers also accept WIC & Senior FMNP Coupons.

Subway: N/R, to 59th Street

Bus: X27, X37
Yolanda Gonzalez
Seasonal EBT Market Manager

Bakery Etiquette in Sunset Park

With all the delicious and affordable treats (some call them lunch) around Sunset Park, no one should have to miss out due to not knowing how to partake properly. Many bakeries are your basic walk-in, point or ask, receive and pay, walk-out and enjoy types of shops. However, others, like Don Paco and Dragon Bay have different ways of getting you your fix.

Many bakeries on 4th and 5th Avenues have a stack of trays and tongs by the door. Grab one of each and head to the racks and racks of pink, yellow, crunchy delights that you see inside. Fill your tray with what you want (even if it's just one cookie), and then head to the cashier. You can order a nice cafe con leche (or whatever) to dunk the treats into. (thanks to veesvision for the photos above!)


Things are a little different on 8th Avenue. While places like Blue Sky have the cakes and buns behind a counter, others have displays out in the seating area and they are guarded by workers who will do the take care of putting what you want on a tray for you. It often takes some pointing and head shaking if you want a particular roll or bun, but you eventually get what you want. This way, only one person is handling the food - not a bad idea. They are quick, too. I've only waited in a line a couple of times, and that was around lunch-time.

Of course, if no one is standing by the display, use the method described above. In some cases, if you move in slow-motion, a worker will run out and apologize while taking the tray from your hands and finishing up your order.

Either way, it's the best 50 cents to a dollar you could spend on the Avenues. Happy eating!

My Kind of Cheap Eats

It's not for everyone, I know, but if you like fresh tofu, stop by the shop on 8th Avenue and 51st Street. For $1 you get a container of fresh tofu with or without some honey to add. It's yummy either way. She keeps it in the rice cooker on right side. You can also get a small bag of pre-fried tofu (five large pieces for a dollar) that is scrumptious dipped in carrot-ginger dressing. Take a peek at some of the other items they have displayed while you're at it. Let me know what else is good.

Brokelyn does Bohio #3

Sunset is featured in Brokelyn again. I'm sure they'll find a lot to purchase cheaply here as time goes by. Anyway, it's doubly fun because our favorite Sunset photographer (because she sends us fantastic photos of the neighborhood and because she's talented and because she's just cool) has her photos featured on the page. Kudos, Vanessa! I think the photos she most recently sent, particularly the one below are spectacular, and I don't even eat what's on that plate!

from Vanessa's family's Lechonera experience:

The plate I shot [shown above] consists of pork, rice with pigeon peas, and a specialty dish called "pasteles". I purchased an order of rice, a pound of roast pork, and 2 pasteles. It came out to be $15.00 flat. It fed all of us full with nothing left over.

You probably know that *pasteles are made from a root plant like yuca or yautia and plantains and are usually filled with a type of meat. Since this is a "lechonera" (pork restaurant) it was filled with pork. They were very, very delicious!

There are interesting family meal deals that I my look into when we are crunched for time. They run about $15-30.00 for everything in a meal for 4-5 people and a liter of Coke.

Brokelyn Does Sunset Park

Before you go and check out all the other cool parts of this blog, read up on the Sunset Park road map on Brokelyn. I found out about this courtesy of Brooklynometry (is there already a Brooklyn dictionary with all the words we've made from our borough's name?).

What other suggestions for affordable or cheap services and good can we offer up?

Here's one addition that just came up in The Village Voice: Thanh Da

Jump-Start Your Relationship in Sunset Park

According to Time Out New York, the place to put a little pizazz into your long-term relationship is Sunset Park. If you start out here and work your way south, you'll dispel all worry about the solidity of your love. Start out with Ba Xuyen (the article points out that the veggie only option is yummy. Didn't I tell you?), throw in some bludgeoned bass, buy squid on a stick, and you're set. Isn't that true for any romantic relationship?

Check out their suggestions. I'd make a few adjustments, but it's a good walking tour with bountiful pit stops and views. Good effort, TONY.

Another Food Tour of Sunset Park - Pambazos Included!

Thanks to Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn for cluing me into this latest tour of tacos and more in Sunset Park. Check out NYC Food Guy for great photos and tips about mainly 5th Avenue eats.

Sunset Park in Chowhound via Brownstoner

A comment yesterday indicated that this blog has been very useful to some people when it comes to finding/choosing eating establishments. While I'll admit that I have some skill in finding and posting links to other people's opinions, my own palate is relatively limited due to my habit of neglecting to eat anything with a face.

So, in an effort to further assist my neighbors, and inspired by both the commenter (thanks for the compliment Nick D.) and Wednesday's blurb from Brownstoner (go down to the Red Hook Vendor bit) that was from a link to a Chowhound thread about the new Casa Vieja on 5th and 60th, I'd like to direct those who are interested to another Chowhound thread that has been my guide several times. This thread started in August of 2008, and it's been added to by several better-informed-than-I diners in Sunset Park. Bookmark it, seriously. Highlights from this thread include Peter Cherches' posts and a mention of the juice and tamale stand outside on 5th Avenue and 40th Street. But really, the entire thread is chock full of helpful tips about where to go and what to try around the neighborhood. It's heavy on suggestions in the 40's and lower 50's, but I'm sure it can be added to.

The new Casa Vieja (an oxymoron, I know) was also featured in the Village Voice's Fork in the Road.

El Bohio #3 Gets the Spotlight

El Bohio moved in a while ago on the corner of 5th Avenue and 45th, and being less than a fan of pork, it hasn't been a stop for me. I have noticed, however, that there are some seemingly great deals for people who want to be social while they eat. The window often has package deals for four or ten people that sound pretty reasonable. It is also getting some Village Voice attention.

So, if you want to have a night of restaurant meals or take out, but your wallet is feeling a little light (and if you eat meat), try this place. It always looks busy when I peek in, but there seems to be a decent amount of seating. Enjoy!

Sunset's Filipino Pancit Bihon is Noticed by The Voice

I've never been inside Sandra's Kitchenette on 39th and 4th, but apparently, the noodles are really good. Has anyone been there to eat? Either way, check out the link from The Voice. It's the bottom of the first page.

Dine-In Brooklyn: Same As It Ever Was in Sunset Park

A year ago, Sunset Park was represented by one restaurant during Marty Markowitz's Dine-In Brooklyn week. This year, we are represented by one restaurant again! Maria's Bistro Mexicano is keeping us on the map, or at least on the Dine-In Brooklyn PDF, which can be found here.

So despite all the hype of hipsters and gentrification, a year hasn't changed Sunset all that much. May I humbly suggest that we all go out and TRY to spend $23 on a dinner or lunch for two in Sunset Park during Restaurant Week? There are plenty of places that are stand-bys or new. Use it as your excuse to celebrate some of the cheap eats we have here. Use it as an excuse to check out "that place" you are curious about but never entered.

Leave lunch/dinner suggestions (especially if they are off the usual Matamoros/Pacificana path) for your neighbors in the comments section.

My suggestion is that if you've never gotten a sandwich at Puebla Mini Market on 5th and 39th, get one. They are HUGE (plenty for sharing), and they are freshly made as you wait. $6. You can eat in the little area in the back or take-out. The flautas are really good too.

More Cheap Eats: Hand-Pulled Noodles

A hot, steaming bowl of noodle soup sounds good right about now, doesn't it? And what if your soup lunch or dinner were around $5? (A hot bahn mi is cheaper, but sometimes soup is what you want.)

Serious Eats visited Sunset Park's Lan Zhou Handpull Noodle on 8th and 60th for something hot and satisfying. Robyn Lee, the reviewer, gushes about the choice of condiments (including cilantro!) before describing her choice of noodle soup.

from the review:

My beef stew noodle soup was topped with bok choy, pickled mustard greens, and nubs of beef so tender that I could seemingly break them down to their individual muscle fibers. Most were attached to tendons, in case you like your meat with connective tissue as Asians tend to prefer. The beef broth was flavorful enough—better after I added chili paste.

Another Sunset ROTD for Brownstoner

Not an original choice, since Matamoros gets all the taco attention (poor Xochimilco across the street!), but Brownstoner posting two Sunset Restaurant of the Day items in February (Ba Xuyen was the 'stoner ROTD on February 2nd.) means we've arrived. Doesn't it? Or does it mean we're leaving?

Ba Xuyen is Restaurant of the Day on Brownstoner

Uh oh. More attention paid to Ba Xuyen's Bahn Mi. (Their egg and cheese is a great deal, too!)

Brownstoner has commentary, links, and information about everyone's favorite Vietnamese sandwich makers.

Even though the sandwiches have gone up a quarter, and the drinks also got more expensive, it's still a great buy for lunch. Just don't try to go for a late night snack; it closes early!

Puebla Mini Market Enjoys the "Village" Spotlight

If you read reviews on Chowhound or other food oriented sites, you already know that Puebla Mini Market has a reputation for amazing tortas. What keeps it from being swamped with Torta Tourists is that the sandwich counter is all the way in the back of the market. However, as The Village Voice points out, the journey to the back of the Mini Market is worth it.

Check out the review, and then pick up a torta from Puebla some time soon.

The same reviewer gives some attention to another Sunset shop: New Public Meat Market. It's called an adventure...but really it's just a shop, like any other, but with more meat choices.

The Good News: Lots of Sunset Park Restaurant Attention

Within the last year or so, Sunset has gotten loads of (mainly) positive attention where food is concerned. That's nothing new. However, I thought I'd post links to two of the most recent since one highlights a new(er) restaurant, Mai Thai, and the other has a long list of places that don't always show up as obvious choices for a quick, cheap lunch or a place to get a more substantial meal. Enjoy. (Image from Eating in Translation.)

Keep Your Eyes on Mai Thai - Village Voice
One personal caveat: As with many restaurants, people occasionally get ill from the food. I haven't been back or ordered from Mai Thai since a friend shared that both she and her husband were violently ill after eating vegetable dishes from Mai Thai. They think it was the sauce, but who knows. I'm sure I'll get over it eventually.


Eating in Translation: Sunset Park
The entry about L&Y Bakery is very informative regarding the most delicious method for eating unfamiliar fruit.

NYT Highlights Sunset in Places to Eat on Marathon Day

Thanks to an observant NYT reader and neighbor! Check out the link to a few places to try out if you're planning on watching the marathon along 4th Avenue. Three eateries in Sunset Park were mentioned. None of them ON 4th Avenue (Sorry Eclipse!), and two of them are a good distance from 4th Avenue. Still, if it encourages people to stray farther into Sunset, why not.

Numbers 4, 5, and 6 on the list are in Sunset: Thanh Da I on 60th and 7th Avenue is good for soups and apple milkshakes, Yun Nan Flavour Snack on 49th and 8th Avenue also has soups for a blustery day. El Tesoro on 40th and 5th Avenue has its seafood fried rice mentioned as well as its cinnamon hot milk. (It's good!)

If you want something more sit-down, 5th Avenue and 4th Avenue are chock-full of choices. The new Lechonera on the corner of 5th and 46th (?) has loads of options, Tacos Matamoros, Tacos Nuevo Mexico, Tacos Xochimilco, and Maria's will satisfy Mexican cravings. What's the name of the place off of 4th Avenue and up a few steps on 45th? Great quesadillas! Johnny's up in the 50's will take care of comfort food needs, and there are loads of other options to check out. I'm sure the carts will be plentiful as well. If you want sweets, check out Generoso's or La Gran Via. Good stuff.

Industry City Creative Work Spaces Highlights a Different Group of "Food Finds"

Industry City has space for rent, and the Industry City Creative Work Spaces folks have you covered with their newly-booted website. You can check out the rest of their website/blog for information about work spaces in Industry City (rents go from $1100 to $3300 -with water views) here.

However, I'm much more interested in the simple things. The kind of simple things I found in their latest entry: Food Finds. What I like about this version of Sunset Park's food is that it gets off of 5th and 8th Avenue and checks out places that wouldn't otherwise get attention. From the sound of it, these places deserve the highlight. Cakes, lasagna, breakfasts, calzones, and even wraps are mentioned. All good things.

The prices mentioned are pretty enticing as well. With the economy tanking, it's worth a look.