Not Really New Restaurant has Not Really Vegetarian Options

In a review with a title that begins "Vegetarian Delights of NYC" - you'd think there would actually be vegetarian delights. In fact, it should have read "Vegetable Delights in Chicken or Seafood Broth of NYC." But whatever. When vegetarians go to any restaurant on 5th or 8th (or somewhere in between), they know that any vegetable dish is fair game for animal bits and broth. Places this has happened to me: Nyonya, Mai Thai, Matamoros, several bakeries, and Flor de Piaxtla.

Robert Sietsema has made several visits to Sunset Park's Delights, and he has featured them in The Voice. This latest review is for East Harbor Seafood Palace (you can get the menu from that link) on 65th and 7th Avenue.

Despite the title, Sietsema gives fair warning to vegetarians who were drawn to the review:

At newcomer East Harbor, some of the more interesting dishes fall in the Vegetable category, though beware strict vegetarians that some recipes may deploy a light chicken or seafood broth.

Mai Thai's Outdoor Seating at CB 7 Tonight

Or at least the application for their sidewalk cafe is up for discussion at the CB 7 Economic Development Committee meeting. If you love the idea or hate the idea, the meeting is at 4th Avenue and 43rd (entrance on 43rd) at 6:30 PM.

Department of Consumer Affairs Application for an unenclosed sidewalk café with 9 tables and 18 seats for Mai Thai Thai Kitchen Corp. (License #1318457) located at 4618 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Maria's Friends Come Out of the Cybershadows

So one of my little email updates comes to me in the form of Yelp reviews in Sunset Park. Occasionally a place like Ba Xuyen or Tacos Matamoros or Pacificana will receive more than one review on the same day, but it's rare. Imagine my shock to see that Maria's Bistro Mexicano received four 5 out of 5 reviews and one 4 out of 5 review on the same day. Yes folks, April 6th was a busy day for Yelp regarding Maria's. You know I had to check out these reviews.

Sure enough, all of the aforementioned reviews except for one were by people who had (as of Tuesday) only written one review: Maria's Bistro Mexicano. This is always suspect, at least to me. Whether the review is good or bad, it's never truly trustworthy when it's the only review a person has written.

My unscientifically arrived at guess would be that someone who is a friend or associate of Maria's Bistro Mexicano saw a review by Marcus V. that resulted in one star ; Marcus arrived at that score never having been to the restaurant. He was actually only opining on an inspection in February that resulted in 47 violation points. (The March inspection lowered that to 16 points.) That's not a valid review. But then, neither are reviews that are merely written to counter a negative review.

I'd like to think that Maria's has improved of late; I've made no secret of my disappointment with it. However, I've also had some delicious and sociable brunches and dinners there. Has anyone been to Maria's lately? Will their happy hours and outdoor garden draw in more clientele?

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.

What You Eat in Sunset Park: Lucky Eight

Duck feet, abalone, and baby bok choy. Still interested in hearing about some interesting 8th Avenue dishes? The review of a meal at Lucky Eight Restaurant from a blog called For the Love of Food actually had me considering trying the duck feet. And I haven't eaten any warm-blooded animals for twenty years.

She describes the dish of duck feet (deboned, happily) and pickeled carrots and daikon as refreshing and a soft landing into the culinary adventure of Lucky Eight. Check out the review and see what you think.

The Search for Coffee, Space, and WiFi

Despite various bakeries, the search for a "hang-out" spot with coffee and something to nibble has proven disappointing for several Sunset Park residents. Favorites like Gran Via have only counter seating (but many people choose to "hang-out" anyway), bakeries on 8th Avenue are very busy and rushed, and seating at many other places (like Angel's Bakery) is cramped.

Another need has turned up more consistently as well: Room to spread out and enjoy free WiFi (it's short for Wireless Fidelity, but really means you can check your email). These amenities are a necessity for those who freelance and/or work at home. Personally, I'm still paranoid about sending my information through the airwaves in public (picture Mike TeeVee floating through the air in tiny fragments), but many people are much more savvy and trusting than I. And most people are more with it than I am - meaning they have a laptop. I prefer the bulky joys of a desktop.

Many residents of our fair neighborhood don't want to patronize Park Slope Tea Lounges and Ozzie's. They don't even want to travel the shorter distance to Roots or Has Beans in Greenwood Heights. They want to spend their money and time here! So, where can one go in Sunset Park for a good cup of coffee, a snack or meal, and some computer time?

Well, if you don't want an internet cafe (of which there are several in Chinatown), the friendly folks at Brooklynian.com have some suggestions that breakdown into two distinct categories: Room to spread out and not get chased away and Free WiFi (plus some room to spread out and not get chased away).

So I'll throw in my suggestion for Room to Spread with WiFi: The Sunset Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library at 4th Avenue and 51st Street. It can get crowded, but the tables serve as good spots for your laptop. Sans WiFi, Puebla's back area (5th and 39th) is usually very empty any time except for lunch hours. The tortas are enough to have for lunch and dinner. Starlight Ice Cream, on 8th and 44th, has plenty of room at their tables as well.

Other options offered up by members of Brooklynian and other neighbors are Eclipse on 4th and 45th, Los 3 Petrillos on 4th and 39th, and Dunkin Donuts on 3rd and 35th. Georges Diner on 5th and 57th has a huge menu and lots of space. Just don't go on a weekend morning/early afternoon. And don't forget the 24 hour McDonald's on 4th and 37th. I'd REALLY avoid that when school lets out. All have lots of room to spread out, food/drink options, and apparently friendly attitudes to those who sit and work for a while.

None has WiFi access as of yet. Also, a couple of caveats include that Eclipse is more of a restaurant, so choose off hours. Los 3 Petrillos can get loud due to the jukebox, but mornings and afternoons are quiet. Some say that food options are overpriced. Also, the Dunkin Donuts can get a little hairy later at night.

Places with WiFi include Sunset Park Donuts and Diner on 5th Avenue and 39th and Maria's on 5th and 38th. There is a warning about cockroaches with the donuts and that Maria's can get crowded. Also, the WiFi at Maria's is password protected, so you have to ask.

Places that have been overlooked? Other suggestions for sitting down with some work (paper or computer)? Other free WiFi that are underutilized?

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.

New Karaoke "Restaurant" Gets a Big No-No Recommendation for its Liquor License

Both The Brooklyn Eagle and The Brooklyn Paper have articles about a new Karaoke bar - or restaurant - going in on 64th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. The owners say it's for business men. I say, judging from the crowd outside the 100 FUN establishment (opens at 2 PM!), you're going to see much younger clientele. Of course, without hard liquor, you don't get to have fun drinks like "cookie monster," so maybe not.

According to The Brooklyn Eagle, the main issue seems to be its proximity to PS 69; it's less than 500 feet away. The school's dismissal times overlap with the Karaoke establishment's hours of 4 PM to 4 AM, and the principal is concerned about her students' safety.

The existence of 13 private rooms also concerns members of the CB 10 and residents. They are picturing less Lost in Translation, and more, mmmmm, shall we say Private Dancer? Can't we have both? Anyway, the liquor license asks for beer, wine, and sake. The CB 10 members voted to recommend that the establishment NOT receive a liquor license, but they don't get final say.

Direct Marketing: BOOZE

Will this bring in the Maria's customers? The board was already out at 11 AM. Their garden is ready and waiting for the warm weather. The reviews of their food have fallen off lately (except the Chile Relleno, that's still good, apparently), but what about the drinks?

amNewYork Stretches Reality in Sunset Park

Can someone let me know where the hipster shops are in Sunset Park? According to amNewYork, Sunset Park has "hipster joints open[ing] next door to mom-and-pop Spanish shops." It doesn't mention Happy Days or any of the 3rd Avenue "shoppes" in its list. Not even the bizarre Fiesta Fashion gets a nod. The list of stores includes the famous Mr. C's cycles, My Secret Place (no, no, not THAT kind of shop), and Keonoar Dos Sports. Apparently, My Secret Place - actually a used clothing shop - is counted as hipster. I guess I have to call it vintage then.

The article also mentions "mommies power-walk[ing] Bugaboo strollers that cost more than their neighbor's car." I guess I'm less observant than I thought I was. Which one is a Bugaboo?

It doesn't mention Irish Haven or El Tesoro in its bar/restaurant round-up. It does, however, mention Tacos 2004! Sex on the Beach can be had there.

Ah well. Check out the article here; do you think it is an accurate portrayal of the neighborhood?