Bar Chuko

Do you like Japanese food? I recently tried out Bar Chuko in Prospect Heights. It was so hard to not order everything on the menu—each dish was so good. That said, it's easy to sample a lot since the menu is divided into snacks, bites, bowls, and skewers (all reasonably priced). For $2-3 a pop, the grilled veggie skewers were my favorite part. I tried the corn, the broccoli, the cherry tomatoes and the snow peas (don't they look so pretty?). As the night went on, I kept increasing my order, adding more and more skewers to try. Next time I go, I have a strategy: Order multiples of each from the start!

Date night at French Louie

For a spontaneous date night last week, Matt and I decided to check out French Louie, a delicious new restaurant (from the guys behind Buttermilk Channel) that just opened in our neighborhood. The space is gorgeous! Soft lighting, hand-painted walls, tons of secluded tables—there's even an outdoor seating area, set to open when the snow finally goes away. 

I ordered the Buckwheat Pappardelle, made with oxtail ragu, broccoli rabe, and cured egg, and Matt and I split their roasted carrot and citrus salad. Both dishes were so tasty and unique. In addition to the ambiance and the food, it didn't hurt that we happened in on the restaurant's opening night: the staff was delightful and so patient as we asked a million questions about the menu.

It was only a Wednesday, but it was so nice to slip out for an impromptu break in our routine, have a glass of wine, and try a new place. Also, there's something to be said for catching up about the workday over candlelight! :)

(Images via Eater)

Food Page: Di Fara

A few weeks ago, I checked out the Greenpointers Valentine's Market. Zipcar had a booth there with a wheel of fortune, and a chance to win a driving credit. As luck would have it, I won the grand prize: a $60 Zipcar rental! The catch? We had to use it in less than four weeks. So, this past weekend, Matt and I grabbed our pizza-loving friends, and made the trek out to Di Fara in Brooklyn. What a treat! We had been once before (en route to Niagara Falls), but have been dying to go back ever since. 

We waited outside in line for an hour (note: for anyone checking hours on the website, it opens on weekends at 1 p.m., not noon, as listed there), then were second in line to order our pies. We opted for a "regular" and a "square," enough to make sure a slice or two remained to take home as leftovers. :) Forty-five minutes later, we were staring face to face with the most delicious pizza pie in New York. The fresh basil, olive oil, and tomatoes—perfection with every bite. And the chance to watch Domenico De Marco make pizza the same way he has done for over four decades? Worth the wait, times a thousand.

What's your favorite place to go for pizza in New York?

Are you a restaurant regular?

I read this great article in the New York Times last week about the comfort (and perks) of being a restaurant regular. Long-time critic Frank Bruni says, "What you have with a restaurant that you visit once or twice is a transaction. What you have with a restaurant that you visit over and over is a relationship." It's so true. Since moving to New York—as crazy as this sounds—I find that I rarely go to the same restaurant twice. It's mainly because there is always so much new and interesting food to experience and try, but in the back of my mind, I miss having a regular haunt.

In Boston, Eastern Standard was my go-to spot. They knew my name, my drink order (an Au Provence), and somehow always managed to squeeze me in when no reservations were left. So far, Brooklyn has become my best shot at reclaiming this kind of intimacy when dining out. I've been testing the waters with both Van Horn & Company (love their B.L.A.T.) and Ted and Honey (their veggie burger is to die for). I go frequently, and the ease of familiarity between myself and the waitstaff is slowly starting to sink in. Bruni is right—it's about the relationship, not the transaction, and I look forward to stopping by.

Do you have a regular restaurant? Where is it? I'd love to hear!

P.S. Colonie, pictured above, is another place I'm courting as a new, long-term spot. :)

(Image 1, 2, 3, and 4)

Matchbook memories

When you go out to eat, do you snag a restaurant matchbook on your way out the door? I clearly do. As I begin packing up my apartment for my big move to BK, I am amazed at how many matchbooks I have picked up over the years. Useful and a good thing to have on hand? Absolutely. But these matchbooks are also a fun way to remember the special memories that happened at each place. 

For example, Eastern Standard—in Boston next to Fenway Park—served up my favorite cocktail, and is where I celebrated turning the big 2-5. NIKO—a swanky sushi spot in Soho—is where I toasted my good friend's engagement with champagne. And Quality Meats—a stylish Midtown spot—is where I had my first meal with my new boss. Every one of these matchbooks means something to me. Will I carry them with me to Brooklyn? Yes!

(Image via Instagram)