Tag: bushwick

Categories
ramen

Ichiran: Eating Ramen Alone in a Cubby Hole

A popular Japanese ramen chain, Ichiran, recently opened up their first US location in Brooklyn (East Williamsburg/Bushwick – Morgan L stop). They’re famous for their Tonkotsu Ramen (pork broth) and eating by yourself in small booth for one. It’s like eating in a closed-in cubicle.

I decided to try them out on Thanksgiving, thinking it would be empty. Then I could enjoy my solitude in even more peace. But there was actually quite a lot of people there. A lot of Asians. Maybe they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving.

There’s actually two sections to the restaurant. The individual booths and another room with tables where you could sit with other people. I also noticed you can remove the wall between the individual booths so you can see the person next to you. But I’m not sure why anyone would want to do that.

Anyway, the ramen was surprisingly good. I ordered my broth strong and rich. It’s cool that you can customize your ramen. I didn’t think I would want that option. I rather have others decide what’s best for me. But what if that person decided my broth should be bland and dull? That would suck.

You’re supposed to be able to go through this restaurant without having to talk to anyone. You write your order in. Someone in a hole picks it up and brings you your food without you having to see their face. But I ended up having to make eye contact and talk to several employees. I feel like I failed.

The pricing seems expensive. But considering this is a non-tipping establishment, the price comes out about the same as any other decent ramen spot in New York. The beer though is expensive I think. $8.90 before tax for an Asahi draft that had a lot of foam. $41.05 for ramen, pork belly and a beer. Maybe this should have been more like $35.

There was a line out the door when I left. Asians ever hear of Thanksgiving?

Ichiran – 374 Johnson Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11206

Categories
mexican

Guadalajara De Dia 2’s Mole Poblano

This small Mexican grocery/restaurant in Ridgewood, Queens is pretty cool. Mexican soap opera on the TV above a religious shrine on the wall. There’s money in the shrine. I don’t know why.

I ordered the Mole Poblano ($10.50), side of guacamole ($2) and a beer (I don’t remember how much that was).

The mole sauce is awesome. Rich and thick with a nice bit of heat.

The chicken, however, is boiled. I’ve noticed this is the common preparation in the Mexican taqueria restaurants in the area. I’ve seen these restaurants pull out these pieces of chicken from the pot and it looks gray and kind of gross. Good thing the awesome dark brown mole sauce covers it up.

I’ve also been to Guadalajara De Dia 1 in Bushwick on Wyckoff Ave. Very similar. Great sauce. Nasty looking chicken before they add the sauce. I think if you didn’t know it was gray, you’ll be good and think it’s delicious. Maybe just forget the last couple of paragraphs here.

Guadalajara De Dia 2 – 566 Seneca Ave. Ridgewood, NY 11385
Guadalajara De Dia 1 – 134 Wyckoff Ave (b/t Dekalb Ave & Stockholm St) Brooklyn, NY 11237

Categories
restauranting

Arrogant Swine BBQ

Finally tried the newish barbecue joint in East Williamsburg/Bushwick, Arrogant Swine. I’ve heard mixed reviews about this place from friends, but I thought it was pretty good.

Got the Outside Brown (chunks of Western North Carolina Outside Brown Shoulder $11) and East Carolina Whole Hog (think pulled pork with cracklings on top $12). Both really good with the different BBQ sauces they have.

Their bar has lots of craft beer. The outdoor seating has some nice picnic benches.

Only thing that sucks is that seems far from the train …or at least it’s pretty far out in a very industrial area.

Arrogant Swine – 173 Morgan Ave (b/t Scholes St & Meserole St) Brooklyn, NY 11237

Categories
restauranting

Faro (Bushwick)

There’s a new restaurant in Jefftown from a former chef from Northeast Kingdom. It’s a pasta restaurant. But I don’t eat much carbs. So I got the Mallard Duck Breast. The duck was good. I don’t know what else to say. I give up.

Faro – 436 Jefferson St (b/t Wyckoff Ave & Scott Ave) Brooklyn, NY 11237

Mallard Duck Breast - Faro Brooklyn

Categories
concert/event

Taste of Bushwick 2015 (PHOTOS)

I had a really good time at the Taste of Bushwick. Located on the lot of the Boar’s Head factory, all these local restaurants, bars and shops giving out tastings in support of the Bushwick Starr. I got full and really drunk. A great deal for $35/40. Only weird thing was why were so many places making food that they normally don’t serve? …like Friztl’s grilling up Pork Belly and Montana’s Pulled Pork with Grits. I don’t know. It was good though. Till Next Year.

Categories
street

ALP (A Liming Place) Bushwick Caribbean Food

Last week’s Bushwick Collective’s Block Party was pretty fun. Fat Joe performed and I ate this Bake & Shark (fried shark nuggets in a fried dough) from ALP (A Liming Place). They are a pop-up restaurant in AP Cafe in Jefftown.

It was pretty good once you put the Trini sauces on it (Garlic Aioli, the Green sauce and the Red pepper sauce). Although, I’m pretty ashamed of myself. One of the shark bites fell onto the floor and I ate it anyway, even though I know how much dog shit there is all over the neighborhood. I wasn’t even drunk.

ALP (A Liming Place) @ AP Cafe – 420 Troutman St (between Wycoff and St Nicholas Ave) Brooklyn, NY 11237

Categories
bar/drinking

The Shop – Bushwick’s New BBQ Motorcycle Bar

There’s this huge motorcycle garage/bar/Barbecue restaurant/music venue that recently opened up right off the Jefferson L stop in Bushwick, aka Jefftown. I just can’t believe how huge it is. Big American flag behind the stage with a backline. Sports on several TVs. Looks like it’ll be a good spot to watch football when Fall rolls around. Not many places to watch football while eating food in this area.

Even though it’s in soft open right now, I’ve come by a couple of times. First time I had the Bloody Mary with the Rib in it. Looks awesome. Rib was cold though. I guess it has to be, because it would fuck up the Bloody Mary. I came back and got the ribs hot and they are really good. Great rub flavor on the bark. And the pulled pork sandwich was tasty. Really good barbecue for New York. And for barbecue not being existent (previously) in Bushwick, this is awesome.

02 Bloody Mary with a BBQ Rib - The Shop Bushwick

Now looking at the pics, I see that you’re supposed to pick up your own food at another window. LOL. I think that’s why we ended up eating someone else’s order. There was some confusion. I was drunk, I didn’t realize. The other people ordered well at least.

The Shop is going to open officially during the Bushwick Open Studios (June 5th-7th). That’s an art festival spanning all around the neighborhood in art spaces and even people’s personal apartments.

The Shop – 234 Starr St (b/t Wyckoff Ave & Irving Ave) Brooklyn, NY 11237

Categories
mexican restauranting

Amaranto – The Best New Restaurant That No One is Eating At

There’s this new Mexican Restaurant that opened up recently in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Every time I walk by, it’s empty. Maybe it’s on a weird corner. Maybe it’s because it doesn’t look hipster friendly. Maybe it’s trying to be an upscale Mexican restaurant in a very Latino neighborhood that has a lot of affordable Mexican mainstays. But this is some of the best tasting and beautifully plated food I’ve ever eaten.

First off, the pricing isn’t really expensive, considering that I paid $14 for a Bloody Mary around the corner. The entrees are between $10-17. Actually very reasonable compared to the other brunch options in Bushwick. But maybe a little more expensive if you were just looking for a taco. However, this Mexican restaurant isn’t like what I think when I think of Mexican food. They do have tacos and burritos on the menu, but their entrees are like five-star fancy restaurant entrees.

The first time I got the Red Snapper. So beautiful and tasty. Only $15.

05 Red Snapper - Amaranto Mexican Restaurant

Came back the next week and got the Short Ribs with Green Mole. It doesn’t look as awesome, but so good and tender.

06 Short Ribs with Green Mole - Amaranto Mexican Restaurant

Then came back the next day with Todd and I got the Pork Chop. Look how thick this is. Only $15.

07 Pork Chop - Amaranto Mexican Restaurant

Todd got the Tumbada (Fish, with Green Rice, Mussels and Shrimp $15). That was great.

08 Tumbada Fish - Amaranto Mexican Restaurant

Their food isn’t necessarily spicy like what I think of Mexican food to be. It’s flavorful, but not overpowering. It’s very “clean.” Never thought I’d use that word.

That third time, I was very happy to see other people eating there. I was getting a little worried like Jerry Seinfeld and Babu. But in this case, the food is amazing. I seriously hope you guys come eat here. I don’t want them to go out of business. It’s just too good right now. Amazing and beautiful food, easy to get a table and BYOB for now. But at the same time, I’m selfishly hoping it doesn’t get too crazy popular. I want to be able to eat here more often.

Amaranto – 887 Hart St (@ Irving Ave) Brooklyn, NY 11237