Krupa Grocery

In the former Indian news store where the owners were so lovely and called you my dear opens Krupa Grocery in their namesake. Around the corner from my former residence, there is magic-making in their tiny kitchen. Food at dinner can be pricey, but one taste and you will be glad you paid the price. I went with the branzino- bathed in chilies, vegetable stock, preserved lemons and blistered tomatoes. This dish was plate- lickin' delicious. Complex, full of flavor- a perfect dish. The salt and vinegar potatoes ordered to accompany the fish were powerful, salty, hot- kind of naughty original potato dish- tasting a bit of Spanish flavors- like a brava, but the best brava type potato. Finally the burnt sugar pot de crème with crème fraiche top and house-made chocolate biscotti. The crème fraiche could have been thinner- it's sour taste initially masks the sheer orgasmic nature of this pudding- tasting of butterscotch notes this dish is a home run on a slamming meal in Windsor Terrace. GO! GO!

Battersby

Battersby was voted one of Bon Appetit magazine's ten best restaurants in America. Is it? Well it certainly is an eclectic albeit eccentric addition to one of new Brooklyn's original food strips- Smith St. Battersby takes no reservations and about half an hour after opening it is full. I sat at the bar in the corner which was fine. The bartender was attentive much different from my Happy Hour nosh at Ed's Chowder House. A crostini with chicken liver and a sliver of a mushroom arrives first- tasty. The rosemary flatbread with seasalt and accompanied by housemade ricotta is amazing. I went with the chowder. Smoked bacon, peeky-toe crab, and corn adorn this smoky, delicious chowder. Potatoes were slightly overcooked within the chowder. I also ordered a half wheat beer on draft which made me happy. For the main, I went with the green ravioli with earthy vegetables in a lemony brown butter sauce- delish. Finishing my meal with a banana-lime tart with dulce de leche and housemade whipped cream from an upstate creamery. Quite good though for such an eccentric meal, I would have preferred a more rustic finish. Total- $50 GO! GO!