New Amsterdam Food Market

Food lover's paradise on a beautiful day next to the South Street Seaport. This monthly market brings local, upstate and even some Vermont purveyors to town with samples of their goods. Breads are beautiful here and some of the best include our local Pain d'Avigon, Sullivan Street Bakery and Balthazar. Brooklyn was well represented with Salties, Marlow and Sons, and The Meat Hook. My bratwurst on a potato roll with homemade cabbage, and spicy mustard from The Meat Hook was beyond delicious. Lots of cheese samples, some wine samples and even some chocolate samples. Ice-cream from the upstate creamery, Bent Spoon chocolate with rosemary was lovely. Other notables were Porchetta with their pork sandwich and the line for the East Village's Luke's Lobster was long though the sandwich looked rather ordinary. Freshly shucked oysters and a lovely chili with all the fixin's and a semolina cracker from Marlow and sons were tempting, but the bratwurst plus samples filled up my deliriously happy stomach.

MUST GO!

Brooklyn Star

Teeny, wainscotted space that dishes upmarket Southern classics or classics reinterpreted. Tables on the perimeter of the room surround a communal table in the middle. Seating is not optimal, though some of the food is worth the cramped arrangement. We ordered the recommended cornbread which is served made to order in a cast iron skillet, hot out of the oven for $4. My dish of country fried steak with mashed potatoes, served with warm slaw for $15 was outstanding. Crispy coating on the steak with creamy gravy and lovely warm slaw was created a little food envy . A side of creamed corn served with smoked trout for $4 was the perfect sweet/salty contrast. My friend's barbequed catfish was slightly underseasoned though served with a side of creamed corn and deep fried cukes redeemed the dish. There was only one dessert which was the deep fried apple fritters pictured above with vanilla ice-cream and sugared pecans for $6 which was to die for. Deep fried meaty apples paired with creamy ice-cream and crunchy sweet sugared pecans was delectable.

Go!

Brooklyn Star

33 Havemeyer St.

Bklyn, NY 11211

718-599-9899

Fonda

In a neighborhood not unsaturated with upmarket restaurants, Fonda takes the cake. A chef born in Mexico City and lauded in Austin whips up comida sabrosa on this southern stretch of 7th Ave. A lovely garden in back offers a quiet respite and most important a killer meal Friendly, attentive service to boot. I ordered the enchiladas suizas with scrambled eggs for $12 with a mimosa for brunch. This dish is also available with chicken tinga. My suizas were smothered in a super tasty green tomatillo sauce. I asked for chips and they brought over(gratis) some house fried giant salty ones with spicy red sauce. Other great sounding options are the shrimp enchiladas for $15 or the french toast served with piloncillo syrup, whipped cream and sugared pecans for $10.

MUST GO!

Fonda

434 7th Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11215

718-369-3144

Chile Pepper Festival

Hot and spicy pickles, chutney's, HOT hot sauces and the best display and tastings of chilies and chocolates. This food day family event later proved a washout, but it was super fun until the rain came. A line up of vendors including Horman's pickles whose bread and butter pickle and horseradish pickle were pickleicious.

J.D south philly's hot sauce were some of the hottest I ever tasted.

There were food demos of spicy foods and lessons on different chilies. The creme de la creme was the "Hot Chocolate" area featuring master chocolatiers displaying and offering samples of their interpretation of spicy, chile infused chocolates. Chocolate and chile dark chocolates, cookies, even cupcakes reached new sweet and savory goodness. There was also a sampling of chefs cooking up spicy bread pudding, peppers with chocolate and even ravioli with chocolate. A panel discussion on the subject discussed the origins of this combo. This is a yearly event and for next year's event-at the Brooklyn Botanic garden.

Must Go!