Nickel and Diner

The nicest models serve you in a super sleek diner format redux.. There are food nods to Asian, Italian & Jewish cuisine,. Modern, clean with booths and a bar with old fashioned stools, this corner joint is stunning. There are updated comfort classics.I came for lunch during the soft opening and this will be a sure fire hit! Ate: Seared diver scallops with warm beet vinaigrette & pumpkin seed quince $11 Baby Brussels sprouts with Shisitos peppers preserved lemon and crispy sunchokes $8 The scallops were lovely, but just two at lunch barely satisfied. The Brussels sprouts & shisitos needed an aioli or dipping sauce, the dish was a tad dry . There is little value here, but lots of fun, sceney like a Chinatown version of the venerable Coffee Shop sans the 'tude.

Gristmill rolls into the 5th Ave line up with serious chef cred. Jake was pastry chef at two big players- Gramercy Tavern & Union Square Cafe. The attention to detail and farm focus knocks this local spot into the big leagues. A fab imported Italian wood burning oven cooks the pizza and roasts the meats and fish. I thought the menu was pizza focused, but is more shareable smaller plates. There is also a flour awareness- utilizing different flours for cooking pizza and breads something I'm personally really into now thanks to Zak the Baker(Miami) & Brooklyn Bread Lab(Bushwick) Ate: Summer squash soup Casio e pepe garlic knot Roasted Pork shoulder Total: $38 The garlic knot made with wheat bread is topped with Grana Padano is hot crunchy & savory. The soup is so fine pureed with crunchy root veg to pick & play with. The pork shoulder with yogurt & mint blew my mind- roasted perfectly pink inside with a little Mediterranean.action it's outside char with the flavor combo was orgasmic. The open kitchen was where I watched the culinary magic, I would imagine their buttermilk blueberry pie is outstanding, maybe next time. Love the Keith Haring sink in the Lou btw. Brooklyn you lucky.

Gabriel Kreuther

Stunningly sensuous spectacular dining experience. It says French on Yelp, but this is Alsatian food very German influenced. The main dining room is a sophisticated room with round creme. Banquettes and a few artfully placed pillows. This meal was stellar. Ate: Two course savory $52 plus desert $16 plus wine $15 Lunch Dorade with green tomato marmalade w/ coriander fennel foam Young organic poussin w/ licorice jus Decadent blackberry over chocolate mouse & milk chocolate w/ caramel glaze The foods starts coming and doesn't stop. Amuse bouche looks like a beach scene with umbrellas & coconut mango cold soup. The kugelof w/ scallions & fromage blanc is a mix of cake & bread kind of like a brioche. That's the first bread course. The dorade with its foamy top is lick the bowl amazing. The poussin was very good & loved the licorice jus. Second bread was whole wheat ficelle with cultured butter. Dessert was a work of art & the special milk chocolate mousse with caramel was bananas. Not finished, a coconut shell with house made stunning chocolates arrived. #PUREPLEASURE #PERIOD!

Jue Lan Club

Celebrity driven Jue Lan has that Old Shanghai feel in the Flatiron.Lots of circular velvety booths offer cushiony comfort and clever culinary choices. This is a pricey foray to the upper crust, but worth it if you are so well pocketed. The food is delicious and service attentive as it should be. My entree and veggie came to $36. The green shrimp with spinach and cashews is super duper as was bok chop with ginger. Lots of sumptuous drinks at brunch as well as Al Sharpton and Paul Giamatti this past Sunday. A fine experience at a price. GO!

La Sirena

Sexy, shimmery La Sirena shines in the MPD with new energy and design compared to nautical La Bottega of yore. Same view of the public housing across the street, but inside is a super glamorous space. Breakfast starts at 7- one of my favorite meals and I would recommend it as a foray into this pricey Batali spot. As a place to drink, at night you could meet someone at the bar and snack on homemade grissini and Seattle made salumi. It's interior beckons. For breakfast, some stellar options await such as house squeezed blood orange juice, farm fresh eggs and thick cut bread. It has not been discovered for breakfast so one can enjoy the glamour without the clamor. Of course, lots of great caffe options abound. GO! GO!

Le Garage

Take the M train to Central Ave. for authentic French food, prepared with love by the mother(chef) and daughter(hostess) team in a reformed garage. The space is very open with one of the nicest bathrooms in all the land with the coolest vintage table. An unusual experience awaits in an unlikely 'hood. While this outer borough hipster 'hood is known for it's bars and alternative style restaurants the food at Le Garage is more classic. I went on a crappy night, but thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I was served warmed Balthazar bread with butter and then ordered a watercress soup. Lots of bite and texture left in the soup as well as housemate croutons which added a nice bite. My main of cod in a ginger butter sauce with brussel sprouts had one of those great French sauces- lots of flavor gingery, buttery, super tasty. With French food, it's all about the sauce not the portion size. Of course, I couldn't resist potatoes cooked in duck fat with Bernaise sauce which was indulgent. I finished with a chocolate chardon with creme anglais. The dense chocolate cake- akin to an American brownie added a sweet finish to the meal. Paired with pineapple, lime and ginger, you couldn't ask for more on a rainy night in Brooklyn. GO! GO!

Salvation Burger

The only salvation was the free fries that came to the table while waiting endlessly to order. So much ineptitude among very good food. Let's grind out this lunch experience. Ate: Fries Giardanara Fish on a bun with cabbage and tartar sauce Toasted marshmallow milk shake The good: the food is very good. Fries tasted like they were cooked in duck fat. Fish on a home made bun was tasty. Giardinara added a vinegary kick to the savory. The toasted marshmallow was the Star of the Show with house churned ice-cream and a taste that was off the charts. The unfortunate: The Salvation franchise loves the Pod Hotels- this space with 4 booths(the only comfy seething) has slim counters with stools and tables with stools. Not a comfortable dining experience at all. I asked over and over for a table and finally got one, but waiting for my credit card to return for fifteen minutes seemed like an eternity. I would return for the stellar shake though. SLOW GO!