Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory

Having eaten home-made ice-cream every day last summer at the East Village Ice Cream Factory, I decided to try the ice-cream in it's original incarnation. So I ventured out the the Greenpoint outpost of the Brooklyn ice-cream factory, their other factory is near the Brooklyn Bridge which is a lovely spot and packed in warmer months with lines of we scream for ice-cream kids. Getting to the Greenpoint outpost is a trip so to speak on the G train to Greenpoint Ave. and then another 8 blocks to this isolated but charming ice-cream spot. It looks like an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor from the outside with a green and yellow striped material awning and inside with small tables and books about old-Brooklyn. The flavors include vanilla, chocolate, coffee, butter pecan and peaches and cream. All fresh ingredients are used in the production of the ice-cream. This ice-cream is almost identical the the East Village spot as it's owner was an alumni of the original Brooklyn joint, though the Brooklyn spot is a bit more pricey and the East Village Ice Cream Factory makes their fruit flavors with real bits of fruit in smaller batches. One scoop is $3.50 here and two were $5.50 with toppings extra. A bathroom is in the back in case you need it before the long hike back to the G.

Vinnie Vella's Pizza

Vinne Vella is a an actor who has opened a pizza place on Metropolitan Avenue two doors down from the great Cheeks bakery(see Brooklyn new school bakery). The space boasts exposed brick, pictures of lots of celebraties with Vella and Frankie playing in the background. Clean, steal tables also lined with pictures offer a spiffier pizza eating experience with nice condiments on each table. Now for the pizza, which it boasts is the best thin crust pizza. Well the round pizza at $2.25 is good and thin with a sweet light tomato sauce, cheese that looks like it was added before the sauce a la L&B Spumoni Gardens(more on L&B) shortly. The pizza does have a nice bite though the flavor is not exceptional. Pies run from $13-$15 for a large plain pizza and up to $21 for specialty pies with movie names like Casino, Anaylze This etc.

Westville east

With two locations one in the East Village and the other in the West Village, Westville boasts an extensive menu of salads soups and main plates. It's extensive menu made me fear the food may not measure up though the space was so inviting I took the risk. The East Village spot located on the corner of East 11th. and Ave. A. is an airy spot with whitewashed walls and a few pieces of local art hanging. Some comfy cushiony seating and a casual environment with good food make Westville very popular with a youngish crowd. I ate here for lunch and enjoyed my gazpacho with avocado for $6, which was tasty. Two vegetable dishes one of grilled lemon asparagus and the other artichoke hearts with parmesan was filling. Larger plates with fish, fries and a salad run from about $16-$18. The sweet fries looked especially good. Brunch here is muy popular with many creative edd dishes including fried eggs with turkey hash, toast and salad for $8.00. Foodwise, the grub is tasty enough with an emphasis on the fresh and brunch is cheap. The bathroom looked like a silver spaceship with silver popcorn walls and a teeny sink, fyi.

DiFara's Pizza

To make it to DiFara's Pizzeria on the corner of Ave. J. and East 15th. Street in Brooklyn is like making a pilgrimage with other pizza pilgrims to the pinnacle of NY pizza. An old school reno from the 70's this run down joint is lined with over 25 of his written accolades which laud the pizza king Dominic DeMarco. Dominic still makes the pies as he has done for 40 years and it exciting to watch him create his rounds and squares. Streching the dough, adding the tomoato sauce, cutting the mozzarella cheese(he uses regular and buffalo milk) as well as romano cheese which adds sweetness and then drizzles extra virgin olive oil onto the pie then into the conventional pizza oven it goes. After baking, for the finale is he uses a scissor and cuts fresh basil onto his perfectly baked pies. At $4.00 the pizza should be good and it is great. I have been going to DiFara's for years since high school when it was just a neighborhood spot with two of my high school friends who lived nearby. Tasting it again after so many good and mediocre slices recently was just a pleasure. The round which I liked a little more is so perfectly baked and juicy with all the cheeses and good olive oil the it was an hmmmmmm! The square was so flavorful and well baked it was alot of taste in a bite. For a rainy Sunday the place was packed. There is a bathroom behind the counter, though it is not the most customer friendly little toilet arrangement.

The Great American Health Bar

The Great American Health bar has been in it's same spot on 57th. Street since at least the eighties when many including myself opted for healthier food after dance classes nearby. The place looks like a California diner circa 1979. This place is no bargain, but still does a ragin' business with their made to order salads with lo cal house-made vinegaigrette. Salads numbers 1-9 or your own mix runs from about $8.95 to $14.95. The Tasty Avocado includes spinach and romaine, very fresh avocado, tomatoes, peppers and mushrooms. Though not cheap at $13.94- it is tasty. My fave for a dinner salad is the cheese tortellini and spinach salad which has spinach, grape leaves, tortellini, feta, hard boiled eggs, red onions tomato, and cheddar. Alot of cheese and very tasty. There is squeezed on the spot orange juice by the great machine that takes the whole orange and spits out the juice(very popular in Spain), Other fresh squeezed juices are available as well. The low fat frozen yogurt has always been popular here and still is and is offered in a variety of flavors with extra toppings. Main dishes are pricey and I think the salads are a more interesting food option. The bathroom has been updated to marble, but still retains that old-school smell.

Isablella's Cucina Intaliana

Isabella's on Grand Street on the LES offers the real deal in pizza, a genuine brick oven pizza not just brick face like some NY "brick oven" pizza joints. An interestingly eclectic decor with charming chandeliers and a smallish table arrangement give the place a local, borough like feel. The pizza here is made to order and is the real deal. Luckily, for those looking for just pizza Isabella's offers a mini version of all their pies. You can watch them make and fire your pie in the oven. I have always opted for the mini margherita which at $6 is only a little more expensive than a DiFara's slice. The m.m. arrives hot out of the oven, nicely charred, with 4 small slices topped with a piece of fresh basil on each slice. I opt to dine alfresco in the lovely weather and they include fresh parmigiano and red pepper flakes. By the by, a cute bathroom is available in the back just in case you need it. The pizza is just hmmmmm delicious- one of the best all around pizza flavors around town. Other pies include ingredients like olives, sausage, ricotta and speck(bacon) which are more expensive than the margherita though no minis cost more than $13. Isabella's also offers pasta with homemade looking bread, but with pizza this good and cheap well the choice is obvious.

Big Daddy's Diner

Big Daddy's has two locations one on Park Ave. South and 19th. Street and the other on 2nd. Ave and 82nd. Street. I have eaten at the Park Ave South location nearly a dozen times and each time my feeling is the same. Cute retro setting, freshly made grub to order, and occasionally clueless service. Lunch on Park Ave. South is bustling and for good reason, the food is good though not cheap, booth action and trivia cards make for a fun interactive lunch. The burgers are so huge and served with slaw and fries(cheese if you ask for it). Last week it was hard to finish my daddy'o burger which was grilled perfectly with melted jalepeno cheddar, thick cut bacon and onion rings- o daddy this is some burger, and served with fries for $12.93. If you are feeling in a retro mood you can order tater tots instead of fries and you can add cheese to the fries for a buck. To wash it all down I ordered a delish thick shake with chocolate, banana, chocolate syrup and whipped creme. Another lunch fave is the "holy moses" which includes, grilled veggies, grape leaves, falafel, hummus, cucumber, olives and pita for $13.93- also a gargantuan amount of food and freshly made. The salads are also huge and I have enjoyed the General Lee's chicken salad on many occasions served with napa cabbage fried chicken breast, , hearts of palm, roasted sesame seeds, mango and orange slics with an Asian sesame dressing for $13.91. I am always so full, I never order dessert. The toilet is on the first floor with a large silver antique looking mirror and pedestal sink.

Mr Skewer & Co. Brazilian Grill

I was waiting for months for this Brazilian style sort-of fast food spot to open on 14th Street between 5th. and 6th. Ave. Finally, open about 2 weeks, I have eaten here twice and enjoyed both experiences. This new joint offers churascarria style meats as well as other south american specialties including empanadas as well as specialty sandwiches and salads. Of course, the star of the show is the meat and for a fraction of a real churascarria without the huge salad bar offerings the meat here is delicious. On my first visit, I ate the skirt steak seasoned with sea salt which was perfectly cooked and seasoned delicately served with cheese bread balls(no lie)and two sides which I ordered steamed and grilled veggies which were fine and cost $11.95. Today, I tried the guacho burger for $8.45 which is served on the homemade cheese bread with caramelized onions, mixed greens, and brazilian vinaigrette. This is one rockin' burger, mine was a teeny overcooked to medium well, I asked for medium, but was highly seasoned and super tasty especially on the cheese bread. Mr. Skewer also seves grilled chicken, turkey, salmon, chorizo and other steak cuts which all look like good bets. The salads with dressing on the side appeared slightly boring as the meat here reigns supreme. There is a bathroom in the rear for your after dining comfort.

Barrio

Located in the center, center slope on 7th. Ave and 3rd. Street, this new endeavor works hard to please those who jones for quality Mexico City style Mexican in Brooklyn. Chef Adrian Leon who has worked with Nuevo Latino superstar Douglas Rodriguez, as well as manning kitchens at Rosa Mexicano and Zocalo. I ate there for brunch yesterday and was not dissappointed. Seated in the covered outdoor area, which was nice and warm with cute, colorful lights, brunch began with chips and homemade salsas. The busboy explained the green was tomatillo and the red was morita and spicy. Both were fresh and vibrant and the chips good though not housemade. My entree of baked vegetarian enchilada for $11.95 was served in a corn tortilla with black beans, cactus, roasted poblanos, anejo cheese, green salsa and topped with pickled jalapenos was very good though I might have enjoyed it more with a little something extra with it, like a little rice perhaps. The tables surrounding me looked happy and all the food, especially those topped with the lovely freshmade salsas looked enticing. Other brunch entrees include huevos rancheros for $10.50, pancakes topped with fresh fruit and sugar and chicken or steak chilaquiles for $9.25. The sides are only $2.95 including guacamole which is pretty reasonable for an add on. Lots of specialty cocktails are available and the staff is plenty willing to please. A nice clean bathroom with a little wood wainscotting is located in the main dining room. Soon arriving will be Mexican hot chocolate which I look forward to on a future brunch visit.

John's Shanghai

Located in the heart of the Theatre District on West 46th between 6th and Broadway is this old school Chinese restaurant. John's is a homey spot with a wall of teapots and Chinese sculptures in it's two-story restaurant. The restaurant offers classic Shanghai Style fare as well as housemade dumplings. The weekday lunch specials (until 4pm) include soup or egg roll or soda. They start at $6.75 for roasted meats and go up to $9.95 for the multi-meat/ fish combos. The seating is comfortable and the service fast and the food is pretty standard.

El Museo Del Jamon

Located in several outposts all over Madrid, this is one of my favorite spots in all of Spain. The museum of ham as it translates into English celebrates serrano and Iberian hams displayed all over this cafe and restaurant with hoofs in. El museo offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as ham and cheeses to go. The location near Puerta Del Sol is where we started our day's and they offer several breakfast specials of ham(serrano) with or without cheese(manchego) as well as the famous zumo de naranja(house squeezed juice) and cafe or hot chocolate for abut $5 U.S. Standing at the counter with tourists and Madrilenos is unbeatable Spanish experience.

Choclateria San Gines

Some many spots to blog about, Madrid is a vibrant city with wonderful day and night life, great restaurants and tapas spots. One famous gem is this 100 year old restaurant located between near Puerta Del Sol on a quaint street near a streetside bookstore looking straight out of Harry Potter. Churros and hot chocolate are a Madrid tradition and this spot serves them made to order. In this charming old-school European cafe you can watch them drizzle the batter swish and remove and cut the churros. The hot chocolate is like molten lava and absolutely killer. Dunk your churros into the chocolate and go straight to heaven. Sitting or standing at the counter, for an afternoon snack this is as close to feeling like a true Madrileno.