Oddfellows Ice Cream Co. is a local Brooklyn spot from former wd50 pastry chef Sam Mason that makes some seriously tasty ice cream. I love the old-school ice cream parlor feel, but they mix things up with modern and innovative offerings. Oddfellows pasteurizes their own ice cream base, using locally-sourced, hormone-free dairy, right in their Brooklyn kitchen. This attention to detail allows them to produce some of the highest quality and freshest ice cream around. Their scrumptious flavors range from reinvented classics, like PB&J and S'mores, to totally creative and unconventional, like Miso Cherry and Chorizo Caramel Swirl. Sample several flavors before you decide, and then come back again soon to try out even more. Their menu changes seasonally, and always includes some somewhat crazy-sounding flavors! While I'm typically not one to choose sorbet, Ants on a Log (celery sorbet with peanut butter & raisins) is one of my all-time favorites! Banana Puddin' and Cornbread (can you tell I'm Southern?) are also ridiculously good, with such a great depth of flavor. I also just noticed a new flavor on their menu- Salted Coconut Sticky Rice- and cannot wait to try it out soon. If you post a picture of your treat, don't forget to use their signature hashtag: #errbodylovesicecream!
paulie gee's
When a pizza craving hits, you can't do much better than Paulie Gee's. This Greenpoint, Brooklyn institution makes wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pies, served with both classic and unique toppings. Owner Paul Giannone uses locally sourced ingredients when possible, plus fior di latte and Italian tomatoes, of course, creating some of the most mouth-watering pizzas around. Bing cherries, prosciuitto di Parma, baby arugula, orange blossom honey, beef brisket, and kale pesto are all possibilities you'll find on the menu, and Paulie Gee's offers several vegan pies as well. I love the atmosphere here- you enter through big barn doors, and the interior feels like a rustic cabin. Although the restaurant doesn't take reservations (so get there early), they are in the process of opening a slice joint nearby for all your quick, on-the-go pizza needs, which is super exciting news! Definitely stop by next time you're in Brooklyn!
cafe mogador
Cafe Mogador is probably my husband's and my #1 go-to neighborhood spot. Although it's always super packed on the weeknights and for weekend brunch, we love going for a quiet weekday breakfast. Due to my husband working in a kitchen himself, which usually consists of very long hours and late nights, we get to go out for breakfast dates more often than dinner dates. It's quite nice to have the random Tuesday morning free together, and we love nothing more than indulging in breakfast at Cafe Mogador. We literally don't even look at the menu anymore, either. It's always the Middle Eastern eggs, poached, for me, and the Moroccan Eggs with a side of Merguez sausage for him. Plus a cappuccino and Americano, or two, of course. It really never lets us down, and is always so filling and satisfying. The fluffy za'atar pita bread is the perfect accompaniment for cleaning up every last drop from your plate. We love sitting in the enclosed "backyard" area, which has a bit of a jungle feel with all the greenery, and is the perfect temperature year-round!
rider
Rider opened recently in Williamsburg, and with it came a lot of hype. I had read article after article singing the praises of this American bistro & bar, so I was anxious to try it out. It was just an added bonus that it's literally around the corner from home. The interior downstairs is bright & light, with marble counters, tile tabletops & white brick walls. The upstairs offers a completely different feel- much more sleek & dark. Options for everyone! My husband and I were blown away- not just by the food, which was extremely delicious, but also with the service. The team was super helpful & generous, and we loved their attention to detail. Everything we ate was fresh, flavorful, and extremely well balanced. I cannot wait to go back for brunch!
STEAMED CLAMS
bacon, coconut, lemongrass, cilantro stems
TATSOI SALAD
coriander, celery, sunflower seeds, cider vinaigrette
LAMB BELLY
green romesco, almonds, pea shoots
FREGOLA + TURNIPS
greens, pistachio pesto, parm
DUCK BREAST
'nduja stuffed dates, parsnip, pekmez, hazelnuts
CHEESEBURGER
american cheese, cabbage, russian, fries
ROASTED VEG
shishito, carrots, scallion, celery hearts, bagna cauda
PARSNIP BREAD
coconut milk caramel, black walnuts, banana sorbet
isa
Isa is one of our go-to local neighborhood spots. I love the comforting atmosphere, which almost feels like a log cabin in the woods. When it's nice out and the windows are open, it creates a lovely open-air breeze throughout. A wood-burning oven is a sure fire way to make almost anything delicious, and Isa uses their's well. We love the pizzas, whether it's the breakfast pizza topped with an egg, a Spanish style chorizo with jalapeños & black olives, or a roasted cauliflower with nettle pesto! The crust is perfectly charred and chewy.
I loved how bright and beautiful the seared tilefish was, and the chickpea puree, shaved golden beets & rainbow carrots were the perfect accompaniments. For brunch, you can't go wrong with the brunch bowl. It's a healthy yet hearty vegetarian dish featuring whole grains, fresh & roasted seasonal veggies, all topped with a soft boiled egg. Their unique cocktails are refreshing and worth ordering as well- below is the Vernal Potion, with gin, celery, fennel, lime & herbed sea salt. The menu (which is a super cool piece of art in itself) changes often, but the food is consistently satisfying & delicious!
16 handles
16 Handles is a bit of a guilty pleasure for my husband and I. It's a little too conveniently located, so if we ever get the craving for frozen yogurt, we immediately walk over. Unfortunately, you pay by weight, and as you can see, our cups are rarely light & dainty. We pile on the various flavors & toppings, filling them to the brim, then head home & dig in on the couch. Some of my go-to flavor picks are graham cracker, peanut butter, coconut, dark chocolate & salted caramel (I'm obviously not good at narrowing it down or making decisions), but I also love their seasonal/artisan flavors like pumpkin, cinnamon doughnut & toasted marshmallow! The macaroon-topped fudge brownies (!), graham cracker crumbs, & chocolate-covered pretzels are my toppings of choice! On our most recent trip- last night!- we discovered what we think is a game-changer: toppings under the fro-yo, so you have a delicious, creamy treat of mix-ins waiting for you at the bottom of the cup! Clearly, we take this very seriously ;)
