Brooklyn Series – Part One [Restaurants]

Hi all –

I know you’ve missed me…. apologies. Well, I don’t really feel bad to be honest. I’ve been busy – judge me if you’d like. SO I am going say from the onset that I am not a real Brooklynite, I live in Williamsburg – which is the NYCer version of Brooklyn, HOWEVER, I am still in love with this city and want to share some of my favorite restaurants I’ve found so far on my journeys through the better borough:

Dumont

Alright, so Dumont A) is close in proximity to my apartment which helps B) has killer food C) has an adorable back garden I always resort to when parents, dates, non-BK friends come over the bridge. Definitely try the crispy artichokes, Dumont salad, OUT of control mac and cheese entree (yes you heard right) and Dumont Burger, duh.

Fabiane’s 

Once you get over the fact it’s unfortunately ON Bedford Avenue, which is the main drag and hub for all non residents, you’ll fall in love with this unassuming French cafe that not only offers incredible baked egg dishes (my favorite is the eggs, feta and pepper combo with a phenomenal toasted baguette) but also a good inexpensive spot for low key dinners with cheap wine and turkey meatloaf. Count me in.

Stone Park Cafe

Yes, just…. yes. Go immediately. Charming, local favorite nestled in Park Slope offering incredible dinners without any fuss. Some dishes worth trying ASAP include: the shaved brussel sprout salad, beet “tarte tatin,” swiss chard raviolini (helloooo) and the roasted chicken with a mushroom tagliatelle.

The Pines

Located in Gowanus, which has become a sick spot to spend a night in, this funky, fast-buzzing restaurant is totally unique, confusing and delicious all at once. Since the menu changes every day and we sat at the bar when dining there, everything behind the kitchen doors, was more or less presented to us. I remember having some incredible octopus with pickled pepper, scallop with watermelon, sablefish with manila clams and great bread with house cultured & caraway butter.

 Hunter’s Restaurant

While I still think this Cobble Hill new American restaurant has some kinks so work out, I think it has a ton of potential. Check out the red quinoa risotto, grilled kale salad with couscous, squash with pesto tagliatelle and the chicken with the new potato salad. I wish it was a bit bigger, as the tables are all super close to one another but hey, beggars can’t be choosers with NYC real estate man.

Bravo TV – Thanks for all that you unfortunately do for us

I don’t want to begin this post by apologizing for my ridiculously long hiatus, I’ll just leave it at that my work, new Brooklyn residence and dog have taken over my life in a very, very good way.

One thing I have taken up since having moved over the bridge is falling victim to watching  extremely, mind numbingly stupid shows on Bravo i.e. Shahs of Sunset, Real Housewives of Atlanta and Millionaire Matchmaker. Since I know I’m not alone in my adoration for these shows, I thought I’d rundown my thoughts on each of them (yes, opinions included clearly):

Shahs of Sunset

                  

While I can’t guarantee that the show will be returning for another season, I will say it has been one DAMN entertaining season. These women are nuts, well more just GG but they all can’t seem to get out of each others way. Just STOP attending Persian get togethers when you know some of the people you utterly despise will be in attendance – it’s VERY simple!!! Also, GG constantly pulling out knives on the show… when is Bravo going to step in and yank that nutcase out of the cabana and put her into a psych ward?? While I hate to admit it, I am in love, love with Lilly. She’s freakishly Barbie doll-esque, apparently loaded and “too cool” for alcohol – I want to be her in a nutshell. Reza is of course my favorite  – he’s real, not perfect and level headed. I think he should do his own spin off show like Rachel Zoe’s assistant got!

Real Housewives of Atlanta

                     

What else can I say other than that I’m totally addicted to this show/season/group of women – WHATEVER. No, I don’t watch RHOW of Miami or LA or Jersey, but these women have just trapped me into this superficial totally outrageous fairy tale and I’m in for life. I adore Cynthia – she’s so hot and level headed. Kandi and Porscha mean well, they’re not all too exciting or bright for that matter but they both don’t have any ill intent. Phaedra, Kim and Kenya all need to get their heads checked out – they lie, are completely delusional and off their rockers. Kenya kills me – what is that woman’s deal? Where is her alleged money from anyway? And her boyfriend Walter? I mean…… come on….. For anyone who watches the show they know just how batshit that woman is.

The Millionaire Matchmaker

                      

This show is awesome, stupidly awesome. I love Patti – I thought before I watched the show that I’d absolutely despise this chick but she is super good at her matchmaking job and gives these men who clearly have never had instructions from any women before, great advice pre-dates. The women who sign up, I can’t deal – I mean… every one of them has boobs bigger than the size of my head and dresses shorter than my underwear. I would never be seen on a show vying for an unattractive millionaire’s love, but with that being said, I don’t think I’d get a call back even to begin with – so that’s that.

The Voice and American Idol – My Predictions for Top 3

I will preface this post by stating that I am not musically inclined OR knowlegdable. I will give myself some credit, however, by noting that I’ve been an avid “reality TV music watcher” since the beginning of Idol’s existence (crazy how fast time flies). This year, both The Voice and Idol have totally sucked me in and forced me to watch each and every week – other years, I can’t say that’s been the case. My love for Idol comes and goes – The Voice, on the other hand, has been a favorite of mine since last year’s debut season.

This year, I think both shows have SOLID stand outs as opposed to years past. There are clearly some people that everyone knows will be in the finale unless a wild card appears which always, as you know, adds another level of excitement and entertainment to ANY show.

I’ll start with Idol since I have a three top picks and then my prediction for the winner:

Jessica Sanchez

I mean… let’s be serious here for a minute. If for SOME ODD REASON Jessica doesn’t win this season of Idol what’s the likelihood that she won’t become even bigger than the winner whoever that may be? Jessica has been singing since it seems she was old enough to hold a mic. She has mastered the art of looking, acting and singing much older than her actual age exposes. I think she will win, however, Joshua has a VERY good chance of winning as well. I think it will be a very close neck and neck race to the finish of this season, that’s for sure.

Joshua Ledet

All of you know by know that I am a huge R&B/Soul fan – anytime people can belt to the high heavens, I die in happiness. Joshua, again looking and singing much older than his actual age, has been a consistent top pick throughout the season. He’s vocally incredible and able to really command the audience, even more so than Jessica in some ways. As long as he keeps it up, he will be in a battle with Jessica for the title.

Phillip Phillips

If I could pick a winner based on my OWN personal music preference oh…. and looks (HELLO) I’d pick Phillip as the clear winner. He is SUCH a unique singer with an incredible sense of creativity when it comes to his renditions of every song he performs. He’s stuck true to his style of music and his personality and I applaud that. I think he will be a Ray LaMontagne-like successful singer regardless of if he wins or not – hello, he’s not even 22 yet… awkward…..

Now on to The Voice, I love this show for so many reasons (take a peek at one of my recent blog posts dedicated to my love for it if you so desire). I think this show has some really strong contenders as well as some singers that I truthfully don’t understand HOW they’re still on the show. Regardless, again, I think Team Adam will be taking one for the team this year. Christina has a strong singer, Jesse Campbell, who will be in the top two undoubtedly, but I don’t think he has the overall vibe that The Voice is looking for.

Pip Arnold (Team Adam)

Pip’s undoubtedly my favorite. He’s young, he’s fresh and he’s unbelievably talented. Adam was spot on for keeping him in the running after the battle rounds: he really can sing out of a suitcase. I think he has the potential to win the entire competition as long as he sticks to younger songs and does not go the theatrical/older ballad route.

Tony Lucca (Team Adam)

Tony has a special spot in my heart – forever a Mouseketeer in my mind. I love him and I think he will remain in the contest until the final few. Do I think he’ll win? Um, no not necessarily, but I do think he has a shot at it if he really begins to WOW everyone. At the moment, his performances are “passing” – they need to be “over the top” to win at a music competition of this caliber – that’s just my opinion though of course.

Jesse Campbell (Team Christina)

I don’t dig his whole “I’m homeless” story – I get that he probably is in fact not an owner of a home, however, I don’t like when people divulge all of their lives hardships before the first commercial break. Jesse has SO MUCH talent that to be honest, he never had to really even mention that he needs the money and fame bad – he can win this without that heart string effect.