Court St Grocers
NY does not lack for Summer outdoor movie screenings, but Red Hook Flicks has always been my favorite. Despite a lack of nearby bathroom, the atmosphere is chill and uncrowded, and sunset off the pier can't be beat. Add in a couple of excellent sandwiches (highly recommend the Yam & Cheese), maybe a swingle, and it's pretty much the perfect night out.
Ice & Vice
I don't know that I needed to have the choice of pink, blue, or black cones, but the ice cream itself (Opium Den for me) is definitely worth it.
East Wind Snack Shop
Came for the dry-aged beef potstickers, stayed for everything else. Almost didn't get the regular dumplings because hey, I've had plenty of those before, but was definitely glad I did. It's nice having some nearby quality Chinese food, now that I'm not in Chinatown every day. [tear]
Wilma Jean
I feel like everything this location has ever been is almost really good, but not quite. Which is always more disappointing than something that just isn't great, but never pretended to be. Anyway. I liked the fried chicken. The shell was thin, crackly and crispy -- but R wanted a bit more substance to it. He's becoming quite the fried chicken connoisseur. We both agreed however that the fried pickles were no good at all. The whole point of fried pickles is that they're juicy and sour on the inside, hot and crunchy on the outside. These were bone-dry little cornmeal-coated pucks. We each ate one or two, hoping they'd improve, but finally gave it up as a bad job.
Brooklyn Crab
Last I checked, the food was terrible. But it's hard to fuck up a frozen piña colada, and if they let you sit on the deck and play cards and drink it in peace, so much the better.
Chavela's
Don't bother with the house margarita. I liked the idea of it being on tap, but it turns out that freshness is way more important in something with citrus fruit than it is with, say, wine or beer or a gin and tonic. The handmade one was well worth the extra $2, and the food was solid. Good decor and all that too; yards above your usual sombreros-on-the-wall setup.
MAP
RECIPE: Pan Bagnat, for when you want an impressive sandwich but don't want to go to Court St Grocers.
