Brunch in Greenpoint used to be easy…Greenpoint Coffee House or Brooklyn Label were the obvious choices.  Sometime in the past year Greenpoint Coffee House changed something, and it just isn’t the same…and Brooklyn Label has taken on a new chef (which I’m not so sure I’m into) and raised their prices.

This past Saturday morning seemed to be full of failure.  We were too late to go to brunch at Enid’s, it was totally packed, and we decided to catch the bus up to check out the Habitat.  From everything we had heard the Habitat’s $15 prefix brunch was supposed to be well worth it, and the internet said that they started serving it at 11am.  We got all the way there only to find out that the Habitat was closed.  As we walked up someone went inside and disappeared, and we were standing there confused.  The signs on in the window clearly said “Brunch 11am-3pm,” and by this point it was after 12.  There was a delivery guy standing outside who relayed a message from someone in the basement: “they start serving brunch next weekend.”  According to the internet they have been serving brunch since sometime in September.

At this point we knew that this was not true, and would have appreciated a real answer…we left discouraged (even a sign saying “sorry opening late today” would have been cool).  Papacitos was right across the street, but we really weren’t feeling Mexican for breakfast.

We decided to head home, but on our way down Manhattan Ave we ran into a friend who suggested 68.

We’ve been to CoCo 66 (the sister bar to the restaurant) a couple of times, and to 68 for dinner once, and figured that it was worth a try.  We got there an checked out the menu (dinner menu can be found here), and decided to go in.  If you haven’t been to 68 it is located on on Greenpoint Ave just west of Franklin St.  68 is a big place, and was more or less dead when while we were there.  We got a table in the window, and ordered.  After a morning of failures everything at 68 seemed to be going pretty ok.

klk got ricotta pancakes with fruit topping and honey butter.  It also came with a wonderful fruit salad (banana, fig, and pomegranate seeds) on the side.   By this point I was ready for lunch and decided to try the bourbon bbq pulled pork, with came with fries.   Our food came very quickly, and we were not only impressed by the presentation, but the quality of the food over all.  The bbq was southern style, but not Carolina and was done perfectly even down to the bun.  The ricotta pancakes were delicate, light, and perfectly complemented by the fruit.  If I could use only two words to describe the brunch at 68 they would be:  delicious and classy.

I think the reason we hadn’t really embraced 68 before was due to our previous commitment to vegetarianism, and while vegetarians can eat here comfortably , 68 really does have a little more to offer those that are omnivores.  The over all experience we had at 68 was exactly what we needed to redeem our day, and I definitely plan on going back. Price wise it might even be a little cheaper than Greenpoint Coffee House or Enid’s, and it is definitely a new favorite of mine.   I didn’t realize until after I was finished with my meal, but apparently they offer free bloody mary or mimosa with your brunch…and this by far makes it the best deal.

I plan on going back to try their $1 oyster special that they offer during happy hour…we were informed that the oysters come from Long Island, and you really can’t beat $1 local oysters.  68 has different specials throughout the week, and I highly recommend checking them out.  Good vibes.

68 is located at
68 Greenpoint Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11222-1527
(718) 389-6868

photo taken via Yelp!

Beer in cans. Some people think that cans are  just for big name light yellow American beers, but these days that isn’t the case. There are several breweries that have embraced beer in cans, and one of the best is Oskar Blues out of Lyons, Colorado.  Oskar Blues is best known for their supper hoppy pale ale (almost an IPA) known simply as Dale’s Pale Ale…but this wonderful Colorado brewery can do much more than a really awesome pale ale.  Last night I had two encounters with Oskar Blues Brewery one in Williamsburg (technically Greenpoint) and one in Bushwick.  It’s not too hard to find their beers in NYC, but just because they are in a can doesn’t mean that they are cheap.

My first beer encounter last night happened at Roberta’s Pizza.  klk and I have been meaning to try out Roberta’s for quite a while, and last night it finally happened.  Roberta’s was delightful, although a little hot due to the temperature outside and the pizza oven.

We tried a meat plate (three different Italian meats, and bread), watermelon salad (watermelon, basil, olive oil, and goat cheese), and a Green and White Pizza (mozzarella, arugula, parmigiano reggiano, and lemon olive oil dressing)…all delicious, and we left as full as could be.  This place is right up there with Fornino, and a little less greasy too (or at least my stomach thought so).

While their food and drinks were pretty standard priced for Williamsburg (even though the place is in Bushwick) they did have Oskar Blues Gordan…the 8.7% abv Double IPA that is super hoppy, and a little bit sweet for only $6 a can.  This is a beer that is typically $4-$6 in stores.  It was a nice accompaniment to our wonderful Italian fest.  I highly recommend Roberta’s!  I can’t wait to go back once it cools down a bit, and enjoy their patio.

The second beer stop was at Anthony & Son Italian Deli on Grand Street at Frost.  This is a deli that I typically go to for good pasta (to make at home), and occasionally for an Italian sandwich.  When I was there a week ago there was a big stack of Oskar Blues Old Chub, the 8% abv Scottish Ale.  Old Chub has a nice sweet caramel body with a little  hop bitterness,  hints of smokey malt, and a bit reminiscent of whiskey.  Typically a six pack of Old Chub runs in stores anywhere from $9-$12, but for some reason there is a big stack of it as soon as you walk in to Anthony & Son’s that has a sign on it: “Special: $5 a Six Pack.”

Some people might be skeptical of a beer sale in fear that the beer might be bad, but if you are in Williamsburg/Greenpoint and like a good Scottish Ale, or would even be interested in trying one I will assure you that this beer is good, and ready to drink.  At 8% abv this beer is strong enough to be aged, and since it is in a can you don’t have to worry about the sun/light messing up the taste of the hops like it would in a bottle.  I’m guessing that this was an ordering mistake…but the savings are passed on to us, the consumer, and I bought two cases last night.  They still have 7 or 8 cases left so go down and pick up a six pack or eight.  This is the best beer deal I have ever seen in NYC, and it is on a beer I love.  Take advantage of it…I already got my fair share.

I know that this post was about beer mainly, but I really do encourage you to try Roberta’s Pizza…I’m still thinking about it today, and wish I was eating their wonderful food for lunch right now.

Photo Credits:
Roberta’s Pizza photo by Noah Kalina via NYMAG.com
Oskar Blues photos via BrewForThought.com

Although I haven’t done a What Ales You in a while this could be considered one.

This morning I made the mistake of not eating breakfast before riding my bike to work.  Although I wasn’t hungry I should have known that a six mile bike ride in the 80 degree heat would make me ravenous.

All that I could do for the second half of my ride was dream of the Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen in Chapel Hill.

There is just something about southern biscuits, their buttery light airy fluffiness just can’t be matched. It is something that we just don’t get up north (although some do try), and when it comes to southern biscuits Sunrise does them the best.

Basically you can get anything you want on a biscuit…country ham, egg and cheese, fried pork chop (pictured to the right), bacon,  friend chicken, if it’s southern or a breakfast food…you can probably get it on a biscuit.

Oh and they have 32oz sweet teas for under $2!

klk and I got to eat here two mornings during our visit to the area for XX Merge, and it was one of the food highlights of the trip. I’m still dreaming of that heavenly egg and cheese sandwich, and slightly wishing I would have tried something a little bit more outside of comfort zone (besides the bacon one, I did try that).  klk got the country ham, and it was also amazing.

It is a little sad to be sitting in an office in New York City knowing that the biscuits that you crave are hundreds of miles away.  If you happen to be in the Chapel Hill area, or headed that way do yourself a favor and grab a biscuit from Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen…it might change the way you think about biscuits and the world.

Although XX Merge is over there will still be some of these related posts coming over the next couple weeks…this is part of my Going To XX Merge series, you can read the rest of the series here.

Photos by Steve Z via this forum.

As Leah reported last week, Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop is now serving Donut Ice cream Sandwiches! Last Friday in a surprise to Leah…klk and I picked up two of these bad boys and brought them over to share.

They are a decadent desert, and not meant to be eaten by just one person.

Sandwich one: Coconut Chocolate Cake Donut with Cookies and Cream Ice Cream

Sandwich two: Sour Cream Glazed Donut with Chocolate Ice Cream

The winner by far was sandwich number two, but that might have had something to do with the cookies and cream melting immediately.  No matter what, this is something that I plan on enjoying several more times this summer…I’m really glad I’m back to biking to work with this calorie intake right around the corner.

We are not the only one who as tried these…McG also has.  It seems like he enjoyed it as well.

more on Peter Pan here.

It is no secret that I think the best donut shop in the entire world is Peter Pan Donut & Pastry on Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint.  This place is just a short walk from my house, and currently my favorite donut is the Sour Cream Glazed….but this might be changing…

This past Saturday was a brew day (beer, we made a rye ipa), so klk and I picked up a dozen before Jerry and John got over to the house.  But as we walked past the window a single tray of donuts caught our eyes, and as we turned in the door our eyes stayed glued on that tray.

The color of the donut was red with glaze, as pictured above.  Our initial thought was Red Velvet!  But Peter Pan had never had that flavor of donut before.  The girl behind the counter assured us that they were Red Velvet, and that they were still hot!  Of course we got three of them.  Not only did we get to try the new flavor, but we got to try it in it’s most delicious state…immediately after it was glazed.

I will assure you that Peter Pan’s Red Velvet Donut is delicious, and that you should try it.  I was doing really good staying away from the donuts (I love them, but they don’t love me), but this might break that cycle…I even had to stop and get another one this morning…if they happen to be gone, I can always go with my old favorite Sour Cream Glazed…but sadly those typically sell out too.

I met up with klk on my way home yesterday, and she gave me some really exciting news (well exciting for beer drinkers).  Urban Rustic now has beer…and not only beer but growlers too.

We were told by Urban Rustic that they aim to have 150+ beers in bottles and cans, and a two taps that will fill both growlers, 32oz jugs, and pints.  Their growler station will focus on local breweries.  Currently on tap is Sixpoint Bengali Tiger IPA and Brooklyn Brewery’s Summer Ale.  The beers can be purchased to be drunk while sitting in the cafe or for take home.

Urban Rustic already has a good beer selection, and they have only had the booze one week…it can only get better.  Prices for single bottles seemed to be pretty standard for beer stores, but their six packs had some of the best prices in the hood (most good beers were $10, some cheaper.  Sly Fox cans for $7.50 a sixer!).  64oz Growlers $11.

All in all this is really exciting beer news for Williamsburg.  Way to go Urban Rustic!

I’m sure I’ll be stopping even more often than I already do.  I really do love this place.

More on Urban Rustic here.

UPDATE 7/14/09: I was in the other day and noticed that their Growler price had creeped up to $15 (Kelso Pils and a Brooklyn Brewmaster Reserve).  While it might be worth it for the Brewmaster reserve I thought this price was pretty high.  I hope they go back down to $11.

When contemplating going to a show I sometimes ask for advise from my friends, and I couldn’t have gotten a better recommendation when asking about the Screaming Females.  Tay, over at Somebody Come and Play, said this:

By all means go to that show! And bring a mop to clean your melted face off the floor afterwards.

I unfortunately didn’t make it to that show, but I did pick up Screaming Females new record Power Move this weekend. What I got was totally a mind blowing rock record. For a band that has put out a number of records I was surprised that I have only been hearing their name as of recently. Tay has been rocking them on his podcast for sometime, and with good reason.

Screaming Females give a refreshing take on rock n’ roll filled to the brim with guitar solos and noise all while keeping a pop sensibility. It’s a full on sensory experience to the point where Marissa Paternoster wailing voice, and intense guitar solos send chills up your spin. She is backed by Jarrett Dougherty on drums, and Mike Rickenbacker on base. I had been told that Paternoster’s guitar playing was being compared to J. Mascis, and initially I thought…how could that be possible…but after experiencing Power Move a couple times I can totally see this comparison, and what it comes down to is that Marissa Paternoster can totally shred.

Power Move was released on Don Giovanni Records, a record label I am solely familiar with because of No Idea! This is my first purchase from the Females, but so far I am extremely impressed.  The first press of this LP is 1,000 copies on black vinyl and as a bonus you get a download card of the entire LP.  This record is still fresh in my head, but I’m already thinking that this release has been overlooked by too many music sites…I’m only a month and a half behind on this record, released 4/14/09, and the only blogs that have mentioned it in my reader are Brooklyn Vegan and Somebody Come. While you may read that this is Screaming Female’s debut, don’t be fooled…this is actually their third LP. At this point I am going to scramble to find tickets to the upcoming Screaming Females show where they are opening for Dinosaur Jr show at MHoW (which is already sold out).

If you haven’t heard the Screaming Females yet, check out the single from Power Move:

[mp3] Screaming Females- “Bell” (Buy it here!)

Screaming Females have a whole bunch of tour dates.   Here are the dates in the NY/NJ area:

6/5/09- Brooklyn, NY @ Hillstock Rooftop Kickoff Party
6/12/09- Brooklyn, NY @ Public Assembly (Northside Fest)
6/20/09-New Brunswick, NY @ Court Tavern
6/25/09- Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (18+) w/ Dinosaur Jr.
6/28/09- New Brunswick, NY @ Meat Town USA
7/16/09- New York, NY @ Terminal 5 w/ The Dead Weather
7/17/09- New York, NY @ Terminal 5 w/ The Dead Weather

*all other Screaming Females tour dates can be found here.

**An additional side note for those of you in NYC area.  I picked up this LP while at brunch!  Yes, Eat Records is still carrying vinyl contrary to their myspace blog post. (and serving wonderful food).  Their selection is changing too, and there is quite a bit of new vinyl in stock.  The guy running the record store section of the business was super nice, and I’m going to go back to take a full look at the selection.

So I spent the day walking around Greenpoint, and a little bit of Williamsburg with the dog…and I was really happy to see all of the warehouses and garages with the doors up…people working inside, ect.  That is a side of the neighborhood that I typically don’t get to see working a 9-5 job ( I took the day off today). And it is refreshing to see what is going on behind all of those closed metal doors.

On our walk we walked past the new little businesses that are being built on Norman St. between Lorimer St. and Manhattan Ave.

The coffee shop has a sign up (pretty cute too), and it looks like it is called Cup Coffee (not sure, but that is what it appears).

A gentleman came out to talk to me, but I typically don’t out myself as a blogger… but I should have asked: what kinda coffee they are going to have?  I hope it’s something good.  I mean Eat Records isn’t that far away, but a place to grab coffee on the way to work without making a detour would be pretty amazing.

It still looks like they got quite a bit of work to do, but I like seeing progress.  It’s exciting.

If it had been open today…maybe I wouldn’t be making iced coffee right now.

UPDATE 5/24/09: I was walking by Cup again yesterday, and stopped to ask what kind of coffee they will have.  They told me that they will serve signature blends roasted for them by Kitten Coffee Roasters in Brooklyn.  Kitten Coffee uses 100% Rainforest Alliance beans, and are a carbon neutral business (one of only two coffee roasters in the US).

UPDATE 5/30/09: Totally open!  They even had a couple little tables right out front.  I need to stop in and check out the coffee very soon.