Cadaques, Exo, Banter

Michael and I went to Cadaques (http://www.cadaquesny.com/cadaquesny/Welcome.html) with Dina and Dmitry on Friday night.  Williamsburg is hopping!  After dinner, we walked over to the Meatball Shop so Michael could have a chocolate chip cookie and espresso ice cream sandwich for dessert :)

Dinner was good:  Pan con Tomate with Manchego cheese; Patatas Bravas with spicy aioli; Vegetable Platter with Grilled vegetables-Patty pan squash, Brussells sprouts, pearl onion, fennel, baby carrots, piquillo peppers, cherry tomato, asparagus, Japanese eggplant, zucchini and romesco sauce; Garlic Shrimp-seared shrimp, corn, zucchini, piquillo pepper and mojo picon verde; Octopus with tomato confit, fingerling potatoes, asparagus, piquillo coulis and squid ink.

The octopus was out of this world.  Everything was really good.  The red sangria was good too, although they call it a large pitcher, when we would call it small.  And at $25 per, we had two, was pretty pricey.  Service was fine.  Although people seated after us were served before us, but our food was hot and delicious.

I was also at Exo Cafe on Austin Street last week.  (http://exocafe.com/).  We shared spinach-artichoke dip (very small portion) and then had sandwiches on ciabiatta bread-grilled cheese with tomato (really good) and grilled chicken.  Service is average.

Michael and I tried Banter on Queens Boulevard next to the Midway Theatre too.  We shared mac and cheese - small portion but tasty, nothing to write home about.  I had Shepherd's pie (hot on the outside, lukewarm on the inside and very average taste).  Michael had a Banter Turkey burger-it looked dry to me, but he said it was fine.  A few beers and an Irish coffee to top it off.  They have a large beer selection, but please don't confuse that with a good or varied beer selection.  It was all just average. 

I've cooked a bit too...and Friday night we are going to Denise and Joe's (our favorite place to east in Forest Hills!!!).

xo

Vin and Wendy's

Pizza on the grill.
Top photo:  Caprese (fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil)
Bottom photo: Fish taco (cod, avocado, sprouts and lime)

We were at Vin and Wendy's Saturday night for yummy food and fun friends!  There was sausage and pineapple pizza and eggplant parm pizza as well.  Baked shrimp; roasted potatoes and onions; smoked pork loin (3 large loins smoked right in the backyard); collard greens-soooo good; yummy apps and desserts too.  I think the crowd went through 18 bottles of red wine.  Vin pulled out the guitar and we sang American Pie, Rocky Raccoon and some others.  So fun!

Agora and ...

I've cooked a bit...turkey chili, Old Bay chicken drumsticks, stir fry chicken with veggies and rice and a pot of chicken soup.

We've also been out to Agora with Jill and Lenny.  I must say that their fish leaves something to be desired.  I've ordered several different kinds and been there when others have too.  Bones are something I just cannot abide, beside that, the fish is usually thin and dry and not too flavorful.  It's a disappointment.  This time Lenny ordered the fish and there were bones aplenty.  Jill and I shared grilled shrimp and Michael had lamb chops (he ordered pork chops, but...).  We all shared grilled octopus (it's great), Horiatiki (Greek) salad and a plate of Greek spreads with pita.  Some wine and cocktails and we had a good dinner.

We also brought dinner in one night with Jill and Lenny, Lenny's brother and sister in law and the Boyles.  This time it was from Dani's.  The usual:  Eggplant casserole, shrimp parmigiana, heroes, salad.  They sent along a plate of mussels marinara because it was made by mistake and they gave it to us for free.  Very nice!

Saturday night we are going to Eileen and Glenn's for a pot of sauce and spaghetti and friends! We are bringing appys from Iavarone, Yum!

Have a good weekend.

Parkside

Tuesday night I went to Parkside (http://parksiderestaurantny.com/) with Sue.  Sue was one of my mom's best friends and a part of our family my entire life.  We haven't spent time together in a while so it was really  nice that we went out together.

We shared arugula salad, a half carafe of red and a pistachio profiterole.  Wine was iffy, salad and dessert were good.  For dinner Sue had veal picatta and I had escarole and white beans over linguine (not on the menu, but they made it for me just the same).  Decent food, average service (although water was replenished frequently).  It was crowded all through dinner and even more crowded when we left.  Parkside continues to be a staple of the neighborhood.

Tonight I made turkey chili and tomorrow is chicken soup.  It feels like winter, so winter food is on the menu.  Hopefully I can begin to cook on the grill on my terrace sooner rather than later.  We do need sunshine!