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Tea Lounge

Let the aromas of herbal bliss lead you right through the doors of Park Slopes Tea Lounge. This neighborhood favorite has evolved over the last 10 years from a small coffee and tea shop into a full out lounge and go to place for everyone includinge moms, couples, singles and students. Open from 7am up until midnight most nights. Adorned with warm, cozy sofas, live entertainment for toddlers alike, fresh bread, bagels, croissants and scones. Don't let the blockade of strollers deter you from entering for that morning latte. The Tea Lounge is the go to spot for nannies and stay at home moms during the early morning to mid afternoon. During the evening into the night the Tea Lounge transforms into a new school 'joint' equipped with live musicians and different acts performing. You can grab a drink from the bar and relax. The prices here are very affordable and the wifi is free. Known specifically for their variety of over 60 different organic blends and varieties of fresh teas to choose from or other hot beverages including lattes, mochas, cafe au lait, even a Nutella breve! I decided to stop in at the Tea Lounge for a morning business meeting. I ordered one of the Toasties which basically is a grilled cheese and turkey sandwich ($6.25). The sandwich is fresh, made to order served with your choice of fresh bread, your choice of mozzarella or cheddar cheese, chilled veggie salad (purple onions, cucumbers, tomatoes & green peppers) and potato chips. For my drink I chose a small vanilla chai latte ($3.75). Personal tea pots are available at ($3) or for two ($5). Each tea bag is handmade, scopped and filled at the counter. So if you're in the mood for a step up from the norm of the hustle and bustle of Starbucks find yourself here.

Borough Restaurant

Formerly known as Bistro Lafayette, this snug restaurant and bar located on Franklin Ave in an up and coming section of Bed-Stuy on the borderline of Clinton Hills offers remarkable food but skimps on hospitality. Borough restaurant while dimly lit is both family friendly and also an intimate setting great for date night. Upon my arrival I waited patiently by the door only to discover that there was no hostess. After about 20 minutes I decided to grab the attention of the bartender who promised that she'd be right with me right away. After a few minutes she came from behind the bar and let me know that I could sit anywhere I choose, which happened to be the table nearest the window which hadn't been cleaned yet. I quickly found out that the bartender was also the hostess, the waitress, the server and the bus boy. After being seated I ordered the crab cakes ($10) and buffalo wings ($7.50) as appetizers. The buffalo wings served with celery, carrot sticks and a blue cheese dressing were excellent, well done and flavorful. The crab cakes however were not well seasoned, they were a little overcooked on the outside and undercooked on the inside. If they were paired with some kind of avocado salsa or even a traditional hollandaise sauce instead of tartar sauce it might have slightly revived them. As an entree I decided to go with the jerk 1/2 of chicken, mashed potatoes and string beans ($12.50). I was immediately impressed with the portion size, which I must say was an entire half of chicken that had been marinated overnight, along with the sides was actually enough for two to share. The chicken was cooked perfectly, tender, juicy and the blend of spices and flavors were mouth watering. The jerk sauce that was served alongside the meal was a bit hot but a great accent that I couldn't help but to dip the chicken in. The mashed potatoes were creamy and even though the server brought out salt & pepper no extra seasonings were necessary, even the string beans were fresh and crisp. The food overall made up for the lack of hospitality and the music kept the night alive. Borough is a great place to dine if you wanna catch the game, grab some drinks or step up from the generic mundane taste of your local Applebees. Borough also offers delivery, Saturday & Sunday brunch specials and happy hour drink specials. Hopefully one of my soon to be favorites as I'm definitely looking forward to trying everything on the menu!

M.a's Fish & Chips Plus

Brooklyn has extended its arms to welcome the highly anticipated addition M.a's Fish & Chips Plus to its Bed-Stuy family of restaurants. Nestled in amongst the ever expanding Nostrand Ave. and neighboring soul food, seafood and fast food spots, M.a's was sure to have some competition. I must admit that because this grand opening has been in the making for years I was expecting booming flavors, fresh fish and long lines, what I got however was completely different. When I ordered the catfish fingers and fries ($8) I definitely finished my fries, the homemade tartar sauce was excellent and flavorful but the catfish fingers were undercooked, lightly fried and still very moist inside (and not in a good way). Since I am aware of trial and error I decided I'd speak with the cooks/owners and wait awhile before I gave them another try. After about a month I returned and this time I was ready to chow down. I noticed desserts like cupcakes and pie had been incorporated into the menu. They also have different flavor iced-teas which are a bit on the sweet tea side and might need to be watered down if you're a diabetic. However, at $2 for a small and $3 for a large its well worth it. There are seats to sit and eat if you'd like to have your food to stay. you can also catch a show on their tv or enjoy the neighborhood with their large window seats onlooking the bustling Nostrand Ave. On my second return I ordered the whiting fish & chips ($7) because this is after all what their named for. Into my second bite of the fish,, before I added any tartar sauce, ketchup or hot sauce I realized that this was not fresh fish at all. From the texture of the fish I immediately knew this was frozen fish which is very unlikely for a restaurant that specializes in fish. On my most recent visit I stopped in to grab a tea and decided to try something different so I ordered the fried chicken breast dinner ($10.95) with macaroni & cheese and collard greens. There was a minimal wait for my food, the macaroni and cheese was skimped on the cheese and some of the noodles were really hard and the collard greens were good but had meat (smoked turkey) in them which I was not told until I inquired. All prices are plus tax (not including tax) and they only accept cash but they do deliver. With Halsey Street Grill just down the way offering better, fresher seafood at an affordable price and Magic Soul food coming to Nostrand soon M.a's may have to come up with some specials or rethink their whole menu as far as the pricng goes, there's too much competition to skimp on anything and I want people want their moneys worth. Hopefully they haven't tanked out yet, they have potential and I'm rooting for the underdog.

Chez Oskar

The variety of eateries in the Fort Greene area can only be described as gentrification for your palette and affordability for your wallet. With so many places to choose from restaurateurs have no choice but to offer specials. Whether it be happy hour, pre-fixe or unlimited mimosas for brunch, everyone has something special to offer! On a recent Saturday stroll through downtown Brooklyn, I stumbled upon Chez Oskar. This cozy eatery with outdoor seating is also referred to as "Le Funky French Bistro de Brooklyn". Whether its a family night out, a dinner date or lunch with your favorite group of friends its undoubtedly difficult not to find a favorite amongst this cater-to-all menu! For brunch I decided to go with the saumon grille served with french beans and parmesan grits, I also ordered a side of roasted potatoes and I can assure you this meal did not disappoint. The lobster crêpe was the best I've EVER had, filled with spicy lobster meat covered in a mouthwatering, creamy lobster bisque and topped with lemon and fried leeks. While I savoured every bite in a delightful bliss I couldn't help but notice the many other dishes that poured out from the kitchen like clockwork. Some dined on spinach and goat cheese crepes accompanied by mushroom, tomato and mesclum salad, while others decided to go with beers and shucking oysters, some were ushered lamb burgers topped with goat cheese, fries and salad while others settled for a simple chicken salad or challah french toast served with a fresh fruit salad. The options were endless and it seemed the brunch was as well because it doesn't end until 4:30. For the health conscious diner sugar free syrup, organic eggs and vegetable burgers amongst other things were there to suit your every need. We dined outside however because the inside was cooled by a few fans on this muggy August summer afternoon but the waiters were very attentive and polite. If you're not much of a brunch person find your way down for dinner on any Monday - Thursday from 5:30-7:30pm for the "Early bird special" which features 3 courses or 2 courses and a glass of wine for $28 per person (cheaper than restaurant week). Stop by on a Monday night for live music by the Blue Vipers of Brooklyn or on a Tuesday for Moules a GoGo aka All You Can Eat Mussels. So whether you bring a friend or your kid (kids menu also available) and whether you choose to dine inside the approx 30-seat dining room and enjoy the view of various wall art and decor or outside under the decorated lights for that moment in time you'll be able to escape the hustle and bustle of the Brooklyn streets and dine as the french do!

Original Vegetarian and Seafood Restaurant

No meat served here but at Original Vegetarian and Seafood Restaurant you can get a hefty plate that's worth its weight in dollars! No salt added, only natural ingredients and EVERYTHING is vegetarian even the macaroni and cheese. However, if it is breakfast that you are stopping in for there is a Caribbean menu waiting for you including porridge, ackee, saltfish and even soy patties. They open early morning to get started so you can stop in before work or for lunch. All the drinks are also made fresh whether its Irish moss, carrot juice or beet root juice, these all natural juices will boost your immune system as well as your energy! My favorite however is the fish dinners! You have the option of either sliced or whole snapper or king fish which is stewed down when you order. The small dinner consist of sliced fish (or fish steak) served with calalloo, macaroni and cheese, rice and peas, fried plantains, pasta and stew peas all for $10. Enough food to fill you for an entire day and maybe even too much to finish eating in one sitting. The larger plates with whole fish will run you between $12-$15 but is enough for two people to split. Not a long wait, polite service, fresh ingredients and there is a small bar table alongside the wall if you just want to dig in right away.

Royal Rib House

If you have the taste for some down home Soul Food you've come to the right place! Unfortunately, if its not Thursday, Friday or Saturday the Royal Rib House won't be open to serve you. Locally known for classic ribs and their original fantastic barbecue sauce Calvin's Royal Rib House has been a neighborhood favorite for years. The lines are always long so be sure to have at least 30 minutes or more to spare when visiting. Although they only do take out the phones are rarely answered so calling ahead is out of the question. One of my past time favorites (back when I ate pork) used to be the chopped barbecue sandwich, served on a soft sandwich bun and topped with cole slaw. However, nothing compares to the fall off the bone ribs and the ALWAYS tender and fresh rotisserie chicken. Dinners at this 3 day work week BBQ pit will run you between $10-$13 plus tax. The dinners include two sides: mac & cheese, yams, collard greens, string beans or cabbage, rice & peas, potato or macaroni salad and a cornbread or dinner roll. The meat serving of the entree is always filling, the downside is that you'll run out of sides before you run out of meat. Seafood availability varies by the day and even when they do have it they run out quickly. If you're looking to top off your meal with dessert the banana pudding is THE BEST! Be sure to get your order in at a reasonable time because closing time is whenever the food runs out. If you're a health conscious hippie or vegan looking to try something new this might not be the spot for you seeing as they only have one vegetable plate on the menu, which basically consists of any three sides and they don't sell any steamed fish or veggies. Don't have time to wait in lines and prefer to cook your own chicken and sides? Well luckily Calvin's Royal Rib House Sauce is sold in stores and online for shipping directly to your door! Be sure to walk with cash because cards are not accepted!

VODOU BAR

This new addition to the Nostrand Ave strip has brought a little extra class to the already up and coming area. The happy hour menu is available everyday and there's a party almost every night at this modern day melting pot. I've been surprised to even see stars drop in like Hill Harper. People of all ages and diversities flock to this cozy but hip hangout whether it be to dine outside for brunch, catch a drink at the bar or dance the night away to the ever changing genres of music played by live DJs. However lets not stray from what this is all about, although Vodou maybe a great spot to enjoy the nightlife we came to eat! When I used to eat from Vodou the jerk turkey burger sliders were delish! The bite size burgers were made from lean turkey meat pepped up with jerk seasoning and your regular fixins' (lettuce & tomatoes). Another classic dish was the baked macaroni cheese which you had the option of adding bacon to and chiliyaki wings which are marinated and tossed in Asian spices and a sweet chili sauce. The menu at Vodou bar has something for everyone from mixed olives and curried deviled eggs to veggie quesadillas. Which is why it was unfortunate when I saw a GRADE PENDING sign posted in their window. After doing some research I learned that VODOU BAR received a C grade in their last inspection which was 03/15/2012. Some of the violations which totalled 32 points included: not keeping cold food items at the necessary temperature, food workers cross contaminating food by touching with their bare hands instead of using proper utensils, evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas and lastly the contamination and failure to discard raw, cooked or prepared food that had been adulterated or cross-contaminated. I understand that dinning out is a risk but this is definitely an unnecessary one. Still a go to for drinks and a little excitement but until things get corrected in the kitchen this is not the place to dine.

Island Salad

Who said salads had to be boring? Island Salads offers a salad bar with lots to choose from including homemade salad dressings to give any salad that extra kick! Salads include any add ons you can think of: different cheeses, chic peas, avocado, turkey breast and even sunflower seeds (to name a few). The pressed wraps and burritos, like everything else are made fresh when you order. One of the downsides however is that you cannot get a pressed wrap or burrito unless its pressed on the panini grill, meaning it has to be hot, unless you opt to get a salad in wrap. Island Salad also makes fresh signature drinks (non-alcoholic) my favorite is "Jamaica Me Crazy", this drinks plays on layered colors which makes the look of the drink more intriguing then the taste. Two of my favorite picks are The Caribbean Cobb Salad which is made with romaine lettuce, roasted chicken, tomatoes, carrots, hard-boiled egg, smoked turkey bacon, blue cheese, avocado and a jerk Dijon dressing. My second favorite would be the "Buffalo Soldier" wrap named after the famous song by the late great Bob Marley. Not only is the wrap delish but if the song is actually on or comes on while you're ordering you get 50% off the price. Most salads and wraps start at $7 and up, which may be a little pricey for some but with Applebees just across the way selling dry chicken Caesar's for $13 its almost half the price and you'll be more then satisfied. The salads are very filling and so big that you can actually share with your spouse or even children. This particular location does not serve pork and they have different fish salads which either include: salmon, tilapia, tuna or shrimp. The customer service in Island Salads is great but they could use a boost of energy, or because this restaurant is modeled after west indian tradition and Jamaicans in particular, the workers should "lively up themselves"

Sans Souci

Always a pleasure to eat at this Caribbean hot spot! The perfect combination of food, music, and good service. Whether dinning in, ordering take out or just grabbing a drink at the bar there's always a good time to be had. The service is outstanding, the servers are always polite and smiling and Chef Basil Jones ALWAYS delivers with consistent, flavorful dishes that will keep you coming back and satisfied long after. Why go to Footprints? When you have the best Rasta Pasta served up right in heart of Fort Greene, paired with favorites like Snapper, salmon or shrimp and made almost anyway you can imagine (jerked, escoveitch, Cajun, brown stewed or curried). If you're looking for something on the lighter side try the pineapple bbq chicken wings, crab cakes or codfish cakes will suffice as a quick bite. My favorite however is the Cajun salad, served with grilled chicken & shrimp, mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber & avocado is both spicy, flavorful and light yet filling. No matter what you choose its sure to be great and the choices are endless. This restaurant/bar tops it off with $5 lunch specials, happy hour, delivery and a dinning area in the rear of the restaurant that converts to a dance floor whenever the DJ is in the house to spin some tunes. Drop in, I promise you wont regret it!

Ginger & Hollie's Sweet, Spicy Grill

This Bedford Stuyvesant soul food best spot should probably just start catering! Their inability to keep a consistent schedule and the fact that they close down for months at a time has taken a toll on their business. Customers are skeptical of rumors about health code violations as reason for unscheduled closures and there is no food grade posted in the restaurants window. In its better days however, the food spoke for itself! Always delicious, mouthwatering dishes, shrimp & chicken anyway you like it (grilled, fried or jerked), steaks, stuffed salmon and tilapia all made fresh when you order. There is a bit of a wait but always worth it. A nice location with minimal seating, soft lighting and sometimes music. The servers and cooks are ALWAYS polite, the sides (mac & cheese, yams, spinach, collard greens, etc.) are always hot and delicious. With their last re-opening the prices have spiked steering customers away, the menu changes on the days they are open and there are no set hours or days of operation. Hopefully Mama's Kitchen can redeem themselves, they were definitely a jewel to the BedStuy area

Halsey Street Grill

I like to think of Halsey Street Grill as the new rival to its neighboring soul food spot Royal Rib House which located just down the block. Unlike the Royal Rib House, Halsey Street Grill offers inexpensive combos and they are open 7 days a week. Behind the partitioned glass the food is laid out buffet style allowing you to get a good look at your food before you order but because of the small size of the restaurant and antsy servers sometimes you may feel rushed into making a quick decision. The sides range from steamed veggies, yams and rice and hand cut french fries. The seafood has to be the best value with a 10 pc. jumbo shrimp and chips combo for $7! The turkey wings were a bit under cooked, vegetarians may want to skip the collard greens because they are cooked with some kind of meat, the macaroni and cheese reminded me of a trini "macaroni pie" being as the cheese was mainly on top of the noodles, the whiting fish and chicken wings are delicious as well. There is the option to order online or by phone and have your food delivered opposed to picking it up. However, you'll be lucky if someone answers the phone and I've heard the delivery wait is ridiculous! On a 1-10 I'd rate this place a 6.5. Although there is a variety of menu choices the most important thing is quality over quantity