bianca's Profile
- Bianca Maria Orlando
- 1997
- at least a year!
- Brooklyn
- Clinton Hill
- Co-op
- financial management
- Female
- 48
Author's Comments
Joe's Superette fried-to-order rice balls and croquettes (bite size!!! 50 cents each!) are to die for! It is just behind the park and do not be scared by its appearance they are GREAT! I am told so are his heroes...
Posted by: bianca at October 14, 2009 12:13 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
He said interior garden (not suer how big) and sidewalk
Posted by: bianca at June 30, 2009 3:30 PM in response to When's Der Schwarze Kölner Opening?
Yes I spoke with Dale the owner on Saturday afternoon and they were waiting for an inspection which should have happened a week ago and was postponed to this week by whichever authority!
Posted by: bianca at June 30, 2009 11:45 AM in response to When's Der Schwarze Kölner Opening?
YUPEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: bianca at June 3, 2009 10:36 AM in response to Greenlight Bookstore Location Revealed!
As a parting and a thank you for all these years of enjoying your site, a couple of very good restaurant suggestions:
Don Alfonso 1890 In Sant'Agata dei due Golfi www.donalfonso1890.com one if the best restaurants in the South, for a real splurge!
or Taverna del Capitano www.tavernadelcapitano.it also not shabby, if you can find Marina di Cantone...
In Maiori : Il faro di Capo D'orso, www.capodorso.org fantastic views and excellent food (fish)
In Minori, for great fish : L'Arsenale tel 089851418
In Positano, apart from Il San Pietro, Da Vincenzo touristy by sight, but not foodwise! Let me know if you go to any of the above and... Buone vacanze!
Posted by: bianca at May 21, 2009 5:55 PM in response to Closing Bell: Amalfi Coast, Here We Come
bianca wrote a review about Aurora on April 30, 2009 2:44 PM
This is just liek back in the old country... probably my favorite Iatlain restaurant in the city, including some much more expensive ones. Really charming plave and backgarden too....
Yes we tried to get in last Saturday and we were told there was a 40 min wait.... We turned around and went to Ici were there were a few tables open and we had a truly excellent brunch.... Mistery of trends!!!
Posted by: bianca at April 23, 2009 10:41 AM in response to TONY Prize for General Greene
Of course...take the money and RUN!
Posted by: bianca at March 10, 2009 5:02 PM in response to BREAKING: Murdoch Buying The Brooklyn Paper!
same here! I donated and I have been feeling so much happier in my (nowadays) tense Midtown office I am just picturing flowers this summer!
Posted by: bianca at March 10, 2009 2:02 PM in response to Flowers for Bed Stuy
bianca wrote a review about Ferdinando's Focacceria on February 20, 2009 12:12 PM
I love the place. Everybody should try the spleen sandwich, or if you are too scared, the panelle (chickpea fritters of Arabic origin) which used to be my school lunch in Palermo (served from the back of a three wheel Vespa (called an "Ape) equipped with a large vat of frying oil they were made to order on the street!. If you fear the carbohydrates, you can order them without the bread as an appetizer. Very outstanding spaghetti with vongole too, and pasta con le sarde is also a must. Cheap it is not, but worth the money!
bianca wrote a review about Scopello on November 18, 2008 2:39 PM
Scopello has a huge bar scene in the front thanks to the really friendly owner so the quiet restaurant at the back is often overlooked. I agree that hidden in the menu there are a few Sicilain gems like the pasta with sardines, the caponata - an incredible Sicilian cold eggpalnt salad with has a distinct sweet and sour taste and it is of Arabic origin, and if on the menu try the baked cassata a Sicilian comfort food dessert never found on menus. prices are ok, also wine list well thought and with a few affordable options I have had soem difficulties at time with slow service and I wished the woner woudl pay more attention to thsi since it is really the only reason some of my friends have had problems with them (as in pre-theatre hurry)!
Seems to me, this map is greatly outdated. If you log on to Fundrace at the Huffington Post http://fundrace.huffingtonpost.com/ you see much larger numbers for many of the zip codes I checked! AND you can check exactly what you next door neighbour gave and to whom!
Posted by: bianca at October 31, 2008 2:02 PM in response to How Brooklynites Donated
bianca wrote a review about Stonehome Wine Bar on August 12, 2008 2:27 PM
I beg to differ, if for "a date spot" you mean a place wher you can actually have a conversation with your date in civilized surroundings and actually understand what she says, and reverse, without him/her having to shout.... Stonehome has excellent food, great wines, and an "adult' atmosphere (not "parents" adult, post teen!)
Why don't we add a "noise" rating for restaurants, at long last????
bianca wrote a review about Frankies 457 Spuntino on July 16, 2008 1:44 PM
It is SPUNTINO (snack in Italian!) and NOT Sputino (little spit? Not nice!)
Once again, wasn't there a Fulton Street BID (Business Improvemenet District). I remember a posting a long time ago talking of a first meeting. Has that petered out????
Posted by: bianca at June 19, 2008 11:57 AM in response to Fulton Dig Could Be Done By September
What about this police "watchtower" that they were so fast in sending out to Dumbo after just a few muggings? Is that an option? What does it do? Just curious.
Posted by: bianca at May 22, 2008 2:09 PM in response to Cop Fired on in Aftermath of Rally at Grand and Putnam
Myrtle has also a very active BID (Business Improvements District) which provides financing of some sort for new stores (money for awnings, grants for interiors, etc.). Also look at their beautiful website, with links to online menus, etc.). A year or so ago there was some talk (and a first meeting) of a newly formed Fulton BID. Anybody knows what happened with it? Even only a website with addresses of existing stores, see the Lewis Avenue one, would be of help. On another issue, why has Olivino website been out of work for a while now?
Posted by: bianca at May 20, 2008 9:56 AM in response to Streetlevel: Olivino To Open Wine Bar on Fulton
Anyway a praiseworthy move. I am going to try and support them.
Posted by: bianca at May 19, 2008 2:59 PM in response to Streetlevel: Olivino To Open Wine Bar on Fulton
Actually yes! People ARE growing basil on their windowsills and produce in their backyards, selling them at Community markets (I visited a couple of really great one last September in east New York, Crown Heights, one run by residents of a mental institution near Kingsbourough Hospital). People also raise chickens and honey bees in Brooklyn. Check the website of Just Food at justfood.org and if you dig deep you'll find some of those locations. And keep us informed with the progress, great idea!
Posted by: bianca at May 15, 2008 5:02 PM in response to One Local Summer
Since we are talking about spelling, could the resident Italian on this blog insist that we speak of CARRARA marble (named after the city in Tuscany near the quarries) instead of Carrera (the race, and the Porsche)? Pretty pretty please?
Posted by: bianca at May 14, 2008 2:06 PM in response to House of the Day: 204 Clermont Avenue
Maybe we did not get them from the same vendor. If so, apologies. Mine where from the Kumquat Cupcakery, in the middle right next to the granola people. Blueberry Chocolate, Banana Cream and Red Velvet Cake.
6 for $ 5 in a cute box.
Posted by: bianca at May 12, 2008 11:55 AM in response to Closing Bell: Flea Bigger and Better Than Ever on Sunday
Minicupcakes were $5 dollars for 6, and they were delicious, I bought them and we had them for coffee. What about sticking to the truth 10:00?
Posted by: bianca at May 12, 2008 10:49 AM in response to Closing Bell: Flea Bigger and Better Than Ever on Sunday
I live a couple of blocks from the flea market and I have been enjoying taking a stroll through it every Sunday, following the change and variety.... Yes I have bought already a few things, and planning on some big purchases, gotten a few decorating ideas too.
Also, as a resident of the foodshop deprived Clinton Hill, i'd like to express my joy at being able to buy BREAD on a Sunday, the INCREDIBLE Salvatore ricotta which I use for a quick penne sauce mixing it with marinara and adding parmesan, nutmeg and a spoon of hot water little kinds love it ( please try their cannolis and you'll make yourself a favor!).
I also bought a package of the fair trade coffee (the espresso variety) and I found it good, am going to buy again...
I am also looking forward to the kids at Bishop Laughlin being able to run on a track which matches their talents, as a former sprinter in my high school days I watch them now and then and marvel and I cannot believe the subpar qualtiy of the track now that I experience it underfoot... 'nuff negativity you guys why don't you actually get out of your lairs and DO something instead of sitting on your... (oops he'll delete me!)?!
Posted by: bianca at May 9, 2008 5:24 PM in response to Closing Bell: Flea Bigger and Better Than Ever on Sunday
Compliments for the efforts too. There are a
lot of readers of your blog who have been intimidated from posting comments by a small gang of prepubescent guys.
We all love your site, but it has become tiresome to sift through scores of inane comments to get through the real "juice" of a thread.
Posted by: bianca at May 7, 2008 11:27 AM in response to Raising the Bar a Little
Compliments for the efforts too. There are a
lot of readers of your blog who have been intimidated from posting comments by a small gang of prepubescent guys.
We all love your site, but it has become tiresome to sift through scores of inane comments to get through the real "juice" of a thread.
Posted by: bianca at May 7, 2008 11:26 AM in response to Raising the Bar a Little
I must dissent with the negative criticism of Speakeasy, I was there both for dinner at the very beginning and had excellent chicken and mashed potatoes to die for, and the miso salmon was good and well cooked.
Service was very friendly and the general "vibe' was really nice. We went back for brunch the Sunday of the first Flea (with friends who came to peruse) and it was MOBBED and they had difficulties with service but brunch was good and they comped us with a second round of mimosas.
Incidentally, the above and something which happended last week ought to silence some of the negative comments about the Flea, since all the foot traffic seems to be having some positive effect on the neighborhood businesses, including minority owned ones: I was at a Fulton Street nail salon last Sunday when two girls came in from the Flea (we chatted while we were having our pedicure done) and asked for a place for brunch, and they where sent to Kush. How about that? On a related theme, what is happening with the Fulton Street BID? Hope they are not sitting on some public money... How many stores do they want to flee to Myrtle Avenue before they actually start DOING something?
Posted by: bianca at April 29, 2008 5:27 PM in response to Streetlevel: Speakeasy Could Get Huge Patio
We live in a 16 unit coop in Clinton Hill and we pay a part-time super to do what you say, and additionally clean the common areas, about $ 750 per month. We do help out with snow removal though.
Posted by: bianca at April 8, 2008 4:05 PM in response to Maint/Supervision For a Small Building
A long time ago (six months to a year, or maybe more) there was an article in the New York Times about a man in Brooklyn who still practices the lost art of painting gold lettering on glass. Maybe you could do a search in their archives? Alas I do not remember any details...
Posted by: bianca at March 13, 2008 6:12 PM in response to gold decal numbers
Went last night with husband, it is upscale well executed French bistrot. He had a very good organic hanger steak with frites, and the portion was big, I had the French onion soup and the recommended Waldorf salad. We brought our own wine, and the owner and his wife (Olivier and Pauline) were very nice and they introduced us to the chef Pascal. As it was said before, it is cash only for now, and they are going to serve breakfast lunch and dinner every day (starting at 7:30, can somebopy PLEASE report on their baked on premises croissants and pain au chocolat???) and brunch on Sat and Sunday (I think 10-4). Prices are fair for the quality, compare with say Speakeasy? They said the construction machinery in front makes them virtually invisible so spread the word, it was supposed to be removed a while ago! Also a water shutoff (unannounced to them!) prevented them from opening for breakfast yesterday but all is well. I think they deserve support that corner looks ALIVE now!
Posted by: bianca at December 4, 2007 10:33 AM in response to Old Bodegas = New 'Autour du Monde'
What about those new LED lights in the big BAM windows? I find them so cool... somebody post a picture please!
Posted by: bianca at November 29, 2007 5:27 PM in response to Dueling Light Shows in BAM Cultural District
No I did too, I was almost asleep in bed (at Clinton and Greene!) and it sounded like quite a salve...
Posted by: bianca at August 13, 2007 5:14 PM in response to Gunshots heard
me likey....
Posted by: bianca at October 22, 2009 4:26 PM in response to Closing Bell: Fulton BID in Action!