treehouse's Profile
- 2007
- the beginning
- Brooklyn
- Clinton Hill
- Rental
- designer
- Female
- 32
Author's Comments
treehouse wrote a review about Black Iris on November 8, 2008 4:55 PM
hmmm, if I saw these reviews and high scores and I had made a trek from antoher neighborhood to try this spot, I would be pretty disappointed. This place is fine and while I still go from time to time, I am still depresses that NY for whatever reason can't seem to produce a great middle eastern spot....ever been to Paris or even Alexandria, VA?? The real deal.
3 out of four times I have ordered falafel here, it has clearly been pre-cooked and then microwaved creating a chewy soggy mess. One time they were freshly fried and divine. I am not sure why they would do this since it is the proper way to prepare and serve falafel and I am sure they know this. Maybe they just think we don't know any better.
Their tabouli has too much bulgar and it too is lazily chopped wiith big parsley leaves and chunks of green onions. The hummus needs more lemon.
I like that they make their own dough for pita though and the ambience is bare bones but kind of charming and rustic at the same time. The owner seems like a nice guy and the staff is fine.
treehouse wrote a review about Graziella's on October 29, 2008 6:52 PM
Sadly for Graziella's, Il Porto has upstaged this neighborhood spot on most levels. I have always liked but not loved Graziella's. The staff is very nice and the food is good...not amazing. They need to use a little more salt in the dough and on the cheese. I will still go there but the pie at Il Porto is damn good!
treehouse wrote a review about iCi on September 22, 2008 6:11 PM
I agree there needs to be something in between "about right" and very overpriced. I would describe ICI as 'a little much for what it is'
treehouse wrote a review about iCi on September 22, 2008 5:59 PM
I don't know, I do like this place but I never seem to come back even though I live so close. The food is pretty tasty but the service is very low energy and not particularly warm or 'happy to have you'.
I often bring Manhattan friends here at an entree to my hood b/c it is easy to get and the menu is nice. I just wish the staff was.
The garden is a delight!
I have only been for dinner once and it seems more $$ than it should be. More like west village prices.
treehouse wrote a review about Noodle Pudding on September 4, 2008 3:55 PM
I have been here a couple times. The food is good but there is something about the overall vibe, much like the hood in which it resides, that seems to cry out for a stylistic update. What makes up for that is the bustling energy I guess and good food. The gnocchi was not as tender or fluffy as I have liked but I may be picky. It might not be the coolest spot around but sometimes that is better.
treehouse wrote a review about Dressler on September 3, 2008 4:34 PM
I just tried Dressler this weekend and our food was excellent...service, eh but who cares really. It was a nice spot to linger. I disagree that you are either a Saul or Dressler person. These are both good but totally different experiences. Dressler is more casual and less expensive and the food is delicious but less complicated and less 'precious' so to speak. I am not sure why people are ocmparing other than the fact they both have a star.
I would go back in a heartbeat. Nice ingredients, nice environs, and pleasant enough but slightly aloof staff...The staff at Diner is more professional while keeping it casual so maybe they could take some notes (not on the table though).
treehouse wrote a review about Thomas Beisl on September 3, 2008 4:26 PM
What is great about this place is that it is not an overhyped = overpacked place. I thought it was oddly quiet on occasion but this has come to be what I like most about it. There is always room for a big table of friends (if BAM has not unloaded!).
The food is comforting and there are several dishes I return for time and again...goulash, schnitzel and they always have nice specials and salads. This might not be for everyone's palette and it isn't Danube but it sure is tasty and reliable. The service has always been very warm and natural.
Your ad also mentions that these were stables and you describe it as a carriage house but property shark says this was built in the 30's....
Posted by: treehouse at August 25, 2008 9:57 PM in response to Carriage House
treehouse wrote a review about Lunetta on August 25, 2008 3:50 PM
The time I went my food was great but the dessert was disappointing. I seem the remember that my friend with whom I was dining and I were remarking on the unremarkable decor.
This looks like the one near Provisions/Pequena, no?
I also am confused. I would be curious to know where.
Posted by: treehouse at August 25, 2008 3:41 PM in response to Carriage House
treehouse wrote a review about Pacifico on August 23, 2008 1:30 AM
Rats ARE bold. Have you read "In the Wake of the Plague" or other similar books? For centuries Rats have been bold which is the reason disease has been able to transfer to our communities from theirs.
On another note, the food at Pacifico is gross but the outdoor area is appealing. It is a pleasant, outdoor option for the hood, rats aside.
Wow, I can't help reacting to Lechacal's vapidity!
"Let's face it, Windsor Terrace is a neighborhood for people who can't afford Park Slope but still want to be in the area. Sort of like Prospect Heights. At any given price point, if the same thing were available in the Slope proper, pretty much anyone would choose to live in the Slope" -lechacal
While Park Slope is lovely, I think it is this sort of ignorance that people choose not to live there. Not everyone is a lemming and not everyone prefers a "TONY" neighborhood. I would take budding PH over PS any day. I like being on the pulse of things and would rather not be run over by those angry rule-bound stroller mommies!!
Posted by: treehouse at August 21, 2008 5:49 PM in response to House of the Day: 540 16th Street
treehouse wrote a review about Diner on August 16, 2008 4:40 PM
My favorite restaurant in Brooklyn. It rarely disappoints (except when cheese grits vanish from the menu!! Theirs are sublime). Seasonal focus, fresh and interesting ingredients, both healthy and comforting offerings, and nice environs are all what keep me coming back for more. People who don't get it don't have palettes and should eat at Blue Water Grill or somewhere else gross. This is food at its best. The staff is great and the owner is genius...a word I reserve for only a very special sort.
treehouse wrote a review about Lucali on August 16, 2008 4:33 PM
The BEST. Cheese + basil + garlic = unrivaled deliciousness. Sounds boring but it is sublime as is the ricotta calzone.
I only wish they could just offer an arugula salad with some shaved reggianno, lemon, and olive oil...how hard can it be?
First timers may be frustrated by the seemingly limited offerings but are immediately seduced upon eating their first bite of pie. Endure the wait...take away is good but not even comparable to the in-house version.
treehouse wrote a review about Saul on August 16, 2008 4:25 PM
Excellent food. It is nice to have a fine dining option in Brooklyn. The only thing I would change would be the atmosphere. It seems a little dated and stale. Unlike some of the reviewers, I have had consistently good service and food here and have never been let down. Their seasonal and thoughfully prepared dishes have always been memorable and keep me coming back for more. It is nice to find such offerings in Brooklyn so one can avoid the ever increasing Manhattan rube-fest that tends to ruin the vibe of any well reviewed establishment.
I too am confused my newbie's race remarks. Dare I say it but have you looked at the #'s on Brooklyn minorities and socio-economic backgrounds? You will find that a majority of minorities here probably do not want to pay those prices and perhaps fine dining is not on the top of their list above survival and feeding all of their children. In a perfect harmonious land (possibly a socialist one) maybe we would all be eating the same thing in the same places but that is not the reality of Brooklyn or the world we live in. Do you find it 'troubling and uneasy' that most Macdonald's are filled with minorities? Is Macdonald's racist against non-minorities? I guess that is an entirely different discussion we could reserve for Brownstoner's race forum coming soon:)
treehouse wrote a review about Bar Tabac on August 15, 2008 4:15 PM
Bar Tabac seems to generate such strong reactions on both ends of the spectrum which is shocking considering this place is soooo so-so on all levels. The service is hit or miss...bad at times, as is the food. The setting is charming if not dirty at times...as is perhaps, the food judging from the numerous cockroach anecdotes. That said, what is good about it is that it is a good ole, grungy neighborhood bistro much like what you might find on a corner in Paris where they are a dime a dozen and probably never considered for review. This place should not warrant high expectations nor should it cause so much anger as splayed on Strong's site. Get over it folks. It is what it is. I have had many a decent cocktail outside while listening to great music. Not bad.
treehouse wrote a review about Alma on August 13, 2008 9:48 PM
It ain't Bonita. The roof is nice, the food is so-so, and the service stinks. I have had many a lazy-arse waiter who forgets the order, water, beer and what not...too many times to forgive. There is nothing worse than wanting your drank and not getting it. I do like that brunch dish that involves tortilla, poached eggs and mucho queso..chilequiles?
treehouse wrote a review about Patois on August 6, 2008 12:51 PM
I agree this place is average. My meals here have been not bad but I have not had anything that has lured me back for more. The garden might be the only reason to come back but with much better food and much better gardens in bklyn, i don't see the point.
ps drinking on Sundays can be a beautiful thing Hipsters in Cobble Hill? Me thinks not.
treehouse wrote a review about Flatbush Farm on July 31, 2008 4:02 PM
Good spot. 2 out of 3 of my meals here have been very good. I made the mistake of ordering a boring veggie dish once. I agree, there is something not quite right about the service/staff although we had a waitress once who was great. The bar staff on the other side was downright nasty to us and is officially boycotted but the restaurant is pretty good and the garden is great. The bill always seems a slight bit higher than it should there.
treehouse wrote a review about Franny's on July 30, 2008 9:15 AM
I had one good meal here. I made the mistake to come back on a friday night and was treated badly and our pricey pizzas were burnt on the bottom and were quite bitter. We should have sent it back but the process had already taken a couple hours and we were starving. The ingredients are nice but these are not flatbush prices. The waitress (who was one of the owners) was snarky with us which made us vow to never come back. I'll stick to Lucali for pie and Lupa or Aurora for Italian worth the price.
treehouse wrote a review about Bonita on July 30, 2008 9:08 AM
The BEST. Excellent quality food with fresh local ingredients. I think everything we have tried has been amazing. The menu offers classic staples which are so satisfying that I often find it difficult to order off the menu even though the specials we have tried have been superior.
Pork nachos can't be beat....unless they are out of guac which has happened my last 3 visits...also the portion is much smaller now and I find that I get extremely competitive when sharing...Can you guys work on that?
It is obvious why Bonita ranks better than Lugars. The food is good:)
treehouse wrote a review about Zaytoons on July 27, 2008 3:54 PM
Food is good but inconsistant. Sometimes the tabouli or lebneh has come way over-salted and one time inedibley so. The falafel and pitzas are decent. I have had much better middle eastern in Virginia where I grew up but this will do for now I guess..except maybe not myrtle ave after reading all the cockroach comments. I always sensed it was a little dirty there. Gross.
treehouse wrote a review about Peter Luger on July 27, 2008 2:20 PM
This is not the place to go for food. The food is fine. Like Galatrois in New Orleans, you come here for the old school charm and to enjoy a New York institution (if you can tolerate fat tourists and noisy kids at times). Some people swear by the steak, the sauce etc. It is good but oily and I think the bacon and little lambchops might be slightly better than the steak but it still offers nothing I dream of going back for. Good steak does not need sauce.
I am glad I tried it but I think a home cooked steak using excellent meat is better any day.
I used to live in lower Manhattan and when droves of stinky tourists descended upon my neighborhood after 911. When I didn't like it anymore, I moved. It did not occur to me to picket, whine or write letters or conspire against this new energy in my neighborhood. I was faced with the choice to either embrace the change to my neighborhood or to move. I chose the later and came to Clinton Hill. Should Clinton Hill someday evolve in a way I no longer like, maybe I will move again...and again. If I wanted stability, I would not live in metro New York. Change is why I love the place, for better or for worse. Change to Clinton Hill and change to lower Manahattan is why I came to Clinton Hill. The people who are roaring about change to 'their' neighborhood come across as angry, insecure, and intolerant.
That said, the sun is out and I am headed to the flea now.
Thank you Jonathan and Eric for bringing positive change to 'my' neighborhood. I have many friends young and old who live here who will gladly come out to support the flea should you need it. Many who have lived here for over 40 years. Please keep us posted and we will gladly help.
Posted by: treehouse at July 27, 2008 1:33 PM in response to Closing Bell: Brooklyn Flea + Urban Arts Festival
treehouse wrote a review about Smoke Joint on July 23, 2008 10:43 AM
I badly wanted to like this place. Being from Virginia and having gone to school in Carolina, I have had the opportunity to try it all. One time I had a decent hacked pork here which provoked me to come back a few times. Each time it was different. I can't give a great review b/c of the inconsistency. The last hacked pork I had was more oil and fat globules than pork it seemed. I had to wring it out with my napkin. Gross is right. This has happened twice but other times it was better. One time it seemed to have sauce already mixed into it. I never seem to know what I am getting. I think I will stick to making my own on my roof (don't tell!) next time I get the craving.
There sauces are not my taste (I prefer vinegar eastern Carolina style), mac is so-so, slaw satisfies, collards are pretty delish.
I have always liked the staff and the feeling that someone there is passionate about bbq. The wooden setting and open windows are the perfect ambiance for urban bbq.
treehouse wrote a review about Applewood on July 16, 2008 7:47 PM
I give Applewood a 5 for food b/c it is certainly in the top 20% of Brooklyn (and Manhattan) restaurants. I am not saying it is perfect by any means, nor is the the BEST here but I have had some great meals here. I appreciate their seasonal menu. The chef shines with appetizers and while all of my meals have been great, not all of them as memorable. I love the spread that come with the bread and the fresh tomato martini is dreamy.
treehouse wrote a review about Habana Outpost on July 16, 2008 7:41 PM
I like this spot. The Cuban is decent and the corn is delish. I am not a huge fan of their drinks but you can't beat a beer, a cuban sandwich, some corn smothered in cheese and mayo and casual outdoor dining! I appreciate their eco-friendly bathroom too.
treehouse wrote a review about Frankies 457 Spuntino on July 16, 2008 7:37 PM
Frankies is good but I would not go so far as to say it is excellent. I go back more for the cute setting than for a favorite dish. The cavatelli with sage butter should be much dreamier than is actually is. I enjoy pasta with sage butter and this one is lacking at best. Service has been slow on a few visits with no apologies.
That said, it is a charming place to take a visiting friend or to have a private party in the carriage house.
treehouse wrote a review about Chez Lola on November 23, 2008 2:14 PM
myrtle = rats and that is what decided to dine with us in the garden on my first and probably last visit. The food was not great. Oskar is far better and with a more collegial staff and better ambiance...seems a tad cleaner too.