Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

Photo by Kristen Goode

Return of the Carroll Gardens Empanada Lady
The Empanada Lady has been setting up shop on Sackett and Smith once again, but according to About.com: Brooklyn, “[her] schedule is a tricky one. She and her cart can go missing for weeks at a time. The only way to tell if she’s open for business? Look for her ‘specials of the day’ sign to appear on Smith Street — No sign, no empanada lady.” However, Chowhound pupburger makes her sound more high-tech than that: “According to her website, her hours vary according to her sales, check twitter for updates on her whereabouts.” We can’t find the URL — is this ‘Hound for real?

Catering to “Obsessions with Food and Real Estate”
Brooklyn Laundry is one of those dinner clubs (like the Whisk & Ladle or 4 Course Vegan) where patrons pay ahead to dine with strangers in a secret location. But this one has a twist for those interested in real estate: The dinner parties will be “housed in (among other places) various apartments on the market… Whether you’ll dine in a Madison penthouse or on an Orchard Street rooftop is anyone’s guess,” says Daily Candy. Dinner costs $60 per person (or $80 with wine).

Brooklyn Restaurant and Bar Openings
The Flying Cow, an “eclectic Argentine-style restaurant—part Latin steakhouse, part tapas bar,” is now open at 2 Hope Street (near Roebling Street) in Williamsburg, says Time Out New York… An Eater tipster says that the old Marco Polo Take Out space on Court Street (near Union Street) in Carroll Gardens will soon house a wine bar called Enoteca on Court: “From what we heard the opening date will be around the 3rd week of May… The wine will be international, the food small plates, panini, cheeses and salumi and pizza from the wood-burning oven.” …Clinton Hill Blog notices that Epoca has closed, but some commenters say that a new seafood restaurant is set to open in the space in June… And, finally, TONY reports on the new Bushwick bar, Tandem (236 Troutman St between Knickerbocker and Wilson Aves), where beers are served in ceramic cups that the owner turned on a potter’s wheel.

After the jump: Jacques Torres ice cream, Whiskey Sunday, Totonno’s, Beer Table, a Williamsburg sandwich tour, and Dressler on the big screen…

We All Scream for Jacques Torres Ice Cream
“At 62 Water Street, adjacent to his Dumbo factory, Torres plans on making two indoor stationary carts the focal point of his ice cream parlor. He also promises beverages, cupcakes (!), pints of ice cream to go and his already famous ice cream cookies. On the flavor front, there will be 12 rotating varieties. Though he hasn’t finalized what they’ll be, Torres assures the Feed that caramel, peanuts and (of course) chocolate will be involved.” [The Feed]

Recently Reviewed: Whiskey Sunday
49 Lincoln Road (between Flatbush and Ocean Aves), ProspectLefferts Gardens; (718) 282-7098
Time Out New York gives the PLG BBQ joint only 2 out of 6 stars: “Of the ‘cue we tried, only the St. Louis pork ribs were a success, sporting a crispy crust, melting fat and yielding meat. But beef cheeks, instead of being soft and gelatinous, were firm and dry—a problem that also plagued the pork shoulder and couldn’t be remedied with any of the three house-made sauces.”

Quick Bites
Totonno’s, the “legendary coal-oven pizzeria” in Coney Island, is recovering from fire damage and should reopen in June, says Slice … Disappointed Chowhound chowbeth says that dining at Beer Table left her “feeling like the emperor has no clothes.” … NYC Food Guy embarks on a Williamsburg sandwich tour … Dressler owner’s book may hit the big screen, says Grub Street …