Food & Drink Round-Up

Photo by wallyg

Peter Luger Loses a Star
178 Broadway, near Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, (718) 387-7400
“If imitation is indeed flattery, then Peter Luger Steak House has cause to blush for the next 120 years. But not to gloat, and not to coast, and I’m convinced that this venerated and venerable New York institution is doing some of both. I say that as someone who has loved it for a long time and wants to keep loving it but needs Luger to give me reasons: more consistent food than I’ve had there over the last few years, less dismissive service than I’ve encountered over the last few months.” [NY Times]

Coming Soon: Brooklyn Bean and Tea Company
355 Atlantic Avenue, between Hoyt and Bond
“Word has it that they will be doing bulk sales of organic coffee and tea. But it seems like it would also be a great quick place to grab a cup in the morning before work or hang out for a bit later in the evening. From what I saw the place seems to be coming along great. I’ve seen the owners a few times while walking by. They seem like a nice young couple whom I’d much rather support than our friends at Starbucks. Now we just will have to wait and try the coffee or tea.” [Chowhounder Bkdan]

Coming Soon: Sushi in PLG
“We intercepted some chatter on the Lefferts Yahoo! group positing that Sushi Tatsu, already located on Flatbush Avenue near Carlton, is opening a store on Flatbush in the location of the former China City. We find this news to be awesome.” [Across the Park]

After the jump: Pizza porn and Vietnamese in Williamsburg; edible pets in Red Hook…

Camera in the Kitchen: Brick Oven Pizza Gallery
33 Havermeyer Street, between N. 7th & N. 8th, Williamsburg, 718-963-0200
“Gothamist opted for ‘Peter’s Favorite’ — a pie topped with raw arugula, prosciutto & shaved parmigiano, a good mix of bitter greens with salty meat balanced out by the pizza sauce. One pie is really only big enough for one hungry eater, though two can share if you throw in an appetizer and a salad.” [Gothamist]

Silent(h) Gets a Lukewarm Review
79 Berry St, Williamsburg, 718-218-7063
“Lo Luc Lac ($14), Vietnamese steak frites, was composed of overcooked hunks of inferior meat, grilled pineapple, artful shoestring fries and a sweet chili ketchup. Replace the syrupy ketchup with an aioli and grill some prime shortribs, and this could work — but beige school-grade beef doesn’t belong in a restaurant.” [The L Magazine]

Chickens: The Incredible, Edible Pets
Yup, raising chickens it totally legal in New York City
“LeNell Smothers, 36, a liquor store owner in Red Hook, Brooklyn. She keeps six hens in her backyard and drops their eggs (whites, yolks or both) into cocktails like whiskey sours; Mae Wests; Ramos gin fizzes; and a drink a friend invented called the Good Humor — a blend of cream, egg yolk and the Italian aperitif Aperol. Unlike most chicken farmers, Ms. Smothers names her hens after family members. (‘I’ll probably slaughter them myself,’ she said.)” [NY Times]