Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

Ditmas Park: One of NYC’s “Best Food Neighborhoods”
Time Out New York‘s top 6 best food neighborhoods are all in the outer boroughs, but Ditmas Park is the only Brooklyn neighborhood that makes the cut. Recommended spots include Bahar Shishkebab House, Torteria Del Valle, Café Tibet, Famous Pita, Bukhari Restaurant & Sweets, and Sycamore. Seems like TONY is focusing on less-traveled eateries because they left out a few favorites — The Farm on Adderley, Pomme de Terre, and Picket Fence.

Brooklyn Opening Report
The New York Times says that the owners of the now-closed Bonita in Fort Greene will be reopening the space as Roman’s: “It’s the name of [co-owner Andrew] Tarlow’s son, and has nothing to do with the food at the restaurant, which will be opening in a couple of weeks.” … Time Out reports that Almondine Bakery is getting ready to open their second location at 442 9th Street (at Seventh Avenue) in Park Slope: “Just as at the Dumbo original, expect breads and pastries including croissants, baguettes and madeleines.” … Plus, the Vanderbilt (570 Vanderbilt Avenue at Bergen Street) is all set to open on Friday. Stay tuned for more info.

Real Thai on Smith Street?
Chowhounds are buzzing about the new spicy section on Em Thai‘s menu. Judging by the universal foodie love for Sripraphai in Queens, it’s about time one of Brooklyn’s myriad Thai joints tried their hand at spicier, more authentic cuisine. But does Em succeed? Chowhound versicle “ordered a pork dish, can’t remember which one, for delivery and it was impressively spicy.” We tried the seafood pucket and then Bangkok minced pork basil, which were both sweat-inducing, but not as nuanced as our favorite Sripraphai dishes. Still, we’ll be back to try more — on Fridays and Saturdays, the new spicy entrees come with a free beer.

After the jump: Roberta’s expanding bread and booze menus, love for South Slope’s Korzo, truffle pizza, a fondue extravaganza, and more…

Fresh-Baked Bread and Cocktails for Roberta’s
Eater reports that Bushwick pizzeria Roberta’s, one of our favorite places to eat in Brooklyn, is applying for a full liquor license (they currently serve wine and beer) and also seeking an “artisan bread baker” to expand their bread program — “they’ve been selling bread off site for awhile now, and they’ll definitely be expanding their baking capabilities for their restaurant and for others.”

Recent Raves for Korzo
Korzo hasn’t gotten the best reviews on the Brownstoner Restaurant Guide, but lately some Chowhounds are digging this South Slope spot. “There was a really good, really zippy white bean soup special and the latkes were good (although a little browner than I make them). Tasty. Another special, roast pork fier with red cabbage and dumplings was good… I thought my goulash with spaetzle was absolutely first rate, spicy and soul-satisfying,” writes Deb Van D. And fellow ‘Hound Bob Martinez chimes in: “Central European food in New York is usually formulaic. It can be good but it’s stuff you’ve had before. There are few surprises. Korzo is trying to break that mold. The chef isn’t afraid branch out a bit and the flavors are distinctive… This is a great place to go on a winter’s night.”

Quick Bites
“Enoteca on Court will celebrate truffle season on November 5 by baking 100 white-truffle topped pizzas that will sell for $50 a pie. Reservations are required,” says Grub Street… “Robicelli’s Gourmet Market in Bay Ridge have decided to close their beloved Third Avenue so they can go national with their even-more-beloved cupcakes,” reports the Brooklyn Paper… And Grub Street says that The JakeWalk‘s “new cold-weather menu features 37 varieties of fondues, changing nightly.”