Wednesday Food and Drink Round-Up

Photo by Julien Jourdes for The New York Times

Sheep Station
149 Fourth Avenue (Douglass Street), Park Slope; (718) 857-4337
“The place’s meat pies — those distinctly Australian savory pastries ($6), stuffed with a fatty mix of minced beef and onions, moistened with stock — were the best I’d ever had. They were definitely cravable. But the burger ($10) wasn’t. The roasted beets, the raw pineapple, the fried egg and more that were loaded on it couldn’t hide the underwhelming patty at its center. To me it was like a hamburger in drag.” [NY Times]

After the jump: Clean Plate Club keeps talkin’ tacos, NY Press dines at Bar Reis, Chowhounders complain about Cobblestone Foods, and Brooklyn beet lovers go bonkers at Porchetta…

Taco Bite
Bedford Ave (across from North end of McCarren Park)
“I was planning on ordering two chicken tacos. But before I could, the waitress handed me two pork tacos. It was weird, but I’m glad it happened because they were some of the best tacos I’ve ever tasted. The pork was finely pulled and smothered in onions, loads of fresh cilantro and a fiery red salsa. The tortillas (two per taco) were thick and soft and so good I could have eaten them plain.” [Clean Plate Club]

Bar Reis
375 5th Ave. (betw. 5th & 6th Sts.), Park Slope, 718.832.5716
“Also tasty is the old-fashioned daiquiri ($6). It’s simple-syrup-sweetened, the kind Hemingway guzzled. These cocktails’ strength have my head spinning and stomach running for a surprisingly rewarding bar menu. In a tiny downstairs kitchen, a cap-wearing chef turns out limited, but lively, plates of tacos and tortas, moles and quesadillas.” [NY Press]

Cobblestone Foods
199 Court Street, Cobble Hill, 718.222.1661
“Walked into the new Cobblestone Foods (what used to be Tuller’s). It looks just like Tuller’s, only… without the food! It is maybe 1/3 stocked, and looks very skimpy. However, the prices are equal to, or even higher than Tuller’s already-high markup. $5 loaves of bread, $7 for a tiny basket of Vermont butter, etc. They do, however, have already-pureed plastic cups of baby food (aka plain boiled and mashed vegetables), so that all those Cobble Hill mommies (you know, the ones that have already taken over the Tea Lounge with their double-wide strollers) have yet another thing to spend their money on. In my opinion, much better food selection and warmer vibe at Stinky Brooklyn, over on Smith.” [dixieday2 on Chowhound]

Porchetta
241 Smith Street, Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill, 718-237-9100.
“Without doubt these delicate braised beets with lemon thyme, Sicilian olive oil, candied citrus and perfectly round goat cheese croquettes ($8.00) were pure bliss. All of the dishes we tried were defined by delicate (if not downright dainty) arrangements, yet bold and fresh flavors with creative twists.” [Eating for Brooklyn]