Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

Photo by Shani Bar-on

Recently Reviewed: Korhogo 126
126 Union Street between Columbia and Hicks, Carroll Gardens; (718) 855-4405
“An appetizer of juicy grilled calamari and baby octopus tossed in a briny tapenade vinaigrette is pure Mediterranean, while an escargot starter, the soft critters nestled in a heady Pernodred-wine sauce, is a tip of the hat to France. The meat dishes we tried matched the seafood in skill—we relished the tender braised lamb shank in a cardamom-inflected broth… it looks like Korhogo could be poised to become a neighborhood mainstay—whether you’re in the mood for African, or French.” [TONY]

Armando’s Replacement Revealed
143 Montague Street, between Henry and Clinton, Brooklyn Heights
“Thanks to BHB community member ‘bhbabe’ and her mad Googling skillz we’ve learned that Denver based panini and sandwich chain Spicy Pickle will take over Armando’s Restaurant on Montague Street. No word on opening date.” [Brooklyn Heights Blog]

Coming Soon: The Habitat
988 Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint
“The place is beautiful inside, from the bar countertop to the kitchen that looks like a house inside. The interior feels like an outside porch. Where better to drink than outback on the deck? …Opening sometime in March.” [Kenny Bloggins]

After the jump: Local ice cream in the supermarket freezer and the best Chinese on Smith Street…

Local Ice Cream Man Hits the Supermarket Freezer
“Gianni New York, a Borough Park, Brooklyn-based ice cream outfit… wants to duke it out with bigshots Edy’s, Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s, plus local faves like Ciao Bella, in the freezer section… Late last year, Gianni New York made its debut at ShopRite, which carries eight of its flavors — including Brooklyn Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Cappuccino Chunk and mango ices — in the majority of its 200 stores. With commitments from Gristedes and other local chains, the fledgling ice cream brand projects sales of $5 million this year.” [NYDN]

Best Chinese On Smith: Szechuan Garden
176 Smith Street
“Top-tier Chinatown or Queens? No. Best of the neighborhood? So far, definitely. Not as gloppy as any of the others. I agree that the hot and sour soup (and the wonton soup) aren’t that great, so I don’t order them. The Chengdu wontons in peppercorn sauce (NOT the ones in broth) are excellent.” [Chowhound]