Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

Photo by McBrooklyn

Neighborhood Newcomer Bashes Bar Tabac
Food blogger Andrea Strong recently moved to Brooklyn, and while she loves the Grocery, she’s got nothing but hatred for Bar Tabac: “You see, I live down the block from Bar Tabac, a wannabe faux French bistro owned by the same folks that own Jules, Café Noir and Cercle Rouge, that recently and unfathomably to me, was voted best neighborhood bistro in the Time Out Awards… From where I sit, which is just a few yards from this hellacious restaurant’s front doors, it’s a rude, self-important, obnoxious cave (with al fresco seating) for French ex-pats and ubiquitous hipsters in the Brooklyn area.” Yowch!

This Week on Chowhound
One Chowhound has good things to say about the newly opened South Brooklyn Pizza (Court at 4th Street, Carroll Gardens), and another spotted Uncle Louis G’s “iconic blue & white striped awning” on Smith Street near the New St. Claire. Meanwhile, Chowhound’s Outer Borough Digest shares a few positive reviews of the new Israeli restaurant at 641 President Street, Delicious on the Slope.

Now Open: Lookout Hill Smokehouse
230 Fifth Avenue at President Street, Park Slope; (718) 399-2161
Time Out New York reports that Lookout Hill Smokehouse has opened in the old Biscuit space: “Two smokers pump out the expected lineup of brisket and ribs, along with a few wild cards such as lamb, hanger steak and kielbasa from nearby butcher Jubilat.” Heart Fish shares some photos of the place.

After the jump: Lost City ponders the new 360 signage, a review of the Olive Vine Café, BeerMenus.com expands to Brooklyn, and a big-time pastry chef sets her sights on Clinton Hill…

360: New Signage, But Still For Rent
360 Van Brunt, Red Hook
“Still looks like 360 inside. But there’s a new message, emblazoned on a t-shirt, hanging in the window: ‘Stop and Think.’ Stop and think about what? About renting the place? About going into the restaurant business? About renting in Red Hook? About life? What are you trying to tell us, Arnaud?! And where are you??!!!” [Lost City]

Mediterranean Snacks at the Olive Vine Café
316 Court Street at Degraw Street
“Top marks go to the chickpea salad for the mix of sweet tomatoes and onions. I could have eaten a whole plate. Low marks go to the hummus, which while smooth and creamy was missing a certain bright tang that I like. All was accompanied by fresh pita bread, served hot and puffed up, a nice touch.” [A Brooklyn Life]

Satisfying Beer Cravings in Brooklyn
Beer Menus is a website that shares the beer selections at restaurants and bars across Manhattan and helps beer lovers locate their favorite brews, whether they’re looking for a Kasteel Brune or a Brooklyn Weisse. And now, it’s expanding to Brooklyn. Some of the first Brooklyn bars added to their Rolodex (or should we say “Beer-o-dex”?) include Spike Hill, Surf Bar, and Mug’s Ale House.

Coming to Clinton Hill: Brooklyn Recipe
Deborah Snyder, former pastry chef at Manhattan’s Alto and Lever House is setting her sights on Brooklyn. New York magazine reports: “She plans to open a café and dessert bar in her Clinton Hill neighborhood. She expects the venture, Brooklyn Recipe, to open in the fall.”