I've heard good things about this place, and after your recommendation
will definately try it.
Anyway, while I agree that the majority of 7th Ave restaurants are
mediocre, if you are willing to walk down to 5th the scene is MUCH better.
Some places I like:
Rosewater (Union & 6th). Nominally middle eastern but in practice fairly
international, I think this is one of the most underrated places on the
slope. They use very fresh produce from the greenmarket, do interesting
recipies and on nice summer days one can sit outside and enjoy the really
very very good food.
Al Di La (5th and Garfield). I've always found New York to be
suprisingly bad in the Italian department. Too many mediocre
psuedo-southern Italian places serving gloppy red sauce based dishes
to the sort of person who thinks that lots of food means a good
restaurant. This place really stands out. It's Northern Italian
(Venetian), and the food is among the best northern Italian I've
had in the city. Lots of real Italian stuff like Bagna Cauda that
you don't see all that often, and a small but very well selected
and reasonably priced wine list.
Blue Ribbon. (5th and I think 1st) Basically identical to the Blue
Ribbon in Manhattan. Now Park Slopers can get a good meal at 3 AM
too!
Thali Thai. (On 5th down by I think Carroll).
Recently opened, I have a lot of hope for this. Again, much more
sophisticated Thai then the usual suspects (and again, NY doesn't do
so well at Thai generally), this place is run by an Australian, so there
is a really really great Australian wine list. Much more interesting use
of flavours and interesting dishes then the usual watered down curries
and Pad Thais that one gets at the typical thai places.
Bistro St Marks (St Marks and Flatbush) has been talked about many
times here so I won't bring it up again, but it's worth trying.
I've found them to sometimes not live up to their promise, but
definately a decent place.
--
Matthew Crosby mcr...@marthon.org
"Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate"