at the sign of The Pink Pig

Bier Here!: International Brews On The Boulevard

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  August 30, 2010]

A Frederick Douglass Boulevard special.  I had been planning one for some time, knowing that my friends Chris and Ousmane had secured premises for an international beer bar pretty much across the street from where Ryan Skeen was to be opening chef at 5 & Diamond.

Not exactly in my 'hood, so why not a twofer I thought?  Make a trip or two uptown and cover both places.  Many a slip, as they say.

The Ukrainian East Village Restaurant

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  August 31, 2010]

I am delighted to be able to give a bit of love back to a place where I've been eating for almost twenty years.  My story was kindly published by Eater.  After the jump, a couple of photos.

So... How Was 5 & Diamond?

[Pigging by Wilfrid, August 30, 2010]

A strange one to write.  I could have gone up to 5 & Diamond the week it opened, or later when I heard that David Santos was heading the kitchen.  I kept dithering, waiting for Bier to open across the street.

And no sooner do I finally make it, planning maybe  a second meal and a full review, than chef David packs his bags and head for the exit.

The Trips Are Getting Shorter: New York/Chicago Ten Years Ago

[Pink Pig Time Machine:  August 30, 2010]

London gave me a cold, so it did, last week ten years ago.  A short round-trip it was, but the travel gets worse in this diary entry.  After a couple of days, and a comforting clothes shopping trip to Turnbull & Asser on 57th, I was ready for dinner.

Quick Bites: Marco Polo's $1 Burger

[Pigging by Wilfrid: August 25, 2010]

Has to be the cheapest burger on St Mark's Place, and there's some competition for that distinction in the  summer of 2010.

The Marco Polo $1 burger, comes with cheese already applied and a little sachet of non-Heinz ketchup.

Quick Bites: Bosna Express And The Art Of Filling

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  August 25, 2010]

Grilling à la Balkan, says the big yellow sign above the door of Bosna Express, not much more than a cubicle with a hot plate on Fairview Avenue in Ridgewood. 

And the Latino chef does the grilling, Balkan-style, very congenially, while you decide whether to eat at the one table or standing at the very short shelf by the door.

Totale: Cheap Pizza Gets Crafty

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  August 23, 2010]

You've all seen them, these 2 Bros. Pizza counters springing up all over town, serving slices so cheap they're almost free and bargain slice and soda deals.  Is it a one dollar slice or 99 cent slice?  I don't know.

I mean I am not, as regular readers know, a huge pizza fan, and a bargain basement slice dripping with cheap cheese and oil is something about which I never fantasize.  Never been to any of these places, but always impressed with the line outside.

Korzo Haus: A Tardis On East 7th

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  August 23, 2010]

Dr Who fans will know that the Tardis looks the size of a phone booth from outside, but is a spacious space vessel within.  Likewise Korzo.

Same goes for Korzo Haus, really - less a house than a Küchenschrank (look it up!).  But it's bigger than you think.

London Grousing: Ten Years Ago

[Pink Pig Time Machine:  August 23, 2010]

One of those silly quick trips to London, ten years ago this week.  Only three nights in town, and it would have been two but for my expertise in making the case for the day flight.  Yes, you lose a day, but you don't lose a night's sleep.

The General Greene: Getting The American Bistro Wrong

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  August 17, 2010]

Zydeco, as everyone knows, comes from a phrase meaning "the beans aren't salted" - les haricots sont pas salés.   I can scarcely imagine what accordion-driven cacophony the Cajuns might have kicked up if the beans had been cold and hard too.

No Cajuns, as far as I could see, at The General Greene on a quiet weekday evening, so I was left to munch the cold, hard, and pretty well unsalted fried broad beans in relative peace.