Monday, October 19, 2009

Pates et Traditions

In light of the newly opened La Crepe Parisienne in Soho (supposedly with many more to come), crepes are slowly making their way back into the limelight. La Crepe Parisienne is a trendy, warm neighborhood joint, but it really is closer to being a takeout place (crepes are served in paper packets rather than plates). For those looking for a more wholesome, sit-down crepe meal, hop onto the L train to Bedford, walk a few blocks south, and head towards Pates et Traditions.

Restaurant: Pates et Traditions
Rating:


Pates et Traditions is an uber cute, affordable little crepe place aiming to give you a taste of France. It's run by a French family, whose aesthetic tastes have translated into a cozy, friendly
ambiance that couples can't resist. Note below, the little French girl in the highchair. Doesn't she fit right into the theme of the place? C'est charmant!

Our first crepe: Mussels in a Curry Sauce. I'm not a fan of mussels, but they were very fresh, and the light curry sauce was actually quite flavorful. They served it in a whole wheat crepe, which can be a bit dry at times, but not here!

The menu at Pates et Traditions consists mostly of crepes (20+ different flavors), but they've got some delectable pastas as well. Following the waiter's suggestion, we ordered the Mustard Chicken Penne, which was one of my favorites! Penne, cooked al dente, on a bed of creamy mustard sauce with generous dashes of white wine. It totally inspired me to add mustard to my pasta sauces. Yum!

Now onto the dessert crepes! Our second crepe: Belle-Helene. Unfortunately, this one did not score very many points for us. Traditional Belle-Helene desserts usually offer juicy, poached pears, but here it was served with canned pears, whose tartness did not go well with the crepe.

Our third crepe: Bananas Foster. Sounds just like the name. Bananas cooked in caramelized sugar and rum. It's always fascinating to watch the fire work its magic, but be careful not to ask them for too much rum. Although it makes the burning effect last longer, it can really eat up the crepe as well.

Our fourth crepe: Fresh Berries with Cream. Dum dum dum. This was indeed, the fairest of them all. We all know how great berries taste with fresh whipped cream, and the sweet berry compote sauce really made the crepe "berry" delicious!

There might be a a few inconsistencies here and there at this charming little French creperie, but Pates et Traditions is a hidden gem that could become the new playground for crepe lovers.

Pates et Traditions
52 Havemeyer St (between 6th and 7th)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(646) 409-4019

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Alice's Tea Cup

If Alice had a private tea house in Wonderland, this would be it. With three "chapters" located in the city, Alice's Tea Cup is the perfect play-land for those looking for dreamy, wonder-filled scones and a calm cup of tea. This adorable establishment has wooed the Upper West Siders and East Siders alike, with its delectable selection of pastries and teas.

Restaurant: Alice's Tea Cup
Rating:


The ambiance at Alice's Tea Cup can only be described as enchanting. Scenes from Alice in Wonderland are artfully painted on the walls, and the ceilings are graced with beautifully lit chandeliers. Birthday parties here are a tradition, and Sunday brunches are always ensued by long lines of eager patrons.

This is the view of the backroom on the second floor. Yup, those are indeed fairy wings on the ceiling!

This is the signature of Alice's Tea Cup - freshly baked scones with a variety of different flavors of the day, ham & cheese and mixed berry being my favorites. The scones are served with a side of fresh cream and berry preserves. The combination of the two is absolutely delicious! Very reasonably priced as well - two scones with a pot of tea for $10.

This is another favorite, the Croque Monsieur, with hearty layers of black forest ham and gruyere sandwiched between semolina slices with golden raisins and fennel. The raisins add a wonderful sweetness to the ham and gruyere, and the Croque comes with a side of greens or crunchy fries.

Dum dum dum. Who would've thought that the burger at Alice's Tea Cup would be such a big winner? The garnishes are the secret. Lapsang and rooibos tea infused sauteed onions and mushrooms. Mmm, the meat is so tender, and the onions and mushrooms taste of light, lapsang tea. This, clearly, is a must-order for burger lovers.

Alice's Tea Cup may be a little overwhelming for the serious patron, but it certainly does bring out the child in us, and sometimes, that can be a very nice thing.


Alice's Tea Cup
(3 chapter locations)
http://www.alicesteacup.com/

Monday, October 5, 2009

Moto

Welcome to the circa 1938 world of Moto, a hidden treasure off the Hewes St. stop on the J/M/Z. It's all about the ambiance here. The wild bohemian feel runs along the rusted copper doors to the extension collection of vintage decorations inside this charming little place.

Restaurant: Moto
Rating:



I had to throw in this picture below. Note the name of the restaurant written in chalk on the rusted door. I just love the angle from which the shot was taken.

This is the 'moto' - namesake, hanging above the charming joint.

Did I mention the marvelous architecture? The shape of the restaurant space is actually triangular! The red exit sign is a burst of innovation compared to the awful conventional signs, and the clock is another favorite. Normally they have a lady and band playing music on the weekends.

Hear this. German Mac 'n Cheese? A delightful combination, the Aepler Macronnen consists of mac 'n cheese with sauteed onions (almost like sauerkrat) and apple sauce. I was somewhat skeptical at first, but the light sweetness of the apple sauce fared well against the soft and creamy macaroni. It's a bit much for one to handle, but you could always order it for two.

The fresh steamed artichoke was cooked to a soft and tender composition and served with a delicious aioli. Simplicity at its best.

For dessert, the waitress recommended her favorite dessert in the world - the warm date cake served in toffee sauce and fresh cream. Alert: intense sweetness in action. The toffee sauce was decadent (reminded me of the maple butter from Clinton St. Bakery), and oh so sweet. Thankfully, the cream was light and fluffy, which helped to balance the heaviness of the chunky cake. The refreshing mint leaf garnish did wonders to cleansing our palates, as we prepared to take another bite of the candy-coated fortress.


Moto is the perfect date spot -- classy, old school, and filled with cultured hipsters.

Moto
394 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 599-6895