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Are there any hounds out there that live or dine in the Bay Ridge Area. I am relatively new to the area and it seems a large portion of the board is dedicated to the Park Slope area of Brooklyn.
I would love to hear about any restaurants or take-out places in the Bay Ridge area?
HippiRep
Apr 29, 2003 10:41AM
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Welcome to Chowhound!
I don't know Bay Ridge very well, although I sometimes snoop around there. But there are really a ton of postings you could check. Just go to the main chowhound page and type Bay Ridge in the search window, and you will get oodles of posts. The one I have highlighted below is a year old, but still interesting.
I'm sure some knowledgeable folks will also chime in with particular recommendations.
Pat G.
Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...
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Thanx for the recommendation on the search function. I am aware of it and have used it a lot. With this thread I was hoping to find some more recent recommendations and some other Ridge hounds.
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Bay Ridge is a chow mecca- Check out:
Karam on 86th and 4th for mouth watering Lebanese food. They have the best chicken schwarma in nyc along with amazing meat and spinach pies, hummus etc. This place may look like a normal take-out dive but the food is simply divine. I'd eat at Karam every day if I lived in Bay Ridge.
La Maison Du Couscous- 77 bet 4 & 5th.
The best French Moroccan in NYC. See my old post on this place.
Areo 3rd and 84th
Bustling Italian joint that serves mouthwatering Roman food, very fresh and extremely tasty- great brooklyn atmosphere- one of the best italian restaurants in nyc.
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Not sure, but looks good (from citysearch)...
Pearl Room
8203 Third Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11209-4401
Phone: (718) 833-6666
The Scene
It's the liveliest spot along Bay Ridge's thriving Third Avenue dining scene. Gussied-up Gen-Xers sample homemade potato chips and mingle to the sounds of piped-in pop music at the stylish bar and its high-cushioned booths. An elegant back dining room suits special occasions, with flowing satin drapes, a flickering fireplace, and dramatic recessed ceilings frescoed with abstract aquatic art.
The Food
Servers describe the pricey, seafood-dominant fusion menu with an Emeril-esque enthusiasm, steering toward excellent raw bar oysters, crispy citrus-peperoncini calamari and flaky lobster-mushroom tart with fiery chorizo and caramelized onions. Don't miss shellfish-stocked linguine in a sprightly tomato sauce, or excellent homemade cheese ravioli, but beware of ingredient-heavy fish entrees that overwhelm beautifully cooked fillets. Instead, opt for simpler successes, like supple roasted lobster and grilled filet mignon with incredible pancetta-scallion mashed potatoes; horseradish salmon sweet-tempered with apple hash; and Parmesan-basil lamb over creamy polenta.
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Try Lento's on the corner of 3rd avenue and Ovington avenue they make great pizza
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The Vietnamese restaurant near the SW corner of 86th and 4th Ave, Pho Hoai, has a decent banh mi, somewhere near the level of the place on Broome St in Manhattan. Their other food is pretty good, not great.
Further up 86th toward 5th Ave, close to Gelston (sp?), there is a new-ish dim sum parlor, called Hong Kong something or other, I believe. I wandered in one day but couldn't eat, just having eaten a banh mi, half of a meat pie and half of a shawarma sandwich from Karam.
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Unfortunately Lento's is closed (and dearly missed).
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On the Pearl Room, we've tried it once and I must say I didn't feel like I got enough bang for the (significant) bucks. But then again, we are just not used to dropping that much on dinner...
It's funny that the citysearch review mentions the music, as though it is hip -- On our visit, it was all "hacks of the 80s" - including, if I recall correctly, "Total Eclipse of the Heart," the worst tune ever. Seriously ruined the dining vibe. Ah well, that's the Ridge for ya.
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If it weren't for the gift certificate I got, I'd still not have gone to the Pearl Room. Way overrated, inadequate use of salt being the being infraction. Horrible service unless you're slipping them plenty extra. I will never go back.
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I'll have to concur with the karam's reccomadation.
My mom, sister and I were driving around bay ridge about three years ago and wanted something middle eastern. We drove by karam's and have been frequenting it since!
I live in staten island but always travel home via brooklyn so I can stop by and grab a bite when coming home from school. In fact I had a chicken swarma and three rice filled grape leaves for dinner yesterday! delish. As soon as I can smell the wonderful fragances the food produces, it puts a smile on my face.
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I live in Bay Ridge and eat out a lot. My favorites are Pearl Room, 82nd and 3rd (they have a varied menu), great food expensive. For Italian the scene place is Areo on 85th and 3rd which I think is overrated. Gino's on 75th and 5th, which is a pizzeria and has a restaurant in the back is always crowded and serves up delicious Italian food at reasonable prices. For Chinese Food you have Mr. Tang on 76th and 3rd, good food. For exceptional Chinese food Lai Yuen on 101 and 4th but is very expensive. For the best burgers you have Skinflints on 79th and 5th. Enjoy.
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Here's my Bay Ridge faves:
Best Delivered Italian-
Jean Danet's on Fifth Avenue (great brick oven pizza in addition to their bakery offerings)
Nino's on Third Avenue--Great everything, Grandma's Pizza is awesome as well as the Philly Cheesesteak's (CASH ONLY)
Vesuvio's on Third Avenue--Wonderful pasta, great pizza.
Best Diner with parking lot:
Tiffany's Diner, 4th Avenue--Huge menu, not all winners. But for a brunch place with parking, total life saver! My favorite is the Belgian waffles with fresh strawberries on top--and the coffee carafe they bring to the table if you ask. Keep the coffee coming! Oh, and the Yankee Bean soup is really great (Saturday Soup). Nice view of the various Bay Ridge parades as they get to the Park at Shore and 4th Ave . . . .
Great Burgers:
Griswold's Pub on Third Avenue
Sinful Bakery:
Little Cupcake on Third Avenue: I have dreams now of cupcakes after eating there. Last dream had Bill Murray asking for more cupcakes. Have no idea why it was Bill Murray.
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As charming as Little Cupcake's atmosphere is, the cupcakes just really aren't all that great. It took me a while to sample all of them (because, really, I'd like my hips to not expand), but the cupcakes themselves were on the dry side and the icing so sweet, it made my sweet tooth hurt. Except for the icing on the chocolate cloud - it was blessedly lighter. That icing is the places only saving point.
However, the other desserts there are lovely. The Blueberry cobbler comes to mind. And the coffee is quite nice. :)
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There are several very good places in Bay Ridge. Nouvelle for Asian food; Amelia's Ristorante for superb Italian, Banana Leaf for Malaysian, and there's an old fashioned soda fountain with great ice cream and sandwiches, I think it's called Hincsh's.
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I love Hinsch's. It's a real throwback. Great burgers and awesome homemade ice cream. They close around 7 P.M. though. I also used to like this place Chianti on 3rd and 86th, I haven't been there for a few years though.
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Chianti is still there. Very charming staff. And Gnochetti to die for!
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Just had dinner at Saint Germain's on 83rd(?) and 3rd Ave, next to Amelia's. Fantastic. Had the duck with a lovely berry sauce and brown rice pilaf. The duck was wonderfully tender with a nice crust and the sauce, while obviously sweet, did not overpower the duck as sometime happens with game meat. The use of brown rice for the piliaf lent a nice nuttiness to the dish as well. The atmosphere was refreshingly casual (I went in with jeans). And for a single girl having dinner alone, the staff didn't make me feel like I was an oddball (as some places have done). The gentleman serving also seemed to be the owner, but that's my guess.
All in all, I found it charming. Made me wish I wasn't too full for dessert!
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My Bay Ridge choices...
Wings- Kettle Black
Decent bar scene and food- Cebu
Romantic Spot- Tuscany Grill
Great "Red Sauce" Italian- Gino's
Banana Leaf- Malaisian
Pizza Take Out- Pizza Wagon
Tanoreen- Middle Eastern
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thot Banana Leaf closed.
For Malaysian, think the closest is now Belacan Cafe, 61st and 7th.
and what about Karam's and Mazza Plaza for schwarma and other more casual mideastern treats?
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I just went to Karam and tried the Sujok (spicy lamb and beef sausage) sandwhich.
My mouth is so happy right now. It was spicy, but just enough to keep it tingly, but not overpower the taste of the meat. Perfectly spiced and flavorful. It was enhanced with, I think, pickled beets and this tangy yogurt sauce.
Just what this chilly night called for!
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Banana Leaf is long gone, replaced by Bamboo Stick. Sampled a few dishes on their menu and was disappointed - not the same old Banana Leaf.
Al Salaam - on 5th Avenue and 72nd Street - it's the store with a white bird on their sign. This is a middle eastern store also serves some cooked items. My family loves their spicy sojouk platter, and if you walk in all the way to the back, they have a fresh meat section, and you can purchase the spicy sojouk and other meats by the pound. Everytime I stop by, always get their kofta mix with parsley and onions which they prepare fresh for you. Their chicken tawouk (sp?) cubes are also good, I just skewer the cubes when I get home and store in the freezer or fridge (depending on how soon I wish to cook them).
Also like, Tanoreen, Sally and George's (on 3rd Ave and 78th/79th St), Kettle Black, Bay Leaf, and my daughter loves the pizza from Papa's Pizza on 5th Avenue and 83rd Street.
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Where's the love for Piazza Mercado? Not a restaurant, but an Italian grocery/butcher shop with excellent deli prepared foods (stuffed and pickled things, rice balls etc) and great bread. I read somewhere they're some relationship to Royal Crown bakery.
Sometimes by the checkout there's stuffed figs, grilled in a pizza oven, in plastic clamshells. Ay diosa!
3rd Ave between 92nd and 93rd, I think
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its owned by the Royal Crown people, and its a real enthusiast's operation. they have always had something unique on offer, in addition to very high quality generally Just sorry I am not in the nabe more to go there.
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AGNANTI is an outstanding Greek Taverna style restaurant in Bay Ridge. The food is delicious, the service friendly and helpful, the prices very reasonable.
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Welcome to the neighborhood! I have to take some exception to the suggestions above- sorry guys. Chinese food is one notch above Park Slope- but still not up to par. Mr Tangs is awful and so is Lai Yuen. Burger at Salty Dog or Cebu are way better than Skinflints these days. Karam is indeed wonderful- though I have been hearing about Mazza lately and have yet to try it. If you get the chicken, make sure you ask for the garlic sauce.Try the octopus at Spartan Souvlaki. Take out at Paneantico is a must. The sashimi omakasi at Nouvelle can be as good as many of the places I ate at in Tokyo. Tanoreen is always crowded but worth the wait. Breakfast at Pegasus (and they have the best turkey burgers in town). I have been liking the new Indian restaurant called Himalayan Cove. When you simply cant decide, try Nature's Grill- they have an extensive menu that is not all healthfoody. Best pizza so say my kids is Peppinos ( next door to Tanoreen).You will not go hungry in Bay Ridge!!!
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I would have to say Grandma's on 3rd Avenue is my favorite pizza in the 'hood. I'm very fond of the pasta fagioli and salads at Vesuvio, the pizza isn't quite as good. LOVE Nouvelle. Bay Sushi on Bay Ridge Ave is also decent (and a block away from me, so I tend to hop over there a lot). I've had delivery from Kim Chee a couple of times-- it seems a little pricey for what it is, but I've liked everything I've had from them. Paneantico's breads and sandwiches are terrific-- I don't love their pastries, they don't measure up to Court Pastry or some of the other old school Italian bakeries. I really like the cupcakes at Little Cupcake Bakeshop, although I can see why others might think they're too sweet.
Can anyone recommend some good Chinese in the Ridge? I haven't found anything too appealing so far.
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The best Chinese food I''e found so far in Bay Ridge is Chopstix, on 5th Ave. between 84th/85th. Despite the cheesy name and plastic-franchise-looking exterior, they actually make pretty decent food - definitely a cut above the standard greasy take-out places you see everywhere. A particular favorite of ours is the spicy Szechuan cucumbers, authentic and delicious!
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I am a big fan of 86 Noodle. They have some really great wonton soups. Though I am not a fn of Americanized Chinese food, at least they use a pretty high quality of food. And the dumplings are just great. :)
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Also, try for some real home-style cooking- O'sullivan's 89th Street, really good food at affordable prices.
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I do not think that any of the Chinese restaurants are particulary good but the one of choice is on 3rd between 85th and 86th for one reason- they are really really nice.
Had an amazing dinner from Mazza Plaza last night. Might be my new favorite rotisserie chicken...
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im new to chowhound too!!! it's nice to see there are so many bay ridge hounds, great!
i only moved to BR about half a year, having really spend a lot of time dining out within the area, at least havent tried some of those big brother like areo, safia, greenhouse etc...
personally, i like cappaccino cafe (jes, i cant spell these days), the old les babouches (it's now closed :(), nouvelle and mythai (formerly les babouches).
lookin for a decent authentic chinese restaurant too within BR
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been living in Bay Ridge for awhile and these are some places with good food in my opinion:
For Italian - For takeout DEFINITELY Vesuvio. The best white clam sauce in the 'hood. I also frequent a little known place on 4th and 88th called Pietro's Tratoria. Delicious.
For burgers, wings, (bar food) - Kettle Black. Have never had anything bad from there and their onion rings are amazing.
For Chinese - I am always a little disappointed with the Chinese, but I suppose my favorite would be the one on 3rd between 85th and 86th, east side of the street.
For Mexican - Mezcal's on 3rd off of 75th. There is no other good Mex in Bay Ridge.
Also good is Circle's on 3rd and about 90th.
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Agree w/Josh L re: Karam, Le Maison du Cous Cous and Areo, but would DEFINITELY add:
"Tanoreen" and "The Mediterranean Store", both on 3rd Ave for middle eastern.
Gino's on 75th & 5th for Italian
Polonica on 3rd & 72nd for cheap, hearty Polish
Also, Royal Crown Panini in Bensonhurst is pretty wonderful - eat in or take out.
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Don't forgret the Family Store on 3rd and 69th St for delicious Middle Eastern takeout and The Spartan Cafe on 8th Ave and 69th St for tasty, inexpensive Greek food.
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YES, YES, YES to TANOREEN. Probably the best restaurant in ALL of Bay Ridge. There is just no one who makes baba ganouj better!!
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Greek- Agnanti
Pizza- Pizza Wagon
Chinese- Dragon china
Japanese- Dish
Indian- Taj Mahal
Bagels- bagel Boy
Mediteranean- Samia
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Hi and welcome to Bay Ridge, but sssshhh don't tell anybody about it!!
These are the places I love:
O'Sullivans has a great great burger
Nino's pizza
Janet Danet bakery
Tanoreen
St. Germaine's for Sunday brunch is great
Pegasus diner is the best in Bay Ridge to me (Sorry, Tiffany's is gone I guess the neighborhood needed another bank)
Chef with Sole is a nice fish store
Ponte Vecchio a must for Italian (expensive, but no more than Areo)
For Chinese I love 86 Noodles. Their dumplings and noodle soups are cheap and delicious.
Walk, run or bike it all off on the beautiful Shore Road path along the Belt Parkway
Although not food, HOM on 3rd Avenue is a great place for browsing and buying decorative items to feather your nest.
Enjoy.
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Does anyone know where the cook of Amelia's Ristorante is working now??? The restaurant was on 3rd Avenue in Bay Ridge and I loved his way of cooking. I think his name was Ken Deiner. Where is he working now???
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