Queen

**Thanks to Brooklyn Heights Blog for posting this Queen review on their site! If you're new to Stuff I Ate, swing by my Facebook page (here!) and click 'like' to share your favorite Brooklyn, NYC, and other spots! Also, my linkwithin widget is funky today, so click  here to see my other Brooklyn Heights faves-- and leave a comment on YOURS!**

We have a new favorite restaurant in Brooklyn Heights: Queen!
This is especially delicious considering 2 of our favorites in that area closed (Ciao, La Traviata-- I miss your shrimp fra diavolo!)

That's just about all you need to know when it comes to Queen, a long-standing Italian restaurant on Brooklyn's busy Court Street. It's less than a 2 minute walk from a bevy of subway lines, so you really have no excuse for not trying it!

Right off the bat, you get this gorgeous, complimentary plate of carby delights, with a vinegar/olive oil combo on the side for dipping.
(Note--they make their own mozzarella-- and you can order a Caprese salad even though it's not on the menu-- notes for next time!)

Crispy flatbreads, crunchy breadsticks, fresh, fluffy Italian (white)bread, a darker version, and the star-- this delicious chewy and soft riff on bruschetta, crowned with a garlicky tomato sauce that just about sang. They offered us more, but we showed some restraint and demurred. I really wanted to have room for dessert, and I could easily make a meal out of that bruschetta.

We each had a glass of wine as well-- a fruity Merlot for ABF, a luscious Nero d'Avola (only $8!) for me. Perfect!

My friend J insisted that the eggplant parmigiana was the go-to dish. I don't normally order that, but on her recommendation I decided to give it a try. Holy deliciousness. Do you see that gorgeous dish? Tender, thin slices of eggplant-- not the thick, heavy,clunky versions you might have had elsewhere, cloaked in a thin, oozy layer of cheese, and of course, red sauce. I took home the leftovers for lunch the next day, and it was even better.

ABF ordered the chicken parmigiana. Why not go with some classic dishes to test this place's chops? His chicken was surprisingly juicy and tender, and I had at least two bites of this. It came with a side dish of perfectly-cooked penne with a different (yet even more delicious) red sauce. Both dishes-yum!
ABF had checked out pictures on the website that make the portions look teeny-tiny, precious, even, but we both saw for ourselves that they are huge!

The waiter told us they make their own desserts at Queen, so we both saved room. I went with the apple tart, which comes with cinnamon gelato. The tart was clearly homemade, light and delicious. The gelato was much milder than I expected- I wanted a little more cinnamon, but it was still creamy and tasty.

ABF went for the ricotta cheesecake, one of his favorite desserts overall. I've never been a fan of the texture-- I like my cheesecakes dense, heavy, and tangy. This, however, was great. I'm not saying I'd order it myself, but if you like ricotta cheesecake, you will LOVE theirs, which comes with a tangy zig zag of two fruit purées-- kiwi and strawberry this time.

We went all out on this meal, wrapping with cappuccinos (decaf for me). Everything about this meal was lovely from first bite to final sip. The staff were just as welcoming to us as to the many customers who were clearly regulars. I can't wait to go back-- and try the homemade mozzarella!

Queen
84 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 596-5955

Follow @Lkpnyc

Food Truck Friday: Mtblls!

Welcome, new visitors, to Stuff I Ate! I'd love for you to like my Facebook page (click HERE!) and share the fun!

No, I didn't skip any letters-- that's how the Mtblls truck spells its name! You won't care about spelling though when you get a taste of their product--what's not to love about meatballs?

You can choose from beef, chicken, or veggie meatballs, and get them on baguettes, slider rolls, or with focaccia bread. The sauces are tomato, francese (lemon), or romesco (tomatoes/red peppers). Nothing is more than 10 bucks at this truck, so file this baby under Cheap Eats!

I ordered the 'pair of balls' (You're welcome, Mom) for $7-- two beef meatballs with tomatoc sauce, ricotta and parmagiana reggiano cheese, normally paired with focaccia bread. It comes in a nice, leakproof box, and was still warm by the time I got back up to my desk.
They were out of focaccia, so they gave me a slider roll instead. I was disappointed at first, but that slider bread is FAB! Soft, chewy, so good! I ate every last bit of it, and used it to sop up the deliciousy zingy sauce, which had a wonderful heat in the background but was not overly hot.

I thought the meatballs were great-- chewy but not tough, well-seasoned, and just enough to tide me over before going out to a fancypants dinner later that night. Follow them on Twitter- @mtblls to find out where they'll be each day.

Follow @Lkpnyc

Il Melograno

Someone once raved so long and so lovingly over Il Melograno (Italian for pomegranate) that I couldn't wait to try it. Okay, I waited a few years. I'm a busy person!
A friend I hadn't seen in some time was in town, and I thought I'd try a new spot for both of us (note: maybe never do that again). We walked right into Il Melograno for a 630p reservation. They offered us a two-top squeezed in right by the kitchen/entrance, which seemed a little busy, so I asked if we could have a table in the back (my second mistake). No problem!

Oh...hi, there!

It was only then that I noticed four men-- a quartet, if you will-- seated at the table right next to ours. We'd find out in about 10 minutes that this was the band playing. A foot from us. All through the meal.

Somehow over the din of the music, we managed to order. I got the special-- saffron-scented shrimp with garlic and arugula. Done. Divine. I'm not an over-the-moon-for-saffron sort. I get that it's difficult to harvest and therefore insanely expensive, but I still kind of don't get the fuss. However, the dish was fabulous, a modest but satisfying serving, and I was happy. I'm so mixing in some arugula next time I make pasta.

My friend TEN ordered the lamb ragu over freshly-made papardelle (flat, broad ribbons of pasta), with fresh peas dotting the landscape. Our pastas were tender, fresh, and wonderful.

TEN sitting very, VERY close to the band. 

The band was great, but my GOD was it loud. We had to read each others' lips and lean across our food to even hear some of our conversation. Definitely distracting, definitely not the relaxed, laid-back restaurant experience I was hoping to share with my friend!

We did enjoy our food, a bottle of wine, and even managed to laugh at the lunacy of sitting less than a foot away from a trumpet player. We were asked to leave our table at the end of our meal as they 'needed' it, and that just kind of threw me for a loop. Maybe someone loves that EXACT table? Who the hell would WANT to sit 2 feet from a gd trumpet? That ended our meal on a bitter note.

A girl & her pasta 

Something about this was just... off. Yes, the food was lovely. But the service and general atmosphere? Off. And off-putting. I'm not sure I'd go back.. maybe if I could sit as far away from the band as possible?

Il Melograno
501 W 51st St
New York, NY 10019
(212) 757-9290

Follow @Lkpnyc

Andolini's Pizza (OK)

I recently traveled to Oklahoma-- one of the 5 states (MA, RI, TX, OK, and now NY) where I have lived my fabulous life, to welcome my Very First Nephew to the world. This week's posts are all about the yumminess I got to eat while there. Hey, a girl's gotta eat, even if it's around the very demanding schedule of a baby in no particular rush to get here!

Towards the end of my trip (Nephewpalooza 2013), I went out for a meal of New York style pizza with my mother and friend of hers, who is a former New Yorker herself. They were excited to bring me to Andolini's, a pizza place started by two brothers from New York. New York style pizza in the middle of "Amurica?" Bring it to my skeptical tastebuds!

We started with the strikingly presented antipasti plate-- which came beautifully arranged prosciutto twirled to look like Roses. Prosciutto rosettes! Rich, thick, sweet balsamic vinegar was drizzled all over the plate of fresh tomatoes and mozzarella.
I happily ate some sweet briny olives and delicious roasted red peppers, but left the mushrooms for the other ladies.

You have plenty of options at Andolini's, but we ended up choosing the Vesuvio: smoked mozzarella and diced chicken breast with, of course, red sauce. I love me some red sauce! (I mean I LUUUURV it-- would happily eat it with a spoon right out of the bowl! Dinner!)

Coming from NYC, where excellent pizza is everywhere (and even the dollar-slice joints are often damn decent), I was a quite skeptical, but this pizza was delicious. The crust was light, airy, toothsome and not greasy AT all. I had two slices and enjoyed every crispy, delicious bite.

Andolini's also has some great outdoor seating on the side street, away from the busier bustle of Cherry Street. It was a bit too chilly for us to sit outside that day, but there were still a lot of people there.

Rufus would love a bite...

But the true test of Andolini's? How it fared as next-day leftovers. I heated up a slice of the Vesuvio pizza in a pan and I swear it was even more delicious. The flavors had marinated marvelously and the crust was still crispy and chewy- I can't believe how good this was. Doubting Thomas= convinced!

I couldn't get over how much the food scene certainly has changed since I lived there (more than a decade ago now), and of course, of course. If you're looking for a family-friendly spot for pizza, or just a great spot with friends or dates I give Andolini's two thumbs up. Save some red sauce for me!

Andolini's Pizza
1552 E 15th St
Tulsa, OK 74120
(918) 728-6111

Follow @Lkpnyc

Casa Nonna

I met up with That Sara the other night for a mid-week dinner-yay! We went to a restaurant that is crazy close to her house: Casa Nonna, a dark, expansive, sprawling restaurant with low lighting and interesting decor (rows of plain white plates on one wall, brass buckets on another, and ceramic rain boot sculptures under a table--just a few things we spotted there that night).

They bring out their housemade bread, a chewy, tasty focaccia with fresh rosemary, red pepper flakes and chewy pockets of what I think was cheese (whatever it was, it was delicious!) Our server brought out a pepper-free version for Sara, who's allergic to all types of peppers.

Even with the fresh rosemary (which I can only take in small doses or I feel like I'm eating a pine tree), I devoured way too much of this. Chewy, salty, tangy, and crispy with a lovely kick of heat? Yes, please.

I ordered a quartino (about 2 small glasses for $16) of their Barbera d'Alba after my first choice, the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, was gone. This was perfect. Spicy, fruity, and a great match to everything I ate.

We were pretty hungry but saving room for dessert, so we skipped the apps and went straight for entrées. Sara got the spinach ribbons with roasted mushrooms. This was fantastic--earthy, well-seasoned, and the spinach flavor really came through in the fresh noodles.

I ordered the pici, or twisted strands, with the pork and beef ragu. The sauce was very good, but the noodles were a bit chewier than I expected. Sara's dish was much better, but mine was still tasty and did the job. I'd get hers next time if I had to choose between the two.

On the house-- 2 mini meringues covered in the most delicious chocolate. The meringues were a bit crunchy, which skeeves me out texture-wise (along with malted milk balls and nails screeching down a chalkboard), but the chocolate was so good that I mostly ignored the texture. For dessert we shared the bomboloni, which are small doughnut holes soaked in limoncello syrup. Delicious! Not as heavy as I expected, and the limoncello syrup and candied orange strips were the perfect accompaniment. This was just enough to share without leaving me feel stuffed.

It's not cheap, with most entrées being over 20 dollars, but the food is well-made and it's a nice, relaxed atmosphere. I wouldn't go out of my way just yet (though I will try it again), but if you're looking for a decent meal in midtown and want to avoid Times Square or Penn Station, this is perfectly in the middle and perfectly tasty.

Casa Nonna

310 W. 38th St. (8th Ave.)

New York, NY 10018

212-736-3000

Follow @Lkpnyc

I Trulli: Second Visit

For our quarterly staff lunch (courtesy of our oh-so-generous boss, Dr S), I suggested I Trulli. We got a spacious outdoor table on a perfectly lovely afternoon.

I had it on good information (from my last visit) that the mini calzones were a must try, so we immediately ordered a few plates of both the tomato/mozzarella and the scallion/mushroom (4 per order).

The tomato/mozz were insanely delicious--that flaky, fabulous dough alone is worth the trip. I didn't care for the scallion version, though. Long, stringy bits of scallion greens that were just not for me.

I ordered the Caprese salad, which came with crispy prosciutto on top. Where has crispy prosciutto been all my life? This was outstanding. I dared to share a bite or two with neighbors, even though I wanted to gobble it all up in two seconds flat. Pace yourself!

Another colleague ordered the pumpkin soup and said it was outstanding. It smelled like everything wonderful about fall.

CJ ordered the lasagna, which looked like a stunning work of art on its own. CJ confirmed it was as delicious as it was beautiful.

I did not waver-- I knew going in that I was going to get the 'dish that got away' last time--the rigatoni with lamb meatballs and goat cheese. So good. Where do they get this goat cheese? I need more of it in my life!

A few other folks ordered the fish dishes on that day's menu and raved about how great they were. They LOOK fantastic, don't they?

This group doesn't skip dessert, either. We ordered one of almost everything and shared.

I will not be sharing the tiramisu next time. Mine! All mine!

Another standout: the apple tart! I tried that last, expecting it to be a flat disappointment, but the crust was melt-in-your-mouth wonderful, the filling perfectly spiced, and I went back for seconds. Bravo.

The second visit confirms it--I Trulli has heavenly hand-made pasta, delicious salads, and shut-your-mouth desserts. Definitely put this place on your list!

I Trulli Ristorante/Enoteca

122 E 27th St # 1

New York, NY 10016

(212) 481-7372

Follow @Lkpnyc

RW: I Trulli

I had lunch plans with two lovely ladies I know from work, and we decided to meet for a rare 'off-campus' lunch. We almost went to our usual spot, Banc, which is delicious and dependable and close to work, but Pat had a winning suggestion--Restaurant Week! I Trulli was close enough for all of us.

I got there a little early, before the restaurant side even opened. I came in at the 'enoteca entrance, where you can have lunch, a glass of wine, or some delicious cappuccino. I ordered a cappuccino, taking a few minutes to relax and enjoy a quiet moment during a busy week. The drink was smooth with a touch of bitterness (in a good way).

The young woman at the bar was very friendly and genuinely excited to hear this was my first visit. She made some recommendations from the menu (they turned out not to be on the Restaurant Week menu, but I will be coming back to try them later!) and made me feel very welcome.

We entered the beautiful dining room and got a seat right by the wood-burning fireplace. Some delicious bread (a tomato-studded version and a tangy sourdough type with a crunchy crust were our 2 options) was there, with smooth ricotta on the side instead of butter.

For the appetizer, Pat & Sabrina ordered the fennel soup. It was thick, delicious, and had a parmesan crostini placed right in the middle. Pat is an especially big fan of fennel--both ladies loved this soup.

I ordered the octopus salad, as I am quite enamored with octopus of late. However, I'm finding that a lot of the time it is so charred that all I can taste is that, the char. This was a bit too charred for me, but there were still some tender, not-too-chewy bites. It was on a bed of cauliflower and olives, a tangy counterpart.

Pat & Sabrina ordered the same entree as well: rigatoni with lamb meatballs, topped with a dollop of creamy goat cheese. Holy rigatoni, this was amazing. Sooo good. The creamy cheese was the first foil for the tangy sauce.

I ordered the zucchini parmagiana--breaded slices of zucchini (instead of, say, eggplant or chicken). This was delicious but I do wish I'd had a little more red sauce to go with it. It was greatly overshadowed by the rigatoni.

Pat & I both ordered the chocolate/cherry flourless cake. It was rich but not too dense. It was a good combo of chocolate and bits of cherry.

Sabrina ordered the nougat semi-freddo, which was almost like Toblerone ice cream. A nice flavor but not my cup of tea--I stuck with my chocolate!

The food was very good,some of it was excellent. Our server was brusque and never came back after we placed our orders--not until it was dessert time, when he asked if we wanted coffee. Not the best service, but I won't let that keep me from returning.

As we left, we saw Dora Marzovilla, the owner's mother, working in the kitchen making her famous pastas. I snapped a quick shot and made a note to self--order the pasta next time!

I Trulli Ristorante/Enoteca
122 E 27th St
New York, NY
(212) 481-7372

Follow @Lkpnyc