Local Review: To-B-Thai

Recent review of To-B-Thai at Beverly off Church Ave (down the block from Walgreens).

My meal Saturday night in Kensington, at the unpretentious To-B-Thai, was like falling in love, but less complicated and more satisfying. You know what I mean. We started with a crisp yet succulent Mango Salad, followed by the most sublime excuse for Curry Puffs that have ever fallen from heaven. Seriously. I was tingling in places that haven’t tingled in decades. It was only the strict restraint of my dining companions that prevented me from ordering two more plates of puffs and retreating to a private table. Gratefully, I succumbed to their guidance and held off until my Pad Kee-Mow arrived. How can I possibly convey the ecstasy of these noodles? Is meltingly firm even possible? Fresh basil, a brisk kiss of cilantro, and a squeeze of lemon gently lift this dish out of the realm of the merely lascivious and into the sublime. If it weren’t for the gasps of pleasure coming from the next table, I might have been self-conscious about my dining experience; instead, the small room was soon infused with a buzzy contentment.
If you will not do it for me (and you should; I am a nice person, and as deserving of good luck as anyone,) then do it for yourself. Support this fine family restaurant to insure that Kensington will continue to have Thai that I maybe wouldn’t die for, but might just kill.

After we take a cold shower we're ordering from To-B-Thai!

Old Brick

From the inbox:

Just wanted to let you and the readers of the blog know we went to Old Brick w some neighborhood friends last Friday night and had a great experience. I'd never been there before and didn't know the owners but we thought we'd give it a try and were glad we did. The food was awesome and the owners Eddie and Mike were really nice. They even asked if they could take some pictures of us to include on the website they are creating b/c they want to reach out to the entire community. I said to them I was always sort of hesitant to go in b/c I heard it was a social club and they laughed and said no its just friends and family who are coming to support the business. The food they said is actually all their Grandmother's recipes that they have to call back to Macedonia to get! Also both Mike and Eddie we learned live in the neighborhood with their families so I hope you can post this in support. Also I've attached a few pics from Mike (I asked him to send them to me for the blog which he had heard about). Hope you'll post in support of a good local restaurant since I know we are so in need of them. (Try the goulash, burekas or chevapi kebab when you go). I'm pretty happy to have tried Old Brick and think the readers of the blog would like it too.

X from Albemarle

I know what we're doing this weekend!

Old Brick now selling Smoodies

Old Brick makes us feel a little better about our various spelling errors by adding summer SMOODIES to thier menu! All kidding aside we're kind of excited to try a mojito smoothie!

To-B-Thai

Old Regina's is in fact forming into another Thai restaurant. We haven't been over with the camera but saw some guys moving in equipment and the new *fancy* sign. Also noticed will trolling the K-town listings that the entire building is for sale. We can't seem to locate the listing at the moment but hopefully we'll have it up soon. So, how do we all feel about yet another Thai place?

Suggested Menu Items at Old Brick

We don't know jack about Balkan food but when we've visited Old Brick we liked the coffee as well as the decor. Thankfully, for all you non-vegetarians, we received some information on items to order at the Old Brick. From a local:
Try the cevapi (grilled minced lamb - similar to sausage), burek (savory pies, filled with meat or cheese), and mixed salad (cucumber, tomato, onion, feta). My husband also enjoyed their pasulje (sp?) & beef (beans & beef), fresh warm bread, and a delicious macchiato.

Go, eat, enjoy!

Thai Tony's - Gothamist Review

Gothamist beat us to the punch on the review of Thai Tony's which is fine by us since we like to see the hood get a little press. You can find the full review here. Make sure to comment at Gothamist and tell the people about good ole Kensington/ Lower Windsor Terrace. (You could also mention that we need more restaurants!)

Thai Tony’s
3019 Fort Hamilton Parkway
(near East 2nd Street)
Brooklyn
(718) 436-6932

Ambrosia Restaurant

Ever wonder about that weird sign across from the Subway with the fake flames depicting a brick oven? Yeah, us too! Which is why we were glad to find this in the in-box today.

I took my mother-in-law there for Mothers day and was suprised at how good the food is. Like the Old Brick, this is run by Albanians and even had a special menu for members of the Albanian Soccer Team with what I assume were home country-type dishes. They have been in the area for around 4 years but renovated some months ago to very good effect. They have a liquor license and a nicely furnished lounge when you walk in, with the restaurant in the back that included an outdoor area.

My husband and I had chicken noodle soup, which was clearly freshly homemade and tasted it. I also had an excellent green salad - something that can be done so poorly - this was fresh, well presented, and dressed with a sharp, lively vinaigrette. Both my shrimp cocktail (with their own recipe cocktail sauce) and my husband's seafood pasta were extremely fresh and tasty.

The wait staff is part of the family, not professional, but charming and friendly.

Well thanks for the tip! We've never been but have always been curious so this is good to know. Anyway, we love tips so send 'em along to kensingtonbrooklyn@gmail.com.

Old Brick Cafe Open?!?

We just passed the Old Brick Cafe on our way home and noticed the doors are open, the bar (from afar) seemed stocked with coffee and a guy was milling about outside with an apron. Have they decided to open as a cafe and forgo the beer/ wine license or where they granted one?

Later
When we walked in there were 5 men at the bar all sipping espresso. The guy behind the bar was talking to one of them with his back to us and (who we assume was) the boss called in from the street "you have a customer". We asked for a menu and he said they didn't have any yet but would be serving sandwiches, salads, coffee and drinks. We asked about beer and wine and he said maybe by the end of the week. We'd be surprised about the beer and wine because of the community opposition but we've been wrong before. Regardless, maybe it was because of the rumours we've heard about this place slated to be a Yugoslavian social club but even though we weren't like the people sitting there having coffee we didn't feel unwelcome. The guy behind the bar smiled twice and seemed OK... Plus even if it is a Yugoslavian social club if the doors are open we can still go in! Try it out and see how it goes then let us know so we can tell everybody.

Old Brick Cafe, Church Ave near E5th St.

Brooklyn Bread

Gothamist posted a bit on the best bread in Brooklyn today. Although none of the places listed are within the Kensington boundries most are within biking distance.

A longtime resident of Kensington has told us that the best bread in our neck of the woods use to be at a place on Church which closed down years ago. Now our friend goes to Scotto's for the twisty bread with the seeds.

I've been to Scotto's a few times and liked the bread and italien cookies but felt the deserts and cakes were just so so... cheap but nothing to really write home about. Any opinions out there on good neighborhood bread or Scotto's?

Scotto's Bakery & Pastry Inc
3807 13th Ave (at 35th Street)
Brooklyn, 11218

One More Misc., Donuts?

We saw this blurb on Gothamist today about Brooklyn's best donuts (The Donut Revolution Lives in Brooklyn) which got us thinking... Are there any good donut places close by? We didn't know about Kosher Cream until very recently and are now huge fans. So, any suggestions?

Fort Hamilton Happenings

Got this from a commentor who we're assuming to be the proprietor of Thai Tony's

We will start serving homestyle Thai cooking starting this Tuesday, May 8th. We will do dine in, take out and delivery service. Soon after we will add on little outdoor seating in the front of the restaurant. Please come and join us on grand opening day. Our address is 3019 Ft Hamilton Pkwy between E2/E3. The phone number is 718-436-6932.

Someone else mentioned that the building going up on the corner of Fort Hamilton and East 3rd will house a Dunkin' Donuts. No word yet on the authenticity of the rumor but we're meeting with a representative from di Blasio's office on Wednesday and will be sure to ask.

Thai Tonys on Fort Hamilton

Though it's still in the construction phase we spoke to (who we think may be) an owner recently who said the new Thai restuarant on Fort Hamilton will include indoor and outdoor seating. I'm not sure about opening dates or menus but the sign went up today!

On a side note it looks like the hair salon next door to Thai Tonys also got a floor recently. We're not too sure what's happening w the space neighboring the hair salon since the 'For Rent' sign is still up yet our calls on rent price went unanswered.

Kosher Cream: A Taste Test

I spotted Klein's Kosher Cream a few weeks back but got the chance for a taste test over the weekend. What you see here is a non-dairy mint chocolate chip and a dairy mint chocolate chip. Can you guess which one is which?* Even if you don't care about dairy or non-dairy we found the cream and non-cream enjoyable and delicious! Plus at $2 and $2.50 neither cone broke the bank (although I'm sure Weds. at Carvel's 2 for 1 is a bit more economical). My friend here and I both recommend it! (Side note: My friend said it helped with his hangover... it was someone's birthday and the celebration might have lasted longer then expected on Saturday evening).

Klein's Kosher Ice Cream
3614 15th Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11218

*(Non-dairy on left, dairy right)

Taste of Kensington (kinda)

I've never been here and to be honest just found this review a few minutes ago at NY Mag.
Café K
4110 Eighteenth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11218
near 4th St.
718-438-1859

Here's a blurb from the review:

This kosher, dairy- and meat-free restaurant focuses on salads, fish, and pasta. The limited but fresh catch is served simply—grilled, with salt and pepper, and an optional squeeze of lemon.

Taste of Kensington

Interested in a little Pakistani or Bengali food? Jhinuk and Sugandha on McDonald Ave off Church are great places to try. We dig the samosa and lentil bread (we're veggie) but the steam tables are yummy too (and frequently replenished as you'll see from the mass of clients in and out) and you'll get a little side salad with your meal. Be sure to ask for the green sauce.

Many days after this post found a review of Jhinuk at NY Mag

Kosher Cream!

Behind that large building on Church Ave there is a small ice cream parlour next door to it's distributing center. This may be Boro Park but it's close enough... I think the address is like 36th St. and 15th Ave but I gotta check it again. Anyway, kosher ice cream is worth a try and they even have vegan cream (is that an oxymoron?) check out the site!

Klein's Kosher Ice Cream
3614 15th Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11218

Neighborhood Restuarants

New Diner on Church Ave (just west of McDonald)
Faros Restaurant

From a local "We went last Sunday and had a very good and reasonably priced breakfast at Faros. Great omelettes and pancakes, etc. coffee was ok. Big menu."

Neighborhood Restuarants

Gothamist reviewed the following in a posted entitled A Torta Grills in Brooklyn

Torteria Del Valle
727 Coney Island Ave.
Brooklyn
718.469.4179