Find your Balance at Bijan’s Brooklyn

There’s a little place in Boerum Hill that’s offering a unique, relaxing, almost zen-like atmosphere, that you likely haven’t heard much about. Bijan’s Brooklyn on Hoyt Street is serving up Persian-inspired fare and “medicinal cocktails” unlike any other Brooklyn eatery or drinkery I’ve visited. The cocktails are mixed up to cure your ailments– like The Bijan, a concoction of vodka with pineapple, healing mint, immune-building elderflower, and cayenne, or my fave– The Red Hot Pump, with tequila, pumpkin, triple sec, cayenne, and fresh lime. It’s the real deal too– the medicinal herbs are provided by The Herb Shoppe.

The dinner menu also focuses on herbs and spices, but also simply prepared dishes. The mezes are the perfect intro to Bijan’s, like the eggplant and crushed walnuts with sumac and olive oil, served with fresh pita. I followed that with seared scallops served with heirloom tomatoes, and topped with olive oil and pine nuts. If you’ve spent one too many nights dining on bacon wrapped fried food and greasy pizzas, this spa-esque cuisine may be a good break. Plus, it’s affordable, with $6 mezes, $8 salads and $12-$19 entrees.

Check out the full menu here. I’ve yet to try brunch– but I’ll be back soon.

Weekend Plans: Garden Party Sunday at Lola Bistro

Need some plans for Sunday? Celebrate Autumn at Lola Bistro in Fort Greene. It’s part of a series of events called the Secret Garden Sessions – the Autumn Solstice Garden Party with David Shapiro on decks. Spend the day dancing and drinking– the event is sponsored by Redeberger. Check it out here. 

Must-Go Event: Brooklyn Shaken & Stirred (plus special discount!)

A Brooklyn-themed cocktail extravaganza? Surprisingly, this is not a dream I had last night. This is a REAL LIFE event happening on October 2nd 6-9pm– Brooklyn Shaken & Stirred from Brooklyn Exposed. All of your favorite local spirits brands and cocktail bars will be there; like Brooklyn Gin, Pok Pok, Fort Defiance, Brooklyn Republic Vodka, Van Brunt Stillhouse, and more, PLUS wine from Brooklyn Winery and Brooklyn Oenology and beer from Sixpoint.

Freaking out yet? Just wait a sec, you’ll have proper time to freak out after I tell you a couple more things. You’ll be able to pair your drinks with snacks from Allswell, Stone Park Cafe, Robicelli’s, Ovenly, and others. AND there’s a DJ for proper tune-age while we drink and dine.

AND now for Becoming Brooklyn readers only– a discount! Yep, that’s right. $5 for Becoming Brooklyn readers with the discount code BECOMINGBK. So get your tickets here now. I’ll see you there! 

Until then, I’ll leave you with a cocktail recipe for the image above, Calyer Royale by Greenhook Ginsmiths.

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Greenhook American Dry
.25 oz Rich Vanilla Syrup
.25 oz Laird’s Bonded Applejack
3-4 dashes Angostura Bitters

Downtown Brooklyn Dekalb Market Says Goodbye

Pig Roast. Ping Pong. Bouncy Castles… there couldn’t be a better way to say goodbye to Dekalb Market’s downtown location. The market is saying thank you to all the vendors, guests, and participants since it’s 2011 launch and throwing a closing celebration– The Good Bye Party, presented by PUMA, is THIS SUNDAY, September 30th from 3-9PM. AND it’s free.

Food vendor, Maharlika will be serving up the pig ($30 a plate) along with endless games of ping pong courtesy of PUMA, raffle giveaways, a bouncy castle for the kids and countless other specials and discounts from various vendors.As usual, you can also enjoy live music from Brooklyn bands like Monogold, Sinkane, and Dinowalrus and DJ sets by Beacon. Drop by and bid the epic location a farewell.

Get in on the Dumpling Extravaganza

Dumplings are one of those perfect foods that always seem like a better takeout option than home cooked meal. It takes skill to whip up a superb wonton. Thanks to Diana Kuan of ApetiteforChina.com and The Brooklyn Brainery, you can learn the secret behind the Asian appetizer on October 8th, 6-8pm. In a 2-hour dumpling extravaganza, you’ll learn the basics of wrapping wontons and dumplings, pan-frying, and about the versatility of the wonton.

Veggies and Carnivores welcome! The class is $33. Sign up here. 

Farmers Market Find of the Weekend 9.23.12

Vote for Butter + Love!

One of my favorite baked goods brands in Brooklyn, Butter + Love, is a finalist in the Martha Stewart American Made Awards – one of 100 companies chosen from nearly 2,000 entires! They’re down to the final six days of voting and although they’re a top contender in the food category, they need our help. Here are five reasons why you should cast your vote for Butter + Love:

1. The cookies are absolutely melt-in your mouth, buttery delicious, in unique flavors like Marionberry Rosemary Sea Salt and Blackberry Lime.

2. They make gingerbread mustache cookies.

3. They carefully select only the best ingredients, and bake everything from scratch in small batches.

4. They bake in Brooklyn.

5. Did you see their American-esque photo shoot above?

So we have until September 24th to rally the troops and get as many votes as possible. Let’s do this! VOTE HERE.

Where to Eat Right Now: Lobster Joint

Who else loves seafood? Ok, good. Then you’ll love my latest brunch trip to The Lobster Joint in Greenpoint. They’re serving up traditional New England comfort food from lobster rolls and fish and chips to a fried oyster scramble on the prix fixe brunch menu. So get this– the price fixe is $19 and you get a choice of entree coffee, and a mimosa or LOBSTER CLAW BLOODY MARY (which is essentially the reason I went in the first place). While I strongly considered lobster rancheros, I couldn’t pass up the lobster salad– piled high with succulent lobster meat, grapefruit, and avocado.

The Lobster Joint sports a modest decor, much like a New England seafood spot, with an order at the counter setup and plenty of big picnic tables out back. So I suggest you get up there before it starts getting cold. And while I was too full to indulge, the eatery also offers Cool Haus ice cream sandwiches.  Head to 1073 Manhattan Ave. soon– and don’t forget to order your lobster claw bloody mary (or two).

 

Taste Something New at The Brooklyn Local

Next Saturday, September 22nd, City Harvest will hold its second annual artisanal marketplace in Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park, The Brooklyn Local. The fundraising event will host a sampling of some of my favorite Brooklyn eats and drinks like Liddabit Sweets, Steve’s Key Lime Pie, The Good Fork, The Farm on Adderley, Brooklyn Brine, Red Hook Winery, Sixpoint Brewery and TONS more. 

There are a few ticket options for The Brooklyn Local:

Artisanal Market with over 75 vendor booths. 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tasting Tent with private seating, hosted by Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli of Frankies Spuntino and Prime Meats, will feature over 15 of Brooklyn’s best restaurants. 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Happy Hour Tent, curated by Edible Brooklyn, featuring beer, wine, and special tastings as well as musical entertainment. 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

I bought my Happy Hour Tent tickets, and you can get yours here. Of course, it’s all to benefit City Harvest’s cause to rescue food for New York’s hungry.

Drool of the Day: Huevos Oaxaca at Alma