Sweetwater French American Bistro Brunch

File Sweetwater under places I’ve walked by a million times without going in…which as it turns out was a huge mistake. Especially since the French American Bistro has been around for 20 years.

I wanted to be close by the local Equinox and some of the shops in the area and Streetwater on North 6th hit the mark location and menu wise. Aside from a fair amount of choices on their menu they offered a number of yummy sounding Brunch specials.

It was a coin-toss between the Potato Pancakes and the Omelette special of the day made with Mushrooms, Spinach and Goat Cheese. I chose the later and it was one of the best Omelettes I’ve enjoyed in a while. It came with a side salad of tossed greens and potatoes with red peppers. I was particularly impressed by how much it was stuffed with the Mushrooms, Spinach and Goat Cheese.

As I sat at the bar I noticed the bartender was making Aperol Spritz’s and Espresso Martini’s non-stop with no Bloody Mary’s in sight. Which on the one hand felt odd but on the other in Williamsburg woke isn’t an adjective…it’s clearly a way of life.

Aside from the weak drinking done by the crowd I really liked Sweetwater and will definitely be back to work by way through their menu and try one of their Bloody Mary’s. Of note, they have a back garden.

Sweetwater is located at 105 North 6th Street

Unregular Pizza West 37th

My neighborhood is sadly fairly lacking for solid Pizza joints. Thus, when I saw that Unregular Pizza opened up a spot in-between work and home I picked up some of their tasty goods on a night I didn’t feel like cooking.

As I was craving Chicken Parm and they have a few versions I got the one with Vodka Sauce. I also decided to get a slice of their square Grandma style pizza. Though known for the Bufala mozz slice I decided on their Diavolona which is their Pepperoni slice w spicy honey.

As you can see the slice is good sized and fairly well covered with Pepperoni. While the hero wasn’t that big, at $13 with good quality chicken and mozz it was still a good value.

Unregular Pizza is definitely a good addition to the neighborhood, if anything I wish they had a location further east.

Unregular Pizza is located at 14 West 37th Street and additional locations in NYC

Han Bat Lunch Special

I’ve passed Han Bat numerous times on my way home, usually at night and it was always busy. On my way to a meeting I was in the vicinity and decided it was time to check it out.

The menu is full of classic Korean dishes and during the week they have a lunch special where you get an appetizer, entree and of course a number of mini starters including kimchi, potato salad, rice noodles and a few more for only $20.95 ($28.95 for dinner).

You choose from five entrees and as many mini-stews as your side dish. The menu accommodates carnivores, vegetarians and pescatarians. I decided on the Kimchi Jjigae (kimchi w pork) with the Beef Bulgogi that came with broccoli for some healthy green power. A steamer full of rice crusted to the bottom comes with the meal.

Everything was delicious and a great deal quality and price wise. In an area jam packed with very good Korean restaurants Han Bat is a worthy addition and its right outside of KoreaTown, so while busy, the wait likely not as long at night and easy to get a table at lunch.

Han Bat is located at 53 West 35th Street

Manousheh’s Lebanese Combo Meals

While I am a carnivore and almost always choose protein vs vegetarian meals… the Falafel in a wrap with pickles and mint two things I love caught my eye.

At Manousheh they do Falafel a bit different. Instead of frying it into balls they layer it in their wraps as a spread adding tomatoes, mint, pickled turnip and tahani.

Manousheh’s add a salad and drink for only $5 is maybe the best +$ for a combo in town. Not only is the salad portion large it even comes with a beverage. From a choice of three salads I choose the Avocado Zaatar Salad (w tomatoes and olives) and for my drink their Rose Lemonade. Both delicious.

Definitely add Manousheh to your Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Lebanese, Lower East Side, wraps, salads and lemonade lists.

Manousheh is located at 403 Grand Street

Fumo Pasta Lunch Special… Kips Bay

One of the best lunch specials I’ve come upon recently that is not a prix fixe meal is the $12 for any pasta dish at Fumo a cute spot with a bar in Kips Bay. They do offer a full menu with your usual suspect Italian menu options and a number of pizzas.

On my first visit I couldn’t decide on one from their selection of nine. The variety is pretty impressive ranging from your red sauced based to cream sauces, meat, seafood and a vegan option.

I decided instead of being safe with Baked Ziti or Spaghetti and Meatballs to try their Spaghetti with Clam Sauce to and the Carbonara. Both were excellent and as you can see from the picture above good sized portions.

On my last visit I started working my way through their red sauce options and had their Chicken Parm hero which was solid and came with a very good side salad.

Fumo is a great addition to the neighborhood and as they have five locations meant to be a local spot. Definitely a great spot before a movie at the AMC 15, a causal date or meal with friends. They were serve brunch, lunch, dinner and I believe even have a Happy Hour.

Just keep in mind…if you can’t decide on the pastas plan on bringing one or some of both home unless you’re carbing up to run a marathon afterwards.

Fumo is located at 415 3rd Ave with additional locations in NYC

Brujos Brooklyn Taco Co. Birra Torta

Birra Torta

Graham Street in Williamsburg has become a fave for me due to the variety of restaurants, shops and bakeries on it or right by it. Craving Mexican of which there are a number dotted along this street, Brujos Brooklyn Taco was close by to other places I was hitting and I liked its menu.

I grabbed a seat at the bar which was a bit of a tease due to their selection of Margaritas and cocktails…but it was a but early to start drinking and I still needed to hit the gym. They have a fairly large menu with the usual suspects. Though they have lunch special’s I decided on their Tortilla Soup to start and the Birra Torta for my entree.

Their bowl of soup was good sized and one of the better renditions I’ve had recently with a savory broth and loaded with corn, avocado, cheese and tortillas. I was going to get Birra tacos but when I saw it was available as Torta (Mexican sandwich) figured it would be less messy, which it was.

Brujos Brooklyn Taco is a superior spot for Mexican food that is fairly priced with nice sized portions and high quality delicious dishes. Now i just need to try their beverages…

Brujos Brooklyn Taco Company is located at 333 Graham Street

Goku Kitchen Noodles, Dumplings, and Dragon Ball Z!

Goku Kitchen is not so much an only in NYC spot as much as a typical in Tokyo joint. This place belongs more in the East Village than FiDi but on Cedar Street it is.

The food is a mix of Japanese Noodle Soups, and a variety of Dumplings that include Dim Sum and Gyoza. Prices are fairly gentle at $13.95 for entrees and Appetizers in the $7.95 range.

I got the Braised Beef Noodle soup and the Steamed Pork n Chive dumplings. Both were good so this place isn’t just a theme restaurant. However you do get what you pay. So while the beef dish came with a fair amount the quality of the meat was just ok, a bit fatty for me.

As for the theme it lives up to its name with Dragon Ball Z figures adorning the Dragon Ball Z wallpapered walls. The music I’m guessing comes from the show since it’s a bit like a loud crazy video game.

Overall finding good spots for Japanese Noodle Soups and Dumplings in FiDi is challenging so worth popping in for takeout or a quick bite.

Goku Kitchen is located at 26 Cedar Street

Tangy Noodles Murray Hill

Tangy Noodles out of Hell’s Kitchen just opened a new location in Murray Hill. It’s a fast causal spot with a minimalist interior. Thus seating is available but clearly more geared for take out.

Tangy Noodles menu is comprised primarily of noodle dishes with a variety of proteins, dumplings, usual suspect appetizers like spring rolls and entrees like Mapo Tofu and stir fried Chicken w Peppers. While many of the dishes have a red chili next to them on the menu denoting heat…there are plenty of dishes for those who can’t stand the proverbial heat.

I decided on the Braised Beef noodle soup with bok choy, half an egg, and house made thick noodles. This soup wasn’t simply tangy, the broth was pretty spicy even by my standards. I needed a side order of white rice to absorb the heat. Having said that I really enjoyed the dish and it had a fair amount of beef in it.

While Murray Hill does have a fair amount of very good Chinese restaurants already I still welcome this new edition to the hood. looking forward to working my way through the menu.

Tangy Noodles is located at 519 Third Avenue

Susukino Ramen and Sake on Water Street

I’m always on the look out for new spots, especially down in FiDi since choices for certain cuisines are fairly lacking. For instance the food of Japan is surprisingly literally hard to find.

So when I saw Susukino Ramen and Sake as I was walking my I made a mental note to check it out. As luck would have it lunch with a business partner presented itself and we headed over.

They just opened so as of now the menu is fairly limited. They offer a few Ramens, some Rice dishes and a number of Sushi Rolls. Their lunch special of a bowl of Ramen with a Sushi Roll and side of pickles is a great deal at $20.00.

I love Ramen and Sushi so I got the Chashu with a Spicy Tuna roll and my friend who doesn’t eat seafood got the Chicken Shoyo and a Spicy Yellowtail for me. It’s a solid bowl of ramen and the rolls were pretty good as well. Though ramen isn’t a mainstay of my friends diet she enjoyed it and said we can add it to the close enough by the office spots for lunch list.

Susukino Ramen is a great addition to the neighborhood so if looking for Ramen and Sushi rolls definitely check it out. As for the Sake though I do love it…will have to check it out another time. Also hoping they expand their menu to offer sushi by the piece…hint hint.

Susukino Ramen and Sake is located at 34 Water Street

Suzume Asian Fusion Lunch Specials

While looking for a new place to check out for lunch on a Friday in Williamsburg I came upon Suzume. Friday to Sunday they offer lunch specials along with a la carte menu items (closed on Tuesday, M, W, Thursday dinner only).

The menu is Asian fusion primarily Hawaiian, Japanese and Filipino. The lunch specials offer Salmon, Fish or Chicken with an appetizer and Bok Choy and rice. I decided to go healthy with the grilled Salmon that came with a spicy bowl of miso soup and a California Roll. I also ordered a bowl of vegetable soup since the bowl it comes with is small and I was hungry.

The piece of Salmon though small was very good as well as the Bok Choy and rice. The spicy miso and vegetable soup both very flavorful.

I generally don’t care for California rolls since I think they are for people that don’t really know or like sushi. However, here they do them with real crab and tobiko making it my favorite part of the meal. I shared that with one of the owners and they told me they are going to add more rolls to the menu come this Spring.

Suzume is a cute little spot with tasty food, interesting sounding cocktails and a friendly staff. I’ll be back for the lunch specials but I’m really looking forward to see what other rolls they offer.

Suzume is located at 545 Lorimer Street, Williamsburg Brooklyn