Sometimes, you just want some straight up no-holds-barred Chinese take-out to eat while you watch the three-hour finale of “The Bachelor”.  This happens rarely enough for me that I hadn’t yet tried either of the Chinese take-out places on Washington.  But when a craving hits, it hits hard, so off to Dragon House I went.

I was really pleasantly surprised.  My order came up quickly, but not so quickly that I knew it had been just sitting around.  I got the Sweet and Sour Chicken combination, which came with pork fried rice and an egg roll, and a small egg drop soup.  Total cost: $8.45, and I got two good sized meals out of it.  Everything was piping hot when I got it home, and the chicken was shockingly moist and fresh (the sauce was even packed separately to avoid sogginess).  It certainly wasn’t, you know, legitimate Chinese cuisine, but I enjoyed eating it past the first bite and didn’t feel terrible after.  I’ve definitely paid more for worse take-out, so next time the craving strikes, to Dragon House I go!

Dragon House, 803A Washington Ave between Eastern Parkway and Lincoln, (718) 398-6968

While I consider myself a fairly adventurous eater, I don’t eat a lot of Japanese food.  Not for any particular reason, it’s just worked out that way.  I was excited to try Gen, especially because I’d heard they had a good lunch special.

The place was hopping for lunch on a Tuesday.  You can sit at tables or at the bar facing the open kitchen, and the bar was full of regulars.  I had the Tempura Soba, which was a giant bowl of soba (buckwheat noodles) in broth, with a plate of tempura shrimp and vegetables on the side.  It was a huge portion, and I’m pretty sure it cost me $8.50.  They have a lot of other lunch options, all in the $8-$12 range.  Service was quick and kind, and I really enjoyed my meal.  Looking forward to going back for dinner!

Gen, 659 Washington Ave. between St. Marks and Bergen, (718) 398-3550

I have to preface this by saying that Tom’s is literally the reason I moved to Prospect Heights.  While I was a student at NYU, I ventured to Brooklyn for the first time to see a lecture at the Brooklyn Museum.  As my classmates and I walked down (then desolate) Washington Ave. looking for something to eat, Tom’s appeared like a mirage of pancakes and flavored butter.  A couple years later when I faced finding my first adult apartment, I figured that a neighborhood that supported a place like Tom’s had to be good.  I’ve been here more than four years now, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

For all of us 20-somethings figuring out how to make our way in this cruel world, Tom’s is a lifesaver.  We go every Saturday morning to drink coffee and eat cookies while waiting in line, to open the door and see the plastic flowers and carefully hung Christmas lights, to be greeted with a kiss and a handshake by Gus, the owner (now retired, but still often seen), to eat the kind of diner food that sticks with you all day, and to leave feeling a little less alone in the world.  I also appreciate that while my table may be full of hipsters, the restaurant attracts people from all walks of life who call Prospect Heights home, from police officers to retirees.  As we tell someone new every week as they look forlornly at the line out the door, “It’s worth the wait!”

The food at Tom’s isn’t going to win any gourmet prizes, but whether it’s lemon ricotta pancakes or sausage, egg, and cheese on a roll with a chocolate egg cream, your stomach is going to leave happy.

Tom’s Restaurant, 782 Washington Ave. between St. Johns and Sterling, (718) 636-9738

Here are the links to the places on Washington I’ve already covered on the blog.  Some of these are a little dated, but they give you an idea what the places are like.

Sit and Wonder, 688 Washington Ave. between Prospect and St. Marks, (718) 622-0299

Ortine, 622 Washington Ave. between Dean and Pacific, (718) 622-0026

Last weekend I continued my Washington Avenue adventure with brunch at Taqueria de los Muertos.  The brunch deal includes entree, coffee or tea, and juice or mimosa for between $12 and $14, depending on your entree.  There is counter service for takeout, but we sat down and had pleasant, fast table service.

I had the Veracruz Benedict, a take on eggs benedict with thick corn tortillas, smoked salmon, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce.  So yummy!  My sister had the Breakfast Enchilada with scrambled eggs, chorizo, and mole sauce, also yum.  Best of all, there was no wait and the food came out fast, which for brunch is totally clutch.  I’ll definitely be coming back here to try lunch and dinner; I hear they have a great lunch special.

Taqueria de los Muertos, 663 Washington between Prospect and St. Marks

Cafe Shane is halfway between a diner and something a little nicer.  We ate in for lunch, and our experience was half and half.  The servers were nice, everything was clean, and one of the things we ordered was really good.  On the other hand, they forgot about our drinks, and the sandwich I received was neither the one I ordered, nor the one they told me it was when they dropped it.  I came away with two hypotheses: 1. They have too much stuff on their menu.  If they just tried to do what they do really well, they would still have plenty of options. 2. I think they’re more known for their breakfast and brunch, so if I go again, that’s what I’ll have.

If you go for lunch, I recommend the lamb sandwich with curry aioli on ciabatta and a side of sweet potato fries.

Cafe Shane, 794 Washington Ave. between St. John’s and Sterling, (718) 399-9001

I decided to start my eating at The Islands, which is one of those Prospect Heights standbys that everyone but me has been to.  It’s a tiny Caribbean restaurant next to the Key Food near Eastern Parkway.  Based on the suggestions on Yelp, I ordered the Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas and veggies.  There were two size options, so I picked “small.”

The food was fast and still piping hot when I got it back to my apartment a couple blocks away.  The chicken was moist and just a bit spicy, and all the delicious juices got all soaked into the rice.  It was also HUGE!  The small may have been $10, but I had two dinners out of the chicken and I’m STILL eating the leftover rice.  I’ve heard the Calypso Shrimp and Oxtail are good too, so I’ll have to go back.

The Islands, 803 Washington Ave. b/w Eastern Parkway and Lincoln, (718) 398-3575

And…we’re back! I recently left my money job, which leaves me with more time to do the things I actually like to do, like being nosy and eating.  Which leads me to…

Eating Washington Avenue!

The number of places to eat on Washington has just exploded since I first moved to the neighborhood, and it’s embarrassing how few of the restaurants I’ve tried.  Well, no longer shall I walk down my street in shame!  For the next few weeks (or longer, it may take a while), I’ll be visiting everywhere you can get food on Washington Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Atlantic Avenue.  The only rule is that it has to be a step above a bodega (I do have SOME standards).  Eat in, take out, bar food, everything counts.  I hope you’ll join me on my neighborhood food exploration!

Last year, Vanderbilt was blocked off from car traffic for four Sundays and filled with music, food, and activities for all ages.  It was so successful that they’re bringing it back this summer, with slightly different scheduling.  Vanderbilt will be closed from Dean to Park from 12:00pm to 5:00pm on:

Saturday, June 12th

Sundays June 20th and 27th

Latisha Daring, Vanderbilt Avenue Merchants District Vice President and local business owner, says, “This year, expect more! More music, more dancing, and more art, and as always, there will be plenty of surprises!”

Buttermilk Channel in Carroll Gardens is one of the restaurants I’ve been meaning to try for the past year.  We went on Saturday, and the first thing you should know is that this joint is jumpin’!  We arrived at 7:00pm and were quoted an hour and 15 minute wait (they only take reservations for large parties).  After a stroll around the neighborhood and a cup of coffee elsewhere, we sat down to dinner.  The restaurant has between 15 and 20 tables, depending on how they configure them, and a long bar with probably 15 seats.

The menu is one page, but there are enough options that it was hard to decide.  They have everything from bar snacks to oysters to charcuterie, and two categories labeled “First Course” and “Second Course”.  The theme is haute barnyard, and they do it very well.  We decided on Maple Bacon Glazed Almonds and the Delicata Squash Tart to start.  The almonds were good but were totally upstaged by the chunks of candied bacon that came with them.  The tart was delicate and rich.

For our entrees, my gentleman friend had the Duck Meatloaf and I had the Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Cheddar Waffles.  The meatloaf was rich and deliciously savory, and the fried chicken was crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside, just like it should be.

For dessert, we shared the Pecan Pie Sundae, which was exactly what it sounds like.  YUM!

The wine list hovered around $10 a glass.  There were about five local beers on tap, and their signature cocktails looked classy.  The service was attentive and our server was great about giving recommendations when asked.  Entrees run between $17 and $22, appetizers $10 and under.

We’ll definitely be back on a Monday, when they do a three course menu for $25.  Thanks for a great meal, Buttermilk Channel!

Buttermilk Channel, 524 Court St., (718) 852-8490