Where To Get The 6 Best Foods At Last Night's "Choice Eats" Feeding Frenzy
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<strong>Calyer:</strong> This loosely-inspired Spanish <a href="http://www.calyerbrooklyn.com/">eatery in hipster Greenpoint</a> had only one option at the event: chicharones. While it may seem like a simple snack, making delectably fatty, puffed pig skin takes a nuanced hand, and it seems the folks at Calyer have a knack for it. Crispy without being greasy, salty without being inedible, these delightful porky puffs struck the perfect balance between heavy and light. The effervescent accompanying smoked yogurt dip sent this salty snack into heavenly territory.<br/><em>92 Calyer Street, Greenpoint // 347-889-6323</em>
<strong>David's Brisket House:</strong> This <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/davids-brisket-house-brooklyn-2">Bed-Stuy deli</a> has reopened with a fascinating and unique twist. Known as an established Jewish deli for decades, the restaurant was recently taken over by Muslim owners who have stayed true to the spot's beefy origins. Perhaps inspired by the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday, we hastened to nosh on the wonderfully pink corned beef, served with spicy mustard between two slices of rye bread. Driven into bovine bliss by the salty and moist corned beef, we hastily scarfed the equally delicious pastrami and brisket offerings until we'd filled our gullet past the socially acceptable point. <br/><em>533 Nostrand Avenue, Bedford-Stuyvesant // 718-789-1155</em>
<strong>Xe May Sandwich Shop:</strong> Anyone with their pulse on the NYC bahn mi scene has probably stopped by this <a href="http://xemaysandwich.com/">St. Marks eatery</a> for a nifty twist on the classic Vietnamese sandwich. Of course their BBQ pork and headcheese bahn mi on hand was delicious, but it was their new offering, called the Hog Taco, that really impressed us. Sweet, buttery pork was nestled into a corn tortilla and paired with traditional crunchy, veggie bahn mi offerings like pickled carrots and daikons all topped with a generous squeeze of chili mayo. An extra squirt of sriracha made this melt in your mouth taco a true standout.<br/> <em>96 St Marks Place // 212-388-1688</em>
<strong>Goat Town:</strong> True to their name, <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/12/07/goat_town_photos_menu.php#photo-1">the East Village's Goat Town</a> supplied us with a delectable goat sandwich, which turned out to be our favorite dish of the evening! Melt-in-your-mouth shredded goat meat was sandwiched between two buttery slices of Japanese Texas toast and served with a palate-cleansing serving of pickled jalapenos and onions. The meat and bread were oh-so-fatty and were perfectly offset by the vinegary veg as we took alternating bites. We certainly weren't expecting to be floored by a goat sandwich but are so very glad that Goat Town knew us better than we knew ourselves.<br/><em>511 East 5th Street // 212-687-3641</em>
<strong>The Blue Stove:</strong> There were only a few dessert options strong enough to hold court with all the savory powerhouses in attendance, and <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-blue-stove-brooklyn-2">The Blue Stove</a> of Williamsburg more than held its own. Last night they were handing out decadently rich baby chocolate bourbon cakesâmade with Kings County Distillery's bourbonâwhich appealed to both our sweet tooth and our boozy tendencies. Subtly sweet, outrageously moist and with just a slight hint of smokiness, these mini cakes elicited a perfectly appropriate moan slash sigh as we felt all our dessert dreams come true. <br/><em>415 Graham Avenue, Williamsburg // 718-766-7419</em>
<strong>Culture: An American Yogurt Company:</strong> Frozen yogurt has endured the Pinkberry bastardization and come out the other side, thanks in no small part to <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/culture-an-american-yogurt-company-brooklyn">Culture</a>, whose pleasantly piquant flavors have made believers out of fro-yo skeptics citywide. We were smitten with their Key Lime Pie flavor because of its insanely creamy texture and lovely tart flavor. The strawberry yogurt was also a treat for its simultaneously sweet and tangy notes. We know this (almost) guilt-free snack will be making a shining comeback in such capable hands.<br/><em>331 Fifth Avenue, Park Slope // 718-499-0207</em>
<p>"Now you got dry balls" -- Chris Rock</p>