By ANDREA STRONG
Posted: 1:35 am
July 13, 2008
The General Greene
229 Dekalb Ave., Brooklyn; (718) 222-1510
Pastry chefs have been moving into the spotlight with restaurants like Graffiti (Jehangir Mehta) and Tailor (Sam Mason). Now, from Gilt pastry chef Nick Morgenstern comes The General Greene, a breezy, whitewashed storefront in Fort Greene with a butcher-block bar and vintage tractor seating. With the help of consulting chef Ryan Skeen (of Resto), they've created a haven for American comfort food and fancy cocktails.
Must-have meal: Bar bites like bacon wrapped dates ($4), pickled eggs ($2) and roasted beets with yogurt and mint ($7); crispy chicken with fennel, sweet corn and tarragon (above, $10); a side of twice-baked potatoes with bacon and sour cream ($6); and for dessert, strawberry rhubarb crisp ($7).
Soundtrack: Stevie Wonder, Talking Heads, Danger Doom and the Streets
Hours: Sun., Tues. and Wed. 5-11 p.m.; Thurs. 5 p.m.- midnight; Fri. and Sat. 5 p.m.- 1 a.m. Closed Mondays.
Alloro
307 E. 77 St.; (212) 535-2866
Vibrant Lime green chairs, shiny black tables and pearly white walls give Alloro, a new family-run Italian spot on the Upper East Side, a very glamorous La Dolce Vita vibe. Italian for the herb laurel, Alloro is run by chef Salvatore Corea (of Cacio e Pepe and Bocca), who along with his wife, Gina, have created a family style atmosphere.
Must-have meal: Fresh chitarra pasta with langoustines and fava bean pesto (left, $17); breaded filet of salmon stuffed with buffalo mozzarella, celery leaves and black truffles($23); and spicy chocolate tart with laurel bay leaf sorbet ($8).
Soundtrack: '60s lounge music from Frank Sinatra, Caetano Veloso and Edith Piaf.
Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 5:30-10:30 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 5:30-11 p.m.
