The Smoke joint

The Smoke joint has a full house on a Wednesday night. Fort Greene is craving BBQ and it shows. Equipped with a bar to eat or wait at, I graze over at what people are eating while sipping on my ginger ale. I sought out dry looking ribs at several tables. By the time it is our turn to order, I discover the Baby Back Ribs lean and mean (half 12.00) happens to be the same dry ribs. So dry—you would mistake it for microwaved-leftover-chicken breast from nights before. Perhaps it was meant to be eaten with the BBQ sauce (stationed on every table). But I refuse to mask the delicate flavor of the baby back with an outside condiment—at least, not on the very first bite. I soon forfeited, as it is not possible to get pass the second bite without the sauce.

Next order Crispy Catfish Sandwich served with barbecue aioli (7.50) is fairly tasty if you disregard looking at the catfish—or shall I say catfishes—three awkwardly looking nugget-sized pieces of fish resembling those from the childhood days of cafeteria food served on styrofoam trays. Despite the disfigured shapes, the sandwich fared well. One key part to the sandwich’s success was the toasted Kaiser roll which added an extra layer of crunchiness to the crispy catfish.

Sides. From least to favorite:
Barbecued Beans caution. contains hunks of meat (3.00) – should be called candied beans caution, overly sweet, overwhelming the smoky flavor

Corn On The Cob, barbecue aioli and green onions (2.50) – fairly seasoned and juicy

Spicy French Fries (3.00) – very well seasoned and nicely fried with a bold crunchy taste

If you’re trapped in Font Greene and in need for a BBQ fix, Smoke joint can help, sort of. Sandwiches are a safe bet. And if you’re a party of three you will be squeezed into a table for two.

The food is fairly priced for a very gentrified Fort Greene, though attracting a diverse crowd of people. Conclusion: BBQ definitely does not discriminate.

87 South Elliott Pl At Lafayette Ave. Brooklyn NY 11217 (718) 797-1011

Stone Park Café

Stone Park Café’s homepage touts its review from Frank Bruni “piquing surprises and consoling favorites, one that establishes a personality of sophisticated robustness…” Can this be Park Slope’s American fine dining at its best? Hold that thought.

A very American and contemporary driven menu—extensive wine list—with high prices: appetizers are above $10; and entrees (except the $14 burger) range from the mid-to-high $20s. The menu, décor and prices are very similar to the mother of Contemporary American, Gramery Traven—a la carte. So, shouldn’t the food be similar too? Far from it.

A Pan Seared Diver Scallops served with rock shrimp, fava beans, asparagus risotto, lobster beurre 27 sounds like a sort of meal served in Gramercy Traven (about the same price) is executed poorly at Stone Park. The risotto was salty leaving a depressing aftertaste that did not go well with overcooked rock shrimp.

Stone Park is a fine restaurant with an attentive staff with smooth cotton table linens and slightly over-exaggerated prices. There are good points: a romantic and unwind atmosphere, courtesy staff, pre fixe option, and kudos on the warm and toasty whole wheat baguette. It was really good.

It’s for the sophisticated Brooklyn couple who wants to stay close to home and enjoy an elegant meal made by an educated culinary chef (with mediocre execution). There is nothing wrong with that. But the price can go down. And aren’t we still recovering from a recession?

Back to the Bruni’s quote: he was complimenting the impressive assembly of the menu. Not on the food.


324 5th Avenue (between 2nd St & 3rd St) Brooklyn, NY 11215 (718) 369-0082 www.stoneparkcafe.com/