Crusty Crust or something Crusty, Mastic Beach

So I did it. I was wandering through the Neighborhood road area by way of rotating tires and finally threw the mobile into park in front of Crusty Crust. I have eyed this spot for the last two months they have been operating. Its the first promising hope that just maybe something can happen along that beaten-up downtown corridor. I went in to get me'self a pannini. Now it wasn't quite the pannini I had in mind, there was no pressing of the sandwich going on, but the heated up morsel that they did hand over to me for the money exchange, was tasty. I got Tomato and Mozzarella. The interior was done with visuals in mind. It looks a million times better than the discount furniture store that anchors the east end of Neighborhood Road that has had a grand opening for 8 months now. Crust Crust has a great selection of breads and their desserts look satisfying. I will come back, and I will be happy to spend my money there. Next up...we need a little cafe there with some outdoor seating. I can dream.

412 Neighborhood Rd
Mastic Beach, NY 11951
631-729-6800

Fiore, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

We stopped by this establishment the minute they ripped down the brown paper visual blockade. We knew it was Italian and I can't help but try and put all noodles inside my belly, but we were thwarted due to the no credit transactions (I hate cash only), and the non-existent liquor license. But time wore on and now half of the mis-steps have been cleared. Wine is pouring.
Yuki went with the Sea Brim which excelled in the crunchy skin department. I had the Ravioli with a brown butter sage sauce and there pasta aldenteness was perfect. We closed the meal with apple pie and ice cream (Italian name deleted from my forgetful memory) which capped my capacity.
Interior done with an eye for beauty.

It was cheap and great!

***1/2

284 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Near Roebling

Jade Asian Restaurant, Flushing, Queens

We have been speaking of doing such for some time now. Authentic Dim Sum brunch for hang-over healing. A friend of mine Patrick knows the Cantonese tongue and suggested we venture east to Flushing. The establishment truely removed me from NY. There were more white faces in the Dim Sum I have attended on the many business trips to Hong Kong and China, than here in NYC. Cart style here, little Chinese woman pushing mounded up metal carts that act as the visual menu.
The comb over was stunning. It had a second life as the mans eyebrow. If I owned that topping I would wear it some days down like a drape. The slight spring breezes will be observed with smiles for the soft movements that would occur rather than fear of dislodging the obvious cover-up. I was tricked. I want to run my fingers through all 20 of your hairs honey.

*** for deliscioso and pure authenticity.

Jade Asian Restaurant, 136-28 39th Ave., Flushing, Queens

718-762-8821

Hakata Ippudo, Dope noodles.

The tasting was to be free with payment to fall to drinking only. Walking in I had in mind that we were on special invite so this should be a quiet intimate affair, with slurping only shattering the hushed volume. Reality was more like Macy's on Black Friday. I never knew there were this many Japanese expats in this city, it was packed to a 2 hour wait. I guess the much anticipated Fukuoka ramen woke the entire community, and rightfully so. The cavernous space was impressive, compared to the 20 seat establishment I sucked and slurped at in Jiyugaoka Tokyo. I opted for the Akamaru which translates to red circle, but it should also have "these frigging noodles are going to blow your mind, your insides will quiver for more for the rest of your days, heroin is easier to get off of"

***1/2 I love ramen but I obsess over Ippudo's ramen.

Hakata Ippudo 65 Fourth Ave., NY, NY 10003

Eclectic Weekend 3/14-3/16 2008 A.D.

Hightailed it east after a Friday night munching at Rose's on Grand. There is a hidden subterranean Italian Wine Bar there with a perfectly edited food menu, with weathered wooded walls. Representing onamonapia. I went with the Arugula and pine nut pesto Fafalle while the hottie across the table with the built-in vagina had the Salmon with carefully cooked veggies. She always goes healthier than me, I get jealous, it comes natural to her.
Gassed the 95' Ford Escort Mastic bound. Did a quiet Saturday morning waking without the twisting and turning. The sun was shining high. Maybe there was some chirping from the feathered one's. Walked Nalu on the beach on the hunt for some driftwood. To no avail.

6:30 pm was meeting time at the Ippudo tasting. While in Tokyo last November a newfound freind brought the Yukijohn duo to what the locals considered the best ramen. This was my answer to the quest for a bowl of top-notch noodles. At finish, we were introduced to the owner because they were to be opening a NY outpost. We exchanged numbers and of course the digits fell victim to misplacement. Fast forward to last Friday, we get a text message from Bozu part-owner Makoto. "ippudo no tasting ikitai" which is basically Do you want to go to Ippudo 's tasting? Makoto gets us on the list and coincidence bears its head, same place, and once again we see the owner from the Jiyugaoka location we went to in November. Check the review of Ippudo in the separate post.

Continuing through the night we head to the close-friends get together at The Habitat. Mark the 15th of March as the first alcohol intake for me at The Habitat. I already love it, its so homey. Can't wait to see others enjoy this space. Ended the night 3 hours into Sunday morning.

Sunday morning 10am pick-up of Patrick and Ann Kimcheedotcom and head to a real deal DimSum brunch that rivaled any I have ever ingested in Hong Kong or China. I don't know how white people can find out about palaces of great taste like this without the insider scoop.

Ended the weekend at Huckleberry Bar on Grand street in Williamsburg, always love this place, read separate review.

Thirstday 58 @ T.B.D.

It was a hard night last night. Repercussions are vibrating into this morning within me. Started the night at Bonita. I love every restaurant that originates from the boys who made Diner. What a roster, Marlow and Sons (my favorite restaurant in Brooklyn) Diner, and Bonita X 2. Beers started seeping into me. Pacificos to be exact, romancing the lady because after dinner she was continuing home and leaving this man to fend for himself the rest of the night. Walking to drop her by the train there was this man yelling at all the hipsters, "This is still fucking Brooklyn, get off your cell phones" Creating a scene first, he than punches a innocent girl in the face. She goes down and he goes running. I notified the two moseying cops who went running in pursuit.
Made a stop into The Habitat after, it's done. Few more little steps before opening, red tape shit. I took some photos which I will post later once I get them out of the camera.

Last stop T.B.D. on the corner of Green and Franklin.

Now I am not one for the sleek, cold, minimal interior but I will try anywhere twice. Drinks were half price for the opening which was a major plus. Staff was quite nice and attentive. Beer selection was promising with two favorites of mine settling onto it. Blue Point Hoptical Illusion and Anchor Steam on tap. It filled out quite well with our Thirstday crew, we were rolling with about 20-25 heads, but it might of been a little too empty without us. Overall not so bad.

**1/2 If the interior was a little more comforting I woulda gave it 3.

Also Bonita gets **** even though they are secondary in this post.

Mastic Seafood

There are limited options of food intake in the Mastics. Pizza is on every corner, but it is all that thick doughy kind minus the brick oven. If you were into eating clothes there are a million laundromats but other than that if you aren't using gas and driving outta town than you are doing something food related at home. Mastic Seafood is the absolute best when it comes to bringing fish home. The staff is knowledgeable about their product and rather friendly as they make great suggestions. The selection runs wide and the prices don't ask for wide pockets. Local fish are their specialty. Hampton's visitors and local townsfolk make their door hinges work overtime.

Mastic Sea Food (631) 281-9608 1051 Mastic Rd Mastic, NY

****Best frickin' selection and bestest freshness!

CoCo 68 (The Restaurant)

First off, I am wondering, where is the woman that puts deodorant under her booby?
Went to CoCo's 68 tonight after checking out the new Habitat Bar.

Dinner went like this.
Yuki, Johnny, and Nicole.

Bacon wrapped Dates.
Musculun Salad with candied walbuts and onions.

Wild Mushroom Risoto with spinach and parmesean.
Tilapia with a mound of yummy shit atop.
Rigatoni with feta.

*** Three stars only cause the food was a little cool when we received but if the heat lamps get stronger, it can can go to 4.

Hugs Bar, N6th Street Williamsburg

Last Thirstday we went to Hugs. I am not sure what this bar is trying to be. They were rocking horrible 80's jams beyond speakable terms. As the sound level went up the population decreased. It was like the white flight when a neighborhood gets bad. One thing is true its a vaginal space. Cavernous vagina.

This is the second visit and I don't think I am going to take my third strike, just walk me.

* For trying twice and still not leaving with a good taste in my mouf.