Black Nile Seafood & Soul Food

Black Nile Seafood & Soul Food

592 Nostrand Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11216

Telephone:  347-8911

https://blacknilerestaurant.com/

Hours:

Sunday                 3 - 8 pm

Monday                 Closed                   

Tuesday                Closed

Wednesday           3 - 10 pm

Thursday               3 - 10 pm

Friday                    3 - 10 pm

Saturday                3 - 10 pm

Wednesday, July 28, 2021 - 5:00 pm

Blacken Chicken, Coconut Yams & Collard Greens - $12.00

Baked Mac & Cheese - $6.00

Blueberry Cornbread - $4.00

Lobster Tails, Mac & Cheese & Coconut Yams - $30.00

 Grilled Shrimp (7 pieces) - $6.00

Shrimps and Cheddar Grits - $15.00 

Hassan Dupree - Owner

My cousin Tony had read about this place and recommended that we try it out.  So off we went.  First I must say that this is a very busy place yet the line moves.  People were hopping out of cars, Ubers, motorcycles, walking, fast walking into this restaurant, patiently waiting.  One lady was upset because she thought that they had ran out of shrimps and grits, but they didn't.  Generally the meat is cooked to order.  Get to that!

I had an enjoyable conversation with the owner, Hassan who was so outgoing and made you feel as if you knew him for a long time.  He exhibits that southern hospitality.  Tony couldn't make up his mind on what he wanted and ask Hassan to "surprise" him, and he did. 

The blacken chicken was tender, juicy and you could taste the blackened season, not overdone.  I'm trying to be nice and wait to tell you about the collard greens.  The coconut yams were so good and mixed them with the greens!!!!  Come on now.  The greens were tendered yet not over cooked so well seasoned.  A bit of a crunch from the stems, yes!    The mac and cheese was good, nice and cheesy.  The blueberry cornbread reminded me almost of a cake, yet you taste the cornmeal but what a nice combination.

I tasted one of Tony's grilled shrimp and whatever ever season was used, they should continue.  Tony enjoyed every bit of his "surprise" dinner.  

By the way, the shrimp and grits weren't ours but we sampled the grits from a cup, and set me up a table, I'll be back. 

Met two lovely young ladies who are students at NYU Film, Chantelle & Stephanie.  Stephanie started dancing after tasting her food.  We had a lively conversation.

Owners Hassan and Fannerra, his wife who is a train chef decided to open a restaurant in the neighborhood as "giving back" to the community.  She uses black nile seasoning and sauces and the food is made from scratch.  

Stop on by and stay for awhile and listen to the music as it is playing overhead.  The atmosphere is vibrant and you might be drawn into a conversation.  

#blacknile  #blacknileseafood   #blacknilesoulfood   #seafood  #soulfood   #newyork   #nyc  #brooklyn  #crownheights   #dinner   #lunch  #good   #halalseafood   #goodeats   #eat   #like  #foodies  #chef   #restaurant   #blackown   #instagram  #foodblog  #tasty   #follow  #cooking

Good Enough To Eat - An iconic American Restaurant

Good Enough to Eat

520 Amsterdam Avenue (85th street)

New York, NY 100

Telephone: 212-496-0163

www.goodenoughtoeat.com

Hours:

Sunday - Saturday - 9 am - 10 pm

Brunch:                    9 am - 4:30 pm

Sunday, July 25, 2021 - mid early morning - what to eat, what to eat. 

Two eggs any style with homefries and slab bacon - $15.00

Biscuit with strawberry butter - $3.00

Orange juice - $4.00

I didn't feel like cooking and wanted to get out of the apartment.  Head to Good Enough To Eat.  Let me see, after my first bite of eggs, I was looking for the chicken coop, that's how fresh the eggs tasted even after I added the cheese and onions. 

The bacon, the bacon, the bacon.  Love the good old slab bacon, perfectly cooked, tasty rind, not salty, bit of a sweet taste bacon.  The bacon.

The biscuits were a little bit tough and hard.  So I can't say much there.

Overall the experience was enjoyable.  They sanitized after every customer.  Staff very friendly and welcoming.  My waitress, Odalys had such a sunny disposition.  

Lively atmosphere inside and outside. Very busy, but just sit back and enjoy.  You won't be disappointed. 

#goodenoughtoeat   #newyork  #nyc  #americanrestaurant   #breakfast  #lunch   #brunch  #dinner   #eat   #eatery   #good   #like   #instagramblog   #organic  #organicfood   #healthy  #farmtotable   #tasty   #instagood   #whatsfor breakfast  #brunchtime   #whatsforlunch

   

 

Manhattanville Market (Mm)

 

Manhattanville Market

3229 Broadway (129-130^th Street)

New York, NY 10027

917-522-0391

www.manhattanvillemarket.com

Hours:  

Monday – Sunday – 11 am – 8 pm – open every day except for major holidays.

 

Owner and renowned Chef Franklin Becker

Benny's Famous - $4.00

Butterfunk Biscuit Banana Bread Pudding - $8.00

\

Today I went to the grand opening of Manhattanville Market (Mm) at Columbia University’s Jerome L. Green Science Center.  It is such a wonderful and spacious food hall that serves a variety of food such as: Benny Casanova’s Square Pies, Shai Hummusiya, Chef Franklin Becker’s Butterfunk Biscuit Company, Mediterranean and Israel cuisine and The Botanist that serves salads in which the greens and herbs are grown on site.  It is truly a wonderful concept and a venue that is well needed.  I had the pleasure of meeting owner and renowned Chef Franklin Becker who was so personable and absolutely has the love of great food.  I watched him go to the encase herb garden and break off the following for me to taste:  Genovese Basil, Green Sorrel, Basil, Arugula and Amaranth.  They were all good but the spicy arugula, oh my!  I also met Melissa who took the time to inform me of the concept of Manhattanville Market stating that coming soon they will have live music, karaoke, and Oliva Tapas (opening in the fall) along with visiting chefs. 

I had the Benny’s Famous square pizza pie from Benny Casanova’s Square Pies (917-522-0395).  Can I tell you that sitting on top of the delightful, crunchy, tasteful and airy crust was mozzarella, fresh basil, parmigiano reggiano and tomato sauce that you savor every bite.  You taste the maldon salt that is sprinkle on top.  This maldon salt looked like sparkling crystals with a pyramid shape, soft yet crunchy.  Maldon salt has a distinctive taste, less salty than others, yet it has a zing to it.  It was great using it as a finishing salt. 

After finishing my pizza and sitting for about oh 2 minutes, I decided to be a bit greedy and try the Butterfunk Biscuit Banana Bread Pudding from the famous Chef Chris Scott’s Butterfunk Biscuit Company (917-522-0391).  So you pick up your spoon or fork whatever you are comfortable with and dive in to the taste of fresh banana’s, got to be homemade wafers, fresh whipped cream, and banana cream with a taste of white chocolate and oat crumble, drizzled with caramel sauce.  Not too sweet, just right.  The smoothness of the pudding with everything else, well I took the rest home.

The fusion of different food services is a delight and a comfort.  Coming soon there will be live music, karaoke and it has a spacious 12 seated bar.  Mm has indoor and outdoor dining.  Per Mm “pull up a chair and join them”.  I would add and stay awhile.  You are greeted from the time you enter and meet several other wonderful and personal staff.  I had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Angel the artist and Chef Kevin.  Here’s to a successful and everlasting Mm venue!

"Food is our common ground, a universe experience".  James Beard

 

#manhattanville   #manhattanvillemarket   #columbiauniversity   #harlem   #newyork  #nyc  #food  #foodhall  #foodblog   #university   #chefs   #good   #uptown   #acclaimedchefs  #karoke  #music  #bar   #pizza   #heros  #chicken  #breakfast  #alldaybreakfast  #lunch  #dinner #dessert  #fresh  #butterfunk   #butterfunkbiscuitcompany  #bennycasanovas  #shaihmmusiya  #good  #indoor  #indoordining  #outdoordining  #good  #yummy  #spacious  #friendly  #greatcustomerservice #manhattan   #healthyfood  #healthy   #homemade  #eat 

Alvin & Friends - Contemporary Cuisine Southern Caribbean Flavors

 Alvin & Friends

14 Memorial Highway

New Rochelle, NY  10801

914-654-6549

www. alvinandfirendsrestaurant.com

Link:  Alvin and Friends Restaurant

Hours:

Monday & Tuesday - closed

Wednesday           5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Thursday               5:00  pm- 9:00 pm

Friday                    5:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Saturday                5:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Sunday Bruch     11:30 am - 2:30 pm

                              5:00 pm - 9:30  pm

APP Sampler - special order - meatballs, 

jerk chicken, pork tacos, 

rum jerk chicken & salad - $25.00

BBQ Pork Ribs - 1/2 rack - $24.00

Deep fried cornmeal catfish - $28.00

Seafood gumbo - compliments of Chef Jose Uloa

Chef Jose Uloa and I

Owner Alvin Clayton & I

Paintings by owner - Alvin Clayton

Paintings by Alvin

It's been a long time since my sister friends Roz, Kelly and I got together for a good old girl sit down and lets talk celebration.  So Kelly selected Alvin & Friends which she has visited several times, so off we went.

As you entered the restaurant you are warmly greeted and seated (use that for a rap).  Nyka our waitress approached us very nicely several times to take our orders, but I believe on her 4th or 5th trip we were ready.  Kelly of course already knew what she was going to order.  

The jerk chicken wings from the sampler was tender and spicy, not too much.  The meatballs were tender, tasty with a little bit of sauce.

Kelly's dish was the deep fried cornmeal catfish might I add, wild caught thank you served with stone ground grits and black eyed peas, topped with a creole remoulade.  This is one of her favorite dishes.

Per Kelly's suggestions Roz and I ordered the smoke BBQ ribs, sweet potato fries (yum) and coleslaw.   The ribs were tender, the cole slaw spiced it up a bit for me.  I really like the sweet potato fries that had a touch of cinnamon.  

After meeting Chef Jose Uloa and introducing ourselves who was very approachable and friendly, we had a wonderful conversation, he sent out a bowl of seafood gumbo for us to sample.  This would be on his upcoming Chef's Specials menu next week.  he seafood gumbo had shrimp, calamari, shrimp, rice, sausage seasoned with file also known as gumbo file.    

Chef Jose has worked as an executive chef at the Apollo, Plaza Hotel and etc. 

Roz and I met Alvin Clayton, the owner as Kelley already knew him.  Alvin is very personable.  His artwork appears on the walls of his restaurant.  

I understand that Alvin's is also a celebrity hangout.  It has a nice outdoor dining area and the waitstaff are very professional and friendly.  Overall it was a nice experience meeting up with my sister-friends and meeting new people.

#alvin&friends   #southerncaribbean   #newrochelle   #newyork   #westchester   #food  #lunch  #brunch  #dinner #outdoordining  #music  #livemusic  #jazz  #vegetarian  #good  #like  #art    

• 
  

Santiago Beer Garden - Dominican Food + a beer garden

 Santiago Beer Garden

2337 1st Avenue (120th street)

New York, NY 10035

212-920-6155

www.santiagosbeergarden.com

Hours:

Monday - Wednesday    12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Friday - Sunday - 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Happy Hour:  4-7 pm  Beer $6.00   Wines $7.00  Cocktail  $9

Stewed chicken with beans and rice - $15.00

Grill chicken with beans and rice - $20.00

Sliced avocado - $6.00

Outdoor seating

My daughter Stacey invited me to dine with her at Santiago Beer Garden on Monday, May 24, 2021 and made reservations for 6:00 pm.  Upon arriving and being seated we met Amber our waitress.  Very friendly with such an wonderful smile.  After waiting for about 10 minutes we ask for a menu only to be told that it was a contactless menu on the table.  

Stacey's ordered the fried double pork chops but after about 15 minutes another waitress approached our table and told us that they were out of pork chops.  She then order the stewed chicken.  While waiting for our food I noticed that the restaurant reminded me of pictures that I've seen in magazines of how a restaurant might look in Cuba (hope to visit) or in the Dominican Republic (another visit).  Music, a bit loud for me.  Brick walls, see through roof, plant vines climbing the walls and fake birds twinned in the branches.  Amber approached our table and introduced our next waiter Christian who was very personable and friendly.

Per Stacey, her stew chicken was very good and enough leftover to have for lunch the next day.  My grill chicken breast and all of the chopped and diced green and red peppers and onions on top made for a very tender and tasty meal.  The avocado was fresh and went well with both dishes.

#dominican   #dominicanfood   #santiagobeergarden   #beergarden   #eastharlem   #harlem

#food   #like   #dinner   #music   #happyhour  #lunch   #tasty   #goodeats   #foodblog   #good

#outdoorseating  #eat   #like   #whatsfordinner   #restaurant   #brunch  #entree #spanishfood