Here it is, the list you've all been waiting for! The first edition of what will be an occasional feature here on the blog: My countdown of the "Top 5 Best Things That Have Happened To FoHi." At least recently, anyway:
5. Martha's Country Bakery Expansion - Was just in there for dessert Saturday evening. What a marvelous job they did on their expansion into the next door space. While their cakes may not be the best in NYC, they more than do the trick. Always exceedingly fresh and top quality. But it's the atmosphere of their new place that is just what FoHi needed. Always packed, the line never ending and the decor is so upbeat and friendly. Just a great place to hang out with friends.
4. Emily's Sugar Rush - Such a cute little shop. Just the kind of charming indie store Forest Hills needed to set it apart from every other NYC neighborhood. Not to mention, the place is packed to the rafters with just about every kind of candy you could ever want.
3. Chipotle - Coming Soon. They can't open this soon enough.
2. La Boulangerie - From the upscale French bakery ambience, to the amazing breads and other baked goods, to the delicious salads and sandwiches, sometimes I wonder: 'What did we do to deserve such a great place?' I mean our casual food scene here in FoHi went from virtually zero to amazing in one day when La Boulangerie opened.
And the No. 1 best thing to happen to FoHi recently:
1. Bareburger - How long has this place been open now? About 7 months? It's hard to remember how I ever got along without it. Basically, it offers everything I'd want from a terrific diner (which I still pray will open here, by the way) - great salads, sandwiches, and of course burgers, shakes and fries. And much healthier to boot. And delicious. And fun. And beer. And pickles. And their sauces. And their panko chicken strips... I can go on and on...
So there's my Top 5 list. Look for my Top 5 Worst List coming soon! :(
5. Martha's Country Bakery Expansion - Was just in there for dessert Saturday evening. What a marvelous job they did on their expansion into the next door space. While their cakes may not be the best in NYC, they more than do the trick. Always exceedingly fresh and top quality. But it's the atmosphere of their new place that is just what FoHi needed. Always packed, the line never ending and the decor is so upbeat and friendly. Just a great place to hang out with friends.
4. Emily's Sugar Rush - Such a cute little shop. Just the kind of charming indie store Forest Hills needed to set it apart from every other NYC neighborhood. Not to mention, the place is packed to the rafters with just about every kind of candy you could ever want.
3. Chipotle - Coming Soon. They can't open this soon enough.
2. La Boulangerie - From the upscale French bakery ambience, to the amazing breads and other baked goods, to the delicious salads and sandwiches, sometimes I wonder: 'What did we do to deserve such a great place?' I mean our casual food scene here in FoHi went from virtually zero to amazing in one day when La Boulangerie opened.
And the No. 1 best thing to happen to FoHi recently:
1. Bareburger - How long has this place been open now? About 7 months? It's hard to remember how I ever got along without it. Basically, it offers everything I'd want from a terrific diner (which I still pray will open here, by the way) - great salads, sandwiches, and of course burgers, shakes and fries. And much healthier to boot. And delicious. And fun. And beer. And pickles. And their sauces. And their panko chicken strips... I can go on and on...
So there's my Top 5 list. Look for my Top 5 Worst List coming soon! :(
I can't have the panko strips, so i've been getting the cajun chicken with the sauces. Highly recommended
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for Chipotles to open...been having to go to Long Island for their Burritos.
ReplyDeleteThere was a sign outside the Forest Hills Diner (near police station) last week that said they were becoming "Steaks and Chops" under new management, yet the dinner menu wasn't changing. Don't know exactly what that means, but it seems like a downgrade.
ReplyDeleteGreen Market should be in the top 5 - especially over a place that hasn't even opened yet (Chipotle)!
ReplyDeleteI agree. I almost thought of extending the list to Top 10 Best Things to add it. But decided to keep it to just 5. That will be on my next list. It is a superb addition to Forest Hills.
DeleteHowever, Chipotle's arrival soon is to me one of the best things to happen to our neighborhood, like, ever. Nowhere did I say this list has to include places that already opened if you notice.
Chipotle puts a stamp of approval on our neighborhood by an enormously desirable high-quality chain restaurant and I predict will herald the arrival of many other quality establishments. Thus, it makes the list right away.
Fully agree. Love Emily's Sugar Rush, so friendly and amazing selection. Boulangerie is great too (though they do tend to overbake their items just slightly). I love that these are Forest Hills only experiences. And while I love the Bareburger and other places, I think we can support more of these unique spaces as long as they were quality and run well.
ReplyDeleteI was excited for Bareburger and tried ti once the grand opening lines died down. I was hugely disappointed. Their buns break apart and their meat (I tried the bison first) was not well seasoned, if seasoned at all. I ordered it medium rare and it was red, not pink. Weirdly, the meat tasted dry. Reluctantly, I tried Bareburger again a second time and this time I ordered the wild boar in the cuban sandwich. Again, very dry and no taste. I didnt want to give up on it, so I tried it a third time. I thought I would go with the regular beef burger. Very dry, no seasoning, and the bun falls apart. The fried pickles, however, are delicious. I remain disappointed. This is the worst burger place. If I am going to have a burger, I am going to go all out and have a greasy Dirty Pierre's burger. Maybe "bareburger" means burger without taste.
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad. Sorry you haven't been able to enjoy Bareburger! I recall only one time where the burger wasn't cooked to how I ordered it and I've eaten there too many times to count. I also happen to order the Bison just about every time I get a burger there and love it. I find it has plenty of taste -- a nice, lightly peppery flavor -- and is indeed dry because it has a lot less fat that regular beef. So not only do I not feel gross after eating it like when I do a regular burger, but it's also healthier for me.
DeleteIt was weird that the bison meat tasted dry, despite its still being red. Now that they have a liquor license, I would go back for a drink and some pickles, and maybe try the chicken strips that everyone seems to love, but that's it.
DeleteDrake is definitely a fat kid but in a good way. You're like the episode of The Simpsons where Homer becomes a food critic and loves everything, so the whole town gets fat! That said, I've tried and like all of these places, and aside from Chipotle, I love to see small businesses on/around Austin that can draw a bigger crowd than Mickey D's and Boston Market.
ReplyDeleteNiether fat, nor a kid.
DeleteActually, it's good you bring that up. I am very into being healthy. And if you notice, most of the things I like can be included as part of a healthy lifestyle. Including candy, which brings joy to both old and young alike. And joy is good for the health.
DeleteWow, you really take yourself way too seriously. I make a Simpsons reference and you get all bent out of shape. Not only that, I even say it in a good way, and I didn't mean it too literal.
DeleteI've read enough of your posts to determine that you are somewhat of a youngin (that being said, I wasn't calling you the true meaning of a kid, it's just that fat kid roles off the tongue better). You don't appear to be married with kids, so that makes you a kid in my opinion. In addition, I've noticed that you've mentioned battling extra pounds in the past in your food postings, and who of us isn't. Also, I'm not sure what part of candy is healthy. Smoking and drinking bring me joy, but I don't smoke or drink excessive amounts because it's not healthy.
Lastly, I really wish you would drop the attitude. It's been mentioned on the site by many others before. You are running a Forest Hills blog but it seems quite a bit more comes into. I like your information, but frankly I'd love to start a FH blog myself, with the subtitle "Where suburban meets urban...without the uptight attitude"
Please do. I'd love to read it.
DeleteWe also have been disappointed with the burgers at Bareburger in every location we have tried..there chicken strips rock though
ReplyDeleteLa Boulangerie is terrific with everything they do there
Marthas is ok if you dont mind that alot of that stuff is NOT fresh
I would agree with the Farmers Market having a top 5 position over Chipotle. This is not a 'dis on Chipotle (even though I cannot consume the food due to sodium content). It will be a great addition to the neighborhood, but being that it's not yet open ........
ReplyDeleteOn that note, my personal list would have to include the very newly opened Jack & Nellies. I'm just loving it.
Jack and Nellis is a social place to relax, wind down, and get some small dishes. Much like you may sit down in in a lounge at the hotel where they serve drinks, and yes in Manhattan even charge like $20 for peanuts.
ReplyDeleteAll they did was create an inviting environment (place does look nice) and provide wine and small stuff but since there weren't any hotels in the area and that place didn't exist around here, someone tried a new business model.
Good list Drake. Would have just moved bare burger to the 5 spot and everyone else up one. Did you see the Humongous size of the fresh cotton candy Emily's was selling at the street fair for $2.50. Huge. If you are fat you would be and if you felt old. You were a kid again. I bought bread too as I do every day but Monday because La Boulgerie is closed.
ReplyDeleteI find emilys way overpriced.
ReplyDeleteI find it very reasonable. Dylan's and fao are14.99 per lb and that is not for chocolate. Even ec candy is 16.99 for chocolate
ReplyDelete