Williamsburg is Dead

The UnFancy Food Show

Miss the UnFancy Food Show on Sunday? Check out my recap over at The Feedbag!

Interview With Charlotte Kamin of the Bedford Cheese Shop

Cheese, cheese, oh glooorious cheese! Here is what she said when I asked her why she opened her shop in Brooklyn:

There is a real sense of community here, while the city is kind of more transient. I think there has been more and more people who are interested in food and where their food is coming from. They understand why there would be a price difference in a cheese that’s made by hand at one farm and from one herd as opposed to cheese you can find at most grocery stores that might have the same name, but are kind of nameless factory-produced cheeses. Those kind of people seek us out to really taste the difference between, say, a Roquefort produced by one herd and aged by one man as opposed to one from a factory where 20 or so farms are contributing their milk to one production and it all gets kind of lost.

[The Feedbag]

New Southside CSA in Williamsburg

It's CSA sign up time! There's a new player in town called the Southside CSA and I totally think I'm going in for a half share. Here is the info:

The Southside CSA is bringing fresh produce from the black dirt of MimoMex Farm in Orange County, NY to the kitchens of Brooklyn.

We will be offering around 50 memberships, with a choice of four types of share – vegetable, fruit, eggs and wine. They can be purchased either in a full share or in half shares, which will cost half the price of a full share and will be collected every other week. Distribution will be on Monday evenings, 6.30-8.30pm, at Bridget, 20 Broadway (@ Kent Ave. The season runs for 20 weeks, from mid June to November. Shares will be lighter in the spring and as the season progresses, will increase in volume and variety. Members are required to fulfill two volunteer shifts per "share family" during the harvest season. All sorts of information about the shares and CSA's can be found on our blog.

Sign ups will be on Monday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Bridget, every week for the month of March and into April.  Just bring your checkbook and calendar!  Please check our blog for updates and details.

Chili Takedown at Union Pool This Sunday

I'm judging the Chili Takedown this Sunday at Union Pool at 5pm. More deets at The Feedbag.

Super-Late Mac and Cheese Report

Voting is vital to mac and cheese democracy. There is a reason why Kim Jong-il always wins Pyongyang's annual MAC AND CHEESE FOR GLORY OF GREAT LEADER competition.

Hey remember when I said I was competing in the s'MACdown? Well, I won third place, or so I remember despite having one too many Sierra Nevadas. Cathy over at Not Eating Out in NY has the complete story, plus the recipe for my entry "Feedbag's Delight." So read her account because she is more responsible than I am.

I briefly considered just bringing in a pan of Kraft Cheese and Macaroni as a joke but ultimately decided against it. I regret that decision.

DJs spun sweet '90s jams straight from my high school years. I did not give in to the temptation to do the Carlton.

Vote For Me in Tonight's s'MACdown!

I'm competing in tonight's s'MACdown at Glasslands! Come at 7pm and vote for me. More info over at The Feedbag.

Members Only Ramen Club to Open in Greenpoint

I've been waiting for Ichiran Ramen in Greenpoint to open for like one quadrillion years. It was announced two years ago and has lain dormant ever since, like a simmering Mt. Fuji in my mind. But now it's going to open! But only to a select few! Yes, before it officially opens you can apply for membership--if you happen to live within walking distance, that is. I live in South Williamsburg, does that count? If not I'm calling my good friend Lizzo and getting her to apply so that I might sample the delicious forbidden ramen.

[Grub Street]

Wburg's A Razor, A Shiny Knife Pays Homage to Keller/Achatz

The Feedbag with Michael Cirino at Breaking Bread and Boundaries from The Feedbag on Vimeo.

Recently my coworker Josh Ozersky (aka Mr. Cutlets) filmed a video segment with Mike Cirino of A Razor, A Shiny Knife, Williamsburg's very own supper club. I've had the privilege of eating Mr. Cirino's handiwork and I must say the man knows what he is doing. Anywhoo, look as he attempts to recreate the infamous 24-course dinner Thomas Keller and Grant Achatz have been doing all across the country. Also, read The Feedbag everyday. That is all.

Marlow and Daughters Opens Next Week

From our beloved web-soulmate Brooklyn Based:

"Marlow & Daughters, the Marlow & Sons/Diner butcher shop we reported on (well, broke the story, really) back in September is opening at some point next week. In addition to beef, pork and the usual poultry suspects, M&D will be taking Christmas goose orders. Tom Mylan, head butcher, envisions himself as a slightly less appetizing animal, though: “I’m going to be a busy little meat beaver,” he said in a text message to BB."

Ramen Cook-Off At Union Pool

Hey everybody, just wanted to let you know that I covered the latest cook-off in a seemingly endless string of amateur cook-offs. This time it was ramen, as in Top Ramen, the sodium-filled staple of my youth. Check out my coverage over at The Feedbag.