Here in the urban jungle, lover’s lane isn’t the cliff overlooking the town, nor is it some lush quiet spot with nary a streak of light in the sky where the old man’s Ford is a-rockin. Rather, the cars are parked in some post-industrial corner at the Gowanus in Brooklyn. Last Saturday on a dog walk down 12th Street and 3rd Avenue, I’ve seen a chick bobbing her head up and down giving some lucky guy getting a blow job in his car. Then just yesterday, a minivan was swaying side to side on the same block. It wasn’t the car’s engine that was running, if you get my drift.

When Time Out New York recommended skipping out on Blue Ribbon and head to Taro Sushi over at Dean Street, we just had to give it a try. The place reminded us a bit of Japan. It is small, it is cramped, it is packed, it is a bit rushed, and the sushi was great. The chef was a bit stingy with the fish, however. There were even a few offerings from the Tsukiji market that brought back some fond, delicious memories of 7am sushi. The biggest disappointment, however, was their decision to place a set of California rolls in the sushi and sashimi combination platter. Don’t be turned off by the long line of waiting patrons as the tables are turned around rather quickly. As for the alternative to Blue Ribbon label, yeah, the food is right up there, but without the hefty price tag.

[Taro Sushi, 446 Dean St (Cross Street: Flatbush Avenue) Brooklyn, NY 11217]

[photo by: adlaw/flickr]

Mexican food is always a great standby when I’m hungry and just not in the mood for any other cuisine. It’s cheap, and so filling that it sits in your stomach long enough to skip out the next meal. With Mexican food, you pretty much know what you are getting. All dishes is some kind or combination of rice, beans, cheese, veggies, and meat wrapped in various sizes of tortillas. While there are so many Mex-joints to choose from, Tacos Nuevo Mexico is the real deal, serving octopus salads, Oaxaqueño tamales, and lengua (tongue) tacos alongside the usual quesadillas, enchiladas, and burritos. In its modest space in Park Slope, Mexican families rub elbows with the usual Park Slope set, chowing down massive portions while glancing up to watch a bit of Telemundo. Do however, resist the urge to dance when a rump shaking tune is blasted off the jukebox. For a complete Mexican experience, hit the bar next door for a michelada.

[Tacos Nuevo Mexico, 489-491 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, btwn 11th & 12th]

Oh, the price of success. The old school pizza joint run by an equally old school pizza making Italian-American has received so much positive press coverage these past few years. Everyone from the The New York Times, Zagat’s, Village Voice, and even the borough-phobe New York has given the pizzeria so much love. In fact, Time Out New York, recently annointed the joint with the Best of Pizza in NYC. Word has it that even NYC guidebooks are heaping praise as well. It is because of all this attention that the wait for a Dom’s Special porcini mushroom slice is now over an hour’s wait. Most of the throng of drooling customers all fit the description of visitors to Midwood. Hey, you know what I mean! It’s as if the Brooklyn natives who grew up eating at DiFara’s have left to find a new pizza crush. As much as I love DiFara’s, I think it’s high time I do the same as well.

[DiFara's Pizza, 1424 Ave. J at E. 15th Street, Brooklyn]
[photo: NYCviaRachel/flickr]

In Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, the affluent, mostly Italian-American families decorate their homes with elaborate Christmas decorations. The families leave no stone unturned. Every bit of their houses are covered in some sort or Noel-related decor, as if to remind you that ’tis the season, lest you suddenly forget. Along with the inflatable Frosties and Santas, some have animated reindeers, Peanuts characters complete with Snoopy’s dog house, lights mimicking a snowfall, plastic nativity scenes, and Santas lodged in chimneys. One home particulary stood out with a scene straight out of Dickens, complete with animated characters, and audio narrative.

Weekend brunch is extra fun when all we have to do is roll out of bed and head over to Belleville on the corner of 5th Street & 5th Ave. Walking in the restaurant quickly transports you to Paris. The tables are small, the apertifs menu is scrawled on the mirrors on the walls, there are even benches along the walls. You cannot go wrong with anything on the the brunch menu, which consists of the usual eggs, waffles, and of course French toast. The fish soup is a good starter to split with a mate. Lately though, I’ve been ordering the croque monsieur. Just ordering it makes me feel like I’m in France.