Chicken and Waffles at Pies-N-Thighs

332.  Discovering Brooklyn, New York and all its many tastes and pleasures, inexhaustible.  Driving down the many residential streets which interlock with commercial streets you get the feeling  that everything you need is right here.  Whether food or clothing, sporting events or cosmetics, the newest shoe debut or a green space to read.  Brooklyn has it all!

One little beauty, in this bustling borough is "Pies-N-Thighs". A quaint corner restaurant with vintage seating, painted windows by the season, killer fried chicken and of course pie.

The menu is filled with stick-to-your-ribs options for a very reasonable price and "Where Everything's Special!!!

 

It's a "Brooklyn" twist on southern comfort food and it delivers!

You're seated at a table with wait staff and the food is hot and fresh.

 Here is a peek at what we devoured.  Chicken and Waffles with cranberry chutney and brown butter.

 Grits...Kale with peanuts...black eyed peas

And fresh biscuit with chicken, hot sauce and slathered in butter.  The coffee was perfect and we ordered pies to go...that's one of each.

Here is the map link for Pies-N-Thighs    on 4th Street in Brooklyn, New York.  You will not be disappointed.

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars,

or salted to an unchartered land

or opened a new heaven to the human spirit."

- Helen Keller

Carolina Hash

304.  There is nothing like a lazy afternoon in South Carolina.  The crickets singing, light breeze rustling the trees and barbecue on the menu.

 Our ventures took us south to "The Low Lands" which the locals affectionately call South Carolina. We loved the laid back atmosphere and lazy "drawl".  The roadside antique vendor mentioned "Y'all must not be from around these parts."  Our accents gave us away.  We enjoyed the rest and relaxation, not to mention all the good food!
A great restaurant was  The Pompous Pig in Anderson, SC. We saw on the chalk board a special of Carolina Hash.  Ordered with curiosity, we didn't want a tasteful opportunity to pass by.
We learned that most people "up north" have never heard of hash.  And that this particular hash was developed as a "stick to your ribs" kind of meal to keep farmers full, satisfied and nourished.  I researched Carolina Hash and found quite an interesting array of recipes.  You can find a few here on the Taste Of Home Community Forum.
 I must say this was the best surprise.  The Carolina Hash was so memorably delicious...with every bite you could taste new surprises and flavors.  I would have been satisfied to walk out right then and there.
It was served in a bowl and topped with white rice, a dollop of sour cream and sprinkled with cheddar cheese.  There were bits of pork, chicken, potatoes and tomatoes. It was like heaven in your mouth!
We also ordered other items...but the Carolina Hash stole the blue ribbon!

Our other choices were Brunswick Stew, very delicious!

BBQ Ribs with sides of Potato Salad, Baked Beans and
THE BEST CORNBREAD EVER MADE!!!
 I kid you not!  It was perfect...no butter or honey needed.  It was tender, perfectly sweet/salty and was not grainy.  I would pay for their recipe!

The BBQ Sauce on the tables was so good with a Tomato BBQ, Mustard BBQ, Bourbon BBQ and a sumptuous Vinegar Aju, which was my personal favorite!

Pulled Pork with Mashed Potato Bake and Fried Okra with Cole Slaw.  All served in a red basket lined with checkered paper.  A roll of paper towels on each table and sweet southern waitresses asking "How's your meal?  Everythin' alright?"

If you are ever in South Carolina, you have to eat at The Pompous Pig!  Very memorable eating experience.  I would drive all night for Carolina Hash and Cornbread!

"A Southern Lady - Someone who...has a pitcher of sweet tea at the ready.  Guards her recipe for Pimento Cheese.  Always writes a Thank-You Note.  Has monogrammed guest towels.  Bakes pies for her neighbors.  Knows pearls match everything.  Thinks smocked dresses and hair bows are simply darlin'.  Arranges hydrangea from her garden. Is always blessin' someone's heart."

~ Anonymous Southerner 

Sofi's Crepes

303.  If you love crepes you must try a Sofi Crepe from Annapolis, MD.  Located on Craig Street by the United States Naval Academy, Sofi is a walk-up storefront selling made-to-order crepes both savory and sweet.  

You place your order then watch the crepe artist make your crepe right before your eyes.

The smell is intoxicating and you can't help but get excited.

The crepe comes wrapped in a foil wrapper and is hot and steamy.  

You can find the website here:  Sofi's Crepes

And the menu:  Sofi's Crepe Menu

Tables and chairs are located along the sidewalk just a stones throw away from the Naval Academy.

The town is a quaint nautical port with archaic buildings and history down every street.

We parked our car and walked around.

 It is a great day trip and there are delicious restaurants and great shopping down each street.

Sofi's actually has 6 locations around Maryland.  See the locations here:

Sofi's Crepes locations

"...sprinkled with sugar and eaten hot, they form an exquisite dish.  they have a golden hue and are tempting to eat.  Thin and transparent like muslin, their edges are trimmed to resemble fine lace.  They are so light that after a good dinner, a man from Agen is still willing to sample three to four dozen of them!  Crêpes form an integral part of every family celebrations."

~Anatole France

Fette Sau in Brooklyn

299.  I surprised my honey for his birthday and we took him on a trip to Brooklyn, NY the Williamsburg area.  While watching Diners Drive-Ins and Dives one night, Guy Fierri visited a unique BBQ restaurant in the back of a store front.  Where there are no waiters and you eat at picnic tables.  The meat looked so amazing...it was added to our "MUST TRY" list.  That restaurant was Fette Sau.  You can check out their website here FetteSau.

They have paper towels on a roll for napkins along with a trinity of mystery squeeze bottles.  The large bottle had ketchup, medium bottle an amazingly spicy sauce and the small bottle was a vinegar blended in heaven!!!

The menu is written out on a chalkboard and the meat is sold by the pound, half or quarter.This was ambiance personified!  It was rustic & basic but such a great experience.  And each item spotlighted on it's own.

We ordered a pound of short pork ribs, a pound of brisket (which was to die for!!!) and a quarter pound of the bacon which came highly recommended!  We also ordered German Potato Salad, Baked Beans and Broccoli Salad.  All the sides were perfectly suited and held such strong flavors, but did not outdo the meat, which was the star of this platter!

We walked away that evening so very satisfied, pleasantly filled and the flavors lingered on my pallet for quite some time afterwards.  I would define the flavors as masculine, bold and rugged.  Nothing was over powering and each meat or side complimented the others.

This would be a great place to experience with friends.  No need to dress up for the occasion...the meat takes center stage!!!

5☆'s for Fette Sau Restaurant!!!

"BBQ so good it would make a vegetarian eat meat again."

~Unknown

Diners, Drive ins and Dives

276.  Recently, we took a trip to California and I fell in love!  The landscape, temperature and weather were just perfect.  We spent a week driving through the back roads and out of the way places exploring.  One of the great finds was a fantastic restaurant featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives called Putah Creek Cafe.  It is located in Winters, California.

You can check out their website here:  Putah Creek Cafe

The town was quaint and we enjoyed driving through the local streets.   Putah Creek Cafe is in an old refurbished building and has a very homey, inviting atmosphere. We ordered a California Burger, BCO Burger and the Cold Prawn Salad.  So delicious!  The local produce was fresh. Not to mention the awesome macadamia nuts that had a flavor I had never experienced before.  So fresh!!!  The avocado dressing on the salad was memorable!

 We shared the salad and both got burgers for their 2 for 1 Burger Special of the day.

We were not disappointed.  The wait staff  had on Putah Creek Cafe t-shirts and were very friendly. 

"I could put this on a flip-flop and it would taste great!"

~Guy Fieri, Diners, Drive ins and Dives

Sorrento's Pizza

225. If you live anywhere near Long Beach, NY you have to try Sorrento's pizza! It is a small family owned Italian Deli and Pizzaria. Located at 255 West Park Avenue, this local shop has an old world feel. The moment you step in the front door you are greeted with a wonderful aroma of cheese, and meats and fresh baked pizza from their stone oven.

Neon signs in the front window welcome you to enjoy espresso and "fresh" meats.

You can eat al fresco outside or pull up a chair at a table inside. It's enjoyable to take in the sites of all the imported products lined around the shop and watch the locals stop in for their daily needs. The friendly butchers behind the counter are more than happy to share a sample or answer any questions you may have.

This shop was originally a butcher shop and the perfect place to purchase a variety of Italian specialties, pastas, oils, cheeses and other choice selections of prepared foods. Several years ago Sorrento's expanded and installed a brick/stone oven and bakery items.

Our pizza of choice was a "small" with riccotta. And this is what was brought to our table!

It was served on a long wooden paddle and cut by the baker right at the table.

The mozzarella is freshly made every morning and has such a wonderful flavor. And the sauce is fresh plum tomato marinara. To finish the layers of flavor, parmesan is grated over all and fresh basil leaves.

The crust is perfect, crispy, thin and very flavorful. And while you indulge, an Italian and American flag flutter in the beach air.

You will also be given "real" plates instead of paper plates and plastic utensils. The restaurant staff was pleasant, friendly and very eager to serve. The "small" can serve 4 people, although they say it is for 2. And the price was only $10.00 with an additional cost for each topping.

Now this is a reason to drive to Long Island...and Long Beach for this Italian treasure.

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

~Leonardo da Vinci