From hole-in-the-walls to Michelin-starred institutions

Four & Twenty Blackbirds: Did someone say pie?

September 01, 2014 by Jesse Hsu in NYC, Brooklyn, Restaurant, Review

On our way to the Rockaways, we stopped by Four & Twenty Blackbirds, whose pies made their debut nationwide when Whoopi brought them to share on the Jimmy Fallon show.

Opened in 2010 by two sisters, Four & Twenty Blackbirds is renown for homemade pies that are made from scratch every day using seasonal ingredients. The menu changes frequently which simply means I have an excuse for repeat visits.

Figuring there would be a mass of people waiting outside, we were pleasantly surprised to see no line since we dropped by mid-afternoon after lunchtime.

(Dough)nuts

Dough

March 18, 2014 by Jesse Hsu in Brooklyn, Bed-Stuy, Restaurant, Review

The first time I had Dough was at the Brooklyn Flea in 2012. While walking around the food vendors located in the basement of the Williamsburg Savings Bank, I saw an ordinary looking glass case with shelves of donuts accompanied by an inconspicuous sign that said "Dough".

The reason I plunked down my money? All of the trays were empty save for 3-4 donuts. I bought a fragrant lemon poppyseed donut which was the best donut I ever had. The taste of fresh lemon juice and zest and poppy seeds was pure and refreshing. When I went back to the cart for more, the shelves contained nothing except for a few crumbs.