New York

I just returned from a short trip to Brooklyn. The weather was great and most of my friends had plenty of time off work to hang out. It was a good time all around! Below is a list of some of the food and drink highlights:

Taco Chulo
318 Grand St # 1
Brooklyn, NY 11211-4448
(718) 302-2485

* Great carnitas sopes with a really spicy tomatillo salsa. Laura, Justin, and Jody got the Pepino margarita which has chile infused tequila in it. Spicy, sweet, and perfectly balanced. I ended up getting Don Julio Reposado with their house Sangrita mix. The Sangrita was wonderful. They use the juice from their pico de gallo, orange juice, and chiles to make their mix. Sangrita is traditionally a chaser for tequila. I like sipping on it, especially with Don Julio. Make sure if you're in NY to stop by and say hey to our friends Rachel and Neilie.

Walter Foods
253 Grand St
Brooklyn, NY 11211-4448

I ended up going to Walter Foods twice, once for drinks and the second time for dinner. I love this place. The level of quality is exceptional but the service and excitement about the menu is what really got me. On Saturday night my posse and I spent a couple of hours sitting at the bar tasting handcrafted drinks and chatting with the bartenders. We geeked out on bitters, maraschino cherries, different types of vermouth, Black Maple Hill bourbon, margaritas, blah blah blah. You have to go for the fig sidecar/apricot sidecar (if they run out of fig sauce they sub it with apricot). Their variation on the sidecar is worth the trip. Rum, homemade lemondade, and fig/apricot sauce, in a sugared cocktail glass! The manhattan is worth trying if for nothing other than the cherries. They use Michters maraschino cherries, which are probably one of the best things I've ever eaten! Period! Check out their cocktail menu online.

If you do happen to make it to Walter Foods get the burger. They use short rib meat on a brioche roll and man is it good! Seriously!!

Dumont Burger
314 Bedford Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Didn't have a burger but enjoyed the Manhattan and Hendricks Pickle Juice Martini (no vermouth). You don't really need vermouth when making a Hendricks Martini. Great spot.

Lucky Shot Espresso
145 Driggs Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11222

These guys are new to the Green Point neighborhood. They are using Stumptown, which recently started roasting in Brooklyn, and pour great shots. Definitely check it out if you're in the neighborhood.

El Beit
158 Bedford Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 302-1810

El Beit is serious about espresso. They currently have a single origin Brazil that was really nice. Great patio out back and nice minimal decor. If your strolling around Bedford stop by. Just make sure you watch your step when you're walking through the front door!

Cafe Grumpy
193 Meserole Ave
Brooklyn
(718) 349-7623

Grumpy reminds me of Krankies ( not just the name). They have a large space that is funky and filled with laptops. They use Verve coffee out of Santa Cruz which I hadn't heard of. I ordered a cappuccino and it was by far the best on the trip!