Dan Shapiro

Springtime on Cortelyou Road

Spring has at long last come to Cortelyou Road and Ditmas Park. The first warm weekend day saw couples and family promenading down the stately street of Ditmas Park. The Daffodils were admired and critical comments made as to color combinations on the never ending variety of Victorian homes. A discreet photo of someone's garden, a child admonished about walking on the grass and a smile, when a mention was made of the upcoming Arbor Day Ditmas Park Tree Tour 4/25 ( www.sustainableflatbush.org ).

Little did we know the real spring happening was going to occur that night? We had heard that a 773 Coney Island Avenue a formerly disreputable Irish bar (see a down and dirty bar cleans up its act... Brooklynian.com 4/22) was having a benefit for CAMBA (www.camba.org) featuring the Blue Law Jazz Group with guest appearance by Candice Hamilton.

Walking down Cortelyou, we were amazed. There was music, restaurants and people everywhere. The Old Cornerstone Bar now call SOLO had a wonderful jazz group. San Remo had an excellent guitar player and was filled to capacity (who knew? Brooklynian 4/19). The Farm at Adderley had people waiting outside on benches. The reopened Vox Pop had Jazz Group and a S.R.O. crowd. The people, who failed to make reservations, did find some consolation at the newly opened Mimi's hummus (http://mimishummus.com) the Sycamore (http://sycamorebrooklyn.com/), which had a Bar B Que and at Visions (A vision of Cortelyou. Brooklynian, Brooklyn Eats 12/18).

After so many distractions, we almost didn't make it to 773 Coney Island Avenue, a Bar Lounge. But it was worth the walk Joel Siegel, our neighborhood association president, was the lead guitar and his Blue Law Group were in top form, their medleys and singles consistently brought standing ovations. When Candice Hamilton got up to sing we knew we were in the presence of Jazz royalty. Animated and great voice she was well worth the cover. Her last song literally caused dancing in the aisles.

As the midnight hour approached, us Cinderella Baby Boomers headed home only to meet by our children and our neighbors offspring coming to Cortelyou Road.

Fino's Wall Street is mis-named, it should be Find if you can, Not on Wall Street. Look for this subterranean pricey restaurant off the corner (or maybe that should be under the corner) of Beaver and Pearl.

The décor of Fino's reminds you of a 1940's gangster movie, there is even a private platform where the shoot out can occur. We went on Friday night and discovered that we were the only patrons with a wait staff of about twenty.

Because we were a group of four we were able to sample a fairly wide range of their offerings. Fino's is not an Italian restaurant from any particular section of Italy, unless you consider Jersey City a section of Rome.

The Papardelle con Funghi was very good, but the Lobster stuffed Ravioli came with a zesty tomato sauce and seafood stuffed Ravioli should always had a creamy white sauce. The Cesar Salad had almost no dressing, but the shrimp, chicken and Veal dishes were first rate. The cold antipasti plate was very good and lots of variety, but almost superfluous, because the table service includes a large plate of olives, salami, peppers and large chunks of Parmesan.

Dinner for four with appetizer, pasta, main course and dessert will run about $ 220

for more see www.ditmasestates.com

773 Coney Island Avenue -Bar Lounge

There is an old story that the Police from the 70 precinct used to eat at Georges Diner not only because the food was good and cheap, but also because it was only a few doors down from 773 Bar Lounge and they could easily fill their quota of arrests there. Maybe Seven Seven Three, wasn't that bad but you certainly didn't walk in unless you knew someone or wanted to forget someone.

But with new owners, a spruce up and a limited menu, 773 has become a welcoming working man's/women's place. Drinks and Beers are still the staple, but with frozen shots, new lighting and some surprisingly edible finger food, this is now a welcoming place. If last night's jazz group and CAMBA benefit, is a sign of things to come, then maybe you would come to 773 to be seen rather than be forgotten

for more see ditmasestates.com

Village Gyro

1000 Coney Island Avenue

Brooklyn, NY

718 421 0505

The food at Village Gyro is freshly made, healthy, and the portions are large. This is a very inexpensive place to eat. Pakoras are sold by the pound for four dollars a pound. A pound of Pakoras is all you could possibly eat and easily fills a large plate. An entrée with rice and salad averages about $12.

I have heard from the community elders that American Pakistani restaurants no longer compete on how spicy hot they can make their dishes, my guess the restaurants is that they like us are becoming soft Americans. The Village gyro dishes do have some heat, but the level is reasonable and Zantac is not a necessary precaution.

I do not speak either Urdu or Russian, but I do have a god enough ear to tell the difference between them, when I hear it. In the same way, I expect to tell the difference in flavorings between a vegetable pakora, a lamb gyro and a chicken tikka. Yes, the ingredients are different and I can taste and see that, but there should also be a difference in the flavorings. Unfortunately, at the Village gyro, this subtly is lost on the cook.

It is a shame because Village Gyro, with its bright clean décor sets itself apart from the hole-in-the wall Pakistani kabob places on Coney Island Avenue. Perhaps the cook will learn that a lack of hot spices does not mean a lack of flavor variations.

The Village gyro does have a great variety of South Asian sweets. My advice is, take the sweets home and avoid the restaurant.

For more see www.ditmasestates.com

Taino Soliel

121 Livingston Street

Brooklyn, NY

718 858 8778

www.tainosoliel.com

O.K. rainy weekday nights on Livingston Street, downtown Brooklyn, are hardly lively, but someone has taken a lot of time, care and consideration in the opening of Taino Soliel, an upscale Caribbean restaurant. You get into the festive mood almost immediately with live plants, a colorful and interesting décor and even livelier island music.

Starting up a restaurant is not easy and there have been some initial problems at Taino, but they seem to have really gotten their act together. From the first greeting, to the constant attention and straight answers to your questions, you have the feeling that you really matter.

In every restaurant what really matters is the food. Here Taino excels, try the Calamari ala Coco. You have to be careful with Calamari you can easily wind up with rubber bands. This Calamari was done and still tender, a coconut sauce with red and green peppers and cilantro made this dish a real standout

The main courses are done just so, although I admit that I went way out on a limb when I ordered the Mofongo (a pork or shrimp concoction with yucca). The chicken stew was tasty without being spicy and the fried meats tender and juicy. You had the feeling, that someone in the kitchen puts a lot of pride in his/her work. Most dishes come with two sides and the best are the sweet potato fries and the sweet plantains. A carafe of Sangria and I was looking for my sun block.

Look for their special nights. Yesterday, the Martinis were five dollars and Thursday is Salsa night with an excellent Salsa dancing instructor (Don't drink and Dance!).

A full dinner for two is about $75

For more see www.ditmasestates.com