We lived in Brooklyn Heights 20 years ago. We had every intention of planting our roots in Brooklyn but in all honesty we could not afford it. We left for the suburbs with two kids in tow. As the eternal optimist we made it work but as soon as our lives changed we came rushing back to the city with 3 kids in tow. It was the areas of Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens that we loved. If timing had been different when we returned to the city we might have returned to Brooklyn. Those three neighborhoods are family and community oriented in a very different way than Manhattan. Court Street that runs through all three is one of the most beautiful streets lined with local stores, butchers, restaurants, bakeries, vegetable/fruit stores etc.
Both Fred and I have spent a lot of time in Brooklyn over the past few years and every time we return we are are blown away by the growth and change. I know there are a lot of naysayers in regards to Bloomberg and how he has made NY a place for the rich but being able to return on a packed subway this weekend at 10pm at night is good for everyone. The money that is being put into growing public transportation that makes life easier for commuters is a win win for everyone and that comes from a strong economy. All the people that live in Brooklyn have experienced new places opening daily, where the schools get better each year and a safe community has grown larger and that is great for the economy.
We had dinner at Seersucker. A warm friendly neighborhood spot in Carroll Gardens that serves up some delicious food with a southern twist. They had a great list of cocktails including beer mixtures and the menu is always changing. They started us off with a spoon of a savory herb yogurt with sliced seasonal vegetables.
I started with a vegetable salad with market greens and shaved raw vegetables with a rich mustard vinaigrette.
Fred went with the country ham. Country ham sourced from Edwards & Sons with blistered shishitos peppers, pickled okra ( out of this world ) and roasted onions. A real Southern dish with a modern twist.
I also ordered one of the dishes for the table. I just had to taste. Crispy pigs head wontons served over a spoon bread puree, pickled chanterelles, shitakes and a red eye jus. Super crispy wontons stuffed with a delicious pulled pork. A winner.
For the main course we split. Fried chicken is the call. Two pieces of boneless fried chicken with a an intense crust that has a hint of sage. This is served over a yukon potato puree, baby carrots and a sweet onion-bourbon gravy. It is rich but the portions are not overwhelming. Really delicious.
House dry aged New York duck breast sliced medium rare over a mixture of cornbread panzanelle and light tomato sauce.
Our friends who had been there before ordered braised collards for the table. I love how they serve it in the black pot.
They had one dessert. Roasted peaches with whipped cream over the top and little pieces of crispy sweet pecans on top over dulce de leche. Honestly how could this not taste good?
Our friend ordered the biscuits which I was very happy about. I was going to order them for dinner. Perfectly baked light biscuits with a crisp crust served with a salted molasses butter, pear and peach preserves. A biscuit with molasses butter is kind of the perfect dessert.
We talked alot about how Brooklyn has changed and how that change is talked about and used to describe neighborhoods around the country that are undergoing change which means bringing in new restaurants, stores and people. The urbanization of America is described by each city as their Brooklyn. I love it.