Lauren Pilgrim just launched her website (ok, small shameless plug - because we helped her with it..) But anyhoo, she is an excellent local caterer and personal chef who has absolutely convinced me that organic butter is the only way to go! Not to mention the fact that she can whip up a tasty baby shower / dinner party / family meal.

That’s right, everybody — yours truly has a new favorite sandwich meat: sopresseta. You’d think after living in an Italian neighborhood for six years — and living in the tri-state area for 20+ — I’d have clued into this fatty, scrumpcious carnivore’s delight earlier. But as you’re probably (somewhat painfully) aware, I’m a bit of a late bloomer when it comes to just about everything.

Anyway, when visiting Carroll Gardens, do yourself a favor and pick up a sopresseta sandwich at the iconically named Joe’s Superette on Smith between Carroll and 1st Place.

Also, sopresseta is a sausage, so the more enterprising (i.e., awesomely loony) among you can try to make your own… although the author of that article says sopresseta “is something of an acquired taste,” and there’s a vague warning in there about “trichinosis.” ?!??!

I recently went to LA for a long weekend, and well, we spent our time (and photos) on eating. I’ve come to the conclusion that while Brooklyn is the best place in the world, it could use at least one key import from the west coast - In and Out Burger!
Here is a quick look at some of our choice culinary delights.

1. In and Out Burger: We went there directly from the airport - it was a necessity.

2. Freshly Baked Ginger Sugar Souffle: I don’t know any diners in Brooklyn that cook you a fresh souffle and charge you only $3.50 for it. It is well worth the 35 min wait.

3. Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles: From what I understand the tradition of chicken and waffles started in Harlem, as an after party treat for folks leaving the cotton club. It is good to know I don’t have to go all the way to LA to have it again - but can anybody recommend a place in Brooklyn?

4. Noodle Planet’s Boba World Crazy Green Apple bubble Tea Shake Thing: brightest colored drink I have ever seen, purchased at Noodle Planet, a great noodle joint in an old Big Boy restaurant with a sci-fi theme. (The big boy is still there)

SPECIAL HALLOWEEN NOTE:
Ok, and I know this post is about food, but I should also make mention of Knott Scary Farms. An awesome amusement park turned Halloween Haunt with 12 mazes (haunted houses), more smoke machines than you could shake a stick at, and scores of extras giving you a good jump at every corner. This alone (even without the in and out burger) is worth the trip to LA. If you love Halloween you MUST go.

Rob and Brian (two italian cousins from staten island) came by today to install our new alarm system. We asked if they wanted to order lunch with us - which launched us into a conversation about some of their fav lunch spots. Seeing as they are two guys who spend their days driving around installing alarms and eating sandwiches (primary roast beef sandwiches) from every corner deli in the tri-state area, we think they probably know what they are talking about.

Defontes
“I grew up with the guy whose grandpa started that place”
“Whenever you got a bunch of workmen lined up around the corner at lunch time you know its good”
379 Columbia St., at Luquer St.; 718-625-8052. (carroll gardens)
Try the: egg sandwich with sausage, the roast-beef-mozzarella, the valentino: roast beef, mozarrella and fried egg plant.

L& B Spumoni Gardens
“What, you’ve never been there?”
“No”
“They have the best jalamar there”
“What is jalamar?”
“C-A-L-A-M-A-R-I - in italian the c’s are pronouced as J’s - where you from anway?”
2725 86th St. Brooklyn, NY 11223 718.449.1230/718.372.8400
Try the: pizza and of course the calamari

Roll-N- Roaster
“They’ll put cheese on anything.”
Emmons & Nostrand Ave, Sheepshead Bay.; 718.769.6000
Try the: burgers and cheese fries

John’s Luncheonette
“They’ve got the best roast beef sandwiches with this dark gravey they put on it. They only used to serve it on Tuesdays, but now I think they serve the sandwich everyday.”
1643 McDonald Avenue (718) 627-6735
Try the: Roast Beef Sandwiches on Tuesdays

Brennan & Carr
3432 Nostrand Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11229 (718) 646-9559
Try the: Roast Beef Sandwich

Denino’s Pizza
524 Port Richmond Ave. (Staten Island) at Hooker Pl. 718-442-9401
Try the: Pizza

Yay it’s finally cold out. Time to break out the soup recipes. Thanks to LJ for finding the recipe for the best soup of all time - curried pear and butternut squash soup.