Social Media is a wonderful, powerful thing. Until its not. I dont recall how I first learned about Casa Vieja in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Perhaps I read about it on Chowhound or the excellent Eat The World. But it was most certainly not via Yelp. In fact after the first time I took Mrs Z to Casa Vieja and posted about it on Instagram, my friends were curious about taking my culinary spoiled wife to a place ranked so low on Yelp (three stars). Thats because the type of people that visit Casa Viaja dont review on Yelp. A whopping 15 reviews for one of the three oldest Mexican in Sunset Park (Tacos Matamoros, Tacos El Bronco are the others).
Like some of the Arab eateries of the neighboring Bay Ridge, and the Chinese neighbors in the East, it helps to know the language in this part of 5th Avenue. I think I’m getting to the point that its a little too late in the game to tell my regular waitress that I dont really speak Spanish. I’ve given her many clues, like not speaking a word of Spanish, and even accidentally uttering a Buonasera once or twice in the few attempts we tried. We are not only the only non-Spanish speakers in this casa, but in the entire block sometimes. If you measure authenticity by a foreign country like environment, Casa Vieja is as genuine as it gets.
Eat The World
However very often “authentic” doesnt translate well due to poor ingredients, execution, or cultural differences. Sometimes in order to appreciate a dish, it helps to grow up with it. Thankfully this is not the case here. Everything I’ve had here so far has been fresh tasting and pleasing to the palate. Flavors I dont expect in cheap Mexican restaurants. I usually start with the Tingas these days. Mini crispy tacos loaded with delicious shredded chicken with chopped tomato, lettuce, crumbled cheese and some tangy aioli. The corn on the cob is always solid although oddly overpriced.
Tacos, even on 5th ave can sometimes be bland and uninspiring. Not the case here, at least with the Al Pastor and Chorizo. The Mole here is superb. Try it on Enchiladas with steak. But the one dish I must have every single time, that usually follows me to the car is the excellent Lomo de Puerco Adobado. Beautifully marinated Pork Loin, with zucchini, corn, and dressed with sauce that got some seriously sneaky heat that even the Szechuan loving neighbors to the east can appreciate.
Casa Vieja
6007 5th Ave (60th), Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Rating: 2 Z’s (out of 4)
Stars range from Good to Exceptional. Simple as that
Recommended Dishes: Lomo de Puerco Adobado, Tingas, Enchiladas with mole, Tacos
This is more of an important public announcement, rather than a full restaurant review. Pok Pok, as expected by some, ran its course and closed around a year ago. I never want to see restaurants close, but admittedly, I havent visited Pok Pok in the final year or so. The fact that it was never open for lunch (weekdays), and other serious Northern Thai joints like Ugly Baby popping up in Brooklyn had something to do with it. But with Krok, opening up in its place there are reasons to celebrate, and visit.
When I was very young, like around age one, I was really really handsome. And I dont mean how all young babies and toddlers are beautiful in a way. I’m talking stunning beauty, almost girlish like. My nickname in daycare was Kendall. I had this ravishing hot blonde (I think that’s the correct color name) hair, and I was extremely pleasing to the eye. So pleasing that my parents were constantly worried of the ‘
In the black sea of Uzbek and Ukrainian eateries on Brighton Beach Ave, one can easily forget the avenue two blocks up, Neptune. Like 10th ave in Hell’s Kitchen, 7th avenue in Sunset Park, these are the forgotten practical blocks. As a visitor you tend to gravitate towards the hubs. But when you live in the hood, this is where you fix your chipped tooth, visit your favorite tarot card reader, or get that pastrami sub from the deli guy that knows exactly how you like it.
Apologies for the blurry photo. I start to shake in front of deliciousness. My posts will be smaller and to the point beginning… well it began actually. Too much going on in my life at the moment, so I dont have as much time to blog these days. But this is actually a good, refreshing change that will allow me to write about more places. More places, more usefulness, less mambo jumbo, same grammar.
As the great Manhattan rent squeeze continues, Brooklyn’s dining scene is getting more and more interesting. Years ago, you would never hear of notable places opening in neighborhoods like Prospect Heights, Bed-Stuy, Stuyvesant Heights. or any neighborhood with Stuy in it. Brooklyn is getting the same media coverage as Manhattan these days. Couple that with the ethnic food wonderland in the less gentrified areas of Brooklyn. Here are five very diverse spots I’ve been enjoying lately. A small sample showcasing what Brooklyn is all about these days.
In order to understand the name, one first needs to understand the location. One block over to the south is Hasidic Williamsburg, the most ultra-Jewish neighborhood in a borough loaded with Jewish neighborhoods (around 5). Once inside Hasidic Williamsburg you are not mistaken where you are. This is the one place in Brooklyn I’m not comfortable touring with visitors and I declined such requests in the past. Traif simply means “non-kosher”, a term not really used much even with Jews. Practically next door is sister restaurant Xixa, the Mexican version of small plate Traif. Xixa is pronounced Shiksa which means gentile girl, especially one that attracted a Jewish boy.
It’s Michelin Star season. When gracious winners throw parties to celebrate, while the losers and pretty much everyone else in the industry celebrate its awkwardness. Its the behemoth that everyone enjoys hating. In NYC two, and three stars are distributed with care while single stars are distributed like Halloween candy. My mother turns out has one. Some lose their hard earned stars within a year or two only to find themselves suddenly a lot more affordable (Bib Gourmet) while sporting the exact same menu that earned them the star. Should you look at Michelin for your French, Sushi and the default “New American” menu needs? Maybe. Should you look for it for Italian, Thai, Russian or [Name any other cuisine] needs? Nyet!
Eating With Ziggy 