New Year's 2011

Who needs big parties or advanced plans? Danny and I managed to pull off what was easily the best New Year's Eve EVER.

All the pish-posh places in the neighborhood were booked for their prix-fixe menus, so we headed to our usual, Fragole. It's a cozy place, frequented by locals, with great daily specials. We ate monkfish for the first time, got a fabulous mango salad, butternut squash ravioli, a charcuterie plate, and some nice wine. We were also treated to several glasses of champagne.

Following that, we chilled at The Chocolate Room, enjoying a luxurious 4-course tasting menu:

We arrived back at our apartment just before midnight to enjoy the final moments of 2010 and the early moments of 2011 in a place that finally feels like home. The joy continued on New Year's Day as we hopped, once again, from establishment to establishment on Court and Smith Streets. First there was brunch at Buttermilk Channel (eggs Huntington, ABC grilled cheese, hash browns, homemade pickles, mimosas and bellinis,) then we walked off our huge meal while we hit some shops. We siesta-ed at home, watching Ratatouille (OMG - I want to go back to Paris - RIGHT NOW!) Later that night, we poked our heads into the Brooklyn Social Club for a drink. We weren't really feeling the vibe, although the Riposto (vodka with muddled tangerine and rosemary) was an interesting drink. So we headed to our other neighborhood fave, The Jake Walk. After more munchies there, we ended the evening at Clover Club with half a dozen oysters and some champagne. So far, 2011 is promising to be a year of fine dining and fabulous days in South Brooklyn.