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 Joe is a graduate of Northport High School and the University at Albany, he currently lives in Brooklyn and is pursuing his Masters Degree from George Washington University. If you're interested in more of Joe's food musings, check out his blog at: basicjoeeats.com. |
| When you move away from home, one of the first things you are drawn to do when you arrive is find things that remind you of where you came from. For me, naturally, it was a food establishment. Save the fact that I live above a ravioli store for another piece, one of the best things about moving to Brooklyn is the plethora of food options available. From my apartment, a ten minute walk will bring me to a lineup of food options spanning the globe: Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Georgian, Russian, Ukrainian, Mexican, Greek and Vietnamese restaurants all in a row. Granted, they are punctuated by your standard Dunkin Donuts and Subway, but as far as a food paradise goes for those who like options, you would be hard pressed to find a better lineup. I thought that very same thing, until one day when I stumbled across a very unassuming place completely by accident and simultaneously completed my quest for the one thing that had eluded me my entire life: Polish takeout. Chris’s Restaurant (1866 86th Street, Brooklyn) offers a variety of Polish classics in a contemporary setting. With a small bar in the rear, this quaint spot epitomizes what it means to be a “neighborhood place”. A warm, cozy atmosphere creates the perfect environment to enjoy some of the Polish classics I was raised on in my youth (I know, some of you are trying to reconcile that with a name like Alicata, I am Polish, but stranger things have happened so buckle in). A few weeks back, after a number of failed attempts at online dating, I decided I was taking myself on a date, and shoved off to Chris’s for a night out on my own. For starters, I grabbed the red borscht with dumplings, perfect for a cold night. I went with mushroom dumplings, but there are options if you are not inclined to mushrooms. I have sampled my share of borscht’s in my travels, but this particular borscht was seasoned perfectly and had a rich, full flavor, which is a unique and attractive quality for a clear soup. The dumplings are a nice touch and are a flavorful, earthy compliment to the soup. As I scanned the menu for my dinner, I came across so many things that I wanted to try. But, since I have not hit that level of self-loathing yet, I cannot bring myself to order eight separate dishes to my table when eating alone. We may cross that bridge someday, but today is not that day. As I pondered how to tackle this quandary, I came across the perfect menu item to solve my problem: the Polish platter. All of the good stuff in one place: three pierogis, one piece of kielbasa, stuffed cabbage (gouvalki for those who are familiar) and sauerkraut. Chris’s makes their pierogis on site, and it is noticeable. Boiled, they are soft and flavorful without being mushy and dull. The kielbasa is cooked perfectly, crisp on the outside with a good “snap” when you bite into it, and the stuffed cabbage may actually be the most perfectly rolled stuffed cabbage I have ever seen. Stuffed with chopped meat and rice and steamed, the cabbage is the perfect way to cap off the platter and send you home happy. So if you are ever in the area, or have a serious late night desire for a long car ride and some serious Polish soul food, check out Chris’s on 86th in Brooklyn. |
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