Eating Your Way Through Park Slope

Of all the things there are to do on a summer weekend in Park Slope, eating ourselves into a stupor ranks ranks as one of the highest. While it’s easy enough to order Seamless and re-heat the leftovers until you need to open the door for the sushi delivery guy once again, getting out and taking advantage of the neighborhoods restaurants is way more fun. From Michelin-starred five-course gastronomic pre-fixes to creative, ethnic, and local eats; from the pop-up Brooklyn Porridge Company to the crocodile sausage at Kiwiana, Park Slope is an ideal neighborhood to explore new foods and re-discover old favorites. Get your stomach ready for this day-and-a-half food tour that will give you a new appreciation for the kitchens and tables of the neighborhood.

Coffee

Start your morning at Gorilla Coffee, an independently owned and operated coffee shop and micro-roastery. Sip on one of their unique signature brews or a not-too-sweet maple lattes. You can grab a bag of their beans to go, so you can enjoy Gorilla Coffee all week at home.

Breakfast

Compliment your caffeine boost with a morning sugar high and swing by Buttermilk Bakeshop, which bakes up fresh, flaky croissants, light macarons, and an incredible chocolate chip cookie that put many other bakeries to shame. Be sure to stock up on some sweets to go!

Mid-Morning Snack

Next, head over to Bergen Dean for your mid-morning sandwich. Owned by the personable Rafael Hasid of Park Slope’s Miriam and Wolf & Deer, this sandwich shop features Mediterranean and classic American fare, all with a gourmet twist. Opt for the chicken schnitzel, a nearly flawless sandwich prepared with fennel, arugula, pesto, relish, and honey mustard all accenting the fried-to-order chicken.

Lunch

Keep the dream alive and shuffle over to Luke’s Lobster, the local seafood mini-chain that recently opened a location in Park Slope. The buttery lobster and crab rolls are certainly the fame-worthy item here, but lobster grilled cheese and New England clam chowder are also menu highlights and make for a great summer noontime feast.

Late-afternoon Snack

Time to start downing the booze! Hit up Taco Santo, Palo Santo’s more casual younger sibling for a 5 p.m. margarita. For a light nosh, snag yourself some made-to-order tacos on freshly-pressed corn tortillas. Our favorites include lobster with butter, lemon, and avocado, and beer-battered fried avocado with aioli and cabbage. Sit outside on a picnic bench and take in the Park Slope breeze while ordering tacos a la carte until your heart’s content. And if your heart isn’t content, there’s a pharmacy just down the corner where you can pick up some Alka Seltzer to ensure the continued enjoyment of your eating adventure.

Cocktails

Take a short break from eating and walk to Morgan’s Brooklyn BBQ, a Prospect Heights neighbor that feels like it belongs in the Deep South. Cool down with a refreshing sweet tea on the patio or go for a spiked version with bourbon. The smells of BBQ may be tantalizing, but you need an empty stomach to truly appreciate the masterfully ‘cued brisket and chicken. Opt for a small side of corn, fluffy cornbread, or Frito Pie to qualm your hunger until dinner.

Dinner

For dinner, venture to Brooklyn’s new, elegant Grand Central Oyster Bar and start with a dozen East Coast oysters and a glass of wine or beer on tap. Oysters Rockefeller, Clams Oreganata, and popcorn shrimp are also great small plates for those who prefer their seafood cooked.

Drinks

It’s time to go out! Visit McMahon’s Public House, a new addition to the Slope with an extensive draft list of craft brews, as well as the old Guiness and shot of Jameson standby. With a new roof-top tiki bar in the works, this bar is a great option to enjoy the sights, sounds, and good company of Fifth Avenue.

Late Night

Got the late-night munchies? Pork Slope is the ideal venue for your last bites of the evening. Their buffalo fried shrimp—with a side of tater tots, of course—is your best option to slip blissfully into a food coma for the night.

Brunch

After a good night’s sleep on a full belly, wake up to Juventino, a farmhouse-chic brunch favorite specializing in sustainable, slow-food style cuisine. Grab a seat in the gorgeous backyard garden and try the renowned buttermilk pancakes or huevos rancheros with a pot of French press coffee.

Afternoon Tea

Tea Lounge is a great option to sit and work on the Sunday Times crossword over a pot of freshly-brewed, artisanal tea. If you’re feeling a little worse for the wear after the night before, try the Hangover C, sure to set you right for the rest of the day.

Lunch

Time to turn up the heat for lunch! Order a Tex-Mex style burrito at the newly-opened Calexico and be sure to drown it in their special chipotle “crack” sauce, or give the Buffalo chicken wings with bleu cheese sauce a go to get those spice-induced endorphins pumping.

Dessert

To complete your 36-hour food tour, venture to Four and Twenty Blackbirds’ new location in the Brooklyn Public Library. Indulge in a slice of strawberry balsamic or pink peppercorn chocolate from their summer pie menu. You’ll be in close proximity to wander into Prospect Park for a long afternoon stroll, and maybe begin to walk off some of your 36-hours of eating.

36 Hours in Park Slope

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