Last night braved the storm for Kaz An Nou: an adorable French Carribbean restaurant on the Park Slope/Prospect Heights border. They just updated their menu, and while the flawless jerk chicken and West Indies burger are still in full effect, they’ve fortified their offerings with curried escargot, cheesy crab-stuffed chayote and a signature riff on Niçoise salad that brings smoked whitefish and okra to the mix. For dessert, we had a Galette des Rois, or King Cake: a traditional French pastry typically served on January 6, the Christian feast day of Epiphany, that contains a bead somewhere inside that turns the lucky recipient into a king (or queen) for a day. Although Kaz An Nou’s take on the cake didn’t include such a bead, I felt particularly regal after the meal. 

Photo courtesy of kazannou.com

It’s nice to have Chiles & Chocolate Oaxacan Kitchen nearby, though we don’t go nearly as often as we should. They serve three types of mole, but I can’t seem to not order the superrich mole negra (made from dried chiles, chocolate, sesame seeds, plantain & tomato base with over a dozen other spices & ingredients, according to their menu). You can get it atop other dishes if you don’t want to get a big cauldron of mole chicken or what have you. I got it on chicken quesadillas, which is kinda sinful-amazing. The guac is great too (hard to mess up) but I remain too chicken to try it topped with Chapolines (fried grasshoppers). Maybe next time. The Ensalada De Nopal (cactus salad) and Ceviche Hualtulco (cold shrimp salad) were OK but next time we’ll stick to the fish tacos, which were out of this world when we ordered them last.

Classy fruit snacks, a/k/a the Dehydrated Fruit Plate (watermelon, pineapple & tomato) at Beer Table. 

photo by Guy Savir

Join actor and Brooklynite Steve Buscemi at Park Slope wine resto Bussaco this Sunday at noon for a special brunch to benefit Brooklyn’s artsy ISSUE Project Room. Radio journo John Hockenberry will screen select clips of Fargo, Reservoir Dogs, The Big Lebowski, Living in Oblivion and Ghost World that prove that Stevie B is the man. Seats are limited so get yours in advance and get me an autograph while you’re at it.