Anyways, first stop was the ReRun movie theater in the back of Rebar, which is located on Front St. Walking in, I immediately wanted to sit down and eat in Rebar, but we had tickets to see an independent film for the evening (the theater's eclectic film line up is curated by a film writer for the Village Voice). I was completely surprised when I walked in the back and saw a funky little theater with seats taken from old minivans that I could recline in during the movie, and a small bar for some pre-movie sipping. The snacks were no ordinary movie theater snacks either, you couldn't get icees there if you tried. More like popcorn with your option of grease, (brown butter, drawn butter or herb butter, bacon fat or duck fat) powder (garlic, paprika, or herb salt), or both. I was not feeling the duck fat and stuck with the garlic powder, however my ever more adventurous paramour, chose the duck confit stuffed and baked focaccia with corn and marscapone and he recommends it. I didn't love my popcorn, and probably should have went for the fatty grease( in my eyes all things fattening= heaven). Other options include stuffed pretzels, gourmet hotdogs and sausages, and a variety of desserts for all around 5-7 dollars. After the movie was a Q and A with the movie's director which was cool. Eric, being in the movie business, likes to support independent movies and bought a DVD off him. Hopefully one day someone will pay it forward for him. Two annoying things that I found in this place was the noisy subway that at times distracted me from my movie and the fact that the bar had no water. What????? Seriously, I was so dehydrated and the bartender had to get the water from the front of the restaurant......which I never got since he forgot by the end of the movie. He did offer a sincere apology though.
After leaving ReRun, we decided to walk around to see which restaurants caught our eye. We walked one block and there it was, The Dumbo General Store (11 Front St.). Dark and dungeony but definitely kicking. This restaurant is a large open space that appear to be a converted warehouse. We perused the Italian style menu and we decided to order from the small plates.
It was Friday night at around 9ish, not too late.
They told us that it would be a while because there was a hold up in the kitchen. We didn't mind because we wanted to have a drink anyway to discuss the movie. Two drinks in, we were still waiting AND salivating at the smells from the tables nearby. Finally the waitress took our order, which was a variety of cheeses (gorgonzola, pecorino, Monte Veronese), farro salad, tomato ricotta bruschetta, liver, and the meatballs. The items came out in waves and each wowed us more than the next. Cheeses were so rich and savory it was like a little celebration in our mouths. Next was the faro salad, we both had never had farro before but gave it a whirl. We loved it, it's a grain that's similar to rice with more of an earthy nuttier taste. (Since then, we have gotten it whenever we see it on the menu). The bruschetta was on par with the farro and the meatballs superseded it all. I, of course, did not love the liver but for those who like it, Eric says it was amazing.
Although the wait and the service was not the best, I am willing to chalk it up and go again because my mouth loves a flavor party. I will most definitely try the lasagna because that was one of the mouth-watering smells we experienced while we were waiting. We were only feeling small plates that night. Dumbo was two for two and we plan on booking one of those communal tables to share with our friends.
ERICA'S RATING FOR THE DUMBO GENERAL STORE - 8.5 (lost for the service). Go there!
YOU ALWAYS GIVE SUCH GREAT INFO----I MUST TRY IT
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