Cluck, yeah. Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken Hits the East Village (Almost).

The 4 piece mix comes with cucumber salad and fries

The early word on the bird: it's all good. It better be after waiting in a line that snaked around Second Ave. for two hours tonight. The Bromberg Bros. are getting the final kinks out of the system before officially opening the doors of Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken to the public. Maybe this weekend, maybe next week. It just depends on when they think the staff is ready to handle the crush of crowds once they hit 'send.'

Judging from the frenzied online chatter, hoards of fans will be hitting the E. Village for the high-end chain's first chicken-only spin off. It's by the subway and it's open til 2am. Tonight the food was free. Here are the highlights:

 

Trio of chicken burgers

Fried chicken dinners come in a variety of combos or by the piece. The chicken is moist and juicy on the inside, and coated in the signature thick matzo meal crust. The crust is only lightly seasoned and definitely benefits from the flavor boost of honey-based sauces scattered on the tables. Combos come with a crisp cucumber salad and pencil thin fries. The hefty chicken burgers look tantalizing - and feedback from other diners confirmed it. 

Sides and salads don't disappoint. The fried dilly beans - pickled, deep fried green beans - have a sour tang that grows on you. And the blue cheese, bacon topped iceberg wedge makes a sinful side salad.

Fried dilly beans

There are other special menu grabbers like Mexican Sprite and Coke. And for dessert, check out the ice creams in creative combos. Carrot and habanero, anyone?

 

Behind the magic

 

Here come the crowds

28 E 1st Street @ Second Ave.
212 228 0404

Riverpark Debuts Summer Hideaway

Nothing like eating fried chicken alfresco

'Tis the season of sprawling city beer gardens, but not everyone wants to elbow their way through the masses for a table with a view. Tucked away on a quiet block in Kips Bay by the East River, Tom Colicchio's Riverpark just opened its terrace, a 72-seat outdoor urban oasis, adjacent to the restaurant.

Soak in the sun as you graze on casual modern American fare perfect for sharing. Executive chef Sisha Ortuzar has whipped up tasty fried oyster tacos with lime-pickled onions ($5), skillet fried chicken ($17), and gooey cheese empanadas ($9). Don't forget the lime-spiked fresh watermelon ($4).

An urban oasis with views

Add some friends, music, sleek communal tables, and a pitcher of Harpoon ($18), and that makes one fine summertime happy hour. You'll quickly forget the racing street traffic below.

Riverpark

450 E 29th St

Between First Ave + East River

212 729 9790

A Fried Chicken Steal

Come and get it

I am amazed at how Williamsburg's hipster dive The Commodore continues to churn out expertly prepared fried chicken at bargain basement prices. Honestly, where else can you get a fresh, hot plate of three giant, greaseless thighs and divine biscuits with honey butter for $11?

A side of sauteed kale is a must. Kale (part of the cabbage family) is one of those superfoods we're only going to see more of on menus. Here it's slightly tangy, slightly crunchy, and a delicious compliment to the crispy bird. Plus it's crazy good for you. Whereas fried chicken? Well, you get my point.

I couldn't help compare this dish to the fried yard bird ($18) from a recent visit to Harlem's Red Rooster. I won't knock the uptown hot spot for its vibrant style and vibe. But bite for bite, dollar for dollar, there's no comparison. The yard bird came out with two hefty pieces of lukewarm, nicely spiced but greasy poultry. Only a lemon wedge and spoonful of greens garnished the plate. It gets raves, but I don't get it.

I'll visit The Commodore for my fix any day. Wait, I forgot about Pies 'n' Thighs...

366 Metropolitan Ave.
Brooklyn
718 218 7632
Mon-Th, Sun 4pm - 12am
Fri 4pm - 1am

Brooklyn on Dwellable

Hill Country Chicken Feeds the City

A warm Southern welcome at Hill Country Chicken

Flatiron's new Hill Country Chicken fills a big city need: where to feed a fried chicken fix in a jiffy. A workday lunch, Saturday shopping snack, tourist break or inexpensive meal with kids. It's ideal un-fast food fast food. The other good news is that it's a bright, friendly oasis and the food is made fresh daily - from the thighs to the pies. Marc Glosserman, of BBQ hit Hill Country, offers two family chicken recipes depending on your preference: the Hill Country Classic, and his grandma Mama Els', a skinless version coated in crushed crackers.

Hill Country Classic fried chicken

Pieces are sold a la carte ($1.75 - $5.50), so mixing is encouraged. Both kinds are buttermilk-brined and juicy, but fell flat in the seasoning department. As for the sides ($2.50, small/$5, large), the one standout is the rich cheesy fried mashed potatoes. The blistered corn salad is mild. Fries are ho-hum. Buttery biscuits ($1) are a bargain. 

Don't forget the cheesy fried mashed potatoes

The chicken won't win any awards (for that go to Harlem or Brooklyn). But Hill Country Chicken gets an A for effort. In my book, sometimes that's more than adequate. And if they run out of pie, which sadly they did the night I was there, pop by Italian food hall Eataly around the corner for some gelato. 1123 Broadway (corner of 25th St.)