Kitchen Toro: KITCHEN TORO EATS WILLIAMSBURG

Kitchen Toro Eats Williamsburg is a new feature on Kitchen Toro that will highlight food and restaurants in the Williamsburg and Greenpoint neighborhoods. I'm going to eat all of Williamsburg and Greenpoint this summer, not every item on the menu mind you (as I don't have the expense account for that yet) but as many as possible to create a comprehensive list of reviewed restaurants and eateries and create a rotation, a stable of places that need to be visited and a list of places to ignore. I hope to soon have a mash-up of all the places mentioned below and asking for suggestions.

ANNA MARIA PIZZA & PASTA
Bedford Ave., (718)599-4550

Probably Williamsburg's most favorite pizza joint. I guess the obnoxious popping open of the paper bags in which the slice-to-go is slipped by guys behind the counter is 'personality.' It's an okay slice, fresh.

BAGELSMITH
189 Bedford Ave., (718)218-7414

Great bagels (excellent while warm!)-- plain, everything and pumpernickel reign. Different flavored cream cheeses and egg sandwiches to be had too. While you're waiting on line Saturday or Sunday morning, ponder hairstyles and the return of leggings or which of the excellent, soft cream cheeses you want and your free bagel should you order a half dozen.

BEAN

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CONEY'S

More white table than Sweetwater but still comfortable bistro food. There's some Dressler-hating going on, I think because of the clientale. You won't hear any comments from the waitstaff that you need to go to the restroom you should go in the Gretsch.

DUMONT BURGER
314 Bedford Avenue (S. 2nd St.)
(718) 384-6127

After my first brioche bun DuMont burger I had to return twice the same week to this cramped but friendly joint. Think of it as a koan, excellent burger with little room to enjoy it.

EL LOCO BURRITO

Reasonably priced and the servers are friendly enough, but it's not terribly good. With other options in the 'Burg there's no reason to go here other than to sit at a window table on a summer day with a drink and watch the world float by, that or to get out of the rain.

GRAND CAFE

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MARLOW & SONS
81 Broadway, (718) 384-1441

Decent food, a warm worn bar and cozy surroundings where you and your neighbors' tables are mostly one and the same. This is a great place for a summer meal inside or out while supping on beer and oysters. The shop in the front has some nice finds.

MONSIGNOR

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PIES AND THIGHS
351 Kent Ave., (South 5th St.)
(347)282-6005

Wow. From pulled pork to Shack-quality burgers, spicy mac 'n cheese to potato salad & pickle bites, double-crust pies, rice krispie treats and chocolate peanut-butter pie. Feast like Thanksgiving & have money for food the rest of the week.

TACOBITE

It's a window. Out of it come great tacos. The sign has a mustachio'd smile, beneath it the fare is listed. Why not smile, those prices are ridiculously cheap. And across the street from McCarren Park? A definite keeper.