From Turntable Kitchen: Top Side One Track Ones Since 2000

Everyone now and then, I find a post about music that is so thoughtful and inspired that I can’t help but share.

Photo via Turntable Kitchen from Creative Commons, license courtesy of Bharani Padmanabhan MD PhD.

Turntable Kitchen has become one of my favorite food & music blogs over the past year, and their posts on both subject matters (check out especially their “Musical Pairings” section) are introspective and well conceived. Earlier this month, they posted some thoughts, and a fantastic mix, based on the best “Side Ones Track Ones” from the past 10 years. The concept of the first song on a record being the one that makes the biggest impression is something I too have thought about, but I never would have been able to word these thoughts as eloquently as the author of their post did. To check out the post in its entirety, as well as the mix that includes TnJ favorites Spoon, Ratatat, Bon Iver, and James Blake among others, click here.

And stay tuned for more TnJ original content, including our summer concert picks.

Eat This: Brunch at Fonda in Park Slope

Park Slope abounds with brunch options, but the options are severely lacking in the Mexican department. And good Mexican options? In my opinion, there is only one: Fonda. Thankfully, it is not only good, but great. Not only is the decor and atmosphere interesting and lovely, but there is rarely a wait–a huge plus in NYC. And, believe it or not, there is a garden patio in the back. Chef Robert Santibañez grew up in Mexico City and recently released his cookbook, Truly Mexican, in April.You’ll often find him walking around and talking to customers, and perhaps offering free coffee as he did to us.

Not that I’m an expert on Mexican food, but this stuff tastes truly authentic, making proper use of the chiles and spices available. Brunch, which is very reasonably priced (most items are $10) and includes a mimosa (choice of hibiscus, guava, or mango–yes, they are as good as they sound!), is filling and delicious.

Guava and mango mimosas, complimentary with all brunch entrees at Fonda

Unable to resist, I had the Chilaquiles Rojos with scrambled eggs (you can also get them with shredded chicken or grilled skirt steak). Chilaquiles, if you’ve never had them, are homemade tortilla chips drenched in a sauce–it can be mole, verde, or rojo. Fonda only offers the rojo version, a roasted tomoato-habanero sauce, but it is spicy and yummy in all the right ways and comes topped with crema and queso fresco–as most things should in a Mexican restaurant. The dish was so large I couldn’t finish it–not something that happens to me at brunch too often! Did I mention it was $10??

Chilaquiles Rojas with scrambled eggs

My brunchmate had the Huevos Divorciados ($10), another classic Mexican breakfast dish. It is two sunny side up eggs divided by two sauces, salsa verde and ranchera, with bacon, queso fresco, and crema, and it came with a side of rice and black beans. So much food! The flavors were complex and bursting with the right amount of spice. All too often Mexican food in NYC is way too bland. But not here!

Huevos Diorciados at Fonda

Fonda's black beans are robust and flavorful.

 Fonda
434 7th Avenue
between 14th and 15th St.
Park Slope, Brooklyn
(718) 369-3144

DevoLT’s Picks for May

I know this is usually JudyJams’ deal, but I wanted to get in on the action this month because I’ve been listening to some really great stuff that I wanted to share!

BOBBY album cover courtesy Partisan Records

First up is BOBBY, hailing from  western Massachusetts. Molly Sarle, who is also in the folk trio Mountain Man, is on vocals for the delightfully weird group, who just earned an opening spot on Thao and Mirah’s upcoming tour. Their first album is out June 21 on Partisan Records. Check out two tracks from it here.

Marques Toliver

Marques Toliver is making waves in the UK and Brooklyn (he lives in both places), and he also wowed at SXSW, with his unique twist on R&B/soul. He was actually discovered playing on the street in NYC by TV on the Radio’s Kyp Malone. He’s a multi-talented violinist, autoharpist, and vocalist whom Adele claims is her favorite new artist. His tunes are soulful and emotive and may even have you dancing to boot. He’s currently unsigned but I’m sure that won’t last long.Check out these two tracks:

Deep in My Heart

White Sails (demo)

courtesy of Computer Magic

Another unsigned phenom, Computer Magic is the efforts of the singular blogger/DJ/graphic designer Danielle, or Danz, as she likes to go by. The style is electropop with bedroom eyes, or as Stereogum puts it, “It’s the kind of music the female leads in Sofia Coppola movies would make. ” The best part is, she shares a ton of music for free on her soundcloud page! I’m sharing a few tracks here, but head over there to hear lots more.

Grand Junction

Electronic Fences

Running

courtesy of Sub Pop Records

Lastly, we check in with Sweden, producers of some of my favorite musicians (Jens Lekman, the Knife, Jose Gonzalez). Niki & the Dove, who recently signed to Sub Pop, have recently released the soaring, spectacular single “The Fox,” which you can download for the price of your email. The beat is addictive and seems a harbinger to danger and singer Malin Dahlström’s voice is as clear as glass. All their songs are heavy on the synth and I’m thankful for that. Here’s a Mylo remix of their song “Gentle Roar.”