Park Slope, Brooklyn is a lovely, if simplistically-named neighborhood. There's a park, there's a slope, there are about 8 billion kids under the age of ten, and there are countless businesses that cater to them and their families. There aren't very many truly exciting restaurants, at least compared to Manhattan, but that's starting to change, if the opening of Talde on Seventh Avenue near the F train stop is any indication. Top Chef All-Star Dale Talde's new restaurant - which he opened with partners David Massoni and John Bush of nearby Thistle Hill Tavern - began welcoming diners on Sunday, and judging from the crowds that have flocked to the place since then, the sleek Asian-American restaurant has already won the neighborhood's heart. 

As one of the many talented cuisiniers participating in Le Fooding D'Amour (September 25-26 at at New York's P.S.1), Julie Farias knows a thing or two about a good cut of meat. The Texas-born chef—who recently moved from Brooklyn's Beer Table to The General Greene—worked for Daniel Boulud for five years (at Café Boulud, db Bistro Moderne, and Daniel), but attributes much of her culinary know-how to her southern upbringing and family influence (her clan owns a tortilla factory inside a San Antonio meat market). Farias tells us about working in kitchens on both coasts and how Le Fooding is going to taste for New Yorkers. In her case, it's going to taste like tacos made from 40 cow heads.

No matter your poison, level of expertise, or income bracket -- there’s no beating comparison shopping. So line up the wine, beer, whiskey, tequila, and even the house-infused vodka for the purpose of weeding out the bad so you can order up more of the good.

Beer Table's Justin Philips on expensive brews, his favorite spot in Paris, and what not to call him.

10. Jeremy’s Ale House (Lower Manhattan) - Not the greenest option, but when it comes to price, there’s no arguing with their $4 32-ounce Styrofoam buckets of Coors. 9. Zum Schneider (East Village) - It’s Oktoberfest all-year-round at this frat-tastic joint where the impressive beer selection comes in small 0.3l, regular 0.5l, or large 1.0l glasses. 8. Heidelberg (Upper East Side) - Nothing like drinking two liters of beer out of a glass boot.