MOVIE: Tonight the Brooklyn Independent Cinema Series delivers two very different films. First up is The French Riviera, described as "a road documentary that follows a truck driver on a mission to earn enough money selling ice cream in the Icelandic countryside to go on a vacation on a French beach." Next up is About A Son, the "intimate and moving meditation on the late musician and artist Kurt Cobain, based on more than 25......

This week in the Times, Bruni one-stars Mesa Grill (pictured), knocking the restaurant down from the two stars given it by William Grimes in 2000. Says that while the Bobby Flay restaurant “has considerable charms… on balance [it] presents only flickers of the excitement it did [when it opened] in 1991… It’s an overly familiar, somewhat tired production. More to the point, it’s an inconsistent one.” Peter Meehan goes to Hakata Tonton for $25 and......

Bruni one-stars E.U., finds the restaurant with the tortured history "eclectic not only in terms of its national influences but also in the quality of different dishes." He loves some of the food, as well as the design and the wine list, but dislikes the desserts. Says "you're taking a chance every time you walk in." Also in the Times, in $25 and Under, Peter Meehan goes to Nomad for Algerian. He's crazy about the......

- Note to self: Start hanging out at Republic more to stalk catch a glimpse of Top Chef's Sam Talbot. [Grub Street] - David Chang discusses the logic behind expanding the hours he offers his late-night menu at Momofuku Ssam Bar: "the late night menu + regular hours = asses in seats." [Eater] - The Times explores the culinary evolution and composition of Queens, from Greek, to Bangladeshi, to Mexican, to North African, to Chinese,......

Passionate men cook great food. And Ali is one of the most passionate men you’ll ever meet. That’s all you need to know before you go to Ali’s Kabab Café in Astoria. I discovered Kabab Café just before I started driving a yellow cab and well before I ever dreamt of conducting eating tours. I had a couple of friends who’d moved to Astoria back when people still contended that it was going to be......

Merguez is the hot dog of Morocco. In fact, this spicy lamb sausage may be nudging out couscous as the dish most associated with this North African country of so many culinary delights. In America, you find merguez most often at trendy restaurants, but in Morocco it's a more casual treat you can get on the street. It's also all over Paris, where it joins paté and jambon as standard sandwich fillings. But if you......

Underneath the Greek restaurant Metsovo and down the candelit stairs Shalel is a dim, decadent Moroccan-inspired bar and lounge. The wine list is extensive, the beers listed by country and the cocktails, in a word, uninspired. We tried the a Moroccan lager ($7) so you don't have to- it's not our favorite, but a spicy malt flavor does compliment phyllo wrapped delicacies better well. Thinking Belgium would be a better bet for lounging about on......

May 25: "Belly" Dancing -- North African Food and Wine Pairing Take a journey to Egypt, Lebanon, Morroco and the Mediterranean at Le Tableau Restaurant. $65 provides you with six courses, five wines, and one belly dancer. Menu includes Coriander Crusted Prawns with Chilled Harira, Lebnah and Smoked Syrian Almonds Grouper with Charmoula and Red Rice, Tahini Lime Sauce Squab Breast, and Foie Gras and Roasted Apricots. 511 East 5th Street between A and B,......