Dinner certificate for new parents - Cobble Hill

[Sarah]

Would like to buy a gift dinner for new parents -- they'll probably be more comfortable staying in the area. Any suggestions (I am out of state and don't know squat) for a nice, relaxing, not too fancy or pricey restaurant for a couple in their mid-30's... Thank you!

[Sarah]

How is Blue Ribbon diner/sushi on 5th -- decent?

How is Blue Ribbon diner/sushi on 5h? Decent?

[BklnChicken]

Very decent, but too far. You want only Cobble Hill restaurants. I would say Henry's End is too far, too.

May I make a different suggestion? As someone with two children, dining out wasn't on my personal menu for a few months after giving birth. Prepared food to eat in very much was. Maybe you could get a gift certificate to Union Market, a gourmet grocery store with a lot of delicious-looking prepared foods, centrally located in Cobble Hill. Here's the website with a phone number: http://www.unionmarket.com/stores/cou...

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Henry's End
44 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Union Market
754 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215

[missmasala]

I second that. Unless the gift dinner comes with a babysitter or you know they are the kind of folks who are good with toting their newborn out to a restaurant--prepared food would be a much more useful gift. And Union Market is a good suggestion as they have a lot of prepared food, nice cheeses, etc.

If you are set on a dinner, near blue ribbon (if you decide that's not too far, but it def is not walkable) is Al Di La--an excellent place but they don't take reservations.

Closer by, Chestnut and The Grocery both get good reviews on this board and take reservations. Other popular spots include Watty and Meg, Buttermilk Channel, Prime Meats, Frankie's--most of these don't take res's.

There's also Saul, but assuming that may be too fancy/pricey.

Most of these places should be on menupages--go up and check them out for the price points.

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Buttermilk Channel
524 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Union Market
754 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Prime Meats
465 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

[cazique]

Re-thinking, BklynChicken and missmasala are right about considering a gc for good prepared food as well. Union Market isn't a bad idea (note you're looking for one around 290 Court St, not on Union St. as the right-hand list indicates), and Cobblestone Foods has a nice selection of prepared foods and cheeses as well. (Also right in the heart of Cobble Hill).

If you're leaning towards sushi, I think Ki Sushi (on Smith) is the best of the neighborhood. Hibino (mentioned above) is good too.

One other suggestion I often make in CH is Bocca Lupo - hesitated because there might be kids there, since they have a high-quality kid food menu and the space is kid-welcoming. But, it is a top-notch casual but good meal (w/good drinks and wine to match) for grownups, first and foremost.

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Hibino
333 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Bocca Lupo
391 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Ki Sushi
122 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

[Sarah]

Thanks to all for your suggestions and recs -- will probably go the Union Market route after I give them a call re specifics. It's so hard to do something like this without knowing the terrain - so thanks again!

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Union Market
754 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215

[Nehna]

Agree with other posters on Union Market or Cobblestone Foods. Cobblestone does whole rotisserie chickens which always look delicious (haven't sampled) and always has a nice selection of prepared foods.

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Union Market
754 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215

[cazique]

Cobblestone's rotisserie chicken is pretty good, and they have a deal some (all?) nights that includes a chicken and a couple of sides for either $15 or $20 - whichever it is, it's a good deal (considering that their overall price point is pretty high). Worth checking out.

[cazique]

There are plenty of great restaurants in CH and the vicinity - it would help narrow it down if you have a sense of about how much you want to spend to give them a gift card or what kind of food they do or don't like.

Without any specifics, I might suggest Watty & Meg, Hibino, Queen (Brooklyn heights) in the neighborhood. Sushi at Osaka and dessert across the street at Chocolate Room would be a great combination. A bit farther afield, Henry's End (farther in Brooklyn Heights, but still a ~20 min walk or 5-10 min cab to/from central Cobble Hill. Plenty of other places if you search Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Smith St. on this board.

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Chocolate Room
86 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Hibino
333 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Osaka
272 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Henry's End
44 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Queen
84 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Chocolate Room
269 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Watty & Meg
248 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11201