Looking for an inexpensive, special dinner for two in Brooklyn

[bltaug3]

Its only about a week before my wedding, and I want to go out one night with my fiance to just take a breather from all the planning.

I'm looking for somewhere that is:

-not in Manhattan. Brooklyn would be great

-I don't know if i'm looking for romantic if that eliminates places, maybe just cozy/intimate/not loud

-really good food. We both eat almost any kind of food, though I'm not looking for asian/sushi or traditional italian. Tapas would be great, but I am always a fan of comfort food, modern mexican, etc.

-Inexpensive. For the perfect place i'll spend a bit more, but basically just something that young people on a budget can handle.

-A plus: good craft beers

Haven't been living in NY very long, so I haven't had a chance to find any go-to favorite spots.
This would be for next monday or tuesday night, btw.

[phuh3]

I would recommend Kaz An Nou in Prospect heights. Small, intimate, often have live music, BYOB, kind of a hole in the wall, but very affordable and great French Caribbean food. Another similar option would be Abistro in Fort Green. West African food which is also cozy, charming and Affordable (and byob)- if you go there, get the Senegalese fried chicken!

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Abistro
154 Carlton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

Kaz An Nou
53 6th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

[bobjbkln]

Chestnut on Smith St. would probably meet your requirements. IIRC they have a small but decent beer list (it's not on their website, so I'm relying on memory). Frankie's 457, while not very romantic, might also be a good choice. Ditto for Buttermilk Channel. Would also second James especially if you could sit away from the bar area.

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Chestnut
271 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Frankies 457 Spuntino
457 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Buttermilk Channel
524 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

[ANin]

+ 1 for the suggestions of Tanoreen & Al Di La above. I'd add Olea in Fort Greene for tapas + a cozy (and romantic to me although ymmv) setting. If Sunday is a possibility, James in Prospect heights is lovely, cozy, definitely romantic and has a $30 3 course menu on Sunday nights.

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Olea
171 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

James
605 Carlton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

[jen kalb]

I dont know, James is only romantic if its not crowded - the noise levels can get high in there. Id like to hear more recent reports on their food.

[ANin]

Yeah, I guess that's another ymmv opinion. I find James very romantic, but definitely sometimes noisy (I just happen to like the noise). The Sunday evenings, though, are usualliy very low key.

[ForestHillsFresser]

I would recommend Al di La, but they only have standard Italian beers like Moretti and Peroni. The setting is intimate and the food is inexpensive and top notch.

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Al Di La
248 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

[tex.s.toast]

i feel as though this is the obligatory first response to requests like this, but:

could you specify an approximate budget? "young people on a budget" can mean vastly different things to different people, a number is really the only way that everyone can suggest something that actually fits your specific budget/range.

where in brooklyn? at the very least north/south (as in williamsburg/greenpoint or bococa/park slope/prospect heights and south) there are plenty of parts of brooklyn that are further away from other areas of the borough than they are large parts of manhattan, it all depends on where you are coming from and where you are willing to go (and, to a lesser extent, how you are getting around: car/train)

that said, if you aren't looking for romantic, per se, but good beer and delicious pizza in a cozy setting (though they often have sports on and its not quiet generally) we love Toby's Public house in greenwood heights

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Toby's Public House
686 6th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

[bltaug3]

For budget, i'd say $40 prix fixe is a splurge for me.

I'm coming from Bensonhurst near the D train, don't mind a transfer or two. I could drive too if its not subway-friendly.

[tex.s.toast]

thanks for the follow up.

what about tanoreen in bay ridge? really good, slightly upscale middle eastern food (slightly upscale in comparison to a falafel joint, hardly a fancy schmancy place) not sure about the beer situation, they have a full bar but i havent ever ordered beer there, so i cant speak to the selection.

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Tanoreen
7523 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209

[jimmyjazz]

another rec for Tanoreen. not terribly romantic but amazing Palestinian food. worth the trip to Bay Ridge if you've never been

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Tanoreen
7523 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209

[Bkeats]

I will suggest Bacchus on Atlantic for solid bistro fare. I know there are some who don't care for it on this board but I think the place is fine and very reasonably priced. The prix fixe is only $25. If the weather is nice and you sit in the garden out back, its quite charming. Great place for a young couple starting out to have something that's better than a burger and a beer - onglet with a glass of red. Its a ways from Bensonhurst to Boerum Hill though.

http://www.bacchusbistro.com

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Bacchus
409 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217

[jen kalb]

do you mean $40 for two or $40 per person? Ive also noticed that those craft beers can get very pricy!