Brooklyn - Dinner Recs.

[BRI328]

My partner and I are visiting NYC for Thanksgiving. We have never eaten in Brooklyn and would like to take a night , select an area, pick a place for drinks before and after dinner. We like most cuisine except Indian. We are big on seafood, French, Italian. No set price range.

[ANin]

Do you have any particular area of Brooklyn that you're interested in visiting? You probably already know this, but it's a very large borough - some more specifics in terms of location / price / general atmosphere you're looking for will be likely to yield much more helpful suggestions.

[BRI328]

Yes, we know it is big. We like farm to table places, organic, and trendy places. Price is not an issue. Other places we like in Manhattan are ABC Kitchen, Locanda Verde, Aleda, Scarpetta, etc.

[tex.s.toast]

Roberta's is worth investigating - its VERY brooklyn (current brooklyn, not old brooklyn) and, in addition to serving some pretty delicious pizza has an excellent non-pizza menu - see the posts on this board about the hard-to-reserve two-day-a-week tasting menu (we've never done this but have had lots of luck mixing up kitchen dishes with pizzas/calzones).

No reservations, hipster factor incredibly high (median age is probably rarely above 33), decor reminiscent of a that 70s show set, recent accolades from NYT and Michelin and Food&Wine make it even trendier than ever.

Its not everyones favorite but we love it - on our last visit the octopus with black garlic, watermelon and sea beans was outstanding, ive also really enjoyed the tripe served with house-baked bread, and a number of other dishes.

-----
Roberta's
261 Moore St, Brooklyn, NY 11206

[Sluggo1407]

Since you haven't been, I think I'd try a walk down Smith Street (Brooklyn's Restaurant Row). It has many good food options and tons of bars. Walk from one end to the other (about 8 blocks) and look at the menus in the windows. Or, just Google "Smith Street Brooklyn Restaurants" and see the choices and a map. I'm sure you'll find what pleases you.

[BRI328]

Thanks, I will do a search.

[richardsld]

I love Roberta's and would recommend Vinegar Hill House to almost anyone but, if you're not from here and want to make an evening of it, Smith Street is the place to go. Haven't been for a couple years, but preferred Saul over Grocery...

-----
Saul
140 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

The Grocery
288 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Roberta's
261 Moore St, Brooklyn, NY 11206

Vinegar Hill House
72 Hudson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

[kagi]

Okay, I'll hijack this thread: I visit friends in Brooklyn at least twice a year, and one of them lives on Smith St., so I know about most of the standards. So: what's new, cool, and unexpected? Cheap is good; I'm unlikely to go fancy on this trip, but I might, next time I come back. Near Carroll Gardens is a plus, but I'm willing to travel. What's the news?

[egit]

Not sure when the last time was you were on Smith street... but you may want to check out Colonie on Atlantic. Not cheap, but very good.

And there's a brand new pizza place on Atlantic just east of Smith (like 30 ft east) called Sottocasa which makes a mighty respectable Neapolitan style Pie.

-----
Colonie
127 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Sottocasa Pizzeria
298 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

[tex.s.toast]

Van horn sandwich shop is really good - just a simple menu of 5 or 6 sandwiches, some sides/salads and thats it. get the fried chicken sandwich, its great. nice patio/beer selection depending on the weather during your next visit.

-----
Van Horn Sandwich Shop
231 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

[smeyering]

Definitely give The St. Austere in Williamsburg a try! Amazing European wines and beers with food that's to die for! If your going with friends you can get a few of the small plates and share - it's AWEOMEEEE! :) An be sure to try the polenta - its the best I've EVER had.

For a new restaurant in a fun area - it seems they got everything right. I can't say it enough.

-----
The St. Austere
613 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

[morisaur]

I'd recommend fatty 'cue in williamsburg (modern southeast asian).

you might also want to check out al di là in park slope, buttermilk channel in carroll gardens, and diner or marlow & sons in williamsburg.

obviously if you can get a reservation at the chef's table at brooklyn fare, that's the holy grail.

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

Marlow & Sons
81 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Diner
85 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Buttermilk Channel
524 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Brooklyn Fare
200 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Fatty 'Cue
91 S 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

[Mandymac]

If the request is "just one" restaurant in Brooklyn for out-of-towners, I'd send you straight to Dressler. Seems like exactly what you're looking for in terms of style and cuisine. It really is a superlative experience--and unlike some of these other places that are really crazy hard to get into, it accepts reservations. Beautiful neighborhood and right over the Williamsburg Bridge too.

-----
Dressler
149 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211

[BRI328]

I have my choices down to The Dressler, Saul, or Buttermilk Channel... thinking Dressler.

-----
Buttermilk Channel
524 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

[Peter]

If you're looking for "farm to table" and price isn't an issue, that you must, must. must enjoy a meal at Applewood in Park Slope. They hold "Meet the Farmer" dinners about 8 times a year, take their ingredient sourcing VERY seriously, and can be found on many people's list of top 5 "special" restaurants in Brooklyn.

-----
Applewood
501 11th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215