As we know, Brooklyn is all fancy now, and the whole concept of the humble and scrappy Brooklyn restaurant seems like a thing of the past. But Chez Ma Tante, a new restaurant in Greenpoint that bills itself as a British restaurant, opts for more of a neighborhoody vibe. There are no fancy blue banquettes or expensive looking wood paneled walls inside, just a modest bar and basic tables and chairs, clean and functional like they were the best pieces from Ikea.Read More
If you’re looking for a scenic and civilized brunch in Williamsburg where seasonal, New American food is executed very well, then Reynard at the Wythe Hotel is a great spot. I’m normally not a fan of hotel restaurants, which tend to be bland since they need to have a middle-of-the-road approach to please their guests, but Reynard isn’t like that. On my last visit, I fell in love with their cast iron pancakes and was impressed by the originality of their baked eggs with crispy black rice. Sadly, these items weren’t on the menu when I returned in late January, but I did embrace the change, specifically in the form of the sourdough pancake and the frittata. I probably wouldn’t order the curried kale again, as it was a little too soupy for my liking, and the merguez sausage, while an interesting choice, was a very gamey and salty one. Overall, though, despite a few misses here and there, I was generally happy with the food and enjoyed taking in the views from the pretty, well-lit Victorian dining room filled with the attractive people of Brooklyn. Read More
When I first reviewed Cafe Altro Paradiso, I couldn’t help but compare it to Estela, its older, more accomplished sister restaurant, and in doing so, I set myself up for disappointment. The food at Estela was quirky and delicious, whereas Cafe Altro Paradiso’s by comparison seemed a little too conventional. It’s been awhile now since I’ve been to either restaurant, so when I recently had lunch at Cafe Altro Paradiso, I felt like I could eat with more of an open mind, as faded memories of past meals exerted less of an influence.Read More
Perla, the homey Italian restaurant in the West Village that didn’t quite take off in its new space on W. 4th St, has been rebranded as an all-day cafe called Fairfax. The intent is to be more of a casual hangout where one can linger at all hours, starting from the morning with a light breakfast and coffee and ending the night with a glass of wine and snacks. The layout, as a result, has opened up to assume more of a spacious, living room feel rather than the typical cramped West Village dining room. The menu also has been edited down to consist of a selection of small plates and snacks as to accommodate the different dining approach.Read More
Sunday in Brooklyn sounds like the idea for a perfect afternoon, and eating at this airy, picturesque restaurant in Williamsburg lives up to that promise. The premises are beautiful, particularly the second floor, which looks like it was furnished by the stylish team at The Line. The people watching is prime, as it attracts a clientele of trendy Millennials and hip Brooklyn families, a good mix that makes for a lively atmosphere that never veers into obnoxiousness. Most importantly, the food is very good, which is to be expected from a restaurant run by an Atera alum.Read More