EAT: Williamsburg
You could spend WEEKS eating out every day in Williamsburg and not cover it all. There are plenty of well-known spots (Peter Luger, St. Anselm, Illia, The Four Horsemen) that you’ll find in every guide, but I’m offering up a few of my discoveries:
Cozy Royale
I’d head here just for the name, and the place lives up to it! The sister restaurant to the Meat Hook, a popular nose-to-tail butcher shop, Cozy Royale is a go-to and not just for meat. It’s got a nostalgic vibe (Cosmos, dirty martinis, and Negronis are on the drinks menu) but an oh-so-current grasp on what we want to eat. The menu is odd but interesting, typical of how to stand out in over-restaurant-populated Williamsburg. We took a seat at an outdoor table and ordered up house-made “sticky little sausages” (so scrumptious), a plate of smoked mussels in garlicky broth served with crazy delish sourdough, and a burrata/heirloom tomato Panzanella salad (with toasted chunks of that sourdough) that I could eat every single day. I hear the hamburger is the best around, so we’ll be back for that and pretty much everything else on the menu. Interesting wine list, too.
Bar Beau
Here you’ll find fresh takes on dishes you’ve eaten (and loved before) with a pan-Asian influence. It’s umami-central, with carefully considered ingredients, served up snack-style (which is just the way I like to eat). Plates here are meant to be shared. A large serving of cold sesame tofu noodles had all the flavors of the dish you know and love but none of the heaviness due to the use of dashi rice noodles and lots of vegetables. Fresh and spicy. Do not miss the roasted pork sticky rice with pork belly, Chinese sausage, and egg. Start with the sushi rice crisps topped with furikake, which gives French fries a whole new meaning. I love the interior here, with an expansive bar, but if you’re more comfortable with outdoor seating, there’s plenty of that too. Make reservations. https://www.beaubrooklyn.com
Cafe Colette
We stopped at this adorable spot for brunch on a warm day and cooled ourselves with fresh, fruit-filled rose sangria while we watched tantalizing dishes of plate-sized hash browns and eggs whiz by. The service is fast and friendly but not rushed, so plenty of time for people-watching (currently my favorite activity in Brooklyn). My daughter races here for their fried chicken salad, which to me sounds like an oxymoron, but no! Chunks of crispy chicken on top of a mound of fresh greens does make for a lovely lunch. My quiche arrived studded with tomatoes and bacon and a wonderful buttery crust.
Go early; it fills up fast. Outdoor and indoor seating.
Le Crocodile
Mainly we love to eat in small neighborhood joints, but my daughter and I cannot resist full-on French. This heavenly spot has a gorgeous garden, plus indoor socially distanced seating in an airy dining room. You absolutely can’t go wrong with a classic menu, including Parisian sausage, oeuf mayonnaise, and oysters for starters; roast chicken, trout almondine, and blanquette de veau for mains, all plated beautifully and served with care. Great for a celebration of any sort.
image courtesy of Le Crocodile
image courtesy of Le Crocodile
Bar Blondeau
If you’re feeling peckish in the late afternoon (the hour of l’apero according to the French), Bar Blondeau is your spot. This stunning space that just opened on the 6th floor of the Wythe hotel offers up cocktails (a full menu of alcohol-free versions, too) and an intriguing card of smallish plates, all with a dramatic view of the Manhattan skyline. Sit inside or out, and nibble on salmon rilletes with a plate-sized flax cracker, gooey raclette with crisp toasts, or, for something a bit lighter, a dish of smoked mussels. While all the cocktails looked good, on this warm evening, we both went for surprising versions of frozen libations. I absolutely LOVED the Pan Am: sparkling rose, tequila, lemon oil, Aperol, watermelon, and a hint of cayenne. Wow. https://www.barblondeau.com
Bakeri
You can’t beat Bakeri for breakfast (or anything else). This charming shop offers all manner of fresh breads, pastries, croissants, plus wonders like savory tartines, scrambled eggs and trout, and breakfast kasha. Gluten-free treats, sandwiches, and salads for lunch, too.
https://www.bakeribrooklyn.com
image courtesy of Bakeri
Tuffet
A bit out of the way, but a sweet neighborhood spot for a late afternoon herbal slushy or evening sauvignon blanc with an interesting array of cheese and charcuterie, in the back garden. Laptops and lazy afternoons encouraged here.
286 Graham Ave
My sister, Billie!
Talea Beer Company
There is no shortage of breweries in Williamsburg, but this one stands out from the crowd. Co-founded by a pair of female MBA’s, their aim was to craft and market beer that was not quite so macho. From the super-cool branding to the spacious and chic brewery, they won me over, and I am no beer-drinker. I loved the fruit-forward tastings (especially the passionfruit popsicle dunked in a glass of tropic berry tart deco!). A fun afternoon stop, inside or out.
https://www.taleabeer.com/home/
Talea Beer Co. 87 Richardson Street
