mascarah:

Where to eat in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

I really love food. This is part of an ongoing series I have going where I’m sharing my favorite eats in different neighborhoods and cities. So far I’ve covered the LES, West Village, Soho & Nolita , East Village , Chelsea & the Flatiron District and Tribeca.  This week I’m sharing my Wiliamsburg faves (little known fact: I lived here when I first moved to the city. It was brief - 3 months - but I’ve been back many times since).

Cheap

• La Superior: Cheap tacos, corn masa and other standard Mexican fare in a super low key atmosphere. It is almost authentic…which is pretty good for Mexican in this city.
• La Nonna Pizzeria: A pretty solid (and super clean) pizza joint conveniently located right near the Bedford stop on the L train.
• Ella Cafe: I really love this sophisticated but casual cafe. Great for take out on the way home if you happen to reside in Billyburg.
• El Almacen: Love this mismatched vibe of this Argentine place. A huge fan of their reasonable prices and solid menu as well.
• Planet Thailand: This is one of the many ginormous Thai restaurants that have invaded this part of Wburg. I like this one because you could go on a date and get a good buzz and a full stomach for like $40 all in.
• Pies-N-Thighs: Ummm hello. The name says it all. (And they’re good!)
• Roberta’s: If you ever find yourself in Bushwick (it’s not too far) you should come get a slice from these guys. They are hot, former musicians, and have a mercedes filled with flowers in the laid back patio area.
• Bliss: True fact, I had my first meal as a NYer (round 2) here. I’m a meat lover but this veggie place is flavorful and pretty dang good. If I had to choose again I wouldn’t pick this for my first NYC meal, but it isn’t bad for a random night.
• Anytime: Anytime, anything…not the best restaurant motto…but if you live here, this place’s delivery and selection is amazing.
• Silent H and Bahn Mi 172:  There are very few places to get a fantastic Bahn Mi but just by the nature of what is in them, they are good anywhere. These places are both solid, not fantastic, but good.

Brunch y Lunch

• Blackbird Parlour: This place is adorable. And a great place to get cozy and read the Times or a hipster approved book with a soup and sandwich. Yummy.
• Beco: Love the Brazilian brunch here. Their version of steak & eggs is to die for. It’s a bit of a hike but on a warm day…
• egg: This place has lines out the yang but if you’re up and at ‘em early you’ll get a farm fresh delicious breakfast.
• Rabbithole: A great pick for a casual, unpretentious brunch on the weekends or a cup of coffee on a lazy afternoon.
• Park Luncheonette: A really cool soda pop vibe and yummy simple food. A great place to go for a basic bite in a casual, warm atmosphere.
• Teddy’s: I really love this casual, fun neighborhood joint. The food isn’t super special, but it’s decent and the atmosphere is super casual. It doesn’t help that it is the bar from PS I Love You and I’m a sucker for Gerry Butler.

Good

• Bamonte’s: Solid Italian (old school style). Not much more too it than that.
  
• Fette Sau: Some of the best BBQ in the city with fun beer served in jugs. I’m a fan. Bonus: across the street is the amazing beer bar Spuyten Duyvil.
• PT: Rustic italian is soooo overdone in NYC but I really like the down home, family style of PT.
• Sel de Mer:  Love the fresh, simple seafood served here.
• Brooklyn Star: I really like the random southern vibe of this place. There are some weird combos but most of them work.
• Fornino: I’m a fan of this semi-polished pizza joint. It certainly isn’t “authentic NY” style pizza but the ingredient combos are fresh (think asparagus w/goat cheese and prosciutto) and good.
• SEA: A great place to take out of town friends because it’s that restaurant from the Garden State where ZB worked…it’s a pretty big B&T scene (think lots of gel, thumping beats and gold chains) but it also can draw a fun crowd, hit or miss. Food and wine is super reasonable and thee flavors are solid. Most bottles of wine are under $40.
• Relish: Lodged in a shiny silver sidecar, this place serves up solid food in a fun and unexpected environment. I’m a fan.
• Fada: Cozy french bistro with solid classic dishes. I’m won over by the unpretentious, unassuming nature of this joint along with the super nice staff.
• Five Leaves: Heath Ledger (RIP) invested in this absolutely charming, romantic and delicious restaurant. It’s technically more Greenpoint but I had to include it. Love. A great (!!) date choice (also has a fab brunch).
• Motorino: A bit of a Batali knock-off (think Otto) but a good pizza joint. There’s a bit of a pizza and Mexican overload in Wburg, but this is one of my favorites of the former.

Outdoor

• Aurora Ristorante: Pretty good italian (hit or miss, stick with specials and pastas) in a place that has an awesome outdoor area. In Wburg there is a great opportunity to eat outdoors, much more so (in comparison) to Manhattan. Rather than a cramped sidewalk
• Surf Bar: Total kitsch with sand on the ground and everything. This is the kind of place that you’d probably only find in Brooklyn which is exactly why you should go.
• Bacci & Abbracci: Another good italian joint with a fantastic outdoor space.
• Marlow & Sons: I really love the super unpretentious vibe of this place and their raw bar is solid. There’s just something about this joint that I love. Ditto on Diner (the place people usually are aiming to go) next door.
• DOC Wine Bar: Good cheeses, solid wine list, reasonable mark-up. One of those great wine/casual bites combo places.
• Yola’s Cafe: The cheap Mexican is on nearly every street corner in Wburg, but I have visited this place more than once and I will again. Love their outdoors.
• Lodge:  You might feel like you’re in some random upstate cabin here with the thematic decor butit works. The outdoor space is solid and the fresh, seasonal greenmarket menu is pretty dang good.
• Juliette: This place is so Manhattan…kind of like a Balthazar/Pastis knock-off…but the food is solid and the rooftop brunch in the summer is fantastic.

With Drinks

• Bar Celona: Tapas in the city is tough. Here they are solid and are served in a sexy environment with solid cocktails. Great place to visit w/friends or for that 3rd date…
• Rye: Love the Prohibition feel of this place that serves up a good pint and decent eats.
• Huckleberry Bar: Love the classic cocktails and solid small plates at this place. Nothing mind blowing but a good place to grab a drink and bite with friends.
• Roebling Tea Room: Fantastic place for drinks and eats. Love the mac n cheese and the drinks that come in huge glasses. Bonus: great place to people watch.
• Brooklyn Bowl: I’ve never been to a bowling alley with better food. It’s impossible to get a lane (unless you are early or book a large group) but if you can - the food & music & bowling is a great combo.
• The Manhattan Inn: Love the cocktails here and the eclectic decor that looks like an abandoned film set.  The food ain’t that bad either.
• Pete’s Candy Store: You come here for the drinks and the adorable atmosphere and you wind up realizing you like the sandwiches too.

Best

• Dressler: This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Fresh noveau style American served in a warm atmosphere. Love this place. This is a must in my books for Manhattanites as well.
• DuMont is really good.  To me, DuMont Burger is even better. Same owners as Dressler, only this time serving up a casual burger joint with some of hte best burgers and mac n’ cheese in the city. Come here. A bit pricey for burgers & mac but yummmy.
• Sweetwater: I love the antique cute vibe of this place and the solid, warm food. It is the perfect winter restaurant. Bonus: I ALWAYS see hot guys here.
• Peter Luger: This place is an institution. We all have or favorites (Wolfgangs, Sparks, Palm, whatever) and this place isn’t mine…but it sure is up there. It is a solid meal at a hefty price. But a place you should probably venture at least once.
• Fatty ‘Cue: You know I love the Fatty Crab guys…so no surprise that I think their innovative take on BBQ is fantastic. Their meats (especially lamb ribs - I die!) are smoked to perfection and paired with tangy, fresh asian flavors. It’s amazeballs.

In summary….I think that Williamsburg is a neighborhood with fun, casual places that serve solid food at a good price (esp. for NYC). Nothing quite hits the spot (for me) like Babbo or Perry St or Mas Farmhouse…but there are a lot of good places to eat. However, I’m far from the expert so I want to know, what are your favorite Wburg faves?

Ps - Next week I’m heading up to the UWS (!) yes, I do venture above the Mason-Dixon from time to time, especially for Dovetail and some of my other NYC favorites. Stay tuned…