Another stellar recent addition to the Brooklyn dining scene is Llama Inn. I love the vibe here, totally approachable and the type of place you'd want to come and hang all day. In fact, they even encourage you to "pop in, stay a while, get to know us" on their website. They're open for lunch and dinner, as well as brunch on the weekends, so there's really no excuse to stay away! The menu is Peruvian-inspired, and uses local ingredients to create fresh and seasonal food that is absolutely bursting with flavor. Just look at all the colors in the photos above (click on the pics to read food descriptions too)- such a vibrant and delicious take on Peruvian cuisine! The drinks menu, featuring cocktails with authentic Hispanic roots and small batch wines, is both creative and refreshing as well. I'm already planning my return trip, but just a heads up- reservations are starting to get harder to come by with the constant buzz surrounding tis place, so plan ahead! Or, stroll in and grab a Pisco at the bar while you wait!
rider
Rider opened recently in Williamsburg, and with it came a lot of hype. I had read article after article singing the praises of this American bistro & bar, so I was anxious to try it out. It was just an added bonus that it's literally around the corner from home. The interior downstairs is bright & light, with marble counters, tile tabletops & white brick walls. The upstairs offers a completely different feel- much more sleek & dark. Options for everyone! My husband and I were blown away- not just by the food, which was extremely delicious, but also with the service. The team was super helpful & generous, and we loved their attention to detail. Everything we ate was fresh, flavorful, and extremely well balanced. I cannot wait to go back for brunch!
STEAMED CLAMS
bacon, coconut, lemongrass, cilantro stems
TATSOI SALAD
coriander, celery, sunflower seeds, cider vinaigrette
LAMB BELLY
green romesco, almonds, pea shoots
FREGOLA + TURNIPS
greens, pistachio pesto, parm
DUCK BREAST
'nduja stuffed dates, parsnip, pekmez, hazelnuts
CHEESEBURGER
american cheese, cabbage, russian, fries
ROASTED VEG
shishito, carrots, scallion, celery hearts, bagna cauda
PARSNIP BREAD
coconut milk caramel, black walnuts, banana sorbet
isa
Isa is one of our go-to local neighborhood spots. I love the comforting atmosphere, which almost feels like a log cabin in the woods. When it's nice out and the windows are open, it creates a lovely open-air breeze throughout. A wood-burning oven is a sure fire way to make almost anything delicious, and Isa uses their's well. We love the pizzas, whether it's the breakfast pizza topped with an egg, a Spanish style chorizo with jalapeños & black olives, or a roasted cauliflower with nettle pesto! The crust is perfectly charred and chewy.
I loved how bright and beautiful the seared tilefish was, and the chickpea puree, shaved golden beets & rainbow carrots were the perfect accompaniments. For brunch, you can't go wrong with the brunch bowl. It's a healthy yet hearty vegetarian dish featuring whole grains, fresh & roasted seasonal veggies, all topped with a soft boiled egg. Their unique cocktails are refreshing and worth ordering as well- below is the Vernal Potion, with gin, celery, fennel, lime & herbed sea salt. The menu (which is a super cool piece of art in itself) changes often, but the food is consistently satisfying & delicious!
roberta's
Roberta's is always at the top of my list when the craving for a delicious wood-fired pizza hits. The crust is the perfect mix of doughy, chewy & crisp with a slight char. The restaurant be a bit of a trek for some all the way to Bushwick, but I promise that is all part of its charm. While it's easy to focus and fill up solely on their delicious pizzas, definitely do not miss their unique take on vegetables, which vary based on what's fresh and in-season. The dish below, featuring sunchokes, was particularly memorable. If you end up having to wait for a table, which you more than likely will, go sit out back and have a drink at the outdoor bar.
battersby
As a wedding present from a good friend of ours, we were treated to dinner for two at the highly acclaimed Battersby. I love that more upscale restaurants featuring innovative menus are popping up in Brooklyn. You have the option of ordering a la carte, or allowing the chef to serve you a spontaneous tasting menu of his choosing, which we were more than happy to indulge in. For this reason, I unfortunately do not have the exact menu, so the photos will have to suffice. One of my favorite little touches, however, was the mini roll of freshly made cookie dough sent home with each guest to bake (or eat raw, oops) later! The impressive, seasonal & American menu is served in a quaint, rustic space that feels like home. We definitely ate well that night, and I am already looking forward to a return trip soon.
willow
I love when a great, new restaurant pops up in Brooklyn. Willow, a cozy spot in Bed-Stuy, serves seasonally-inspired food that highlights the restaurant's relationships with farms & producers nearby. The freshly baked pumpkin bread was a welcome change from your typical bread offered before a meal. I loved the unique use of winter vegetables in the carrot soup, radicchio salad & roasted cauliflower dishes. All were nicely balanced and very flavorful. I'm looking forward to returning to try their 7-course chef''s tasting menu offered every Tuesday for only $45! Please excuse the dark photos- lighting was scarce and I didn't want to use a flash!