Where to Go for Dine In Brooklyn 2014
Forget about the twelve days of Christmas, eight of Hanukah or seven of Kwanzaa. Ask the borough’s former, famously food-obsessed president, Marky Markowitz, about his favorite annual holiday, and he’s likely to answer the two glorious weeks of Dine In Brooklyn.
That being said, we’d begun to think the restaurant promotion (traditionally held in March,) had gone the way of the rotund politico, since his predecessor, Eric Adams, has spent his first 10 months in office dealing with more pressing matters, such as capturing “white flag terrorists” on the Brooklyn Bridge. But Adams recently announced (to considerably less fanfare than the bombastic Markowitz), that Dine in Brooklyn is back, taking place from Monday, October 20th to Thursday, October 23rd, and again, from Monday through Thursday, October 27th-30th.
Over 150 area establishments are currently on board, offering prix fixe dinner menus for $25 per person and lunches at two-for-$15. And as always, you’ll need a little help sorting the wheat from the chaff (i.e., restaurants that plan to begrudgingly dole out cafeteria-style dishes to the penny-pinching masses for two weeks, versus others that use the event as an opportunity to really strut their stuff). So here are six great places that are well worth a visit during Dine in Brooklyn this year!
Emily: Our favorite new husband-and-wife run, wood-burning pizza parlor is participating in the lunch promo this year, offering up their classic pie (sauce and mozzarella,) with a topping of your choice, plus an oh so Brooklyn kale salad, tossed with dried cherries and pecorino in a sherry-thyme vinaigrette.
919 Fulton Street, Clinton Hill
Pasar Malam: Instead of limiting you to two or three options, you’ll be able to cherry pick from an extensive lists of apps and mains at this killer Malay spot, from stinky chicken wings, shrimp toast and roti canai, to chili soft shell crab and sambal fried rice, followed by dessert. And there’s even a separate “Pork Lovers” menu, featuring coconut pudding with bacon bits and Malaysian bbq ribs!
208 Grand Street, Williamsburg
Rose Water: Along with Stone Park Café and Applewood, Rose Water made up a Park Slope power trio, that used to be the be all and end all of sustainably sourced, farm-to-table dining in Brooklyn. So remember why you loved them during restaurant week, with affordable, three-course dinner menus (Rose Water will even throw in wine pairings for $14!).
787 Union Street, Park Slope
Tuscany Grill: Thinking of making the trek to Bay Ridge but can’t see past Tanoreen? Can’t say we blame you, but consider giving this underappreciated, family-owned Italian charmer a try, for antipasti such as barbecued baby squid with arugula and fire roasted peppers, and “Hunter Style” baked pasta, thick with sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes and fontina.
8620 3rd Avenue, Bay Ridge
Peaches Kitchen and Bar: It doesn’t matter how fashionable southern food becomes in Brooklyn; Peaches will always be our first choice for a comfort food fix. Dig the smoked chicken and sausage gumbo, blackened catfish and spicy tomato salsa over creamy grits, and dense slices of bourbon-soaked pound cake.
393 Lewis Avenue, Bed-Stuy
Kevin’s: Craving seafood by the seashore? Forgo Red Hook’s boisterous Brooklyn Crab and head to cozy Kevin’s instead, for shrimp and corn chowder, cioppino fish stew, and a slice of freshly baked fruit pie.
277 Van Brunt Street, Red Hook
For more info, visit dineinbk.com