The Best Brooklyn Restaurants of 2016
For the most part, annual “best of” lists tend to compile themselves. But the painful whittling we had to do this year in order to get to 10 is solid evidence that, despite the host of hardships involved in opening a Brooklyn restaurant, legions of incredible talents are continuing to take the plunge. And while (after a lackluster showing in 2015) Williamsburg is predictably back on top, with a two Michelin-starred tasting room, a bi-level all-day eatery, and a duo of star-fronted establishments, destination-worthy spots have proliferated all throughout the borough, from Olmsted in Prospect Heights, to Gowanus’ Freek’s Mill and more.
Aska: Even chef/owner Fredrik Berselius’ couldn’t have predicted the instant, enviable success of his long-anticipated reboot of Aska, which, in its current reservation-only, 19-course strong iteration, is probably the closest stateside approximation of the New Nordic deity, Noma. But while Michelin swooned over endless progressions of pig’s blood petit fours and chamomile-smoked shrimp (tagging the tasting room with an unprecedented two stars right out of the gate) Aska actually aims to be all things to all people, containing a drop-in cellar bar and garden as well, offering beer, cocktails, and a la carte bites.
47 S 5th St., Williamsburg
659 Vanderbilt Ave., Prospect Heights
285 Nevins St., Gowanus
21 Greenpoint Ave., Greenpoint
348 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg
289 5th Ave., Park Slope
50 Withers St., Williamsburg
1295 Prospect Ave., Windsor Terrace
708 Washington Ave., Crown Heights
111 N 12th St., Williamsburg, 567 Union Ave., Williamsburg