Brooklyn’s Epicurean Triangle

Brooklyn has recently emerged as a “must see” for visitors to New York, showcasing a dizzying array of inventive, hyper-creative food and beverage companies. Just over the Williamsburg Bridge lies a world that’s far away from Manhattan mainstream cuisine.

The neighborhoods of Williamsburg, Bushwick and Greenpoint have gentrified in the past five years, becoming a haven for hipsters, bohemians, musicians and artists. As a result these neighborhoods are now home to some of the most avant-garde culinary establishments in the metropolitan area attracting a new generation of chefs experimenting with bold flavor combinations and innovative takes on classic dishes.

These restaurants will have you telling all your friends about the new, New York and the epicurean triangle that has the whole town abuzz.

Bushwick

Don’t let Bushwick’s dark, industrial buildings fool you. Dear Bushwick has a warm friendly atmosphere and the best food east of Flushing Avenue to boot. As a local, I’ve walked past the unassuming exterior on many occasions wondering what mouth-watering delights I’d find inside. The food I found was anything but reserved and the signature cocktail menu is on par with Manhattan’s best.

Using the idea of an English “local,” or neighborhood pub, Dear Bushwick’s owners met in the neighborhood and together agreed on a collective motive— to create a community spot with great food. The cuisine is pegged as “British Country Style,” featuring items like succulent pork chops, a tasty roasted cod with braised artichokes and wine barreled smoked egg (made in one of the only remaining Red Hook Winery barrels to escape Hurricane Sandy’s devastation!).  Chef Jessica Wilson is right at home in the open kitchen that’s bursting with eclectic, fun decorations (bird houses, lunch boxes, lamps and other interesting flea market finds) and an upbeat soundtrack of ragtime music. This is one spot that will surely grow in popularity right along with the neighborhood.

After Dinner: Just down Wilson Ave is Miles, a low key cocktail bar with an interesting selection of drinks and light fare. A good start is to pair one of their signature cocktails like a Violette Beauregarde or the 90 Miles to Cuba with the cheese plate that’s loaded with Bedford Cheese favorites.

Williamsburg

The Saint Austere does the new “Williamsburg Menu” and they do it right.  Their $1 oyster happy hour is the best deal in town, and their tapas-style entrees are perfect to share with group of friends, a date or your visiting family.  Their exquisitely portioned selections provide a perfect opportunity to sample all of their offerings without the guilt of leaving something behind on your plate.

Run by a trio of Italian siblings who have been in every facet of the restaurant industry, they know food and keep the menu fresh.  Their menu changes with the seasons and they’ve got some exciting additions for summer, like grilled cauliflower and salmon on fresh greens.  Menu staples include the Broccoli Rabe with anchovies, a Creamy Polenta with sausage and cipollini, Grilled Octopus with capers and a homemade Sheep’s Milk Ricotta that simply melts in your mouth.

Zizi Limona is South Williamsburg’s new destination for Mediterranean/Middle Eastern fusion. Chef Nir Mesika eloquently blends traditional Israeli, Italian, French, Moroccan and Spanish flavors. Mesika grew up in Israel where he spent countless hours in the kitchen with his grandmother, learning her secrets before becoming a Brooklyn transplant. Lucky for us!

Mesika and Zizi’s owners have developed a menu with interesting twists on traditional Mediterranean fare. Two of the best examples: adding basil to the Baba ganoush—a big win (fittingly called the Crazy Baba) and adding skirt steak to the Shakshuka (Cowshuka)—a double win!  And with a cocktail menu set to launch this summer, we’re excited to see how they translate their signature fusion food to drinks.

After Dinner: Walk back to Williamsburg proper and visit The Ides at The Wythe Hotel. This chic rooftop bar has the best views of Manhattan that you’ll find in all of Brooklyn, and what better way to enjoy them than with a cocktail in hand.

Greenpoint

Five Leaves is just off of famous Bedford Ave, far enough away from the main drag to avoid crowds of shoppers and making al fresco dining a reality.  Thanks to the creative genius of the late Heath Ledger and financed by his estate, Five Leaves is a marriage of the Australian beach bar with a Paris bistro. Both the menu and cocktails have put the Brooklyn culinary spot on the map.  This corner café with a delicious menu is definitely a place where Ledger would have hung out – a clubhouse for local musicians, writers and fashionistas.

Menu favorites include a chopped black Kale salad with spicy anchovy dressing, seared Albacore Tuna and a Shepherd’s pie with lamb. A delicious new taste is the Arctic char, set atop a sweet pea pancake with roe. Dishes succeed in balancing rich flavors with fragrant notes, basic with refined and classic European culinary techniques with contemporary style.

After Dinner: Be sure to stop and check out Tørst, a swanky new beer bar with an incredible selection of small batch beers with very obscure flavor profiles. If you haven’t heard about this place yet, you will soon!