Best Restaurants in Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY
Don't miss out on the best restaurants in one of the busiest neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Park Slope.
Rose Water - Park Slope
How does a nice plate of roast loin of pork, grilled peaches and heirloom peppers sound to you? Or how about tender, melt-in-your-mouth seared scallops accompanied by Bok Choy and Eggplant Miso? getting hungry? We bet you are.
Well, it just so happens that noted chef Matt Bernero has those tantalizing dishes as well as so much more on his menu at Park Slope's Rose Water Restaurant.
A seasonal new American restaurant, the emphasis here is on local, organic ingredients from family farms. Chef Matt is not into mass production and has, therefore, developed some long-standing relationships with farmers who practice sustainable and green cultivation methods.
The dining room is a blend of minimalist, modern decor, exposed brick work and wood along with colorful lighting fixtures and out of the box decor touched, here and there.
But, the main event, as it were, is Rose water's semi-enclosed sidewalk cafe. With a greenhouse ambiance, this area is akin to dining in an outdoor "room". Tables and chairs are covered by a long red canopy with sides at either end, that can be pulled up, depending on the weather.
The portion of the cafe that lines the sidewalk, though, is decorated with long shelves and planters filled with floral arrangements and plants. Greenery even hangs from the canopy's ceiling.
You can't go wrong if you decide to splurge and make a reservation for chef Matt's tasting menu. It consists of five delicious courses for $60 and features a couple of signature dishes plus some surprise, off-menu items.
Appetizers and desserts are not usually considered to be signature dishes but that's not the case in Matt's kitchen. The baked polenta and goat cheese or the heirloom tomatoes in a pistachio pesto are proof of Matt's ability to transform the basic into the sublime.
Sweet treats include a delectable peach crostata with lemon thyme ice cream and a devilishly delicious warm chocolate cake, decorated with bing cherries and a scoop of smoked vanilla ice cream.
Rose Water has received accolades from no less a source than Zagat, which named Rose Water as having the best brunch in Brooklyn. That's quite a compliment. But it's easy to see why.
Just choose you temptation; eggs with roasted potatoes and radish salad, peach buttermilk pancakes or a smoked pollock fish cake topped with poached eggs and a side of corn salad.
And don't forget to order their house-made Zucchini bread for the table.
The bar has some elevated cocktails like Melon sangria, cherry Bellini and a sake-based Bloody Mary, that will make you swear off the same old Brunch standards forever.
Weekends were made to bond with friends and family and to do brunch at Rose Water.
Location and Hours
787 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 783-3800
www.rosewaterrestaurant.com
Hours
Dinner
Sunday to Thursday 5:30 PM to 10 PM
Friday to Sunday 5:30 PM to 11 PM
Brunch
Saturday and Sunday 9:30 AM to 3 PM
Il Sogno Secondo - Park Slope
This classic Italian restaurant has so much going for it, it's hard to know just where to get started.
First of all, nobody leaves disappointed with the service. One of the owners, a friendly gentleman by the name of Pedro, is always on the floor, asking how your food is and greeting customers at the door. If something's not to your liking, Pedro and his chef will make it right. But, the odds are that's not going to happen.
And, by the way; if you like extra mushrooms on your chicken Marsala, they will be more than happy to accommodate your request.
Another thing that regulars and first-time customers adore are the complimentary items that the house treats you to. This old-school approach makes one feel that they are dining at the home of a friend.
A delicious rice ball and warm, fresh bread are brought to your table before you can even open the menu. Between your appetizer and entree, a waiter will offer a serving of lemon sorbet, to cleanse your palate. And don't be surprised if to end your evening at Il Sogno Secondo, Pedro offers everyone at the table a glass of Moscato.
Who does this anymore in the dog eat dog, everything has a price restaurant scene in New York?
The kitchen brings you regional Italian fusion cooking with a hint of Peru, as well. You can enjoy your meal in the main dining room which is beautifully decorated or outside on the patio. It's funny, but good food always seems to taste even better, when it's eaten al fresco on a gorgeous Summer evening.
The menu is diversely delicious. Their signature dish, (one of many deserving of the name), is the ravioli di mais. These pasta pillows are stuffed with corn and Mascarpone cheese and topped with diced lamb in a light cream sauce.
Fish lovers, take note. The dentice alla Daniel is a whole snapper that comes with sauteed artichokes, asparagus, cherry tomatoes and shrimp in a Pinot Grigio sauce.
The Buccatini Siciliana is made up of Buccatini pasta, baby eggplant, fresh, juicy tomatoes, basil and ricotta.
Everyone's favorite appetizer seems to be the eggplant tower with fresh mozzarella and sliced tomatoes.
Brunch is just as delightfully addicting as is their lunch and dinner. Highlights include strawberry and tangerine crepes, and the Bennedette (Benedict) alla Sogno; smoked salmon on an English muffin with a poached egg. The game-changer on this dish is the Hollandaise pepper sauce.
Location and Hours
310 Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(929) 295-9763
Hours
Monday to Friday 12 PM to 11 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM to 11 PM
Sunday 10:30 AM to 10 PM
Brookvin - Park Slope
Kick back and relax at this very chill wine bar. Brookvin is a great date spot with a cozy, romantic ambiance.
The lighting is low and sexy. Flickering candles adorn each table, And, if that wasn't enough, you can enjoy a glass of wine outdoors in their intimate backyard garden.
There's always music playing in the background. But, it's set to a low volume and the beats are never going to drown out your conversation, as you whisper sweet and tender words to the one you love.
Brookvin's understated decor calls to mind an upscale, but an unpretentious pub. It's a place where you can feel comfortable as you relax with your date or catch up with friends.
The wine list here may not be as extensive as you'll find at some wine bars, but it's carefully curated. Whether you order by the glass or by the bottle, you are assured of enjoying premium sips at Brookvin.
The waitstaff is well versed in the art of selecting a nice glass of red or white wine. They are happy to recommend different wine and food pairings.
Brookvin's happy hour features an incredibly delicious mini skillet of mac and cheese for only $5! There are also specially priced house wines and beers available. Deals change frequently so give the folks at Brookvin a call and they will be glad to fill you in on what's happening at happy hour, that evening.
The kitchen has a tent for tapas or, as they refer to them, bar snacks and small plates.
The scrumptious chicken pot pie is definitely not Mom's version, good as that may be. The chef gives you an artful presentation of a 2017 style pot pie, consisting of chunks of organic, free-range chicken, leeks and mushrooms in a fluffy and light puff pastry.
Another hugely popular dish is the sliced steak and creamed spinach crostini. it's filling and so good, you will want it all to yourself. make sure that your date has one of their own to devour.
Chef's ricotta tartine is made with creamy ricotta from Bellwether farms, roasted cherry tomatoes and sourdough bread.
They also have a nice selection of charcuterie and cheese boards which, traditionally, make for the perfect marriage with a glass of rose.
Location and Hours
381 Seventh Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 768-9463
www.brookvin.com
Hours
Monday to Thursday 5 PM to 11 PM
Friday and Saturday 3 PM to 12 AM
Sunday 3 PM to 11 PM
Palo Santo - Park Slope
Palo Santo is unique in every sense of the word. The decor is amazing and Chef-owner Jacques Gautier fusion of the Caribbean and South American comfort food will tantalize your taste buds.
Located on the ground floor of a quaint townhouse, Palo Santo is a veritable oasis of tranquillity on an off the beaten path, residential street.
Jacques and his staff have just celebrated eleven years in Park Slope and the mutual love affair between local foodies and Palo Santo doesn't look like it's going to end anytime soon.
The restaurant has a rustic vibe that takes you to the towns and villages of South America. On one side of the dining room, a couple of tables are situated in a nook that is perched a few feet above the area.
The back room is flooded with sunlight from the glass doors that open out into the garden. The serene, Zen garden is enclosed by brick walls that are covered with moss. Plants hang down from the wall's ledge.
There is an interesting story behind the restaurant's name. Palo Santo literally translates to "Holy Wood", which is a tree found in the coastal regions of Central and South America.
Discovered by Spanish monks back in the colonial era, these trees are also known as the wood of the saints because of the wood's ability to cleanse and heal.
Used by the ancient Incas and indigenous people of the Andes, the oil derived from Palo Santo trees has strong medicinal properties and is rich in antioxidants. Palo Santo oil is a natural wood aromatic incense that is a great stress-reliever and helps to soothe stomach discomfort.
Chef Gautier's cooking stays true to traditional recipes, many of which have been handed down for generations. The beef is grass-fed, the pork heritage breed and the chickens are free-range.
Veggies and fruits are purchased at the Grand Army Plaza green market, which is only a few blocks away from the restaurant.
If you want to take a break from your usual Italian or Thai night out, then you've come to the right place. The food here is different, fresh and vibrant. You might think that you're familiar with the various cuisines of South and Central America. But, your palate is in for a higher education when you dine at Chef Gautier's table.
To start with, try the Zucchini salad, mushroom quesadillas or the squash and Kale tacos. When it's time to move on to the main course, consider the coconut plantain stew with jasmine rice or chef's luscious slow-cooked pork accompanied by greens and polenta cake. The pan-roasted blue fish with salsa verde is big on flavor.
You can choose from a wide array of beverages to wash your meal down with. The bar has a long list of imported South American beers and wines including an Argentinian Malbec' and a Chilean Cabernet.
One of Palo Santo's best cocktails is the Michelada. The bar makes this spicy, Mexican cocktail with fresh lime juice, a pinch of salt and fermented chili paste. Oh yeah, that's hot!
The brunch Prix-Fixe comes in at just $23. It includes one entree' and two drinks; coffee or tea plus a Mimosa, Sangria or a glass of fresh-squeezed juice. Each additional mimosa or sangria is only one dollar!
When you do brunch at Palo Santo, you can select from dishes such as fish and grits or the huevos banados, poached eggs with chile Hollandaise sauce, beans, avocado and grilled bread.
You won't be able to get enough of the complimentary coconut bread that is served for both dinner and brunch.
Location and Hours
652 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 636-6311
www.palosantorestaurant.com
Hours
Monday to Thursday 6 PM to 10:30 PM
Friday 6 PM to 11 PM
Saturday 10 AM to 11 PM
Sunday 10 AM to 10:30 PM
Comments