I have to give a shout-out to my fave Brooklyn, and possibly fave NYC, restaurant: Bussaco. It is on Union Street, just off of 7th Ave, in the heart of Park Slope. The food is great, the drinks are inventive, the atmosphere is inviting, and the people are warm.
There is a bar area, as well as traditional restaurant seating. Highlights from the bar menu include the Clam Pizza and a Burger that is the best I've had in New York (order it medium-rare). The pickled veggies are also great if you are just looking for a nibble. To accompany your meal I recommend the seasonal Bellini, which has so far featured concord grape and kumquat purees. On the dinner menu, my favorites are the crab chowder and steak bevette with sweatbread gravy. The menu includes items for a broad range of tates, and focuses on seasonal ingedients, which means the selection is always changing.
The chef used to work at Le Bernardin, so you know the quality and standards are high. Even though it's a bit of a hike from my homestead, I plan on visiting Bussaco at least once a month to get my fix of yummy, fresh, inventive food. And if I can manage to get up before noon some weekend, I would love to check out their brunch.
