New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [280]
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WHERE TO EAT IN CARROLL GARDENS, COBBLE HILL, AND BOERUM HILL
Brooklyn Fare.
$$$$ | GLOBAL | At Brooklyn’s only restaurant with two coveted Michelin stars, local star chef César Ramirez and his sous-chefs offer an inimitable culinary performance during three nightly seatings. Out of the multitude of copper pots and pans and on to dainty dishes come 20 seafood-focused concoctions presented to 18 diners seated at a semicircular steel counter. Examples include king salmon parfait with basil gelee, avocado, maple syrup, and mustard, and fresh tofu and king crab blended with matsutake mushrooms and dashi sauce. It’s BYOB. | 200 Schermerhorn St., near Hoyt St., Downtown | 11201 | 718/243–0050 | www.brooklynfare.com | Reservations essential. | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch| Subway: A, C to Hoyt–Schermerhorn; 2, 3 to Hoyt St.; 4, 5 to Nevins St.; B, M, Q, R to Dekalb Ave.
Buttermilk Channel.
$$ | AMERICAN | This cozy bistro serves up a spirited slice of down-home Americana on Court Street. Locals swear by comfort-food mainstays with emphasis on local and organic, especially the all-time fave: buttermilk-fried chicken with cheddar waffles. Other standouts include the house-made charcuterie and snacks like handmade mozzarella. | 524 Court St.at Huntington St., Carroll Gardens | 11231 | 718/852–8490 | www.buttermilkchannelnyc.com | AE, D, DC, MC, V | No lunch weekdays. | Subway: F to Carroll St.
Char No. 4.
$ | AMERICAN | With 300-plus whiskeys to choose from, with particular accent on American labels, Char No. 4 is a connoisseur’s dream. (The name refers to barrels in which the golden liquor is aged.) Complement your tipple with updated dishes from south of the Mason-Dixon line. Many of the appetizers involve bacon; don’t miss the thick-cut bacon with peas and carrots, the BLT, or the cheese curds with pimento sauce. | 196 Smith St., Carroll Gardens | 11201 | 718/643–2106 | www.charno4.com | AE, D, DC, MC, V | No lunch Mon.–Thurs. | Subway: F to Bergen St.
Saul.
$$$ | AMERICAN | Owner Saul Bolton’s experience as a cook at famed Le Bernardin shows; the dynamic menu of seasonal specials features first-rate ingredients from the city’s best purveyors. The food is so good that patrons only wish the portions were larger. | 140 Smith St., near Bergen, Carroll Gardens | 11231 | 718/935–9844 | www.saulrestaurant.com | AE, D, DC, MC, V | No lunch | Subway: F to Bergen St.
WHERE TO STAY IN CARROLL GARDENS, COBBLE HILL, AND BOERUM HILL
Nu Hotel—Brooklyn.
$–$$ | Sitting atop Smith Street, one of Brooklyn’s main drags for nightlife and shopping, the hip-yet-affordable Nu is perfect for visitors seeking a manageable taste of outer-borough New York—and the staff is eager to highlight the neighborhood’s charms. Flat-screen TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, and AV hookups for your iPod or laptop make the above-average-size rooms livable, though the minimalist white-and-gray color scheme (punctuated with eco-friendly flourishes like cork floors, organic cotton sheets, and lead-free paint) can feel chilly at times. Just off the small check-in area downstairs, a quiet bar serves small plates of Spanish food at night and free pastries with Starbucks coffee come morning—but more fun can be had outside the front door. Pros: great Brooklyn launching pad; knowledgeable staff; fitness center open 24 hours. Cons: it’s a subway or cab ride to anything in Manhattan; bar area can be a little too quiet; limited in-room amenities. TripAdvisor: “clean, spacious, minimalistic rooms,” “complimentary continental breakfast,” “short to subway.” | 85 Smith St., Brooklyn | 11201 | 718/852–8585 | www.nuhotelbrooklyn.com | 3 rooms, 16 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: bar, gym, Internet terminal, parking (paid) | AE, MC, V | Subway: F to Bergen St.; A, C, G to Hoyt-Schermerhorn.
NIGHTLIFE IN CARROLL GARDENS, COBBLE HILL, AND BOERUM HILL
Brooklyn Social.
You could walk right past this inconspicuous storefront without even knowing you skipped past a converted men’s social club. Inside, a local crowd