6 Park Slope Restaurants To Take Your Out-Of-Town Guests During The Holidays
New York is about to get busier than it usually is, and your calendar is filling up fast. Part of the reason for the whirlwind of December has to do with friends and relatives visiting for the holidays. Whether it’s one evening, a weekend, or more, those folks want to know where to eat. (Play your cards right, and they may even treat you to a meal.)
We’ve put together a diverse list of neighborhood restaurants — a mix of tried-and-true favorites as well as newcomers which have quickly become part of the Slope food fabric. Keep in mind that all of these places serve brunch and/or lunch as well.
So what about bringing the kids? It’s always about using your judgment as to what time of day to take them out. These six places are good with the youngins’. But keep in mind, holldays will keep these places busy.
We hope these selections will help you make those last minute decisions easier, and placate (and impress) the out-of-towners who want some good food in Park Slope.
al di la Trattoria
al di la is a must for this list, a restaurant which has developed into a cornerstone of Park Slope since it opened in 1998. Far more than a neighborhood institution, al di la is a destination restaurant for those looking for New York City’s finest northern Italian cuisine. The place is a family affair, co-owned and operated by Chef Anna Klinger and her husband Emiliano Coppa. It’s a perennial favorite by food critics as well, and continues to be recommended by the Michelin Guide year after year.
Where: 248 5th Avenue at Carroll Street
Phone: 718-783-4565
Hours: Dinner hours vary slightly per evening, so check them here. Lunch from 12pm-3pm, Mondays-Fridays. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-3:30pm.
Reservations: It’s primarily a walk-in restaurant, but they do accept a limited amount of reservations for parties of 6-10.
Bricolage
“Vietnamese gastropub” may not be a household term yet, but it will be after you head to Bricolage. The name makes a lot of sense since the menu is an amalgam of tastes. They range from Pho and Summer Rolls — Vietnamese classics — to contemporary dishes with traditional Vietnamese flavors. The chef team Ed and Lien Lin are often hard at work in their exposed kitchen, but also serve as fantastic ambassadors for the restaurant. Their friendliness and gustatory talents are appreciated.
Where: 162 5th Avenue between Degraw and Douglass Streets
Phone: 718-230-1835
Hours: Dinner hours vary slightly per evening, so check them here. Lunch from 11am-3pm, Mondays-Fridays. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-3:00pm.
Reservations: Parties of 4 or less can make a reservation here. For parties of more than 4, call 718-230-1835 or email at reservations@bricolage.nyc.
Hey Hey Canteen
First off, 4th Avenue is not far away. Don’t let the out-of-towners think it’s a schlep when all you have to do is take a short walk from the Old Stone House to get to one of the best openings of the year. Hey Hey Canteen is a crowd pleaser as well. Think casual dining in a convivial space that serves Hong Kong-inspired comfort food. The all-day menu features noodles, salads, and their killer Hong Kong Fried Chicken Sandwich. A kids menu is also available.
Where: 400 4th Avenue (at 6th Street)
Phone: 347-987-3830
Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 12pm-10pm. Mondays, 5pm-10pm
Reservations: HHC is a walk-in restaurant, but they do take reservations for larger parties – call 347-987-3830 or email info@heyheycanteen.com to reserve your table.
Palo Santo
It’s no surprise that Palo Santo is celebrating its 10th anniversary, quietly nestled into the bottom floor of a brownstone. The dishes are influenced by both Latin America and the Caribbean. Whether or not you’ve tasted these dishes before, there is a feeling of warmth and familiarity that comes from the delicate preparation clearly visible from the open kitchen area in the front room. The Salvadoran pupusas are some of our favorites. And this is where you go to get a killer Michelada, too.
Where: 652 Union Street (between 4th and 5th Avenues)
Phone: 718-636-6311
Hours: Dinner hours vary slightly per evening, so check them here. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-3:00pm.
Reservations: You can make them online here.
Prawn Shop
Think succulent, sophisticated, and down-home. The taste of their seafood — mixed with responsible ethics — drives home the point that this is well worth it, and not simply just a trend. Chef Kimberly Plafke is a rock star when it comes to preparing and flavoring your seafood choices with traditions from all over. This place is another 2016 newcomer and its recognition is well-deserved.
Where: 669 Union Street (near 4th Avenue)
Phone: 347-599-0296
Hours: Mondays-Thursdays, 4pm-10:30pm; Fridays, 4pm-12am; Saturdays, 11am-12am; Sundays, 11am-10pm. Brunch menu available Saturdays and Sundays at 11am.
Reservations: You can make them online here.
Talde
Whether you choose former “Top Chef” Dale Talde’s pretzel pork fried dumplings, crispy oyster and bacon pad thai, Korean fried chicken, or breakfast ramen, you will find something on the menu to swear by at this pan-Asian mecca. And while Talde’s Pork Slope has already closed and Thistle Hill Tavern is shuttering soon, this tried-and-true place is sticking around. Think casual environment featuring a chef that is able to expertly use both fusion and playfulness.
Where: 369 7th Avenue (at 11th Street)
Phone: 347-916-0031
Hours: Dinner begins at 5pm each evening but check for closing times here. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-3:00pm.
Reservations: You can make them online here.
