Dining Review: Did You j’eatjet? ‘Gastrobar’ Go-To For Burgers, Cocktails, And An Outdoor Crab Boil

Have you?
Eaten yet?

That’s what this 5th Avenue “gastrobar” is asking you, in case you needed the place’s name decoded.

We had a chance to have dinner here a few weeks back before South Brooklyn Shakespeare took over 5th Avenue with their production of Twelfth Night.

Now, I have family from Philly — some thick with that curious accent — who regularly asked me the “j’eatjet?” question when we were over at 5th and Spruce (woah, was that a different intersection years ago).

But our server that night told us the term was meant to play on a Brooklyn accent. “J’eatjet?” isn’t particularly familiar to my ear up in the county of Kings, but we weren’t here to quibble over accents, were we?

We were thirsty and hungry on a blazingly hot Saturday evening trying to find some respite in the big Brooklyn boil of a heat wave. The joint was jumpin’ as South Brooklyn Shakespeare was setting up, so we ambled a bit south on 5th Avenue.

Co-owners Justyna Kociubinski and Michael Morgovsky opened their “gastrobar” about three years ago. The “gastro” part of the name features burgers, salads, a pierogi dish, poutine, and a slew of other munchies.

The ‘Shroom and Swiss Burger ($16) was a solid bar food burger, with a healthy dose of crispy fries on the side. This is a great standby to stop in for a meal like this, however the price tag did raise our eyebrows.

Drinks are plentiful — with a varied beer menu and an inventive collection of cocktails which suit the steamy weather. The “Gint Condition” ($10) is a combo of gin, cucumber, mint, and lime — and refreshing. Next time, we’ll aim for “The Transfusion” ($11) a curious combo of gin, jalapeño, apple, lime and beets.

The indoors consists of an intimate bar area as well as a space for sit down seating. A party of eight fit comfortably in the front area near the window.

But the most impressive feature of the space is their beautiful and airy outdoor patio. This summer, the restaurant is having an outdoor Crab Boil every Tuesday until September 2 from 5pm-10pm. According to the gastrobar, you’ll get “endless steamed Blue Crab dumped right on your table.” The boil is $51 (which includes tax and gratuity) with “unlimited crab & sides” and one dessert per ticket. You can buy those tickets on their website.

I found our server friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I was — quite frankly — a bit put off by another employee who I spoke with to ask a few questions. He told me he’d get back to me soon with an answer,  but left the bar instead. After I saw him drinking at South Pub later on, I have to say, it was quite a turnoff.

That said, I don’t want to judge the service of a place based on one employee.

I find j’eatjet? pleasant, a bit pricey, but a neat little neighborhood place to visit for quick eats and a smart cocktail.

The Dining Rundown: j’eatjet?
Where: 685 5th Avenue (between 20th and 21st Streets)
Hours: Mondays-Fridays, 5pm-4am. Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, 11am-4pm and Dinner 5pm-4am.
Phone: 347-227-7410
Kid Friendly?  For brunch, yes.