by Keith Klein
While it’s my opinion that neighborhoods like Williamsburg and Carroll Gardens have far better restaurants than we do here in the Heights, sometimes we just don’t feel like schlepping. Having said that, I encourage you to venture out and sample what has become a huge food scene in our borough. In coming months, I’ll review some of my favorites while always being on the lookout for something new.

SOCIALE HITS THE STREET

The relatively new Sociale (72 Henry Street) has set up their very delightful outdoor cafe, complete with comfy chairs, nice tables and big umbrellas. It’s a great place for dinner in the hood on a pleasant evening. This is a welcome addition since I am not a big fan of their interior space finding it a bit cramped. If you go for dinner, choose from an impressive variety of pastas and fish that is consistently good. They also have a few meat dishes, but whatever you order, be sure to start with the Buffala Frita which is deep fried buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, anchovies and basil. It is a knockout and worth coming here for.

DISH IT UP IN DUMBO

In the former space occupied by RICE at 81 Washington Street is the newly opened DISH, a Mediterranean restaurant with a big menu and lots of interesting cocktails and beers on tap. While I really want to like this place because of its attractive appearance and very congenial owner, I’m afraid the food was lackluster. The curry chicken salad sandwich (pulled cage free chicken mixed with red grapes, poppy seeds and celery topped with watercress, served on a bianco baguette) tasted like a sandwich you’d get at a kiosk at JFK. The steak sandwich didn’t fare much better and a huge part of the problem is the bread, which could very well have come from Gristedes’s. Adding to the unfortunate meal was a server who thought is was perfectly acceptable to take 10 minutes to deliver a cocktail. In fairness to the restaurant, we didn’t order a big meal with entrees and appetizers but will do so on another visit.  Let’s hope they improve. Not that anyone would know, since there is no sign or promotion, DISH has a wonderful bar and lounge downstairs. This unique find is a great alternative if you’d like a quiet drink with friends at the scene at Superfine is just too much. When we visited on a Friday night there wasn’t a person to found downstairs so hurry up and make it your secret spot before it’s discovered.

HOW IS BEVACCO STILL IN BUSINESS?

For sheer entertainment value, here are some reviews I posted online about Bevacco, which in my opinion, could be a great neighborhood bistro if they could only get their act together after two years!

2012: A DREADFUL BEGINNING

As a Brooklyn Heights resident who frequents most of the local restaurants, it pains me to say that Bevacco is a huge disappointment. It pains me because I love the idea of a neighborhood bistro where you can sit at the bar, have some wine or an espresso, enjoy a spur of the moment brunch or take people to dinner in a cool looking space right up the street. The people who opened this did everything right. The place is gorgeous. The food is pretty good and at times excellent. This is all discounted however, by the abysmal service and a kitchen that is clearly in disarray. In some half a dozen visits to Bevacco, each time either something took forever, the orders came out wrong, the waitstaff seemed clueless or we just had the general feeling that they could not care less if we were there or not. This is truly a shame because the place has such potential. I hope the owners read this review and take some action before it’s too late. By the way, how anyone can compare this restaurant to Noodle Pudding is beyond me. Noodle Pudding is a well oiled machine where they not only make you feel welcome, but deliver superior food time after time…and ON time!

2013: IT GETS EVEN WORSE

Here is an update 6 months later. It appears that the owners did not take my original review to heart. Several weeks ago, I had an experience at Bevacco that was simply not to be believed. Here the place sits mostly empty all during the week. On this particular Friday night it was actually about 2/3 full. 2/3 full mind you… Not people waiting out the door. We only came here because Noodle Pudding, Henry’s End and Siggy’s all had long waits. I am guessing this is how they get most of their clientele. When I told the host we were two for dinner he said, “we can’t seat you right now unless you don’t mind having drinks and waiting about 45 minutes for your entrees. The kitchen is a little backed up. WHAT??? I looked at him in shock and said, “but the place isn’t even full” and all he could muster up was “I’m sorry. We are just a little behind.” So here they finally have a busy night and they can’t even handle it. That’s because they can’t even handle it when you’re one of maybe a dozen customers in the entire restaurant.

2014:

Pleased to say that things have improved here. Waitstaff better. Service better. Brunch is really nice. Can you imagine? I’m starting to actually like it.