In the up-and-coming trendy neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn, sits a friendly, modern pastel-hued bistro. Just five stops from Manhattan on C train, a 'round the world experience awaits at the upscale yet accessible Autour du Monde (""around the world"") restaurant and bar.
Just two and half years old, the well-touted neighborhood favorite offers a continental menu, (leaning heavily on French and European with splashes of Asian) at reasonable and well-ranged prices (entrees from $13-$22). The full bar and the rest of the white linened restaurant is dimly lit with modern light fixtures making for a refined and stylish dining experience.
Autour’s red brick façade touts a nostalgic striped canopy, large bright windows, and an unbeatable $26 three-course daily prix fixe dinner menu, changing seasonally and prepared in the same tasteful, not overly seasoned manner as the main menu.
The medium-sized, 60-seat restaurant features two modern rooms (muted yellow in main room with full bar; and a pastel purple back room--great for parties or intimidate dining). The formal table cloths covered in brown paper sheets give the family-owned joint a very organic feel. Autour also features as many organic or natural ingredients as it can, with all baking done on premises.
The dinner-only menu (the place is not open for lunch) features 8 appetizers (soups, crispy veggie or cod cakes), 11 entrees (organic burgers, lamb shank, duck, risotto), and 6 desserts (crème brûlée, chocolate cake, fruit tarts). The decadent endings – like the light, tangy mascarpone passion fruit cheesecake with almond crust – all teeter between $7 and $8, and with espresso and cappuccino, you can sit until closing at 10:30, 11.
An all-weekend brunch menu, served from 10:30am - 4pm, offers staples like steak and eggs, croque monsieur (grilled ham and cheese sandwich), classic whole wheat pancakes with seasonal fruit and egg dishes.
Business is hardly as robust as the trendy bistro owners on Fulton St. may like, so if you’re looking for an intimate and palette-pleasing dining experience, hit the globe-trotting Autour du Monde. Ask for Olivier, the mastermind behind the place. Tell ‘im I sent you.
Pros: Food, Classy Comfy Environment, Nice Service
Cons: Some food takes a while
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