Chef Cesar Ramirez, the former Executive Chef at Bouley who decided that he didn’t want to be confined by the restrictions of a set restaurant menu, opened Brooklyn Fare last year. The concept is an intimate dinner where 12 guests sit around a giant kitchen island while Cesar entertains and cooks right in front of you. Mis-represented as a ‘cooking class’ on the website, I went there thinking that I could ask questions about the recipe and preparation methods, only to be audibly reprimanded by Mr. Ramirez, who snapped that we “don’t pay enough for him to share his recipes.” Unwarranted? Entirely. It didn’t set the tone right for me, hence the 4 out of the otherwise 5 stars. But that didn’t stop me from being blown away by the refined preparation techniques of each dish. The 15+ courses are seafood-centric, guaranteed to wow even non-seafood lovers. Even with the increased price of $95 per sitting ($70 before), it’s still a great value, considering the attention (just don’t ask too many questions and offer him a glass of wine!), BYOB policy and the quality of ingredients you can expect. Tip: You can pre-order wines from the grocery store next door to pair with the fare. I’ve been there twice so that speaks volumes to this unique dining experience. To reserve: 718-243-0050
Pros: BYOB, best bang-for-your-buck, unique dining experience
Cons: Chef can be quirky, not for meat lovers
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