BESTOFBROOKLYN2021

RESTAURANTS BEST CAJUN RESTAURANT CATFISH 1433 Bedford Ave Brooklyn (347) 305-3233 www.devin9683.wixsite.com/catfishnyc Make your next culinary voyage to the Big Easy, well...easy! CATFISH is serving up the best New Orleans inspired cuisine you have had north of the Mason-Dixon line! It’s easy to spend the entire day talking about its unreal catfish po’ boy, or jambalaya with andouille sausage. But, for a true Southern comfort experience that New Orleans has to offer, head on down to one of its special crawfish boil events where fresh Louisiana crawfish are overnighted from a farm to CATFISH’S tables on Bedford Avenue and are promptly cooked up by Boil Master Brian Borsics! What else can you ask for? BEST CARIBBEAN BK9 62 5th Ave Brooklyn (718) 789-2176 bk9.nyc Ditch the pizza and take-out Chinese food for something a little bit different — and even more delicious! BK9 brings Caribbean culture to Brooklyn and lives by one simple motto: “Good food, good drinks, and good times.” Located in the heart of the borough, just blocks away from the Barclays Center, BK9 offers a warm atmosphere where the conversation is allowed to thrive — just like it is in the Caribbean. Its large bar and open dining space are the perfect backdrops to its rich dishes, from Braised Oxtail Empanadas to Jerk Chicken to Tour de’ Legume. Whether you’re looking for a lively dining experience with friends and family or a bar with a view of the game or the neighborhood, we know just the place! BEST CHINESE XIN 8320 3rd Ave Brooklyn (347) 662-6222 www.xin.nyc XIN is an upscale Chinese restaurant in the heart of Bay Ridge, offering authentic chinese cuisine, specialty martinis and a dessert menu unlike any other. XIN offers all the staples of Chinese cuisine, from starters like egg drop and wonton soup to entrees like beef with brocolli and Kung Pao Chicken. However, this eatery’s specials are where it really shines. Just some of its mouthwatering signature dishes include T-Bone Steak with black pepper Sauce, Filet Mignon with Baby Bok Choy, Mongolian Beef Cube, Three Peppers Steak Kew and XIN Rack of Lamb. XIN is known for its hearty portions, so its the perfect place to share meals and enjoy a family dinner. The competition for Chinese restaurants in Brooklyn is undoubtedly tough, but this eatery rises above the rest! BEST COFFEE SHOP MIKE’S DONUTS 6822 5th Ave Brooklyn (718) 745-6980 www.mikesdonuts.com Come for the donuts but stay for the classic: Brooklyn’s best coffee. At Mike’s Donuts, the coffee is as renowned as its sweets. Serving the Bay Ridge community since 1976, Mike’s Donuts has grown to become a staple in its hometown and beyond. Mike’s Donuts bakes everything on premises twice a day and boasts more than 30 different types of mouthwatering donuts. But don’t sleep on the coffee! Whether you’re looking to wash down a divine donut or just get a start on your day with a cup from Mike’s freshest pot, there’s no losing when you’re getting your coffee fix here! BEST COFFEE SHOP FOR GETTING WORK DONE HUNGRY GHOST 253 Flatbush Ave Brooklyn (718) 483-8666 www.hungryghostcoffee.com If you’re looking for a relaxing place to work remotely, look no further than Hungry Ghost. Many cafes can master the art of steaming milk. Once you drop a ristretto (1.5oz of espresso) in a latte, many of the nuances of the espresso blend are masked behind all that creamy goodness, and it’s probably going to taste good. But how many times can you walk into a cafe and with confidence order an espresso and expect a perfectly balanced extraction? In Hungry Ghost’s opinion, not very often. From the roasting, to the grind setting, boiler temperature, tamp style, even the humidity and temperature of the air inside the cafe affects the way espresso falls into your cup. At Hungry Ghost, baristas are trained to know all these elements and how to channel them into the perfect shot. BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE MICHAEL’S OF BROOKLYN 2929 Ave R Brooklyn (718) 998-7851 www.michaelsofbrooklyn.com Family owned and operated since 1964, Michael’s of Brooklyn offers three generations of pride and excellence. Loyal customers visit from near and far to enjoy generations-old family recipes, lovingly handed down as a legacy of Italian tradition. Come and join them as they celebrate the tastes of Italy in its elegantly appointed dining room. From delicious warm and cold antipasti and tantalizing pasta creations, to delectable seafood, veal and poultry entrees and tempting desserts, Michael’s has it all — and serves to you by a genial and friendly staff. Reserve a table today and find out why Michael’s has been a Brooklyn institution for nearly half a century. BEST DELICATESSEN/ JEWISH DELI LIONI ITALIAN HEROES 7803 15th Ave Brooklyn (718) 232-1411 www.lioniheroes.com It’s all in the name at Lioni Italian Heroes... and no, we’re not just talking any name. We’re 48 DIME BEST OF BROOKLYN 2021 • WINNERS GUIDE • BESTOFBK.COM talking all the names. With over 150 heroes — all of them named after prominent people — Lioni’s is less of a deli and more an experience. Whether you’re in the mood for a Frank Sinatra (#1) or an Al Pacino (#108), Lioni’s makes ordering lunch (and breakfast or dinner for that matter) fun. All of Lioni’s famous heroes are also available in wraps, and its vast selection of sides an appetizers certainly sweeten the deal. It should come as no surprise that the fan favorite deli does dessert, too! Get lost in the menu and see for yourself why Lioni’s Italian Heroes was voted best delicattessen in all of Brooklyn. BEST DINER BRIDGEVIEW DINER 9011 3rd Ave Brooklyn (718) 680-9818 www.bridgeviewdinerbrooklyn.com You don’t know southern Brooklyn if you don’t know Bridgeview Diner. This staple Brooklyn diner has been around for what feels like forever — and there’s a good reason. The decades-old eatery is known for its classics — from egg-cellent breakfast platters and mouthwatering sides, to towering triple-decker lunch sandwhiches and extravagent pasta, meat and seafood dinner dishes — as well as its fresh twists on any kind of cuisine you can dream. You name it, it’s on the menu at Bridgeview Diner — and it’ll hit the spot just like you hope it will. Don’t forget to take advantage of its free-refill coffee for a pick me up at any time of day. Plus, the parking’s not bad either! BEST DINING VIEW THE RIVER CAFÉ 1 Water St Brooklyn (718) 522-5200 www.rivercafe.com If you want to wow your date, take that special someone to The River Café, where they can enjoy both an amazing meal and an equally amazing view of the Manhattan skyline. Opened in June of 1977 by Michael Buzzy O’Keeffe, The River Café has been dedicated to serving only the highest level of cuisine prepared from the freshest and finest ingredients available anywhere. As a result, the restaurant emerged at the forefront for the arrival of Classic American cuisine on the East Coast, searching out the finest and purest ingredients in every aspect. BEST DINNER DEAL IL FORNETTO 2902 Emmons Ave Brooklyn (718) 332-8494 www.ilfornettorestaurant.com Get plenty to eat without breaking the bank at Il Fornetto in Sheepshead Bay. Whether your quest in a restaurant is for romance, celebration or business, Il Fornetto’s beautiful waterfront setting enhances your visit, either at lunch, dinner or for a private event. While enjoying the ambiance of upscale but casual surroundings, you can savor the flavors of authentic Italian cuisine, inspired by the sea. Specialty dishes from its extensive menu win raves from customers, from its incomparable fried calamari to wood-fired brick oven pizza, pasta dishes and fresh fish. Be assured that at il Fornetto, our culinary skills and attentive service is all about you, your comfort and your dining pleasure. Buon appetite! BEST EUROPEAN BABA’S PIEROGIES 295 3rd Ave Brooklyn (718) 222-0777 www.babasbk.com Everyone in Brooklyn knows Baba’s Pierogies — and it’s because Baba’s Pierogies feels like home to anyone who eats there. This family-run, momand pop business utilizes recipes passed down by Baba herself. From classic potato and sauerkraut to unique pierogies stuffed with ooey, gooey mac and cheese or spinach and feta, the team at “Baba’s BK” works hard to put fresh twists on classic favorites — with Baba’s approval, of course. Come on down and order a plate of your the pierogies you crave, or indulge in one of Baba’s savory sandwhiches, sides and (lest we forget to mention) dessert pierogies. Need we say more? After all, you don’t get more comfort food than pierogi! /catfishnyc /www.xin.nyc /www.mikesdonuts.com /www.hungryghostcoffee.com /www.michaelsofbrooklyn.com /www.lioniheroes.com /www.bridgeviewdinerbrooklyn.com /www.rivercafe.com /www.ilfornettorestaurant.com /www.babasbk.com /catfishnyc /www.xin.nyc /www.mikesdonuts.com /www.hungryghostcoffee.com /www.michaelsofbrooklyn.com /www.lioniheroes.com /BESTOFBK.COM /www.bridgeviewdinerbrooklyn.com /www.rivercafe.com /www.ilfornettorestaurant.com /www.babasbk.com