Le Cirque

I'm not the biggest fan of French food but if I had to pick a top restaurant it'd have to be Le Cirque. Romantic, exquisite, upscale, friendly are all the words I can use to describe this lovely restaurant. Reservations are a must and jackets required for men, even though if you're a woman I wouldn't want to be underdressed either. For my appetizer I chose a salmon el crudo which I thought to be served chilled, only to discover that it was actually raw (I should've freshened up on my French). The basis for the dish was very unsavory and left me with a nauseating aftertaste. I exchanged the raw fish for a more appealing, warm and cooked dish, the lobster risotto. The risotto was creamy, light, tasty and not overpowering so good that I almost ordered seconds. For my entree I decided to go with a chicken ballantine with corn, arugula and maitake expecting robust flavors and instead the dish was very bland and needed salt and pepper. I paired my dinner with a white wine ($14) selected by the maître d' who was fantastic and attentive. For dessert I ordered the fruit tart and it was nothing short of spectacular. The dish arrived with an aromatic trail soon following. The pastry was fresh, even down to the fruit used to make it which could be tasted in every bite. During restaurant week the a la carte menu will afford a gracious dinner for $35 (not including drinks). However on a regular night expect to pay $40-$50 on an appetizer or entree alone. A great place to start your night with an appetizer and drinks or end your night with dessert but the overpriced flavorless entrees left me and my friends unimpressed. Overall the dining experience provided at Le Cirque from decor, light jazz, dress code and staff makes for a wondrous evening.

Borough Restaurant

Formerly known as Bistro Lafayette, this snug restaurant and bar located on Franklin Ave in an up and coming section of Bed-Stuy on the borderline of Clinton Hills offers remarkable food but skimps on hospitality. Borough restaurant while dimly lit is both family friendly and also an intimate setting great for date night. Upon my arrival I waited patiently by the door only to discover that there was no hostess. After about 20 minutes I decided to grab the attention of the bartender who promised that she'd be right with me right away. After a few minutes she came from behind the bar and let me know that I could sit anywhere I choose, which happened to be the table nearest the window which hadn't been cleaned yet. I quickly found out that the bartender was also the hostess, the waitress, the server and the bus boy. After being seated I ordered the crab cakes ($10) and buffalo wings ($7.50) as appetizers. The buffalo wings served with celery, carrot sticks and a blue cheese dressing were excellent, well done and flavorful. The crab cakes however were not well seasoned, they were a little overcooked on the outside and undercooked on the inside. If they were paired with some kind of avocado salsa or even a traditional hollandaise sauce instead of tartar sauce it might have slightly revived them. As an entree I decided to go with the jerk 1/2 of chicken, mashed potatoes and string beans ($12.50). I was immediately impressed with the portion size, which I must say was an entire half of chicken that had been marinated overnight, along with the sides was actually enough for two to share. The chicken was cooked perfectly, tender, juicy and the blend of spices and flavors were mouth watering. The jerk sauce that was served alongside the meal was a bit hot but a great accent that I couldn't help but to dip the chicken in. The mashed potatoes were creamy and even though the server brought out salt & pepper no extra seasonings were necessary, even the string beans were fresh and crisp. The food overall made up for the lack of hospitality and the music kept the night alive. Borough is a great place to dine if you wanna catch the game, grab some drinks or step up from the generic mundane taste of your local Applebees. Borough also offers delivery, Saturday & Sunday brunch specials and happy hour drink specials. Hopefully one of my soon to be favorites as I'm definitely looking forward to trying everything on the menu!

Chez Oskar

The variety of eateries in the Fort Greene area can only be described as gentrification for your palette and affordability for your wallet. With so many places to choose from restaurateurs have no choice but to offer specials. Whether it be happy hour, pre-fixe or unlimited mimosas for brunch, everyone has something special to offer! On a recent Saturday stroll through downtown Brooklyn, I stumbled upon Chez Oskar. This cozy eatery with outdoor seating is also referred to as "Le Funky French Bistro de Brooklyn". Whether its a family night out, a dinner date or lunch with your favorite group of friends its undoubtedly difficult not to find a favorite amongst this cater-to-all menu! For brunch I decided to go with the saumon grille served with french beans and parmesan grits, I also ordered a side of roasted potatoes and I can assure you this meal did not disappoint. The lobster crêpe was the best I've EVER had, filled with spicy lobster meat covered in a mouthwatering, creamy lobster bisque and topped with lemon and fried leeks. While I savoured every bite in a delightful bliss I couldn't help but notice the many other dishes that poured out from the kitchen like clockwork. Some dined on spinach and goat cheese crepes accompanied by mushroom, tomato and mesclum salad, while others decided to go with beers and shucking oysters, some were ushered lamb burgers topped with goat cheese, fries and salad while others settled for a simple chicken salad or challah french toast served with a fresh fruit salad. The options were endless and it seemed the brunch was as well because it doesn't end until 4:30. For the health conscious diner sugar free syrup, organic eggs and vegetable burgers amongst other things were there to suit your every need. We dined outside however because the inside was cooled by a few fans on this muggy August summer afternoon but the waiters were very attentive and polite. If you're not much of a brunch person find your way down for dinner on any Monday - Thursday from 5:30-7:30pm for the "Early bird special" which features 3 courses or 2 courses and a glass of wine for $28 per person (cheaper than restaurant week). Stop by on a Monday night for live music by the Blue Vipers of Brooklyn or on a Tuesday for Moules a GoGo aka All You Can Eat Mussels. So whether you bring a friend or your kid (kids menu also available) and whether you choose to dine inside the approx 30-seat dining room and enjoy the view of various wall art and decor or outside under the decorated lights for that moment in time you'll be able to escape the hustle and bustle of the Brooklyn streets and dine as the french do!