Eating out

—Restaurant critic Uyen Poh on where to eat in Brooklyn—

MORNING

Brunch @ House of Small Wonder

Walk through unassuming wood-paneled doors to a petite retreat built around the trunk of two large trees. This cute little gem serves an eclectic menu for breakfast and lunch. Try a traditional Japanese breakfast such as grilled salmon with miso soup, Okinawan taco rice, or opt for a croque madame. Feel like something sweet? Try the croissant or French toast. Drinks are just as interesting, with a lavender latte or iced matcha milk. Be prepared for long wait times on weekends. Bring cash—or use the ATM on site—as no credit cards are accepted.

77 North 6^th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249 | houseofsmallwonder.com

NOON

Smorgasburg @ East River State Park on the Williamsburg waterfront

This is one for Saturdays (11:00–6:00) between April and October. Enjoy a non-traditional lunch outdoors along the Williamsburg waterfront. Go from stall to stall and sample foods from all over the world at this seasonal outdoor food market. Try the fried anchovies at Bon Chovie, Sichuan rice noodles at Ya Ya Noodz’s, or frozen desserts at Kochin. Sit at the picnic tables or bring a picnic blanket and sit on the grass in the park. Afterwards, go for a walk along to where there is a small beach and take a photo with the East River and Empire State Building in the background. The best way to get there is to take a scenic ferry ride to the North Williamsburg stop, then walk a block north. If Saturdays don’t work for you, try the Sunday location at Breeze Hill in Prospect Park. The website has other locations. Note: the vendors only accept cash.

90 Kent Avenue (North 7th Street), Brooklyn, NY 11211 | smorgasburg.com

NIGHT

Dinner @ Oxomoco

Williamsburg’s neighbor, Greenpoint, is a neighborhood with new and interesting restaurants. These include Di An Di (Vietnamese), Chez Ma Tante (upgraded simple foods), and Oxomoco—one of the few Michelin-starred Mexican restaurants in NYC. Start off with the charred carrot tamal or spring-pea tlayuda (a personal favorite). For the main course try some tacos with complex and tasty flavors. Try the pork cheek carnitas with chicharron (who doesn’t like fried pork rinds?), lamb barbacoa with squash blossoms, and chicken al pastor with grilled pineapples. You will be stuffed silly after all that but leave room for the Oaxacan chocolate cake. Ambiance is great here and reservations are necessary. If you can’t get one, see if they can seat you at the chef’s counter in the back, where you can watch the food being prepared.

128 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222 | oxomoconyc.com

Drinks @ the Brooklyn Barge

Still not ready to leave Brooklyn? Head over to the Brooklyn Barge for a nightcap with a view of the Manhattan skyline. The barge is docked near the Greenpoint ferry stop and is located between two warehouses.

Intersection of West Street / Milton Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY | thebrooklynbarge.com