The Grocery

288 Smith St., Brooklyn, NY

8.6

map & more

Neighborhood
Brooklyn
Carroll Gardens

Cuisine
American

718-596-3335 ‎

Official Website

By Andrew Steinthal
February 7, 2011

Even in an age of conceptual gimmicks and celebrity chefs, there’s still room for the little guys who give good kitchen. Most have been driven out of town. Not The Grocery. Carroll Gardens is a hotbed for culinary buzz and new restaurants these days. It’s filled with a plethora of Infatuation approved destinations like Prime Meats and Buttermilk Channel. But, let’s not forget who put CG on the map a good 10 years ago. The Grocery might not be what eveyone’s talking about anymore, but the kitchen hasn’t lost a step; it’s still one of the best restaurants on Smith St.

The Grocery isn’t fancy, there are no bells and whistles. It’s just old fashioned, good eatin’. The plates dispatched from their kitchen are on par with the likes of Blue Hill and Mas (farmhouse); farm fresh meats, sliced and served in ridiculous reduction sauces. Be careful, just because you’re in Brooklyn doesn’t mean the prices will be any different. At The Grocery, you’re going to drop a serious chunk of change, but you’ll feel good doing so. Who would you rather give your money to at this point, Mario Batali or a bearded dude in a beanie who keeps a chicken coop outside his nearby Brooklyn apartment? That’s what I thought.

When you go, you’ll meet Charlie and Sharon, the husband and wife ownership duo who do all the cooking. No doubt, they’ll be at your table, guiding you through your meal and bringing over never ending amuse bouches. At their restaurant, you’re treated like family and that’s exactly what makes people fall in love with this place. It may be minimal in appearance, but it’s huge on charm, Outdoor/Patio Situations and delicious food. The garden in the back makes The Grocery a prime Warm Weather Dining destination.

We’re not the only one’s who approve, people. freak. out. over The Grocery. It’s just that kind of place.

Food Rundown:

Roasted Beets
Don’t even consider not ordering this. One of my friends doesn’t even like beets, but is obsessed with it. Roasted beets over a perfect goat cheese ravioli with fried shallots and sweet toasted pine nuts; an immaculate forkful.

Fried Artichokes
Crispy, fried ‘chokes over a bed of escarole, radicchio, parmesan, croutons and roasted garlic with lemon aioli. A nice sized, sharable appetizer for the table.

Chicken Soup
An excellent way to combat the freeze outside, the chicken broth was incredible and the kale pecorino dumpling and root vegetables gave it a nice thickness.

Smoked Salmon
House smoked salmon on a yucca latke served with dill sour cream and an accompanying salad of asian pear and endive. It wasn’t all salty like lox and that’s exactly what makes it so refreshing.

Grilled Loin Chop of Lamb
Fresh loin of lamb cooked medium rare, oozing with juices and sides of sausage stuffed squash, white beans and tuscan kale. Delicious.

Slow Rendered Duck Breast
What doesn’t taste better slowly rendered? This duck was freakin’ awesome. One of the best things on the menu, check the pic. Served with kasha, roasted turnips and market greens in a ridiculous caramelized red wine sauce.

Braised Short Rib
A special that’s often available and another monster of an entree. Not only is this an ideal short rib, but it’s served over a bed of thick, homemade pappardelle. You win.

Baked Pasta
A massive batch of baked pasta, loaded with lobster, braised leeks, scallion, stewed tomatoes and roasted peppers. A seriously hearty dinner, good luck trying to finish it.

Dessert
Save room. The Warm Apple Cobbler is incredible, you need that. Also, you can’t not order the Buttermilk Panna Cotta. I mean, look at them. They’re beautiful.