The Chez Jones Guide to Brooklyn: Boerum Hill
Grand Army Bar
A list of my favorite (and regularly vetted) spots to eat, drink and purchase victuals from. First up, Boerum Hill.
My neighborhood go-to, Grand Army serves up fantastic (strong) cocktails plus sustenance in the form of oysters and casual plates, many of which can be easily shared.
This was the first restaurant I ever visited in Boerum Hill prior to moving to the area, and I’m pretty sure my fiancé and I were convinced Brooklyn was for us after this meal. I’ve been multiple times since, in the form of date night and group get-togethers (it’s great for either) and have never once been disappointed by a meal of their “Frenchie” salad, chicken liver pâté, and steak frites.
One of my favorite spots to grab a quick breakfast after an overindulgent evening. Think slightly more extravagant BEC’s and smoked salmon and cream cheese-lined bagels, along with a plethora of other (Montreal-inspired) Jewish deli specialties.
Am I biased because the owner, Jenny, knows my dog’s name and because she used to design CrewCuts? Probably. Is the coffee good? Very much so. (They use Counter Culture.) We stumbled upon this place while walking said dog and appreciate the friendly, relaxed service and very Brooklyn vibe - punctuated with some sustainable wares of Jenny’s choosing.
Technically this isn’t a restaurant or a bar, however, I felt compelled to include it as it is an excellent fishmonger. It always felt somehow impossible to shop at places like this when I lived on the Upper East Side, but as someone who loves to cook fresh whole fish, this has become the place to buy my seafood from.