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Char No. 4

4 star rating
based on 98 reviews

Categories: Bars, Southern

196 Smith St
(between Warren St & Baltic St)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 643-2106
Nearest Transit:

Bergen St (F, G)

Hoyt-Schermerhorn Sts (A, C, G)

Hours:

Mon-Thu. 6:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Fri. 6:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.

Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Sat. 6:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.

Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Sun. 6:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Price Range:
$$$
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Good for Groups:
No
Good for Kids:
No
Takes Reservations:
Yes
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
No
Waiter Service:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
No
Outdoor Seating:
Yes
Good for:
Dinner
Music:
Juke Box
Best Nights:
Mon, Fri, Sat
Happy Hour:
Yes
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Smoking:
No
Coat Check:
No

98 reviews for Char No. 4

Review Highlights   

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"…of chocolate cheesecake or homemade butter pecan ice cream with bourbon…" (in 4 reviews)
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"Huge selection of bourbon, whiskey, and scotch." (in 38 reviews)
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"But what you should DEFINITELY get is the cured lamb pastrami-- OMG." (in 7 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Sarah F.

 

5

14

Sarah F.

Brooklyn, NY

5 star rating
11/15/2009

I have a confession to make... I don't eat meat. Alas, let it be known that there are delicious things sans bacon on the brunch menu, namely the pancakes. These aren't just any pancakes, they're pancakes with homemade marmalade and other such goodness. The other four people in my party all greatly enjoyed their meals, which were indeed meat heavy.

Also, props for taking reservations for brunch. The rising trend of first come/first serve is no fun and parents don't like to wait when they're visiting.

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Photo of Laura E.

Elite '09

14

67

Laura E.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
11/8/2009

A little story behind the name: Char 4 refers to the aging of whiskey in oak barrels. Yup. I definitely don't tell it as well as the waiters.
Anyshoes. Wicked awesome whiskey cocktails. They are so good. Boys, bring your dates here (I think my group was not informed that it was date night as we were the only table in there not an annoyingly adorable twosome).
They also have terrific appetizers. I was almost tempted to eat only the appetizers. Pork nuggets-good. Lamb pastrami-amazing. Crispy cheese curds-also amazing.
A note of caution. Some of the entrees are really big (ribs)... other really small (scallops). They are all very yummy, but if you're hungry. Go with the bigger one, eh?

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Photo of Tonya G.

 

3

4

Tonya G.

New York, NY

5 star rating
11/5/2009

I went here with some co workers that live in the area, we work in midtown.  at first, mostly given my corporate attire, i didn't feel "brooklyn hip" enough for the place, but that faded as we drank some of the many, many whiskeys they have available.  i tried a whiskey cocktail, which was fine with the first few sips, but i wasn't able to finish.  i guess my colleague was right - whiskey should not be mixed.  with dinner we had a red wine which was nice considering the amounts of meat we ate.

for apps we had the pieces of bacon that come in servings of two.  never again will i enjoy peter luger's bacon, this was a million times better.  pork nugguts, just ok, the BLT, which was amaaaazing, these little cheese nuggets, probably the only veggie friendly item on the menu and they were fantastic.

for entree we had BACON wrapper QUAIL.  yes.  it was heavenly.  and the ribs.  i could have been back in texas according the my taste buds.  they were fantastic.  AND beans that had tobasco sauce.  put tobasco on anything and i'm a happy girl.  by the end the bourbon drizzled ice cream was overkill but of course we ate it anyway.

i can't wait to bring more manhattan friends to this awesome bk spot.

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Photo of Kate W.

 

0

14

Kate W.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
11/2/2009

I was going to eat here but after spending a while looking at the menu, the waiter came over to take my order and informed me that they'd run out of several things which put me off eating.
My husband enjoyed his food.

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Photo of Crystal B.

 

0

1

Crystal B.

New York, NY

2 star rating
11/13/2009

After a lot of hype from a good friend, I went here tonight with a group of girlfriends.  Whiskey + pork... how can you go wrong?

I have to say that the food was very decent and the decor was pleasing-- I liked the space quite a bit.  However, tonight's bartender-- BEWARE OF THE PONYTAIL AND MULLET!-- was awful.  For some odd reason, he seemed terribly offended by the fact that a group of girls were dining and drinking at the bar.  He continually ignored requests made by my girlfriends and I-- at one point, other (male) customers reminded him that we had requested our bill-- and he was blatantly rude.  When two of my friends confronted him, all he could was shrug his shoulders.  When other customers noticed his schizophrenic behavior and commented, the bartender was so embarrassed, he actually left the service area to cower over in a corner by the kitchen.  

I don't know-- all I can say is that tonight's bartender ruined what could have been a great evening.  I'm never coming back here EVER again, and am telling all of my Brooklyn friends to stay away.

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Photo of Arielle W.

Elite '09

20

205

Arielle W.

New York, NY

5 star rating
10/4/2009

I ate really well this week, and it's another reason why I might need to cross borough lines.

Char No 4 is absolutely wonderful.  Again, great beer selection and atmosphere - altho it was a little loud for a birthday dinner.  The service more than made up for it tho.

As far as the food, please please please get the lamb pastrami and bacon.  Mmmm the bacon.  Sweet dreams.

I ordered wrong w/ the entree by getting the brisket sandwich, which was good, but the ribs were soooooo much better.  That corn bread?  Yum.  

We tried the ice cream with bourbon for dessert and wowza.  I am definitely going back.  Soon.

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Photo of Stephanie J.

Elite '09

19

70

Stephanie J.

Brooklyn, NY

5 star rating
10/4/2009

My family was in town, so we did dinner in my sister's part of town, and brunch in mine.  We walked around the corner to Char No. 4, since my dad loves bourbon, and we all love brunch.  We were seated immediately, even though there were 6 of us, which was pretty great. We were given water and coffee, by our waitress who came upon us kind of suddenly and started rattling off the specials, but that didn't matter, because the specials sounded delicious.  

I ended up ordering the beef brisket hash, with scrambled eggs and the horseradish sauce on the bottom, and it was greaaaat.  My sister had the fixed price, which I ended up stealing quite a bit of, the applesauce was to die for, and the biscuit and hash browns were amazing. And the fresh squeezed orange juice was also awesome. Also of note, that I tried - the biscuits benedict with bacon gravy.  I will definitely be returning here for brunch, and I can't wait to try their dinner. If only I drank bourbon - but for this place, I might try it.

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Photo of Joanna L.

Elite '09

61

204

Joanna L.

New York, NY

5 star rating
10/13/2009

Beautiful bar with shelves lined with every whiskey imaginable (or at least more than I can imagine). Friendly wait staff and a delicious prix fixe that was $16 for a poached egg, slice of ham, delicious onion and chive potatoes, homemade chunky apple sauce, biscuit w/ cranberry jam, coffee and a juice. Yum!

Will be going back to try the other food and post about it soon.

Kitchen closes at 3:30p for brunch.

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Photo of Lucy L.

Elite '09

194

548

Lucy L.

New York, NY

5 star rating
9/21/2009

An adventure trip to brooklyn brought me to this place that i bookmarked.

We walked down the Smith Street, as I was talking I really wanted to try Char No. 4. The second I said it.. we were standing right in front it. IT'S THE FAITH!

We sat down right away. the place was pretty packed, they have a backyard garden( REALLY COOL DECOR). The food was FANTASTIC, fixed menu as well as standard menu.  I ordered Benedict.. allow me to say amazing !!

I'm so glad that i made the trip to brooklyn and randomly found Char No 4.

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Photo of Anna K.

 

5

69

Anna K.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
11/11/2009

The food here is Sooo heavy.  I know Southern food isn't known for being light and fluffy but come on!  Almost every dish they serve has some sort of weird bacon in it.  I say weird because it's basically lard , not bacon.  I guess it's an acquired taste. On the plus side - the service was very nice and the waiter was very accommodating. The atmosphere is also very fun and lively.

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Photo of Jane V.

 

6

12

Jane V.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
11/5/2009

I'm from the South so service with a smile is a big plus for me.  Our waitress was attentive and gave great suggestions.  The food was fabulous and the whiskey cocktails were punishing.  All in all, a great find on a street that offers a lot of options.  I recommend the pastrami appetizer and the BLT entree.  And the kale with the bacon was crazy good!  Ask for hot sauce!  (We used the hot sauce from the cheddar appetizer on it and it was really tasty!)

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Photo of Christine M.

 

0

10

Christine M.

New York, NY

5 star rating
11/18/2009

the brunch here is excellent.  I would go back just for the pork nuggets

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Photo of seth n.

Elite '09

55

97

seth n.

NY

5 star rating
10/2/2009

Amazing! Really truly fantastic - Loved the food, loved the cocktails, loved the atmosphere.  Not one complaint from the whole group I was with (and it was a picky crowd), ok so Char No 4 is not a place you are going to go every week - (your arteries may not forgive you) but for a once in awhile decadent (Whiskey, Meat, Cobbler) treat its hard to top it.

Side note, It specializes in all these types of whiskeys that I can't claim to have the slightest clue of knowledge of - so will leave that area of critique to other yelpers...

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Photo of Annie H.

 

4

22

Annie H.

San Gabriel, CA

4 star rating
11/6/2009

Char no. 4 biscuits benedict with house smoked ham, poached eggs & bacon gravy......OMG. I loved this dish. So much that I ate it all - and let me tell you, this ain't no dainty dish. It's heavy and there's a lot of it. It's awesome.  Along with a bloody mary (the most excellent that I've had) and two cups of coffee. So maybe it was a little excessive, but whatever, I had a great brunch. If I wasn't too embarrassed to pick up the plate and lick it clean, I would have. Try the hot sauce - it's homemade and excellent.

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Photo of Kitty T.

 

1

9

Kitty T.

New York, NY

4 star rating
10/24/2009

this place makes me want to move to Brooklyn! and as a loyal Manhattanite, that means a lot.

We sat at the bar on a Sunday afternoon and was attended by a ver attentive bartender. I ordered eggs over biscuits and gravy with chicken sausage, hubby ordered the eggs benedict and we split an order of bacon that the bartender insisted we had to try. and we both had bloody marys. oh.my.god. the entire meal was delicious! i ate the entire fatty goodness. the bacon, which is like 5mm think smoked and with maple dipping syrup was like 2 bucks a tiny slice - but... actually worth it. my dish was smothered in what I think was sausage speckled gravy was so good. the chicken sausage was like nothing I've had before. not only was it not dry, but it tasted more like pork.

I'm dying to go back, but it's probably a good thing it's far away because it will probably kill me if I eat there often.

But I do need to go back to try dinner...

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Photo of reina g.

Elite '09

63

114

reina g.

Berkeley, CA

4 star rating
8/26/2009

Came for the famed BLT, stayed for the sweet sauna-style outdoor patio in back. Thanks to this wood cave, I enjoyed my meal outside in pouring rain, surrounded by the cozy aroma of cedar.

Inside, the place oozes sex appeal. The glowing cylinders hanging from the ceiling and spacious booths lend a swank, but not stuffy retro vibe. A great choice for that crucial third date.

Anyplace  I can consume luscious pork belly and wash it down with a whiskey/maple syrup concoction is A-ok in my book. Extra star for being so close to Cobble Hill Cinemas. Great place to stumble over to after a few cocktails.

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Photo of oraia r.

 

7

22

oraia r.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
9/20/2009

Char 4 is treat - I love their bar with the huge overhead shades casting a most enticing glow, the beautiful wall of bourbons and whiskeys that I could stare at for hours and the menu, while pretty meat- and dairy-heavy, still has just enough "healthier" options I can enjoy.  I don't even mind the slight smokey-smell that lingers a moment on my clothes after leaving,  normally something that would totally bug me, in fact doesn't.  It's part of the Char 4 charm.

Great place for a date, a get-together with friends or entertaining out-of-town guests.

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Photo of M T.

 

5

90

M T.

Brooklyn, NY

3 star rating
10/12/2009

I really wish the food tasted as rich, woodsy and smokey as the smell of the place. The smell lured me in--on tippy toes, Toucan Sam-like--and then the food... just sort of didn't live up that amazing, amazing dense and heady aroma. It's so good, I will continue to frequent the bar just to soak in it.

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Photo of Shaun D.

 

4

20

Shaun D.

Belmont, CA

4 star rating
10/25/2009

I have never seen so many different kinds of whiskey.  This place had a tremendious selection and the bartenders were very friendly.   Great cocktails.  The waiter actually knew how to make a Manhattan.

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Photo of Jacqueline D.

 

1

20

Jacqueline D.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
10/23/2009

This is one of those places I always gripe about going to but wind up loving it when I actualy get there. I usually think of it as kind of pretentious but that's so far from the truth. They have my cheapie bourbons, amazing bloodies, and pork fried nuggets.  All the makings of a good night.  I like sitting at the bar - place also seems amazing for meeting people (since it's so clearly not that kind of place)

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Photo of Kaelea A.

Elite '09

190

201

Kaelea A.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
7/14/2009

I thought Char No. 4 was going to kill it as a whole, merely based on the fact that they have an extreme collection of bourbons and whiskeys that tower over you as soon as you enter and your nostrils are drunk (you too) by the time you leave.  

I should have known better, if the booze is that good, the food will suck.

Touting itself as "Southern Fare" I was expecting the Grande Dame of the South making her debut, but really honestly all I got was a bunch of soppy tasteless appetizers and some really unappetizing duck sausage.

1. Fried Cheese Curds - deep fried colby cheese. deep fried wax.
2. Smoked & fried pork nuggets  - where's the pork?
3. House cured lamb pastrami with coriander aioli and rye-carraway toast - I am not a fan of pastrami, but I tried anyway, a little dry I was expecting an explosion of flavor and juice.
4. House smoked thick cut bacon with peas and carrots - how can you fuck up bacon? It was thick cut, but it was cold. But the peas and carrots were actually a nice touch.
5. Oysters - they know how to serve them, they were TOPS! No residue or grit, fresh and delicious!
6. Duck Sausage - left my taste buds confused, bored and pissed that I hadn't chosen another entree.
7. Grilled Hanger Steak - the steak was tender and wonderfully seasoned, the black bean and blue cheese action was weird with the steak but tasted good.

I do not like giving such a low rating, but money was spent. The staff in no way reflects my opinion as they are very lovely, helpful and attentive.

Seriously though Char, I know my southern food and this just wasn't it.

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Photo of Tommy K.

 

2

48

Tommy K.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
8/31/2009

Great place for bourdon and BBQ. I split the special -- BBQ chicken, ribs, pulled pork and two sides, beans and something else I am forgetting. We also ordered the BLT, very good, and oysters, excellent. The special came with a beer and bourbon.

I will go again. Excellent service, food and atmosphere.

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Photo of Amanda C.

 

2

25

Amanda C.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
10/10/2009

Service was great and, as previous reviewers have pointed out, the bourbon selection is pretty impressive. But bourbon is not really my bag, so I was hoping that the food would at least be good.

Well, I seem to be in disagreement with just about everyone else here, but I thought it was pretty overwhelming, and not in a good way. I got the pork belly BLT, without thinking about what a sandwich's worth of pork belly might do to me later. There were consequences, let's just put it that way. I sampled my friends' appetizers and was similarly put off. There IS such a thing as too much of a good thing.

I'm from Texas so I'm all for southern food, deep fried things, etc. But it seems like this is the kind of place where the menu descriptions sound better than the food actually tastes.

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Photo of Digitus M.

 

1

14

Digitus M.

Brooklyn, NY

3 star rating
8/13/2009

Its all about the Bourbon here, Whiskey, not so much even though there is a great selection. Contrasted with another vanguard of this culinary style, BlueSmoke (Manhattan), the Bourbon selection here is more extensive, so I expected the menu would be less diverse - always seems to work that way. My bourbon connoisseur buddy from NC gives the booze menu a thumbs up.

The bacon slab appetizer was yummy, but there could have been a bit more of it. It was a bit peculiar to see a bologna on the menu, but being adventurous paid off - delicious. Ribs were cooked just right to melt off the bone, but with a bit too much sauce. Finishing off with the homemade bourbon-pecan ice cream - just about worth going for that alone - enjoy its rich flavor with a cup of coffee.

Staff getst a solid thumbs up.

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Photo of Christine H.

 

10

23

Christine H.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
7/5/2009

Went with friends on July 4th and there wasn't a wait.  Yay.  Ordered the smoked fish on top of a potato cake with a fried egg on top and egg remoulade on the side.  So delicious.  Really loved the contrast between the crispy potato cake and the smoked fish.  Egg remoulade was amazingly refreshing.

My friend ordered the crispy potatoes with green onions & garlic side and gave me some.  Man were those yummy.  Other friends ordered the bloody mary and loved it.  Definitely recommended for brunch.  Only thing is that it's a little expensive but hey, it's only a ten minute walk from my apt so I'm not gonna complain.  Loved the decor too.

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Photo of Barrett R.

 

0

9

Barrett R.

Austin, TX

5 star rating
9/15/2009

This place was great!  A group of friends and I split the BLT, oysters (my first time trying oysters!), bacon, a salad, ribs, and some cornbread.  So worth it!  Great whiskey and beer selection.  Our server was super energetic and hilarious.

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Photo of peter d.

Elite '09

1482

435

peter d.

Brooklyn, NY

3 star rating
5/15/2009 1 photo

I like pretty much everything that begins with 'B'. Fairly high on this list are Brooklyn, bourbon, bacon, brunch, and boobies. So brunch at Char #4 (in Brooklyn), known for its bacon and bourbon, with seven ladies (that's 14 boobies for those of you keeping score at home) had to be fantastic. Right?

Well, let's take it B by B, shall we?

Brooklyn. It's in Brooklyn. 'nuff said.

Bourbon. Chipotle Bourbon Bloody Mary. Solid. But...and I know it might be blasphemy (another B favorite)...it would be better if you just dropped some vodka in there instead of the bourbon. The Bloody Mary is a breakfast drink. For hangovers. You don't want to taste the alcohol, and you can't mistake the bourbon in it.

Bacon. We started with a few orders of it, which is always a good decision. I definitely liked it. Be warned though, it's thick cut, and the fat turns some people off. (And those people turn me off.)

Boobies. It was the exact opposite of my Luger's dinner (this was a woman activity). Perhaps it's due to my hyper-nonmasculinity, but these girls gossiped like I wasn't even there. I saw behind the curtain, guys. And it wasn't pretty.

Brunch. I generally like to try as many different things as possible. The prix fixe brunch of one poached egg over smoked ham, crispy potatoes, apple sauce, fig jam and a buttermilk biscuit sounded like the perfect way to sample a lot of what Char No. 4 had to offer.

When it arrived, I gazed at it so long that someone asked if I was saying grace. I wasn't. I was marveling at the lack of cohesiveness. It was just a bunch of random things assembled on the same plate (see picture). Have you ever seen a poached egg just sitting there? It looks naked.

This hodgepodge didn't look or taste nearly as appetizing as it had sounded. The ham was dry and mediocre, the fig jam was nearly inedible, and the apple sauce was adequate, but forgettable. The potatoes though, were WONDERFUL. The saving grace of the meal. They tasted like sour cream and onion chips, in delicious, crispy, homefry form. Salty and fantastic. If you get anything here, get these potatoes.

I also had the good fortune to try the pancakes, which were tasty. However, they definitely could've used some more pecan butter and marmalade. Our waiter just lied straight to my face when he said he would bring us some.

So despite the bevy of boobies, the bourbon Bloodies, and the bacon banquet...this Brooklyn brunch cost the big bucks, and was basically...blah.

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Photo of Ben S.

 

0

17

Ben S.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
9/27/2009

Amazing, awe-inspiring, admittedly overpriced whiskey selection. Bloody Marys are good although not as stellar as they're reputed to be. Friendly and helpful bartenders will help you pick the right bourbon or scotch. A must-visit for any self-respecting whiskey drinker.

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Photo of Toby S.

 

10

36

Toby S.

Brooklyn, NY

3 star rating
7/1/2009 1 photo

Char No. 4 was featured in Time Out New York's Brunch issue so I thought I would give it a shot for Brunch last Saturday. I wasn't disappointed but I am not sure it was something I'd run back to.

I had the featured "Char no. 4 biscuits benedict with house smoked ham, poached eggs & bacon gravy" for $14. It was a lot of food. I think the benedict could come with meat missing in something. Having bacon gravy WITH a slice of smoked ham really put me "over the edge" and I was digesting for about 4 hours. It was also pretty salty (duh, it has all that ham in it) and that made me extra thirsty (I'm not complaining).

The bloody mary was good (I had three). Tangy, spicy, with just enough salt and tomato. Very easy to drink. I'm not a huge fan of drinking whiskey (it's a whiskey bar so they don't sell any other liquor except whiskey) at noon on a Saturday but I LOVE bloody marys. I took the risk and it paid off... althought the tomato and whiskey flavor reminded me of a few all-nighters of the past.

(sort of like the beer and tomato juice deal at the mexican brunch spots)

Char No. 4 was followed by a visit to Studio Square and then a nice afternoon nap.

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Photo of Katie Z.

Elite '09

80

175

Katie Z.

New York, NY

4 star rating
4/5/2009

It's probably appropriate that my hundredth review is for an evening of dinner and drinks that was so great, I don't totally remember the end of the night.  Especially at a restaurant that prides itself on its bourbon and whiskey selection, I think that's a sign of a happy customer.

Before you even walk in the door, it smells like bacon.  This is a wonderful thing.

There's a small bar in front and a small dining area in back.  It's not huge, so reservations are definitely recommended.  The largest tables can fit six people tightly, I think.  We were a group of 8 and they added a small table to our banquette to accomodate us.  Initially my res was for a group of 12, which they said they could accomodate, but I'm not totally sure how they would have done it.  It may have required two separate tables.

There is a big long list of whiskeys, since that's their specialty.  There's a small handful of whiskey-focused signature cocktails, too.  My drink of choice was the Whiskey and Rye -- a play on the song, but it's a pint of Six Points Rye beer and an ounce of whiskey.  Hello, trouble!  Yes, I'll have another.  (If whiskey isn't your thing, they also have a full bar.)

For food, we shared the cheese curds with a pimento dipping sauce -- very tasty and good food for sharing.  We also got the house cured bacon.  They're thick cuts of bacon, super tasty, and served with a salad with yummy black eyed peas.  

I got the scallops served with a very rich butternut squash puree and decorated with bits of ham.  (If you don't do pork, don't do Char No. 4 -- it's in everything.  For me, though, that's a good thing.)  The shrimp and grits were also well-liked at the table and the beef link was outstanding.  I may get that next time.  There also was a special of a pork chop which was truly the best pork chop I've ever had before... too bad it's not a staple on the menu!!!

All in all, it was a great meal and I look forward to coming back.  I hear their brunch is good, and there's a chipotle bloody mary that I am intrigued to try.

What I probably DIDN'T need to do, though, was go across the street for more drinks after this dinner.  Lesson learned.

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Photo of Bridget F.

 

2

14

Bridget F.

Queens, NY

5 star rating
8/31/2009

I can't get to this place enough. I have dragged my friends so many times, no one will listen to me say the word 'bacon' anymore.  I'm not a bourbon fan, so for me this restaurant is all about the food. Whatever you do, get a side of bacon. Just a few bites will keep you coming back. And although this isn't the sexiest menu item in a pork-based restaurant, try the pancakes. They are easy to miss, but with a coating of marmalade and butter, you won't need any syrup.

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Photo of Rachel C.

 

6

15

Rachel C.

New York, NY

4 star rating
6/1/2009

Looking for a place for a lazy brunch on Sunday, we went to Char. No 4.  The restaurant was very cute, but definitely small and not the most accommodating for larger groups- they had a little trouble seating a table of 7.  The wait for a table wasn't long but the foot traffic to the restaurant definitely picked up around 2:00-2:30.  While we were waiting though, the bartender was super friendly and their bloody marys were absolutely delish- made with bourbon instead of the usual vodka.  It was smooth and spicy and served with a homemade sweet pickle.

Once we were seated, our server was very knowledgeable about both the huge selection of whiskeys and the menu.  I had the shrimp and grits and a few bites of their biscuits with bacon gravy (slab bacon..mmmm) and I was in love.  All my friends were completely silent as we ate because the food was so good.  It wasn't anything fancy- just good ol' comfort food.  The menu was very fairly priced and I  would definitely go back there again.

Loved it!

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Photo of Gretchen W.

Elite '09

42

112

Gretchen W.

New York, NY

4 star rating
4/4/2009

I came to Char No. 4 with a group of 8.  Although the restaurant is on the smaller side, they did a nice job accommodating us quickly and smoothly (we did have a reservation).  As soon as you walk in the door, you are hit with the yummy smell of food cooking.  The restaurant is bustling and overflowing with whiskey and stick to your ribs Southern/ American food.

Whiskey is the drink of choice at Char No. 4, which I believe the name alludes to. Now, I am not typically a whiskey drinker, but as they say "when in Rome"... So, I ordered the Horse Drawn Carriage cocktail (ancient age, sparkling pear cider, ginger).  This was perfectly mixed and nice and fresh.  You could taste the whiskey for sure, but it was not overpowering.  Many at my table ordered the Whiskey and Rye, which was an ounce of Whiskey (sadly, I cannot remember what type) and a Six Points Rye Beer .  They have a very extensive Whiskey menu, so it would be great for a connoisseur.

The menu is relatively small, but provides a nice variety.  As a table, we started with the Crispy Cheddar Curds with spicy pimento sauce and House Smoked Thick Cut Bacon wit black eyed peas.  Both were flavorful and decadent.  It was nice to share with a large group, so everyone got a small amount.

Since we were there with a large group, several of the entrees were tried.  Some winners were the Shrimp and Grits, Seared Scallops with butternut squash, smoked chanterelle mushrooms and house ham, and Pork Chop, which was a special that night.

Overall, Char No. 4 was a really good time.  We all enjoyed our cocktails and meals very much. I would definitely go back for another meal, and look forward to having the opportunity to do so.

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Elite '09

95

257

andy t.

New York, NY

4 star rating
3/24/2009

I've never been to Kentucky, but I have been to Char No. 4, located on Smith Street in Cobble Hill and perhaps the best place in NYC to drink bourbon.

I'm giving Char 4 stars and my rating breaks down as follows:

1 star for the sophisticated, warm decor, featuring a long L-shaped bar with plenty of seats and funky art-deco light fixtures shaped like bourbon barrels.

1 star for the pastrami appetizer, made in the in-house smoker and served with fresh bread, watercress and onions, which rivals any Jewish deli in the city. The shrimp and grits were also quite tasty.

1 star for a soundtrack that featured The Pixies and Wilco, two of my favorite bands. Good call, bartender.

And most importantly, 1 star for a whiskey menu with more 120 options. This place takes Southern spirits seriously, as it should. Jim Beam, you can kiss my ass. I'm gonna try some Pappy Van Winkle, aged 23 years.  

Bourbon, bourbon and more bourbon. Hell yeah.

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7

41

Will Z.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
8/6/2009

pork nuggets? good sign
but its 1 oz whiskey tastes
that'll get me back

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2

14

Katherine B.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
6/24/2009

Unnnnnhhh pork belly BLT NOM NOM NOM

(sorry, it defies coherence)

(whiskey is good too!)

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12

40

Seth U.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
4/25/2009

Everything about my experience was off. I have a hard time describing how, why, but my friend agreed.

The food was fine. There are probably a dozen places in the neighborhood that I would go to first.  And if whiskey and meat is your thing, you should go to Fette Sau up north, though it might not be "nice."

One positive - the 1 ounce whiskey pours. I appreciate that.

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Elite '09

6

67

Christine F.

New York, NY

4 star rating
5/24/2009

Char No. 4 is a new bar/restaurant on Smith Street in Brooklyn- right off the F train at Bergen.

While Char No. 4's claim to fame is its extensive list Whiskeys and Bourbon, I come for the food.

Deliciously simple, inventive comfort food with a modern twist.

Now I love sitting at the bar to grab a bite to eat- I find it more social and entertaining.

For those of you deuces who prefer a table to dine, one caveat with Char No. 4 is that the main dining room appears to be primarily for larger groups- several long booths await parties of 3 or more.

On a recent night my boyfriend and I came in and were told there was a 45 minute wait for a table but we could eat at the bar. Right after us came a party of 3 who were seated immediately in one of 3 large booths which were empty. Just a warning for those planning on bringing a first date...

As for the food - it is delicious. Portions are on the small side, so while prices are definitely reasonable, it might take several dishes to fill a hungry tummy.

The BLT was filled with thick slabs of fried fatty pork with a kicker of pickled jalapenos and peppers lending it an almost Asian feel.

The Shrimp and Grits were smoky, spicy, with a fresh hint of cilantro to give it that extra crisp.

As a side dish- I recommend the cauliflower gratin with almonds. Creamy and cheesy, its a perfect way to get daily dose of veggies. The almond topping adds that extra crunchy texture that elevates the dish to another level.

For dessert you have a choice of chocolate cheesecake or homemade butter pecan ice cream with bourbon.

As you can guess most of the diners seem to go with the butter pecan ice cream. The strong bourbon is a perfect accompaniment to the sweetness and buttery flavors of the ice cream. The combination is simply to die for.

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Elite '09

8

66

lindsey s.

Brooklyn, NY

5 star rating
5/3/2009

I have been a fan of the evenings at Char 4, but never yet experienced brunch. This rainy Sunday, I did , with 3 friends in tow.
The neighborhood is know for great brunch, but I have to say - I could not be happier with Char 4.

My boyfriend and I split potatoes, sausage and vanilla bean pancakes. Both the potatoes and pancakes were incredibly unique and flavorful. Delicious.

The sausage needs a kick to fit in with the other delicious items.

I was incredibly happy with service, food and atmosphere. I'll go again.

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Elite '09

17

84

Eric S.

Brooklyn, NY

5 star rating
2/21/2009

I am going to start my review here in the context of a question you would find on the S.A.T's.  Eric S (God I hate referring to myself in the third person) is to bourbon whiskey and scotch as:

a) a fat kid in a candy store
b) chocolate and peanut butter
c) sex and a ciggarette
d) all of the above

If you answered D then you my friend have advanced to the next level of drinking.  This is the Harvard and Yale of scotch and bourbon bars, with over 100 bourbons on display.  My drinking buddy and I who are always on the hunt for new versions of this liquid truth syrum counted them all and concluded we had only tried 16% of what they had on display.  With that score we both concluded considering alcoholics community college for a couple of semesters.    

On top of what is on display, there is a menu for countless other imbibing blends to choose from.  I felt speechless to be honest with you, my eyes were on sensory overload as I parsed through an array of sweet cask produced rye's, single malts, and grains.

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