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Category: American (Traditional) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - South SideBedford Ave (L)
Marcy Ave (J, M, Z)
Metropolitan Ave-Lorimer St (G, L)
Mon-Thu. 5:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Fri. 5:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Enjoy complimentary wings with your drinks on Monday nights at the bar.
classy joint with a killer burger.
came here for my second bday dinner. i'd been thinking about burgers all day and the phrase "7 Oz Short Rib Burger" pretty much dictated where i would go for one.
it was a crisp wednesday night in november and upon entering found the place quite inviting. the manager took the GF's coat (classy) and the hostess sat us at a great little booth in the middle of the restaurants. the waitstaff sported white button downs with bow ties...but not the shitty "i'm evoking an early 20th century speakeasy/saloon" type bow ties. these were all classy numbers that made the place frickin'...you know...classy.
the Royal Miyagi oysters on the shell to start were perfection...creamy, meaty and a little briny. west coast oysters are always better than east.
the GF ordered the 1/2 chicken and i ordered the aforementioned short rib burger.
her chicken was well cooked (as far as we could see in the dim light*) and moist. i'm fairly particular when it comes to fried chicken and i don't know if that was my favorite crust but it was delicious nonetheless.
the burger: 7 oz patty, thick bacon, melted cheddar a nice tomato slice and beautiful boston lettuce on a slightly toasted brioche bun. next to it were thin, golden McDonald's style fries. the burger to bun ratio was spot on and even though i never order a burger for the first time at a restaurant with bacon (and thick bacon at that) i was surprised by how well it worked on this burger.
the only problem with the first bite? they cooked that shit out of that beautiful short rib meat to about medium well....bordering on well. so... i had to do a burger send back...a painful endeavor not for any other reason than you usually have to sit burgerless for what seems like eternity.
not so at walter foods. not more than 4-5 minutes later the manager brought me a brand new perfectly medium rare work of art. she was so freaking friendly and apologetic it was amazing....and so was the proper prepared 7 ozs of beef short rib i plowed into. the meat was so fresh and robust....it had all the best flavors you look for in beef: that grassy almost sour bite and unctuous fat levels (yes...i just wrote unctuous).
LOVE this burger. the only gripe i have is the brioche...it's not the worst bun for a burger but i feel it's a little to stiff...it doesn't play nice.
after i devoured my food and the GF got half of hers wrapped to go our server offered dessert on the house. and while the menu did indeed look delish we declined because we had pumpkin pie waiting at home. so... instead he comped my beer. CLASSY!
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*the GF later found, while reheating the chicken at work, that the drumstick was way undercooked and almost bloody. this is the only reason for 4 stars. maybe it was an off night for the kitchen....we'll see.
Sat at the bar on a busy Sat night with my hot girlfriend-date K. I love dating my gf's. They make it so much harder to go on actual dates with boys though. Oh, the tragedy.
Hostess was nice enough to tip me off to who would be leaving the bar soon so I stood behind this couple for literally 2 mins et voila! We were seated at the bar. Bartender was AMAZING. Hooked us up with some white wine and port, gratis. Gave us good oysters rec's too. Tossed a lil Frangelico into our chocolate bread pudding and then offered a grassy minty digestif after our meal. We then stumbled our way to Zebulon, bumping into one another & giggling all the way.
When was the last time you had a date that good? ;)
I am so, so sorry Walter.
I want to like you, I really do, but it is almost comical what happens when I visit you. Maybe it's bad restaurant karma, I dunno. Maybe it's because places with faux authenticity are beginning to get my hackles up-- regardless:
- We were seated for ten minutes without being given a menu (restaurant is not full, mind)
- Our order took 45 minutes to come out, probably because my steak had been overcooked and they had to start over (it was still chewy, not that awesome), which led to
- Majorly soggy frites
- My bf's pulled-pork special hangin' round the red light district for long enough to be noticeable
Add to this the extreme interior noise and whopping cocktail prices (did they raise those?), and you end up with two mediocre meals and an irritating dining experience for approximately 150 bucks. No thanks. Not again.
Walter Foods is owned and operated by Danny Minch, of Balthazar, and Dylan Dodd, of Barrio Chino.… Read more »
While eating leftover chicken the next day, Jennifer was disappointed to discover that it was completely undercooked. Still bloody and a little raw near the bone.
Matthew and Jennifer came here to celebrate Matthew's birthday. He had beent thinking about a… Read more »
I'm not a girl, so I didn't get anything for free, but I'm an enthusiastic endorser nonetheless.
The beer is pricey - even a bottled Budweiser was $6 (though the Czechvar was too). And I hate the bar stools.
But the service was excellent - our waiter appeared whenever my companion and I began thinking about him or something which he could supply.
Our appetizer - the spinach (and _[?]) dip - was very good, and my "butcher's" steak was provided with a tasty horseradish sauce. I was told the burger was delicious, though the bun was supposedly not so delicious.
Desert was both extremely decent (key lime pie) and amazing (some kind of chocolate cake). [I remarked after sharing a bite of the chocolate cake that "I can't imagine ever tasting chocolate that tastes any better than this".]
Another hole in the wall I'd never noticed before, until taken there.
The service is creepily too good. If you listen around the busing area then you get the sense it really is an act, which is some what relieving considering the neighborhood- surreal.
. We sat in the lovely back yard on what could have been the loveliest dusk of the summer.
We had the Pigs in a Blanket appetizer which is at best, curiously good.
The Crushed Pepper Filet Mignon had to have been the best piece of cows flesh I'd possibly ever eaten-- perfectly flavored, cooked and displayed on a gorgeous mountain crushed potatoes & peppercorn sauce.
I had the Bitburger German Draft...superb!
Had the peach cobbler for dessert which was also most amazingly fresh ingredients topped with vanilla ice cream.
And business as usual-- major changes, full & slightly tipsy.
The only criticism I have is the name sounds like a grocery store which doesn't do the pretty-penny priced foods justice.
Walter Foods-- the man, has a great sense of taste but not much in style, although the location can argue otherwise-- White-collar English elegance amidst a Brooklyn Graffiti background, construction sites & dive bars. Werd on gentri-fucked.
This is no doubt one of my favorite spots in the boroughs.
The hipster old school steakhouse vibe is spot on. The service is great and the food is even better. And more importantly, the cocktails are proper.
Some of my favorites are:
The Lobster Club - it's bang'n.
The Burger is one of the best in town. Period.
The Butcher Steak is perfect.
We make the trip from Central Harlem to this spot regularly.
Dad and Grandpa came to town wanting Peter Luger's special burger, they left with the realization that nothing could beat Walter Foods' Short Rib Burger.
Williamsburg has no better burger. I used to think of Dumont as one of the best burgers. I realize now, it holds no candle. Nor does Williamsburger or Relish or any other in the area. The use of short ribs instead of chuck or round gave a juicy flavor that didn't leave you with a soggy bun and juices all over your hands. I take my burgers medium-rare, at first look this looked a little under done, but upon initial bite i realized my eyes had lied to me.
If I had to design a perfect burger, this is it. With only a single burger on a menu so delectable, this burger isn't frivolous and isn't over simplified, it's quite mind blowing. Their burger comes standard with bacon and cheddar. It is designed for these flavors to be enjoyed together in harmony. It needed no condiments. This burger was indeed perfect.
Brunch with your boyfriend's ex and her new husband? Go here. Sit on the patio and order Bloody Marys and a side of fruit (if you're that kind of girl).
Wanna get back together with the man you broke up with 7 months ago? Wear a small dress and big heels, then order the oysters. Let him pick up the tab.
This place is versatile, to say the least. Cocktails are strong enough for any kind of awkward situation or any thing requiring liquid courage in a private and stylish setting.
After a few hours of drinking at the nearby Iona, our party of 8 had developed quite the appetite. Lacking a plan or reservations on a Saturday night might have been a mess had we been in Manhattan but we walked right into Walter Foods after a 15 minute wait. Seated outside on thick wooden benches, the gorgeous evening was accented by the white fences and lanterns in the garden. While there's no smoking out back (which I prefer when I'm eating) a few of my table mates kept sneaking smokes while the waiter was off taking care of business ... yes, my friends are quite rude.
Starting off with cocktails seemed like a good bet so I went with an $11 dark and stormy that tasted like a soda pop. It was good but perhaps a little on the weak side of the spectrum of D&S' I've had in my life. Moving on to starters, we couldn't resist the oysters on the half shell. My only complaint was that it was like pulling teeth to try to get prices from our waiter on the 4 different types but the result was a tasty selection of super fresh oysters.
Then on to the lollipop chicken wings with blue cheese sauce. Great spiciness, easy to eat and a total winner, though I do wish it came with some organic carrots or celery to offset the heavy meatiness. I also shared some surf and turf with out of this world lobster...the birthday boy was happy to it's probably a good idea to get this one. Then they brought out the real winner, roasted bread pudding with b-day candles and 8 spoons. So tasty that despite my lingering stomachache after stuffing food and drink into my mouth for a few hours...I still ate a majority of it. What?! Everyone else was too slow.
yummy for the tummy.
i have eaten here a couple of times and loved it. lobster amazing, salads, the fried chicken, and all the good stuff. i have taken out of town guests and they loved it too.
the atmosphere is perfect with the neil young or the national playing in the background. the servers were super nice :)
reminder..the pimms cocktail is up there with the best thing on the menu.
The setup: my friend's birthday, we're broke but wanting to splurge anyway, birthday friend wants to go to Juliette.
We go to Juliette.
For cocktails, as we're waiting for a table. We notice how disappointed the diners look, at the tables, and then we taste our subpar cocktails. We leave (is that rude?)
I suggest Walter, because I had heard many many good things about it, because it was nearby, because it was the sort of cuisine we wanted (new American, I suppose, is what they call it, though they're very focused on surf & turf).
We walked in the place, they had Jonathan Richman on the stereo (BONUS) and we knew we had arrived. They sat us at a beautiful backyard table and filled it with lip smacking drinks (try the Diablo) and then perfect wine pairings and perfect food. The waitress was perfect as well.
My bank account hasn't recovered, but it was so worth it. Every. damn. bite. And sip!
** edit: I heard they've changed owners? or managers? and aren't so great anymore? this has me seriously concerned...
I've been meaning to try Walter Foods since it opened. Had a great spontaneous night here last weekend with one of my favorite people -- everything was just right. Walked in around 8PM on a Thursday; the space was lively but not uncomfortably packed. My friend and I had planned to just grab a drink, so we sat at the bar. Our bartender was pleasant and attentive. My friend ordered a glass of champagne, and I had a martini. I hadn't had dinner, so we ordered an assortment of oysters, which were excellent. She was hungry too, and in the end we had another round of drinks plus some lobster bisque, a crabcake and cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Everything was delicious, and given the pleasant, unobtrusive surroundings, I'm already soliciting friends to see who wants to go back for a proper meal.
The first time I came here, I was really unimpressed. I might have even gotten in a slight argument with the manager and chef. This last time though, all my bad feelings vanished and I really enjoyed myself.
The first visit involved me ordering a french dip sammie and being upset when it was just a baguette with a few slices of "filet mignon" (supposedly). I mean, I guess I shouldn't have ordered it in the first place because the idea of stuffing sliced up filet mignon in a sandwich just seems silly. As long as I've ever known, french dips are made up of thinly sliced roast beef. I think I would've been OK with it being filet but sadly, the steak was REALLY REALLY CHEWY, almost inedible. I actually couldn't even cut through it with a steak knife. When I said something to the manager the chef came out and almost yelled, "Well that's the way it's SUPPOSED to be. Maybe you should've gotten something else."
The manager asked me if I wanted something else and I was so angry that the chef came and got in my face that I sat there picking at my friend's fries for the rest of the evening.
This last time though everything was heavenly. We started out with a dozen oysters - I don't remember what the oysters were but they all tasted very fresh which is the most important thing. Then we moved on to the lollipop chicken wings which were freaking delicious. They were basically deconstructed fancy hot wings with a nice creamy blue cheese dip. Super rich but a nice little app.
For my entree I had a fish dish of some sort. I can't remember exactly what it was but I remember that it was cooked perfectly and was a huge portion. I've never ordered the fried chicken but both times I've gone a friend has ordered it - fantastic! The spicy honey is a really wonderful addition.
Now that the weather's nice (well, nice-ish if you don't count this June gloom) the back garden is open and it's absolutely lovely. It's a great place for a date too because it's quiet and romantic since the lighting is so soft. I can't wait to go back; I'll just make sure to not order the so-called french dip ;)
It's quite rare I go to an Anglo Saxon restaurant and I manage to eat three dishes I have never tried before. Walter Food's new American food managed to give me just that.
We went for brunch on a rainy day and got a booth looking out over W Burg which was a great place to watch the world go by. This was coupled with impeccable and charming service that allowed you just to slouch back into their green leather seats.
The food, well, it was new (for me). Biscuits n Gravy, grits, French dips... apparently all American classics. Good but not great to my palate. For instance the French dip could have done with the meat being more lightly cooked so the blood soaked into the baguette to give it extra flavour. However, maybe this is not how they come. I just don't know.
The others at my table had a crab benedict and a English breakfast-esque assortment which were more to my taste.
I will definitely go back for dinner and will probably stick to dishes which are a bit less new New American but a great place.
I really really want to be in love with this place but right now it's strictly platonic.
My wife and I ended our date night here on Monday after working up an appetite at the Gutter. We sat in the back garden at a quite table. Perfect. I scanned the menu and had decided on the French Dip craving the inevitable au jus dribble. The waiter sung off the specials convincingly, I ordered the snow crab-fish and chips style. Biting through the breaded shell into the meat, I felt a horrid ho-hum. It was ok, barely. Really, it was pretty fishy and not all that fresh.
I guess I should listen to the rule of thumb, DON'T order fish on Monday's and stay away from the "specials"...they are both dumping grounds for nearly spoiled food.
I actually rate the meal 1 star, but the back garden is pretty sweet, service was great and my wife loved her burger.
I will probably go back just to see if it was just the course, the day or me ignoring the all knowledgeable rules of thumb.
Walking up to Walter Foods the first though that came to mind was a smaller Smith and Wollensky's. It has that old time chophouse/speakeasy feel with the dark toned decor and bow-tie wearing staff.
Drinks are fantastic and I highly recommend you at least pop in to give them a try. Reuben was our mixologist tonight serving up wonderful variations of classics such as a fig sidecar in addition to a slew of other great concoctions. Be warned that I love sweet drinks and most of their list includes a good amount of either syrup, sugar or juice to take the edge off. The raw bar offerings which I watched the other stool sitters consume looked great and based on their reactions must have tasted just as good.
On to the food! Started off with their flash fried calamari accompanied by a jalapeno mayo. I abhor mayo but this was actually really good and went well with the lightly battered, thin yet succulent rings. This was one of our only good choices during the night. For the main course I opted to try the special that evening which was a Pulled Pork sandwich that comes with either salad or fries (i chose fries - nothing special) - the clincher of this pork though was the braising liquid. They called it a redeye sauce: Chipotle, Coffee and Coca-Cola. Sounds great on paper yet hardly discernible due to the dollop of scallion and horseradish placed atop this magnificent pile of (lukewarm) meat. For the love of all that is holy please request them to place it on the SIDE. Also this was the best bang for the buck dish by far at $12.
One companion chose the 20-some odd dollar Mayonnaise er I mean Lobster sandwich and the other: French Dip. If I came back I'd probably get the French Dip unless they have some other better sounding special. It's a good sized portion and extremely tasty, and it was the correct temperature unlike my pork sandwich.
Dessert! What I live for. They had two specials that piqued my interest: a Pear Cobbler and a Chocolate Mouse Cake. However the Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding caught my eye and that's what we went for. Nothing very memorable about it a fairly basic bread pudding and like the pork it was oddly lukewarm. Our server assured us it was supposed to be hot and that he would bring us a new one but we were rather perturbed by now and opted to call it a night.
The joint fills up quickly so one should arrive early to secure ample space for the entourage. We arrived when tables were readily available (7.30pm). Ambient noise volume wasn't too loud - music list seemed a bit short and I'm pretty sure I heard Blind Melon at least three times but it was mellow, classic and fun. Wouldn't be a bad date place but I'm sure there are better reasons for a Manhattanite like myself to venture into W.Burg.
Since my last review, I've been here for dinners and late night cocktails/desserts. One of the nice things about this place is that it's a good low-key spot when other restaurants are beginning to close. I would recommend the super-chilled oysters (a wide variety here!) for apps, and the special, WHATEVER it may be. I haven't been disappointed by any of their dinner dishes yet.
Another thing that I still deeply appreciate about this place is that the staff is so polite but the overall vibe of the place isn't stuffy at all. It's a wholly nice counterpoint to pretentious and faux-rustic spots in Billyburg, like... oh, I don't know, Roebling Tea Room with its super dark lights and cold/inattentive/snotty servers?
This has become my favorite brunch place in Williamsburg (and one of my favorite spots overall in… Read more »
We were staying in Manhattan but a friend who lives in Williamsburg suggested this place for dinner and it was definitely worth the trip!
The place has a very old school American retro charml and was filled with young local fashionistas.
The staff were exceptional, in fact our waiter was from Queen Anne in Seattle!! He was very helpful and extremely knowledgeable about the menu.
They are known for amazing oysters and although I didn't have any, others at our table did and they cleaned the plate. I had the sea bass because I am crazy for the stuff and it was tres bien, served with really tasty, really juicy veggies :) Lovely jubbly.
Very cool vibe. We could do with one of these places in Seattle!
The hostess was nice and friendly. I had dinner at 6:3o and the serves were checking on us constantly. I had beet salad and goat cheese, pigs in the blanket and the steak. Everything was tasty and well prepared. The garden is very nice but if you are planning to go there don't be like me, bring an insect repellent. I always forgot that in the summer I'm the insect favorite food
Good ol' Walter. Walter Foods. Yum yum. Nom nom.
Accompanied a pal of mine to this delightful little haunt. The interior was nice, that "ol-timey speakeasy" type of decor that a lot of places in Williamsburg have. I allowed her to order whatever she wanted and we'd split it. She decided on the burger and the fried chicken, so to balance the meal out with something healthy I ordered the mozzarella salad.
The salad was pretty good but for $9 it's not the best value, it's just a couple slices of tomato, 2 slices of cheese, some lettuce and some olive oil. It was nice though. The waiters kept pouring and bringing water non-stop, which I loved! I love water!
The entrees took a fair amount of time to come out, maybe 20 or 25 minutes. I started with the chicken. It was moist and juicy and delicious. It came with a spicy honey dipping sauce which I did not like but I am not a honey person. She liked it. It also came with "smashed" potatoes which were totally crappy. They were missing butter and/or salt and/or just flavor in general.
The burger was pretty dang good. She ordered it medium rare and it came out pink as hell. I am not really a burger person but I did appreciate the flavor goin' on here. The burger came with fries which were definitely just regular, nothing-special frozen fries, a disappointment for me. For such a fancy-ish place you'd think they would get something better than essentially McDonald's fries.
For dessert we shared a fresh fruit cobbler with a scoop of ice cream. It tasted good, it was a pretty regular dessert.
All in all I would say it's a nice place and there are probably some items on the menu that I would have liked better. The biggest negative of this meal, for me at least, was that about 15 minutes after we ate I felt like I was going to die from all the dang grease. I had a gut full of grease and I was not feelin' right. But hey, it's American food, and this is America, so get with it, greaseface.
We went to Walter Foods on one of those night where you get the barbecue just as the last burger gets spoken for and all that's left are the discount hot dogs. And you're with a vegetarian.
Walter Food saved the day with a killer burger, a warm beet salad for the veggie, piles of oysters, and a great list of classic and creative cocktails. We sat in the yard to revive that BBQ feel, only if your friend's BBQ was in a gorgeous and clean. And the servers? As welcoming and full of banter as your most gregarious BBQ host.
New York and 2009 obviously agree with me, because I'm having a 4.5 star week thus far, and it's a good year for new restaurants. Walter Foods has only been open a few months, but they seem to have their act together. It is a fine addition to the Williamsburg restaurant scene.
My date and I started with the hama hama oysters on the half-shell from Oregon, which are known for their size and succulence. For the main course, I opted for the striped bass with a tomato roumalade, although I kept making side eyes at my neighbor's roasted half-chicken. The bass cooked just right -- crispy on the outside, flaky and moist on the inside.
Atmosphere chic yet cozy, a warm welcome from the winter's bitter chill. The servers were super-friendly and unpretentious and although we were there over 3 hours, never once tried to rush us. Toward the end of the evening, they put on the Thriller album, the ultimate guilty pleasure, and a drunk singalong ensued in the restaurant. This would so never happen in Manhattan.
I hate to be a non-believer, but I'm really not sure what the hype is about this place. Especially in terms of food... The service is nice, everyone is very warm and friendly.
Ambiance is authentically Williamster. Translation: "Don't really mean to look like I spent so much money on the decor and vibe (moustached waitstaff with tight pants, apply here), but we really did spend a shit load to get it to look so haphazard."
In my humble opinion, cocktails are the driving force to check this place out, but do yourself and your wallet a favor, and forgo the expensive New American dishes of fried chicken and other mediocre food offerings.
At last! A Williamsburg restaurant that is staffed by professional employees, not kids working at a part-time job because their dad made them do it.
This restaurant is like a cross between Blue Ribbon, Pearl Oyster Bar, and Hotel Delmano.
The seafood-heavy New American menu is nothing new, but everything was competently prepared. The chicken lollipops are meaty and well-seasoned, and the raw oysters were pretty good but not as fresh as I've had at other places. My friends ordered the lobster roll and filet mignon and were satisfied, but I think my striped bass was the best entree of the three. The chocolate and banana bread pudding dessert is not to be missed. The grilled shrimp appetizer, caesar salad and fried chicken that other people ordered looked a-ma-zing.
I still can't get over how friendly and knowledgeable the hostess and bartenders were (we ate at the bar). If only the prices were a tiny bit lower, I'd be a regular.
I went for a few cocktails and appetizers so I can't really review much of the food ( although the onion rings were some of the tastiest I have ever had) but boy do they know how to make a good drink.
first round "may I have the Tom Collins?"
second round "lemme have another one of those Tim Robbins"
third "Phil Collins!"
I want to give this place 10 stars for its service which for Williamsburg, was mind blowingly attentive and polite. Honestly that is why I am giving this place four stars instead of three. That said, I really had a good time here. I was relaxed, soothed and enjoyed generally everything. Ultimately why I'm not going all out and raving about this place are the details. They've got the waiter's outfits down, and they've got the decor, but they don't have the food yet.
Firstly, the cocktails were delicious, served by a very attentive and humorous bartender. However, maybe I'm some sort of snob, but I didn't like the glassware they were using or the ice cubes. I was thinking, if I'm going to spend 11 dollars on a cocktail, I'd love a nicer presentation a la Hotel Delmano (which subsequently has the worst service in the neighborhood). These things make a difference. A nice piece of glass, a huge homemade chunk of ice, and a great cocktail get an evening started right.
The major complaint about this place was the seasoning. Everything felt under seasoned. I could tell the ingredients were fresh and tasty but everything needed salt or just a bit more oomph. The pork chop was tender and juicy, but ultimately bland because the apple compote was just lacking in punch. The brussel sprouts that accompanied it were too oily and overcooked. A quick broil and a drizzle of fine olive oil and salt would have given them more crunch and charred flavor.
The lobster club was tasty (albeit expensive at 26 dollars for a SANDWICH!) , but I couldn't help but think how much better it would be without the sauce they used and just a light vinagrette to let the flavors mingle more and perhaps some water cress on a brioche instead of a toasted wonder bread.
The best part of the meal was the dessert. Apple crisp was crunchy, could have used more ice cream but this is a common fat ass complaint I have with desserts.
But all things said the place felt cozy. We were there early, charmed by the staff. The lighting was nice. A bit too much Johnny Cash for my tastes but otherwise the music was at a nice level. The whole place was enjoyable, I just wished they put the attention to detail that they put into their drinks and decor, into their food. All the dishes could have use a small detail or seasoning to set them apart.
Also, the blackened shrimp were tasty but a meager portion of only four smallish shrimp over a sprig of tarragon and tarter sauce.
I'll be back, but I really hope someone goes in there and gives this place the extra push it needs and deserves!
AGAIN SERVICE WAS BEST IN WBURG
This is my favorite burger in the neighborhood hands down. The fried chicken is also extremely delicious and the staff is always great. I love this place.
Something about dark buttoned leather banquettes and wooden bars seem to make me feel cozy and safe for weekend brunch. Like, if someone popped a bottle of rye in front of me, I might be there all day and into the evening :-)
Warm, welcoming and great food - hit the spot completely. Belgium waffles were robust, generously topped with fresh fruits, and the side of hash browns were crunchy and ever so comforting LOL
Service was genuine and friendly, even if a little clumsy.
Should you go, HELL yeah !!
If Hotel Delmano opened a restaurant, we'd find a place strangely similar to Walter Foods. Never completely full (ok, maybe Friday/Saturday at 8) yet never empty, and open late, for danger. You should seriously ask yourself if you want to eat any oysters before walking into this place because, mon frere, you're at Walter Foods, you're going to eat some oysters whether you like it or not.
Phenomenal.
Walter Foods was the ideal place to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. The Sazerack was perfect. The Old Fashioned was perfect. I can't say enough good things about a place that serves up impeccably made oldschool cocktails with fresh, quality ingredients in appropriate portions. There's none of that namby-pamby oversized appletini codswallop here. The closest thing is their fig sidecar, which was so delectable that I can overlook any novelty aspect.
I almost made a grab for a stranger's fried chicken because the scent knocked me flat with desire, but I managed to restrain myself. I shared the pig in a blanket from their appetizer menu and it was sublime. The raw bar is very, very tempting.
I want to go back TONIGHT.
Everyone is lovely here. From the minute you walk in, to the minute you leave it's a quality experience.
The drinks are heavy handed on flavor and you get what you pay for.
One of the best Bloody Mary's I've ever had (and I've had many), and they serve a proper Hemingway Daiquiri. Awww yeah.
I haven't tried everything on the menu (yet) but I can tell you this:
FRIED CHICKEN that you will crave fortnightly!
Oh, and brunch is pretty ridiculous.
Drawback is the place itself
Not original and generic deco
It seems as they took the best of dumont and marlows and made a very good and safe combination
It is quite small too, so if you gonna wait for a table be prepared to be stuck in the entrance way or behind the small bar.
But once you get a table the kitchen sends great food and the waitstaff takes care of you under the eyes of good and attentive management.
Nonetheless a great addition to Williamsburg
The culinary narrative that runs through Williamsburg mirrors the carefully disjointed narrative of Daniel Fuchs' novels. In one part the sprawling, industrial neighborhood the local seasonal crowd is discussing butchery at Marlow & Sons or Diner. Meanwhile, at another address, the American bistro set shuffles between Dumont for dinners and Dumont Burger for quick bites. Asian food enthusiasts chat over bánh mì at Silent H or Sushi at Bozu. Transplanted Southerners nestle into plates of grits at Egg. The characters, the well-groomed and hirsute tattoo wearers alike, represent a cast of thousands in microcosm, and their announcements and opinions drift like smoke into the air as they shuttle between a wealth of familiar haunts.
What these characters lacked, and what Danny Minch (of Balthazar and Morandi, too) and Dylan Dodd (Barrio Chino) brought to Williamsburg, was a regular spot. Walter Foods sits just off the corner of Grand and Roebling, in a squat building that has been lengthened by two tall doors and panoply of windows that boast oysters and steaks in classic etching. Well-wrought awnings hover like discerning eyebrows while elegant, Havana-inspired tiles trace a footpath along the length of the bar.
The bar sets the tone for the entire space. Handcrafted by Minch's father, and replete with classic saloon moldings and finishes, it seats at least a dozen who can each order a classic cocktail from experienced bartenders without seeing their drink in the hands of another patron. The fizz of a Collins is ballasted by egg whites and Manhattans are a beautiful claret hue. Bourbon crustas and anisette tinged Sazeracs emphasize the booming popularity of ambers in Brooklyn bars. Minch bartends twice a week and performs as a kind of nervous frontman for a band whose popularity he cannot understand, but whose enjoyment is easily evinced.
The dining room is divided in two parts. At the bar level, bench booths run toward the back while tables look out at the street from just behind the windows. Up one or two steps, a maple floor cradles large, green leather booths with high, button-upholstered luxury. A single L-shape booth is the catbird seat with prime views of the bar and the street and privacy from both.
Though new, the place feels lived in, and on the Sunday evening I visited last the wait for a seat at the bar was 15 minutes and booths and tables would have taken twice as long. All round, the various characters that make up the Williamsburg troupe, were settled over plates of familiar, but fresh, plates of food that reminded me of the things my parents considered classy and convivial.
Justin Ernsberger brought his penchant for American classic from Clinton Street Baking Company, and dishes out enormous pork chops, filet mignon French dip and fish specials from a cramped kitchen whose window gives diners a peak into the fray. Lobster is the menu's Neptune and appears in soups, a surf and turf platter, a lobster roll and anywhere else the prestigious crustacean can claw its way into.
Appetizers and salads are easy to choose from and precise. A warm beet salad loosens up the goat cheese and balances the acidity, sweetness and pungent creaminess inherent in the dish. At the core of the Classic Caeser's success resides a coddled egg. Simmered for a minute, Caeser Cardini's 1924 innovation still kills pathogens (we assume, though eggs are typically pasteurized) today but avails that bitter unctuousness that is so delicious atop Romaine (or in carbonara).
Beer batter onion rings and shoestring fries are a couple of the ubiquitous sides that can be had à la carte, which provides customers with a chance to eat as much, or as little, as they want and which helps streamline the menu. In a nod to the past, Ernsberger's menu refrains from the elided patois that has become the stuttering language of New York restaurants (ex: deviled egg: paprika, Tabasco. Et al...); instead, his dishes are described in a gracious script that avoids these abortive culinary haikus. The daily soup, however, was a parsnip and apple purée that was clever nod to the barnyard tastes of the contemporary palate.
When the pork chop arrived at my seat I was nonplussed. I began chattering with my girlfriend immediately: the size, the temperature and the juiciness excited my pork craving soul. Served with Brussels sprouts and dressed with apple cider compote, it deserved to turn heads except for the familiarity for which I had not accounted. I normally would have poked and prodded my way into a share of her French dip, but I was overcome by what was a $40 cut of meat almost anywhere else.
The deserts are simple and warm: cobbler with seasonal fruit (in this case pear and berry) or a bread pudding with chocolate and banana. We sipped sherry and port and around us familiar faces came and went. A gentleman had made it over the bridge from Manhattan to see Mr. Minch and scattered along the bar was a generation of goodwill accrued by ownership.
I stopped in for an after dinner drink and ended up eating a bit of cobbler while wishing I had… Read more »
A beautiful, cozy restaurant with top-notch service.
I was greeted as soon as I walked in and seated at the bar by a friendly hostess to wait for a table for two. Not more than five minutes had gone by and she returned to announce that our table was ready for us. I was pleasantly surprised, I thought I would be waiting much longer.
We were then greeted by our very composed waitress who listed the specials and kindly answered questions for my friend who has some serious diet restrictions. Overall her service was extraordinary. We really felt like we were being cared for.
I ordered the clam chowder to start, paired with a white ale from Portland Maine which they serve on tap. The chowder, which came out looking beautiful, was flavorful and in just the right amount. For a main course I had the pork chop with brussel sprouts and apple. This was also delicious, my only complaint being that the pork chop itself was a little bland, could have used some more spices perhaps. I loved the brussel sprouts though, they were cooked to just the right texture. And best of all, I had a very nice glass of pinot noir, from Austria I think, that paired nicely with the pork dish. It was light and not overly fruity, pretty balanced and high quality for a wine served by the glass.
We skipped dessert, but I guess that gives me more reason to return. And I hear their brunch is amazing.
And the bow ties --- nice touch.
Pricy but perfect. Worth every penny. I had brunch here with a friend last Saturday and we had Biscuits and Gravy for an appetizer, and Eggs Benedict and the French Dip for the main courses--all of which were cooked to perfection. The Bloody Marys were also excellent.
It's so nice to see a place in Williamsburg put the pretentiousness aside and offer what we all want in a restaurant but can't seem to find: well-prepared food and kind service.
Wow. Went back last night and had a great time and had to report. Service was MUCH improved and yes there is definitely a friendly fun vibe that runs through the place. I'm also happy to have a "real" restaurant in Williamsburg (besides Dressler or Peter Lugar). Excellent.
We started with cocktails which were of the classic variety and expertly prepared - I had the sidecar. We sampled oysters and crab legs from the raw bar as well as a cooked oyster appetizer. The fried oysters were presented magnificently on their shells in a tarragon mayo bed. It was delicious and beautiful.
I had the lobster club as my main and it was good. Hubs had the burger which he loved. Also at the table a rare steak and the fried chicken. Everything was great. No complaints at all. Our waiter was knowledgeable, funny, nice and professional. It was a great dinner and our friends from Park Slope were impressed.
Excited to make this a regular rotation spot for a fun night out. The owner is really on his game- it's true. Love it.
I would give Walter Foods 3.5 stars if possible.
I went on a Saturday for dinner with 2 girlfriends.…
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I cannot understand any negative reviews of this place. Try as I might to find fault, I cannot. We got there at 7 and got a seat immediately although I think people that came later had to wait. I had the beet salad and fried chicken with an agrentine white. The food was flavorfull. Wine was excellent. Service was crazy good.
Went here for the first time last night and sat in a very pleasant corner booth. The decor was simple and classy -- no craaazy items on the walls etc. It was quite romantic.
The service was almost perfect. Our waiter was professional yet funny, and not scared to banter with us. There was definitely a feel-good vibe running through this place.
We ordered the fried oysters (A-), butcher steak (B+) and fried chicken (A). The surprising thing was the reasonable prices. 15 dollars for an entree in a nice place is definitely good to see. All in all a great evening, and I will be back.
I randomly walked by Walter Foods one afternoon and was immediately drawn by the classic look of the front doors and the decor inside. I've now been twice for dinner, making sure that I wasn't completely jaded the first time before handing out 5-stars.
I'll admit that I got the same main both times (pepper crusted fillet with peppercorn sauce and smashed potatoes). I'll have a hard time ever going back here and not getting that same thing. It easily rivals any fillet I've had at the big-name Manhattan steakhouses and paid twice as much for. If you're a steak lover (especially with peppercorn sauce), you'll love it.
As far as starters go, I got the clam chowder the first time. I had complained about the lack of good clam chowders in the city (and still do), but this was a solid effort. The second time, I got the special salad which was a charred peach, goat cheese, yellow bell pepper, onion, and arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette. It was quite delicious, and I'd highly recommend it if it's an option.
Dessert both times was a fresh peach cobbler of which my dad said "I've died and gone to heaven". I'd have to agree with him.
I was a little worried going back the second time because I had read a few negative reviews in July, but I'm happy to say it was just as good as the first time. The wait staff is very good and knowledgeable, the decor is unpretentiously classy, the music is great, the food and drinks are both fantastic - that earns 5-stars from me.
5pm-7pm Monday - Friday
Neighborhood: Financial District
Free Pizza for Yelpers!
Neighborhood: Battery Park
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - South Side
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - South Side
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - South Side
Category: Latin American
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - South Side
Category: French
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - South Side
Category: Italian
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