Location: 594 Classon Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Cuisine: American
Best Dish: We adored the pork chops. The meat was succulent and the chutney was a tasty complement to the meaty chops.
Price: $$
Overall: A casual home-style eatery the whole family will enjoy.
Brooklyn welcomes Farm to Table Freshness with new eatery Alice’s Arbor. This Bed-Stuy gem offers classic seasonal American fare. The purveyors of this establishment are committed to providing a healthy alternative to preservative laden dining. To achieve this they have curated a seasonal menu showcasing the freshest vegetables and meats of the season. Each dish is prepared using only ingredients sourced from local farms. The Farm to Table concept is evident in the design of their space. The decor is reminiscent of a charming country bistro with reclaimed wood and vintage barn materials throughout. The space includes driftwood branch light fixtures, hanging mobiles scrounged from the Ashokan Reservoir in Upstate New York, and clustered glass beaker pendant light fixtures. It reminds us of family road trips down the east coast, sharing a meal with loved ones in a classic country kitchen.
The Feast
Pickles and Fries
Pickles are a southern tradition and often served battered and fried, here the pickles are served fresh from the barrel with an order of seasoned fries and Mayo. While the combo did give us some trepidation we were ultimately satisfied with the savory salty combination. In addition to the standard pickled cucumber, pickled green beans were also presented and offered a fresh take on a familiar favorite. The greens were crisp and spicy with a peppery kick.
Oysters
Alice’s Arbor has fresh oysters! The oysters are served on the half shell on a chilled platter with lemon and hot sauce. Alice’s Arbor offers $1 oysters during happy hour. They’re so worth it!
Sullivan Country Farms Trout
The trout is served with roasted fingerling potatoes, green beans, almonds capers and brown butter. The flesh was juicy and tender with crispy charred skin. The fish was incredibly fresh with a mild buttery taste.
Mac and Cheese w/ Pulled Pork
The Mac & Cheese is rich with a blend of cheddar and goat cheese béchamel, it’s cheesy, saucy and crisp in just the right measure—and ready to be customized with the addition of mix-ins including pulled pork, jalapeno, BBQ sauce (a combo of all three is a staff favorite), mixed vegetables, lobster or truffle oil. We chose the pulled pork and jalapenos for our Mac. The peppers added spice without overwhelming the dish.
Pork Chops
The pork chops are presented on a bed of Bok Choy with a dollop of chutney on top. The bone-in pork chop was well seasoned and juicy. The chutney was sour sweet and acidic which added a unique flavor profile to the overall dish.
Chef Mike Franzetti’s authentic, straightforward, European-influenced American cooking honors his Brooklyn roots as well as his experience working with some of New York City’s best chefs. Alice’s Arbor is a rare escape from the city. Its rustic charm allows you to enjoy a meal and forget the city for just a few moments. This restaurant is ideal for your next family meal of a casual dinner with friends. Due to its focus on providing only the freshest of ingredients, the menu is subject to change and some dishes may not be available. Alice’s Arbor is located at 549 Classon Avenue, 718-399-3003, www.alicesarborbk.com and is open weekdays for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekends for brunch and dinner. Hours of operation: Monday-Thursday 9a – 11p, Friday 9a – 12a, Saturday 10a – 12a and Sunday 10a – 11p.