Williamsburg Gets Another Wannabistro, and We’re Glad
Williamsburg has seen a boomlet in twee French restaurants, it seems, over the last couple of years, with places like Juliette, Gribouille, and now Le Barricou emerging to fill the wannabistro vacuum. The latter, as Rob and Robin report in this week’s openings, is the product of Jean-Pierres Marquet, of Marquet Patisserie. The place features a menu, recently added to our own booming database, which hits some of the standard bistro dishes (steak-frites, coq au vin) , while also making room for the requisite Asian flavors (grilled tiger shrimp, Thai mussels) that Williamsburg customers will likely be looking for. Now if only someone would open a good Chinese restaurant there.
Restaurant Openings: Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, Lola, Le Barricou, and Trois Pommes Patisserie [NYM]
Le Barricou Menu
The Other Critics
Richman Lambastes Landmarc; Has Sietsema Lost His Mind?Robert Sietsema reviews what might be the most un-Sietsema-like place imaginable, a twee Williamsburg bistro called Juliette. “The snails in anise butter are fab, and so is the whole steamed artichoke flaunting a festive champagne vinaigrette.” Okay, call the FBI. The real Robert Sietsema has obviously been kidnapped. [VV]
“Think too much and you’ll find the place hard to like”: Alan Richman sees the new Landmarc for what it is – a stark, expensive, underachieving restaurant with few niceties of service or cooking – but still manages to find something nice to say about the steaks. [Bloomberg]
Related: Will Landmarc’s Downtown Cool Play Alongside Its Ritzy New Neighbors? [Grub Street]
Frank Bruni had a high old time at Resto, so much so that he gave the place a shocking two stars. Expect all future reviews to react to this hyperbole by taking pains to note the place’s shortcomings.[NYT]
Related: Brussels Sprout [NYM]
