The Soul Spot, 302 Atlantic Avenue, (Brooklyn, NY , Boerum Hill)

I'll start this review with one tip:  "Possibly getting to this spot earlier in the day is best"

Now, not that the food was not fresh, but I'm sure the presentation and selection are better around lunch time.  We arrived for a late night (~9:30 or 10 pm) bite.

The locale:  Boerum Hill is a fantastic part of Brooklyn with multiple small ethnic restaurants, art galleries, places of worship, boutiques, cute brownstones and newer condominiums...just the type of neighborhood I'd choose if I lived in the borough!



The restaurant is a simple, small storefront style establishment with a handful of tables set for dining in.  The dishes are kept warm over steam and behind glass. Overall, the place was neat and clean.  The staffer taking orders was not necessarily personable, but polite.

Our meal: Inexpensive.
The 'buffalo wings' weren't very impressive.  They were friend wing dings (expected) with the only seasoning simulating 'buffalo' being random splatters of hot sauce (weird).  They were a bit dry, as were the black eyed peas and rice, but again, I think it could have been due to poor timing...though not an excuse for the business.

For the "Chicken Two Ways" combo, I ordered the fried and baked chicken.  The fried chicken was pretty good and the baked chicken was seasoned well, and fall-off-the-bone tender, but far too greasy for me to enjoy completely.  I'm sure it would be perfect for a hang-over sufferer, but just didn't do it for this sober gal!  The mac n' cheese was pretty tasty also, not amazing, but at least not bland or lacking cheese as most places that attempt the dish.  The collards were a bit too sweet for my liking.

After tasting everything, I was super excited to dive into the peach cobbler.  I thought the filling was great, but the crust was too thick and therefore was a bit undercooked and doughy.

I will have to check Soul Spot out for lunch next time I find myself in Brooklyn.  Better review next time I hope!

Bar Breton, 254 Fifth Avenue, NYC

**Update** (4/2012)  Chef Cyril Renaud, former chef at Fleur de Sel, re-open Bar Breton as La Quenelle back in February 2012.  Some of the Bar Breton menu items will remain (especially lunch items), but the menu in general is more upscale!
 My review of Bar Breton is below.
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Perfect Sunday brunch with a french twist:

I was very impressed with everything at Bar Breton from the interior design to Chef Renaud's menu which consisted of a beautifully-inspired modern twist on French cuisine.

The Decor declares: "Bienvenue! Bienvenue!"

Bar Breton's decor is simple,warm, and inviting.  Clean lines and dim upon entry where the hostess stand, parlor (bar), and two-top booths are located. The walls are lined with simple yet beautiful uniformed shaded lamps. The bar stools look like dark-stained beach wood, tying the rest of the restaurant's theme (in my view) together.  As you walk towards the back, the space opens up into a kind of summer beach house dining area feel with deep ocean blue walls, off white trim, white wood cupboards (filled with ceramic and glassware used by the staff) and other earthy-toned furnishings.  Diners at one particular corner table near the kitchen are privy to a faux fireplace...I imagine that patrons seated here may feel as if they're hosting an intimate, private  dinner or brunch party...very quaint.

Hanging in the center of the back dining area, looms a beautifully whimsical, avant garde chandelier made of classic colorful aperitif and other classic stemmed cocktail glasses (>200 I've heard!) I wish I could've captured a picture.

Image credit: http://www.celiacchicks.com/restaurants/new-york/glutenfree-restaurants-nyc-bar-breton.html

$25.00 Brunch with complimentary mimosa ($3 after the first) and my fave Le Paris (champagne topped with St. Germain!) Yummy!

We were offered a lovely fresh puff pastry (Brittany Pain au Chocolat)...airy and buttery pastry filled with rich, creamy dark chocolate.
 

The French toast was interesting, though my dining companion, a fan of classic (read: #boring) dishes was disappointed with the presentation.  I, on the other hand, was delighted!  This was NOT your average egg batter dipped soggy French toast.  This was thick cut with a crisp (well…toasted) exterior and sweet center drenched in a caramel ganache!   

Syrup? What’s that?  This toast was accompanied by fresh berries (black and blue), whipped cream, and a berry coulis.  I loved it!

Beware:  A side of apple smoked bacon here is massive!  Now I’m not sure if this was because my companion appeared to be dissatisfied with his meal so they piled it on, but in any event…who doesn’t love bacon? So I didn’t complain.

I love cauliflower, so I get excited when chefs offer creative dishes using this veg!  The Cauliflower gratin at BB did not disappoint.  It was served piping hot is a skillet!

The Hangar steak and eggs:  The eggs were creamy and fluffed and the steak cooked perfectly as ordered (medium rare), but the highlight of this dish was definitely the Yam and Potato gratin!! It was the perfect combination of sweet and savory!  The jus and pesto/herbal oil(?) drizzle went well with the entire dish.

All-in-all, I’ve already convinced a few friends in and around the city to check Bar Breton out!  I would love to visit again soon for dinner!

Bar Breton accepts reservations via Opentable.com

http://barbreton.com/