Ammazzacaffè backyard
Monday, August 12th marks the beginning of Restaurant Week, Grand Street’s semi-annual restaurant event! From August 12th to August 25th, you’ll have the opportunity to try 13 of Grand Street’s restaurants both new and old at lower than ever prices. 13 of the best eats in Williamsburg are offering 3-course prix fixe dinners at discounted rates from $25 to $35 in North Brooklyn’s annual celebration of local cuisine. With all these offerings on 6 blocks, it might be difficult to make a decision. This guide is here to give you all the answers to why you should visit each participating restaurant on Grand Street, and what you can order for the best experience. Each of the following restaurants has special Restaurant Week menus, so just ask if you don’t see one.
As always, take a picture of your Restaurant Week experience and post with #DineonGrand for a chance to win $50 to a Grand Street BID business of your choice.
Follow @grandstreetbid on Instagram and Facebook for the most up-to-date information on the event!
Critically Acclaimed on Grand
All pasta at Ammazzacaffè is made in-house
AMMAZZACAFFÈ—$35
Winner of a coveted Bib Gourmand title from Micheline Guide, Ammazzacaffè has already built its reputation for affordable fine dining at its best. Be sure to try the Tartare crostino with sea trout, Lettuga salad with Botarga, and sunchokes as an appetizers. For your entree, try the Reginette—pasta with pork shoulder ragu — it’s a perfect dish. Finish the night with their daily dessert offering for the perfect date or special night out on Grand Street.
Lamb Chops from BK Jani
BK JANI—$35
There are a lot of burger joints in Williamsburg, but only BK Jani’s burgers come with mint chutney as a sauce option. Featured on Infatuation’s Best Restaurants in Williamsburg, you can’t go wrong with a burger here. They’re offering Two Lamb Chops to start, then any burger of your choosing. We recommend The Jani Burger; ½ pound of custom blend ground beef, cooked medium rare, mint chutney at the bottom, grilled tomato and a touch of raita. Included in their special is a soda or one of their house drinks.
Grand Street Classics
GRAND MORELOS—$29.50
A Grand Street staple, Grand Morelos has been with the neighborhood day and night for over 27 years. The late-night diner & bakery has seen us all at our finest and not-so-fine hours. The Grand Morelos bakery is also one of the better-kept secrets of our food scene, so take advantage. Guacamole & Chips is our go-to appetizer, but we also recommend the Steak Nachos. If you’re extra hungry, the Mole Poblano for your entree will fill you if the app didn’t, but try to save room for the Strawberry Cheesecake. Once you’ve fallen in love with Grand Morelos stop back in for affordable cookies & doughnuts from the bakery and amazing iced coffee.
Dar525
DAR525—$28
A Grand Street classic, Dar525 has been serving up delicious Syrian cuisine for over 12 years. Dar525 is offering extreme value to Restaurant Week’s with four courses instead of the usual three. You can start with hummus or babaganouj, but they’re offering other apps as well. Next you can choose from kibbeh or a cheese and parsley roll. For the main course you’ve got a variety of protein choices including the vegan falafel and the not-so vegan chicken shawarma. Top your dinner off with baklava or basbousa for a fantastic four-course meal at amazing value.
THE CLONARD—$25
Known for their lager and bar food staples, The Clonard has only been on Grand Street since 2021 but already feel like a neighborhood go-too. They’re offering bar staples Mozzarella Sticks and Jalapeño Poppers to get the appetite going. Then you can enjoy an 8oz burger, with the option of going for a Beyond Burger if you’re looking for a vegan option. Enjoy a Clonard Lager, or a glass of Pinot Grigio if you’re feeling classy, with your meal for the full bar eatery experience.
Desy’s Meatballs
DESY’S CLAM BAR—$35
Desy’s Clam Bar is an old school Italian restaurant with history dating back to the 1920’s. It shares chefs and recipes from the now shuttered “Little Charlie’s Clam Bar”, a well known restaurant located in Little Italy. We recommend starting with the Fried Calamari, or Mozzarella Fritta for a fried and savory start. Follow it up with Desy’s Meatballs, Chicken Parmesan with your choice of pasta or the Penne ala Vodka and finish off your meal with a sweet slice of Tres Leches.
Steak and Pupusas from Bahia
BAHIA—$25
Bahia has been on Grand Street for over 20 years, serving up pupusas and other delicious Salvadorian dishes. We recommend you start with their famous Pupusas; you can choose from a wide variety of options but some favorites include the revueltas pupusa stuffed with pork, refried beans, and cheese, or jalapeño pupusas .For the main entrée enjoy their delicious Carne Asada, Pollo Sorpresa, or Tilapia al Sarten. A glass of either Sangria or Wine is included in your meal, alongside a delicious slice of Amaretto Cheese Cake to finish.
RYUJIN—$25
This Grand Street staple has been serving Japanese comfort food to the neighborhood for over 13 years. Something about the ramen from Ryujin leaves us stuffed after every bowl. Now add an appetizer and dessert to the mix to really make the most of a 3 course dinner. Keep it light with your app so go with the Pork bun or the Edamame. You can choose from 6 different options of ramen bowl, but our favorite is the Sapporo Miso Bowl. Finally, the meal is paired with your choice of Beer, Mochi Ice Cream, or their homemade Early Gray Plum Wine. The jury is out here so we’ll leave that choice to you.
Filling Favorites!
Curry from Thip Osha
THIP OSHA—$30
This Thai spot nearby the Grand Street L station always feels cozy. With a diverse prix fixe menu, Thip Osha has altogether 50 combinations to choose from. There is surely something that will please everyone from curry to noodles to fried rice. Out of all of those choices, our favorites are the Thom Yum soup to start and the Pad Thai noodle with your protein of choice for the main entree. You can’t go wrong with the delicious Coconut Custard for dessert. Stop by this small spot for big flavors.
MAD FOR CHICKEN—$21
There’s no better place to go for classic Korean Fried Chicken than Grand Street’s very own Mad For Chicken! And with the most affordable Restaurant Week special by far at $21, Mad for Chicken is a must visit. Swing by and start with their 4-Piece Dumpling to get you appetized. For the main, we recommend their Chicken and Fries Combo: you’re gonna go Mad for this Chicken. If you’re feeling a different vibe, their Bulgogi over Rice is also fantastic. Alongside your meal you can enjoy a glass of Sangria or a beer.
LA CHACRA—$32
La Chacra’s got traditional Peruvian cuisine straight from the “Chacra” or farm in Spanish. Our most recent Get to Know Grand story covered the awesome story of La Chacra, and now they’re here for their first Restaurant Week! Begin your meal with a delicous Ceviche de Pescado if you’re feeling seafood, or their Papa Rellena: a golden fried potato stuffed with beef stew, onions, olives, and eggs. For the main entree we reccomend the Lomo Saltado, strips of skirt steak sauteed with onions, tomatoes in a soy sauce served with fries and white rice, or the Arroz con Mariscos, a classic Peruvian Paella. Enjoy your dinner alongside either a beer or Punta Sal Margarita.
A tostada from Los Tacos Mcondo
LOS TACOS MCONDO—$28
Los Tacos Mcondo is a classic taqueria, offering some awesome deals this time around. They are cash only - so make sure to come prepared! Start with their Corn on the Cob for a fun bite before you dig into their wide variety of main courses: Burritos, Nachos, Tostadas, Quesadillas, Enchilladas, or a Queso Fundido with Chorizo. You wont find this many options at most other participating restaurants! End your meal with some refreshing and delicious fruit, with your choice of a Mexican Mango with lime, salt, and chili powder or Churros that also come with a side of fruit.
CARNEVAL—$35
Carneval is inspired by the owners’ own cultures and carnivals from countries they’ve visited around the world. This comes in the form of a wide variety of different cuisines all fused into one. We reccommen you start with Maduro Trio, a sweet plantain basket filled with tropical cheese and shredded beef topped with “El Ninja sauce”. Follow it up with Dominican style Carneval Mofongo, that comes with garlic shrimp. Alternatively, go with the classic Ravioli Pasta. Finish your meal with either a delicious Sweet Pear in Red Wine, served with a side of vanilla ice cream, or Nutella Crepes if you’re in a chocolate mood.
