There is something that New York has down pat: boozy brunches. We did couples afternoon in Bedstuy (my first time in this Brooklyn neighborhood!) at Black Swan. The gastropub opens into a bar with a long black hallway to larger room with wooden benches and an oversized window looking into an urban garden space.
Although the "all day happy-hour" with $4 beers/house wines, $3 shots an two-for-one wells was tempting, it seemed that the Bloody Swan was the thing to order for your first round. Photographed above, the cocktail comes with a spiced rim and garnished with the hail mary of all wonders: a slice of bacon, large prawn, cube of pepper jack, cocktail onion, cornichon and olive. How's that for swag?
For our mains, we selected a good variety. For myself, the flight of mac n' cheese. (A FLIGHT!) One of each of the three come on a wooden plank: sun dried tomato, bacon and plain clothes.
Chris selected the smoked salmon plate with mescalin greens, wonderfully ripe tomato, onion, charred and earthy toast and fresh horseradish. The image doesn't do it justice: there was a tremendous amount of fish under those greens.
Others at the table ordered the fish cake benny, classic benny, lemon waffles with friend chicken and cheesy grits.
Regardless of the G Train being the closest subway (we ended up taking a cab), Black Swan is worth the trek from Manhattan. I'm told the burger is pretty serious.
