A Guide to Summer Wine and Dine

Wine and Dine returns on Grand Street August 15th - 29th with 14 restaurants and bars to choose from. 9 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. And this fantastic food can be complemented with drink specials at 5 of our bars. With all these offerings on just 6 blocks, it might be difficult to choose where to go. This guide is here to give you all the answers to why you should visit each participating business on Grand Street, and what you can order for the best experience. Each of the following restaurants and bars has special Wine and Dine menus, so just ask if you don’t see one.

As always, take a picture of your Wine and Dine experience and post with #DineonGrand for a chance to win $50 to a Grand Street BID business of your choice.

Follow @grandstreetbid for the most up-to-date information on the event.

WINE

With the addition of bars to our restaurant event, you can curate the perfect evening that starts with a pre-dinner drink or ends with a nightcap. Our suggestions will help you decide the ideal course for your night out on Grand Street

Frozen Margaritas and Froze at The Clonard

If you’re looking for a way to cool down during these hot Summer days, stop by The Clonard for frozen cocktails for only $8. For drinks that are a little more involved, Philomena’s is the spot to try with an amazing combo of cocktails and pita. We love their signature drink - prosecco with a watermelon-rose cube.

For classic drinks and brews, the deal at Crystal Lake is sure to catch your eye with $8 Jim Beam or Hornitos Mules or a $5 pint of lager. Similarly Blinky’s is featuring $9 Ciroc spritzers and canned vodka cocktails. Also, enjoy the weather in the backyards at both Blinky’s and The Clonard. These shady havens are great places to sip and relax.

Philomena’s is serving a deal of any two of their signature cocktails and throwing in a pita and dip, all for $25. A deal you don’t want to miss, Philomena’s make a perfect first or last stop.

Lastly, we recommend checking out Grand Street’s newest bar, Haven, for drinks and billiards before you head off to dinner. This new lounge is offering 2 beer and shot combos along with an hour of pool for just $25. Just make sure your hour of pool starts before 6pm.

Backyard vibes at Blinky’s


DINE

Grand Street Classics

BAHIA—$25

690 Grand Street — menu

Pupusas from Bajia

It all starts with pupusas. If you’ve never had one, Bahia owners Luis and Felix say to think of them as like the “tacos of El Salvador”. The prix fixe menu at Bahia starts with 2 pupusas of your choice, a salad, or tamal de pollo. We, of course, recommend some of the best pupusas in NYC. Plenty of options for dinner, but our favorite is the Pollo Al Limon, a perfectly cooked chicken breast sautéed in a delicious lemon sauce. You get two sides with the entrée of your choice from a few options like mixed vegetables, rice, and roasted potatoes. A choice of Flan or a glass of delicious red or white sangria is paired with your meal for the perfect combination.

A hometown favorite, Bahia has been a dedicated community member of Grand Street for over 20 years. In 2019, the restaurant doubled down on their dedication to the neighborhood with a complete interior and exterior renovation in order to stay ahead in a changing Williamsburg market. It’s not just about looks though, Bahia is confident that once you’ve had their pupusas and try a glass of their homemade sangria you are certain to return for more. Photo at top of article.

GRAND MORELOS—$28.99

727 Grand Street — menu

A Grand Street staple, Grand Morelos has been with the neighborhood day and night for decades. The 24/7 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 is our go-to appetizer, but they’ve added a chicken wings option if you’re extra hungry. Tilapia Filet in Mole Sauce for your entree will fill you if the app didn’t, but try to save room for the cheesecake. Once you’ve fallen in love with Grand Morelos stop back in for affordable cookies & doughnuts from the bakery and amazing iced coffee (not just by diner standards) any time you want - literally.

RYUJIN—$25

513 Grand Street — menu

This Grand Street staple has been serving Japanese comfort food to the Neighborhood for over 12 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 samurai miso bowl. Finally, the meal is paired with either beer, or mochi ice cream. The jury is out here so we’ll leave that choice to you.


Featured Outdoor Dining

AMMAZZACAFFÈ—$35

702 Grand Street — menu

Winner of last year’s 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, especially during these last few cold days of winter. Finish the night with buttermilk pannacotta with cherry and hazelnut for the perfect date or special night out on Grand Street. Enjoy all of this in their stunning backyard on a beautiful Summer night.

If the food isn’t enough, visiting Ammazza offers a bit of a historical experience. Their location at 702 Grand Street was the childhood home of Betty Smith, inspiring her classic A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Make a reservation today.

Backyard Seating at Ammazzacaffe

TACO EDITION—$29

806 Grand Street — menu

Tacos De Birria with Consome from taco Edition

It all starts with the Esquites, this new addition to the menu features roasted corn off the cob tossed in a seasoned sauce. The prix fixe menu offers a choice of Tacos de Birria with Consome or a Chicken Fajita bowl or wrap. These items are new additions to the normal menu so we suggest trying them out! We know it’s going to be a hard choice with such a great selection, but we recommend anything on the menu. Don’t miss out on the churros, they’re the perfect compliment to this hearty meal.

Taco Edition also recently redid their backyard! Swap your dessert option for a frozen cocktail and enjoy their gorgeous outdoor space.

CARNEVAL—$35

507 Grand Street — menu

Carneval Sushi

Carneval opened exactly three years ago in August, featuring specialty cocktails and Latin-inspired cuisine. Owner Mike Cruz grew up just blocks from the restaurant and has created a go-to spot for Williamsburg natives and newcomers alike. He has transformed the space to include a large backyard patio perfect for enjoying music and snacks. Carneval serves up elevated Latin cuisine, and their menu featured a selection of tasty appetizers, savory entrees, and desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth. We recommend the Carneval Sushi, a creative roll with shrimp and and flavorful sauces. This year’s entrees include Mightnight Salmon with potatoes and spinach or a rich Penne Alla Vodka, two tasty meals you don’t want to miss. Escape the busy street and enjoy Restaurant Week with Carneval, where it’s always a celebration.

Filling Favorites!

MAD FOR CHICKEN —$25

617 Grand Street — menu

Tasty Drumsticks from Mad for Chicken

The chicken at MFC is an obvious choice, shipped in daily from a farm in Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania, and coated with a unique sauce of soy, garlic, and various fruits but Wine and Dine is a great chance to explore other options. Choose your drink, start with a salad, and try the kimchi fried rice or bulgogi over rice.

THIP OSHA—$25

795 Grand Street — menu

This cozy Thai spot nearby the Grand Street L station, has a beautiful and shaded sidewalk patio to enjoy your meal this summer. With a diverse prix fixe menu, Thip Osha has altogether exactly 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 crispy chicken wings with red chili sauce to start, green curry with chicken, and banana sticky rice for dessert. Stop by this tiny spot for big flavors, and a lovely outdoor dining experience.

BK Jani—$35

679 Grand Street — menu

BK Jani is once again returning to wine and dine featuring their amazing lambchops and renouned burgers. BK Jani is known for their elevated Pakistani street food, and has received an abundance of attention in various media outlets, such as Food and Wine, The Infatuation, Zagat, and more! Owner Sibte Hassan doesn’t mess around when it comes to quality meats, so be sure to check out this deal including their famous lambchops, burgers, and we recommend topping it off with a refreshing mango Jani. Don’t miss out on this highly commended restaurant, with reviews claiming they have one of the best burgers in NYC.

Famous Bk Jani Lamb Chops