Manhattan Chic in Brooklyn

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		Bernie's Place
		Manhattan Chic in Brooklyn

Manhattan chic has arrived in Brooklyn’s Midwood section in the form of Bernie’s Place. Located at 1217 Avenue J (bet. E.12th St. - E.13th St.), a congested shopping strip, characterized by fast food eateries and takeout establishments, Bernie’s Place is conceived of as an oasis, "an island of tranquillity and perspective in a sometimes tumultuous world," to quote part owner and the restaurant’s namesake, Bernie. And indeed it is just that. The 55 seat restaurant with its attractive and serene post-modern interior, succeeds in shutting out the noise and bustle outside and transports the diner to a quieter and more elegant place. By day that place is a café, with a couple of booths, but mostly small, uncovered wood tables. In the evening, the tablecloths and fresh flowers come out and the mood, though still relaxed, becomes more dressed up. The gracious and formal service further enhances the mood, as does the classical music in the background.

The continental dairy lunch and dinner menus have much in common. The lunch menu differs only in that it includes a sandwich selection and the seafood dishes are fewer and less elaborate. Soups include French Onion, Salmon & Halibut Chowder and a Soup Of The Day. House Specialties (7 listed incl. Croquette Du Sole and Quiche), 5 salads (e.g. Caesar, Greek, Israeli, California Health & Garden), 6 pastas (e.g. Penne A La Vodka, Pasta Rodatorri Al Fredo), 9 fish entrées (i.e. Pecan Crusted Brook Trout, Pan Seared Red Snapper and Sole Wellington), 21 beverages and a variety of freshly baked cakes sum up expect. At this writing a liquor license is pending and thus wine is not served as yet.

Well prepared and attractively presented, the cuisine is served with cosmopolitan sophistication and appeal. The French Onion Soup, a constant tool for comparison, was full bodied, slightly sweet and topped with a nice helping of cheese. The Split Pea Soup was thick, delicately seasoned and flavorful. My entrée selection, the Balsamic Pan Seared Salmon Au Poivre with wild rice pilaf, sautéed wild mushrooms and julienne vegetables, impressively dwarfed the plate it was served on. I didn’t much care for the peppercorns that covered one side of the fish. Although visually attractive, the peppercorns tended to overpower the salmon’s delicate taste and detracted attention from the fish’s moist and perfectly flaky texture . The size of fish portion itself was not very large, but it was placed on a virtual mountain of vegetables, which were crisp and attractively arranged. My companion ordered the Pan Seared Red Snapper, served with a sautéed garlic spinach over potatoes with a light béchamel sauce. It, too, overwhelmed the large plate it was on and was equally flavorful. Fresh onion rolls were served warm and were hard to resist. We did not indulge in dessert, but Bernie recommended the cheesecake, which has already become a customer favorite and house specialty.

For business or pleasure, Bernie’s Place presents a refreshing change of pace for Brooklyn and is a favorable alternative to Manhattan restaurants.


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