Restaurants have always been a vital part of any New York City neighborhood. One of the greatest perks of being a New Yorker is the vast array of places we have to eat on any given night, even during a global pandemic--but during 2020, they did even more, banding together to feed those in need in their community and sending countless meals to frontline workers during COVID's darkest days here last spring.
Even though winter weather is inevitably forcing us to gather less frequently outdoors at our familiar spots, through Seamless we can keep the feeling alive with a great meal, made with love, delivered directly to our home. The choices of cuisine are staggering. The ordering couldn't be easier. And it's definitely the most delicious way to support your local favorites, or try something new, and help ensure they'll all still be around when springtime comes again. When you donate the change on your Seamless order, it supports restaurants, drivers and communities in need through the Seamless Community Relief Fund.
Gothamist and Seamless have teamed up to celebrate amazing restaurants over the next few weeks that, whether they’re two blocks from your apartment or a bike ride away, are NYC favorites that we think you’ll love too. If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out our previous installments, the food lovers guide to the Lower East Side and Williamsburg & Bushwick, and stay tuned for upcoming guides coming at you in the next few weeks. Next up: Park Slope.
A family-friendly neighborhood at the heart of "Brownstone Brooklyn," Park Slope is known for its avenues alive with shops and restaurants, tree-lined streets offering a hushed showcase for stately homes, and packs of little kids everywhere you turn. And, of course, all of the glories of Prospect Park are never more than a few blocks away, which proved to be more indispensable than ever in the COVID era, as the historic green space was pressed into service as a gym, a gathering place, a dining room, an escape. Big city bustle combined with a perfect place to picnic... definitely one of the Perks of Being a New Yorker. Eating options are legion along Park Slope's main thoroughfares, with familiar old neighborhood haunts standing side by side with trendier spots, but here's a few highlights for you to enjoy, whether you’re picking up your order via Seamless or dining al fresco.
Kulushkat
Sitting on Dean Street at Park Slope's north end (there's also one in Lefferts Gardens), Kulushkat is one of the city's great falafel joints, frying up big, dense balls of the stuff for an array of pitas and platters. The accompaniments--hummus, grape leaves, eggplant, Israeli and tabbouleh salads--all have real personality, the meatier options like Lamb Kebabs and Chicken Shawarma are first-rate as well, and Kulushkat's hot sauces, the madboukha and the skhug,
are definitely not for the meek. Order a feast for you and your pod companion with a four-pack of beer and stuff yourself silly. The name literally means "shut up and eat." For slightly fancier Mediterranean fare, try neighborhood favorite Miriam, just up Fifth Avenue.
Kulushkat is located at 446c Dean Street between Fifth and Flatbush Avenues (347-799-1972; kulushkat.com) - Order Now
Gather
For seven years now, this turquoise-framed cafe has been South Slope's picnic-supply central, holding it down on Seventh Avenue right near the busy F train stop. Gather always has a good selection of soups, salads, and sides on hand, as well as sturdier meals like Persian Lamb Meatballs and Turmeric Roasted Chicken, and an array of pastries for breakfast or dessert or both. And even though we can't "gather" as much as we'd like to right now--though on mild winter days, the park's still a great meetup spot, for some warm Moroccan Vegetable Soup, say, and good company--it's all very cozy and homey stuff. It also delivers well, making it an easy to enjoy at home in your favorite comfy spot. For a different sort of at-home picnic, either Park Slope location of the family-owned SkyIce will bring you a spread of Thai food crowd pleasers and, most important, a pint or two of their boldly-flavored ice cream.
Gather is located at 341 Seventh Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets (718-768-2439; gatherny.com) - Order Now
Bricolage
This contemporary Vietnamese restaurant came to Park Slope via San Francisco (the chefs used to work at that city's famous Slanted Door) and Ditmas Park (home to the other couple who run the place), and for five years now Brooklyn has been loving the mid-priced, full-flavored dishes coming out the kitchen here on Fifth Avenue. The luxurious Unshaking Beef, the self-explanatory Spicy Garlic Noodles, the Pho Ba loaded with tripe, the bright Fresh Summer Rolls... all will make you happy. And now you can get Bricolage cocktails delivered as well, to complete the gastropub atmosphere in your home. Dine on your best reclaimed furniture for maximum effect. If you're looking for something simpler (and less expensive), order a Vietnanese sandwich and a big bubble tea from longtime neighborhood favorite Hanco's on Seventh Avenue.
Bricolage is located at 162 Fifth Avenue near Degraw Street (929-732-7614; bricolage.nyc) - Order Now
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Ok so this is cheating a bit, as the Brooklyn branch ofDinosaur Bar-B-Que is actually located a block away, in Gowanus. But it's only one block, and, after a brief meaty golden age in the mid-aughts, good barbecue remains scarce in most parts of NYC, and if you have a craving, Dinosaur definitely delivers. The smoky, lightly glazed Barb-B-Que Pork Ribs are my usual here--a half rack with two sides, all of which are good so follow your heart in this department, makes for a fine meal--but the fatty Brisket, the sloppy Chicken Wings, and the Big Ass Pork Plate are solid choices as well. Just a really fun and delicious Sunday supper. Or any day. And for dessert, order from another just-over-the-border Gowanus winner, the semi-venerable Four and Twenty Blackbirds on Third Avenue, home of some of the best pie in town.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is located at 604 Union Street, just west of Fourth Avenue (347-429-7030; dinosaurbarbque.com) - Order Now
Fonda
This South Slope fan favorite is really trying to keep its spirits up during the pandemic, with a festively adorned outdoor seating area and an eager-to-please, ferociously friendly staff, but Fonda's menu of Mexican classics also travels well, making it an ideal home companion. Enchiladas Suizas or de Mole Negro, Nopales Taqitos, Flan de Cajeta are among the highlights, and add a Margarita or two to your order, or, heck why not, a whole pitcher of Sangria, and suddenly your random Tuesday at home is a raging fiesta. Other Mexican food options in the neighborhood include Casa Azul in the former Talde spot on Seventh Ave, and an outpost of the Nacho Macho Taco mini-chain on Fifth Avenue.
Fonda is located at 434 Seventh Avenue between 14th and 15th Streets (718-369-3144; fondarestaurant.com) - Order Now
Doughnut Plant
This NYC doughnut institution (well, since 1994... but the basic recipe is from the 1930s, when chef/owner Mark Israel's grandfather ran a bakery in North Carolina) has been struggling through the COVID era, with several Doughnut Plant shops reopening and then closing down again, but the location right across Flatbush Avenue is hanging in there, and deserves all the support you can give it. Israel's doughnuts, whether in the yeast, filled, or cake families, are creative, dessert-sweet, and still made with love after all these years. Personal favorites include Tres Leches, Peanut Butter and Jam, Creme Brulee, and any of the fun "holiday" ones, but the menu is well worth exploring in full. Order a dozen and be a family hero.
Doughnut Plant is located at 245 Flatbush Avenue at the corner of Bergen Street (201-740-5688; doughnutplant.com) - Order Now
By ordering our favorite meals or branching out to explore new spots with Seamless, New Yorkers can support the institutions that have been there for us throughout the ups and downs of this year. As we continue to celebrate this holiday season, consider supporting a neighborhood business and treat yourself to some delicious food delivered right to your door.
This post is a sponsored collaboration between Seamless and Gothamist staff.
