Restaurant/Bar: Moto

Moto
394 Broadway, at Hooper St.
Williamsburg
Mon-Fri, 6pm-1am; Sat, 11am-2am; Sun, 11am-1am
Subway: G at Broadway; J, M at Hewes St.



I always called this "the bicycle restaurant" because there's an old bike frame over the door, but in fact it has nothing to do with bikes and only a little to do with motorcycles and a lot to do with a sepia-toned, atmospheric, Francophile bar with good live music most nights. "Chill" is a word I don't often use, but it generally applies here, not least because it's a bit off the beaten path (albeit right on the subway line.) There's classic French "fare," but it's a great place to go just for some good beer, music and an intimate, low-key hang. NY Mag calls it "Kafkaesque," so make of this what you will. Extra-appealing on a rainy night!

Restaurant: Pies and Thighs

Pies and Thighs
166 South 4th Street (between Bedford Ave & Driggs Ave)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Subway: J,M,Z to Marcy Ave
M-F Breakfast 8-11
Lunch 11-4
Dinner 5-12

Saturday & Sunday
Brunch 10-4
Dinner 5-12


When it opened, Pies and Thighs was just a couple of southern hipsters making fried chicken and pie in this back-street lean-to with a cooler and a hot-plate, attached to a sort of dodgy bar with a square of astro-turf outside. Then they were closed, seemingly forever, and everyone was bereft. And when they reopened, they were in a real space, in a more central location, and were a proper restaurant with a kitchen and crockery the owner/chef's mother threw, and wine from her sister's vineyard, and you can even sit down. The fried chicken and the pie and the biscuits are all still scrummy, as my British friend (who made a meal of mac and cheese, black-eyed peas, collards, and peanut-butter pie, for you veggies out there) said. And if it's less quirky, it's certainly more reliable! (And come in the morning, by the by, for egg sandwiches, fresh donuts and coffee.) It's still cash only, for the moment.

Bar: Hotel Delmano

Hotel Delmano
82 Berry St. nr. N. 9th St.
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Subway: L to Bedford Avenue

There are a lot of sepia-toned bars in Brooklyn, but this one is something special: both beautiful and good. (The Brooklyn Belle is especially delicious, IMO.) They have small bites, too.

Restaurant: Marlow and Sons

*Marlow and Sons
81 Broadway (near the Manhattan Bridge)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Subway: J/M/Z to Marcy Avenue

Marlow and Sons is very locavore and ahead of the Brooklyn-food curve, but it's also cozy and cool and really fun. Come for breakfast for great coffee and muffins, or for slice of pound cake later in the day, or for lunch, or treat it as a wine bar and have potato fritatta. Or order something amazing off the ever-changing blackboard menu. It's not too hipsterish, either! Oh, and they have this adorable little faux-English grocery store in the front.

Restaurant/Bar: Fette Sau

Fette Sau
354 Metropolitan Ave
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Subway: L to Beford; L,G to Metropolitan-Lorimer


Fette Sau's BBQ is only good, but the atmosphere is great. I recommend coming early to check out their excellent Bourbon selection. A good place for friends, especially in warm weather when more tables are available.

Restaurant: Egg

Egg
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
135 North 5th Street, Brooklyn
Subway: L to Beford Avenue


Egg is some of the best breakfast in New York. It's southern-style - think biscuits and gravy (including a veggie version!), country ham, and at lunch, pimento cheese - but everything's locally-sourced and the atmosphere is pure Williamsburg. Long lines on weekends after noon or so.