Swoony's
"It seems everywhere is serving the grown-up happy meal—burger ($26) and a martini—right now. At Swoony's, a new Carroll Gardens spot from the Cafe Spaghetti team, I'm not even mad at more of the same. They do it perfectly. And to be clear, the menu has plenty more to it, from a crab louie ($18) and clams casino ($18), to a hanger steak with "cowboy butter" ($33)—there's a retro Americana thing going on here, if you hadn't noticed—but take a look around the humming dining room and you'll see the thousand-island topped double-patty and martini spinoffs are a draw for many guests. But everything just tastes and feels good here, from the inviting glow of the dining room, to the splashes of wine suggested by the expert team. This is in the further end of Carroll Gardens, and thank god—I hope the trek means I won't have to fight with as many people to keep getting a reservation and coming back. (By the way, the burger is very good, but the short rib au poivre is unforgettable.)" - Megan Spurrell
