"Though Little Walter’s hasn’t been on the scene for long, chef Michael Brenfleck’s East Kensington stunner is already establishing itself as a destination restaurant for Polish American fare. An order of the surówka, a trio of pickled and raw vegetable salads, should be standard for every table — it’s an excellent contrast with the unskippable sourdough rye bread (made even more over-the-top with pork fat spread and dill butter). The delicate pierogies deserve all the buzz they’ve generated (including a 2024 Eater Award); the potato and farmer cheese ruske are the standard-bearers, but other fillings change regularly, including a recent version overflowing with wild mushrooms. Hearty fare like sausages and schnitzel-like chicken cutlets are well-executed, but the kitchen also has a way with lighter, more intricate dishes like the smoked fish wedzona reba, made with whitefish and shrimp “kielbasa”. Service is calm and cozy, and cocktails feature Eastern European touches like caraway and Polish bitters; the pickle juice martini is a winner." - Emma Orlow