"We know a few Greenpointers who talk about Amber Steakhouse more fondly than they do their grandparents. The porterhouse for two makes for a sizzling spectacle when it arrives on the table. And the enormous slab of bacon—which is an inch and a half thick and looks like it’d be of interest to whoever curates the Jurassic section at the Museum of Natural History—is delicious. So is the rich chocolate mousse cake. But don’t make a pilgrimage from Harlem or Hoboken expecting one of the greatest steaks of your life. The porterhouse is ultimately underseasoned and unmemorable. That won’t necessarily stop you from having a lovely evening here. You’re in for a charming neighborhood steakhouse experience in the crimson-and-gold, very early-2000s dining room. The very early-2000s sweet, fruity “martini” section on the drinks menu is equally endearing. Other draws include an unexpected soundtrack of deep house music, warm and attentive service from waiters in black vests and ties, and a portrait of Polish war hero Tadeusz Kościuszko—just in case you forgot who that bridge over there was named for. Plus, you can almost always get a table, so North Brooklynites should keep Amber in mind for last-minute special occasions, the kinds that call for immediate, impromptu porterhouses. Amber will do the trick. Food Rundown photo credit: Molly Fitzpatrick Porterhouse For Two At 48 ounces, this is a big piece of meat. We wish it were seasoned accordingly. photo credit: Molly Fitzpatrick Grilled Bacon Juicy, smoky, and—most importantly—gigantic. photo credit: Molly Fitzpatrick Shrimp Cocktail The shrimp cocktail at Amber tastes exactly like almost every other shrimp cocktail we’ve ever had, at almost every other steakhouse we’ve ever visited. Which is to say: good job, no notes. photo credit: Molly Fitzpatrick Chocolate Mousse Cake If it’s too rich for you to finish in one sitting, we can attest that a slice of this cake makes great leftovers. Plan on stealing spoonfuls from your fridge between Zoom meetings tomorrow." - Molly Fitzpatrick
