The Brooklyn Hit List: The Best New Restaurants In Brooklyn - New York - The Infatuation

"Velvet curtains, leather booths, framed Mets memorabilia and the intense need for a martini slap you in the face as you walk into JR & Son in Williamsburg. It could all feel gimmicky, until you realize most of the decor dates back to the restaurant’s dive bar days in the 1970s. Before that it was an Italian social club, and now it’s in its third life, under the Kellogg’s Diner team. The food plays second fiddle to the space, but it puts on a very fun show. Think chicken parm smothered in a calabrian chili-spiked tomato sauce, and a rainbow cookie layer cake with a heavy sprinkle of Maldon salt. Dessert is the superior nightcap here, though if you are interested in a liquid nightcap (or three), it’s worth noting this place is open until 2am." - will hartman, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, sonal shah