This post is a full non-sponsored review of Recette Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York.
I’ll be honest, Recette is one of my go-to spots when I’ve missed the reservation window for some of the most buzzing restaurants in Williamsburg.
But sometimes, these are exactly the kinds of places I crave. Somewhere unpretentious yet beautiful, easy to get into, and consistently has good food and service.
Recette Williamsburg is a perfect restaurant for an impressive date night or just to catch up with a friend.
About Recette in Williamsburg
Located at 103 Havemeyer Street, Recette offers diners a cozy French bistro experience featuring an extensive list of rotating cocktails and a menu that highlights French classics.
Recette opened in March 2023 by Igor Drca and Miljan Komnenic – two professional bartenders who crush it in the wine & cocktail scene and have even competed in the world cocktail championships.
They also own Marsanne in Chelsea and The Consulate on the Upper West Side.
Reservations
While Recette is somewhere I can usually get into without a reservation – it can still fill up during peak hours. If you are more than two people and fussy about bartop seating, then it will be best to make one just in case.
You can make reservations through their website or Resy.
Ambiance
The ambiance of Recette will take your breath away. My favorite part of the restaurant is the dimly illuminated bar where the warm glow sets the perfect mood.
The white art nouveau embellished ceiling and the black and white checkered floors are also a beautiful addition to an upscale twist on a traditional French bistro style.
If you love to see the chefs hard at work, sit at the bar top near the back to watch the magic unfold!
With so many restaurants and bars in Williamsburg adopting that cold minimalistic vibe (*cough cough* MISI), it’s so refreshing to dine in an unapologetically eclectic and truly beautiful interior.
If you love this style of interiors, check out Deux Chats bar in Williamsburg.
Cocktails
For a while, my friend and I couldn’t remember the name of Recette and always referred to it as “the restaurant with the really good cocktails”.
They are really exceptional drinks.
And if I’m being honest, the cocktails outshine the food (but I’ll get to that later!)
All of their cocktails are killer. Whatever your heart desires, you can get anything from a matcha mix to pisco! I especially loved the Oui Mademoiselle with vodka, St Germain, sparkling wine, and blackberry puree.
Food
What I really like about Recette’s menu is it’s actually pretty limited and basic. Sometimes, I want plain old steak frites or escargot when I’m really craving French cuisine – no frills!
Entrees
While I have had some of their dishes such as the short rib cavatelli and truffle gnocchi – the steak frites here take the cake! Let’s face it though, I’ll eat anything covered in a peppercorn sauce.
Truthfully, the food at Recette is not exactly out of this world. Don’t get me wrong, it is delicious and consistent – but I wouldn’t ever come here because I’m craving the food. It’s a totally respectable product but for $45 you can get better steak frites like at the iconic Pastis or St Anselm.
Dessert
Craving chocolate lava cake or creme brulee? The dessert here is pretty delicious and the perfect ending to a gorgeous dining experience.
We had the lava cake and a seasonal feature – a mini apple pie!!
Prices
With most entrees ranging $25-45 along with a cocktail and dessert, expect to spend around $72 per person for dinner.
While this is fairly typical for a nice dining experience in Williamsburg, it’s up there in price, with some of the nicest restaurants in the area having a month-long waiting list. And while I’m a huge fan of Recette, I think it’s a touch expensive.
Here, you certainly pay for a stunning ambiance, amazing service, and cocktails that are to die for.
Service
Anytime I have dined at recette, the service is impeccable! The servers are always so knowledgeable on the menu and have the timing down to a science.
What to Wear to Recette Williamsburg
While there’s no strict dress code, Recette in Williamsburg is fairly fancy so you don’t want to feel out of place.
I wore a cute red top with a black skirt from Princess Polly, tights, and my favorite Sezane knock-offs (sofft mary jane’s!!)
Is Recette in Brooklyn Worth Trying Out?
Recette in Williamsburg is absolutely worth going to! While the entrees are not the moment here, everything else shines so brightly like the romantic ambiance, delicious cocktails, and detailed service.
This is an exceptional restaurant for first dates, to gab with your friends without feeling rushed, or a go-to when you don’t have any weekend reservations.
This post was all about Recette Review in Williamsburg Brooklyn.
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