I feel like a lot of people living in Manhattan (typically recent college grads who didn't grow up here) sort of have this provincial mindset that trekking out to the other boroughs is too time-consuming and not worth the trouble. And, yes, I know, I am totally guilty of that as well, and I think even commuting from midtown west to the upper east side is this huge ordeal.
But really, Brooklyn and Queens aren't all that far. If you just take the L train from Union Square, in about four stops you'll find yourself at Lorimer St., which drops you off right in front of a Williamsburg restaurant called DuMont. DuMont is this awesome restaurant with a great, chill vibe that serves simple and scrumptious American classics like burgers and mac 'n cheese. The interior of the restaurant is very unassuming and no-frills, so this place is perfect for those times when you just want to relax and grab a bite to eat somewhere without dressing up and all that other fuss.
But really, Brooklyn and Queens aren't all that far. If you just take the L train from Union Square, in about four stops you'll find yourself at Lorimer St., which drops you off right in front of a Williamsburg restaurant called DuMont. DuMont is this awesome restaurant with a great, chill vibe that serves simple and scrumptious American classics like burgers and mac 'n cheese. The interior of the restaurant is very unassuming and no-frills, so this place is perfect for those times when you just want to relax and grab a bite to eat somewhere without dressing up and all that other fuss.
When the weather's nice, which it was when I went, you can eat in the lovely garden area out back. It almost feels like you're at a lodge in the Catskills somewhere; it sort of reminded me of Freeman's in the LES, except not as expensive.
The crowd is made up of a lot of Williamsburg hipsters, so if you're not into the whole alternative, American Apparel-wearing crowd, then you'll feel out of place here. I personally like venturing into Williamsburg; it's refreshing not to be surrounded by very slick, polished people wearing Theory and Ferragamo.
Popular dishes to order include the DuMont burger and the Dumac & Cheese...but I had already eaten this 1,000 calorie Fat Burger and fries in Jersey this past week, so I totally wanted the burger but knew it was a bad idea and declined. I opted for the skate instead, which I thought was just a normal fish but later learned that it was like a stingray looking thing!, and ordered the crab cake as an appetizer. My boyfriend ordered the skirt steak and the potato leek soup. The two hipster girls next to us shared a burger and fries and it looked sooo delicious; so funny that they ordered something healthy like their salad to make themselves feel better about the burger.
The skate was really really delicious--who knew a stingray-like fish could be so good?? I mean, was I even eating meat or like fish cartilage?? Whatever it was, it was this thin, golden, crispy ridged filet wrapped around a fabulous mound of perfect, creamy mashed potatoes like a glorious peel. My boyfriend's skirt steak was also tender and fabulous; it was served with a side of spinach, perfectly cooked medium rare. I wasn't really a big fan of the crab cakes; there was all this avocado and cilantro that got in the way of the cake, I usually just like crab cakes in a more pure form served with cream sauce. I think my boyfriend's soup was ok but nothing as fabulous as the skate and skirt steak!
If I can manage to avoid weekend staffings and find time to trek to Brooklyn again, I would definitely pay DuMont a second visit. And why wouldn't you, when there's so much to do in the surrounding area! On that day, I went to the Artists and Fleas Indoor Market on 129 N. 6th St. (betwn Bedford and Berry) and bought gold hoop earrings that many people complimented, browsed through some vintage clothes at Amarcord (223 Bedford Ave.) and looked at cool faux bois decor at Pema (225 Bedford Ave.)
We also checked out Fujiya & Miyagi, Project Jenny, Project Jan (very funny rap/rock duo, puts Britney to shame!) and Dirty on Purpose at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, an awesome music venue with a great basement bar at 66 North St. You can have it all--food and fun without the attitude, so stop acting like Brooklyn is miles away and just get on the train already!!
(Pictures of DuMont courtesy of dumontrestaurant.com).
DuMont
432 Union Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11206
718-486-7717
(Union Ave. and Metropolitan Ave., right off the L stop at Lorimer)
Rating (out of 5 stars):***
Style: American
Prices: $7-$24
Summary: Go here for if you're in the mood for reliable yet refined American food in a low-key, chill hipster restaurant setting.
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