Family Friendly: the new definition
Park Slope’s newly launched PSBrooklyn turns the term “family friendly” upside down by creating a dining experience that celebrates the grownups just as much as the kiddies. This seamlessly executed concept makes me wonder why no one thought of this before!
The first thing I noticed was that I didn’t notice that I was in a particularly kid-friendly restaurant. I expected to walk into a raucous scene with loud neon walls, cartoon songs blaring and little ones swinging from the rafters. Granted, it was a tame Monday evening and wasn’t at full capacity by any means, but even so, the vibe was energetic yet classically subdued.
The open floor plan and tower-high ceilings give way to an airy flow, balanced nicely by the weight of the 30ft bar. With plasmas inset among rows of top shelf liquor, you might think you were at an upscale sports bar were it not for the vibrant lighting, via the massive chandeliers. And with several high end beers on tap, an impressive wine selection and a list of specialty cocktails, who says you aren’t? The glossy, fire-engine red counter top provides enough pop to excite the senses and might even encourage the young ones to try and snag a seat. Your kids can savor a variety of milk shakes while you indulge your inner child with spiked versions.
The real fun is at the coveted leather booths where mini plasmas replace old diner jukeboxes. No quarters necessary, just grab the remote and keep your kids fully entertained until the food arrives, when they suddenly recall that you’re here for dinner. The kids menu offers an upgrade on the usual staples steamed veggies, fries or apple sauce on the side. Popular selections are grilled cheese, pasta with butter sauce, pigs in a blanket that come sliced like coins and of course, pizza! When their plates are clean send them downstairs to the game room where there’s something for every age group, including skeeball, air hockey and my personal favorite, Ms. Pac Man. A staff member is on duty to supervise Thursday through Sunday so you can take a deep breath and enjoy your meal.
For the adults, a tasty combination of old school and new school with appetizers like warm hand rolled pretzels, fig & baked brie, tuna wasabi sliders and mac and cheese of the day…yes, mac and cheese of the day.
The menu is peppered with classic options that offer familiarity with a bit of a twist. Most notably the burgers, like “The Drake” which comes topped with fried zucchini, walnut basil pesto drizzle and smoked tomato. Yum! They’re served on wooden butcher blocks with all the fixins…points for presentation. The garden burger was a hit as well. Other favorites include the chicken pot pie, wood oven artisanal pizettas and the grilled hanger steak. A smaller but equally enticing brunch menu is offered during weekends.
The winning formula for PSBrooklyn is that there are kid-friendly elements everywhere yet somehow you barely notice them. That was especially appealing to me as a single woman and most likely to the other singles and dining groups sans children. Is it possible to be everything to everyone? Not likely, but this place comes close.
Naturally there will be some initial growing pains but we expect this glorious gastro-pub to work out any minor imperfections with flying colors. So if you feel like treating yourself to a night off the island, PSBrooklyn is worth the effort…and you don’t even have to call a babysitter.
For more info please visit:
http://www.psbklyn.com/
Sabrina Cohen
Community Crave
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