Belleville
Brooklyn, NY 11215-2811
Phone: (718) 832-9777
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- 5th Avenue
- Directions:
- F, M, R at 4th Ave-9th St
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 12pm-10:30pm, Fri 12pm-11:30pm, Sat 10:30am-11:30pm, Sun 10am-10:30pm
Editorial Review for Belleville – by Dana Bowen
The Scene
If Balthazar spawned a small child, it would look like Belleville, with its tin ceilings, tiny-tiled floors, bar back glittering with wine glasses, and enormous distressed mirrors scribbled with plats du jour. Although the environs are tres Francais, the crowd, with its briefcases and baby strollers, couldn't be more Park Slope. Casual, conversation-packed meals unfold easily, despite the shiftless service.
The Food
Bistro menus like Belleville's are the French equivalents of American diners'--they're homey and satisfying, but no one expects flawless food. Rustic dishes, like bracingly fresh fish soup with piquant rouille and rich, prune-stuffed pork terrine, fare better than upscale attempts, including well-cooked citrus shrimp with shaved fennel. Seasonings are intense: The grilled olive-caper-crusted tuna is balanced, but rotisserie organic lamb is studded with fresh garlic and oregano. Fondue, replete with bread cubes and steamed vegetables, is fun to share, but you'll want to horde the ice creams, particularly the creamy pistachio.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkIn keeping with the bistro motif, wines are affordable whether ordered by the glass or the bottle. A spicy $23 bottle of Cahors pairs well with most of the menu.
User Reviews for Belleville
04/23/2008 Posted by mzbrklyn
Hello? Hello? Is there anybody here? We were not greeted, not seated, not even looked at for a good 5 minutes. Service stinks, and the food was mediocre at best. NEVER go back!
Cons: rude service, crappy food,
03/25/2008 Posted by Supesfan11215
This place has gone waaaay downhill in what seems like just 6 months. I’ve been there about 5 times over the past year and the last two times the service was hideous and the food was below average. There are many new members of the wait staff and they're just not being trained properly. I knew something was wrong when my companion and I waited and waited by the door to be acknowledged. The restaurant was not that full and the rush of super cold air blasting in when we opened the door should have been a clue that new customers have arrived. It wasn’t for this staff. The wait for the food was way too long given the early hour. When it arrived we found out why; it had apparently been sitting in the kitchen somewhere. The sauces had slightly congealed on the plate. The food was room temperature and bland. My steak was hidden under a pile of cold onions that have never appeared on my plate in the past. (I’ve had this dish a few times here) The too heavy sauce was obviously meant to conceal the pedestrian nature of the food. The cold fries were mushy and not really edible, but they did cover more then half the plate. It took us a while to shake off the horrible experience, a few beers helped, but we decided that was the last chance they get. It’s simply not worth the costs to risk another horrible meal in what was once an acceptable restaurant. Avoid this place! Don’t live with regret!
Pros: It's Close
Cons: It's Too Close!!!
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