Buttermilk Channel

Doesn't Recommend

mmbrowne

Joined 4 years ago

Don't do it...plenty of better places. First, had to wait for 1 1/2 hours for a table; OK, some would say, that's because it's a place in high demand. Yes, indeed. After NYTimes and New Yorker reviews, this place is packed. Overheard one women upon exiting saying, "Recession? What recession?" to give you an idea. However, the food is mediocre at best. But, worst of all is the fact that this place takes you to the cleaners with no consideration or class. During my 1.5 hr wait, I ordered a glass of Riesling: $9 on the wine list, and was charged $10; I gave $1 tip, as is customary and assumed I read the price incorrectly; after checking it, it was clear it was $9. I then ordered the chardonnay (from a different bartender and inquired about the price of the riesling; she confirmed it was $9) But, my $8 listed chardonnay was now $9 to her hand! Oh, "because of tax", she said!?! Go figure! The $9 glass of Riesling has 11% tax; the $8 Chardonnay has 12.5% tax; Hmmmm, sounds like a scam to me! And, when the owner (Doug) was asked about this, he, too, said, "9, even?"; "10, even?" "That's not right!" And, claimed it was an issue of "the computer"!!! Then, he was whisked away by some friend or other. After we gathered our coats he came back asking if we wanted the two dollars back, etc. I simply said, no, but you should check your people; he then went on a tangent about how he has to pay taxes for wine, beer, liquor, etc. And when we insisted that there were no bars that we frequented that required us to pay tax on a beverage listed on the menu, he proceeded to tell us he was "through with this discussion"; that we should "get out", etc. Never, in all of my dealings with restaurants around the world have I been so rudely treated by an owner! Again, don't even venture down there. Plenty of better places in more accessible areas of Brooklyn. Boycott this place. He deserves to go under. BTW..I only give it ONE STAR...because I have to give some sort of rating; if I could, it would have ZERO STARS.

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kellyogrady

Joined 5 years ago

Very good except if you're vegetartian.... Vegetarians look elsewhere - even their separate vegetarian menu, which is impressive to see, does not have anything very tasty on it. It all sounds good, but alas the 3 out of the 4 dishes I've tried - not so much.

I even contacted the owner to see if something could be done about this and I just got a quick "Thanks for you recommendation" e-mail.

Nice to have a swank restaurant in the hood however - great ambiance.

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Josh Ozersky

Joined 5 years ago

Editorial Review by Josh Ozersky. Carroll Gardens was the obvious landing place for a couple of classically trained young chefs who wanted to open their own American restaurant. But make no mistake: There's nothing funky about Buttermilk Channel, which owes a lot more to high-end seasonal models like Craft or Gramercy Tavern than it does to the ramshackle joints usually hailed as exemplars of the "new” Brooklyn cuisine. The room is tastefully appointed in the beige-bistro style and the service is prompt and professional. But the main thing here is the food: lovingly sourced, carefully executed comfort food with little in the way of modernistic flourishes. Everything is good, but the fried chicken is the real standout.