I am, and always will be, a birthday person. I love my birthday, I love my friend’s birthdays, I love my family’s birthdays. Everyone deserves a day where they feel special and celebrated and get a delicious cake. I know that isn’t everyones MO but it is my personal belief. It should be no surprise then, that I take a great amount of consideration planning my own birthday, and love when I am handed the job of doing so for my friends, or contributing in some way. In the final week of being 23, I thought it was only right for this newsletter’s theme to be birthday dinner, but the serious kind.
The counterpart to birthday dinner (serious) is birthday dinner (silly). Maybe serious is with family, and silly is with friends. Maybe you want something upscale and special (serious), or something relaxed and easy (silly). Maybe, you want to extend your birthday for as long as possible and include both.
The following are slightly more serious locations for a truly special meal. These are suggestions for the kind of birthday where planning ahead and inviting a small, more intimate group sounds like the way you want to celebrate. I think birthdays are best celebrated doing whatever makes you happy—so if you are like me and want to have a special meal with your family, this is what I would suggest. Honestly, I think any of the restaurants noted on right on Franklin thus far would be a great fit for the occasion, but these specifically scream BIRTHDAY to me.
Hart’s
At long last—the namesake of the newsletter <3 When I was trying to pin down what to name this newsletter, my very clever father asked about my favorite restaurants. The first that came to mind was Hart’s, the cutest, sweetest, most delicious little corner of Franklin Ave in Brooklyn. He suggested the newsletter be named “right on Franklin,” an ode to Hart’s, which also pays homage to my grandfather’s middle names, Hart being my middle name and that of my maternal grandfather, Frank Hart Rich, and Franklin being the middle name of my paternal grandfather, Robert Franklyn Weiss. Two of my favorite people in the world whom I miss dearly.
Now that you’re caught up on the background of the newsletter, let’s get down to it. Hart’s is the romantic, homey sister to equally incredible restaurants The Fly and Cervo’s. It is a small space with a handful of tables, about four (?) stools at a very sleek bar, and a beautiful ambience that feels like a true escape from the noisy corner it resides on. In the warm weather they have sidewalk seating that is perfect for cold wine and fresh fish (their sidewalk setup was also the inspiration for the drawing on my banner photo!)
Hart’s always feels special, in part because I only go on noteworthy occasions (birthdays, family in town, a special pop up), but also because no matter who you’re sitting across from, you can’t help but feel wined and dined. One of the best parts about Hart’s is the killer pop-ups and limited dinners they host. I try my best to get a reservation whenever someone makes a guest appearance in their kitchen, and their seasonal prix-fixe menus are absolutely not to be missed. For a birthday celebration with a few loved ones, this is always the first place that comes to mind.
The menu changes seasonally, but there are a few things you just can’t skip. Olives and clam toast with pancetta are must orders, the grilled cabbage they have on right now is heavenly, as is the citrus salad with saffron and green peppercorns, and the steelhead trout with beets, yogurt, and pistachio pesto. You can not go wrong with any of the larger plates, and their lamb burger is notorious among the meat-eaters I have dined with there. The fresh ricotta is amazing, their salads are perfectly balanced, and the focus on fish, seasonal produce, and composing a mediterranean inspired menu while still being original and exciting are among their greatest feats. Hart’s has also perfected a wine list with just enough funk to appease the natural wine drinkers of Brooklyn, while not limiting themselves to a specific palate.
This is a restaurant that is worth following on Instagram, you do not want to miss their special events, or their drool-worthy food photography. Their summer solstice dinner was one of the best meals of my life, though I am always a very happy camper whenever I am able to dine here. I am going to feature more photos of Hart’s along with some of their special menus on the right on Franklin instagram!!
*Reservations open four weeks out—plan ahead if you have your heart set on a certain time, especially weekends!*
Place des Fêtes
As featured just the other week in a round up of the best dessert spots in Brooklyn, Place des Fêtes is deserving of all its accolades.
The Oxalis team’s wine bar in Clinton Hill is a neighborhood spot that can’t be beat. Walking into pdf, you are guaranteed to be greeted by a smiling staff, a full bar, and a busy dining room. The service here is some of the best I have experienced in all of New York, and you will be carefully guided through the menu and sprawling wine list. During one of my first visits, a wonderful server, Allie, recommended a glass to me that was the best I have ever had. There is a photo of the label in my camera roll, maybe it will find its way to my Instagram. Be prepared for a few glasses of wine and, with small plates perfect for sharing, and a little something for everyone, there is no reason not to order the whole menu. As mentioned last week, leave room for dessert, especially the choux craquelin!
In terms of ordering, naturally the menu changes and I don’t have the space to hit all of the plates I have had the pleasure of enjoying at pdf, so here are the highlights.
Sardine toast with smoked butter and kosho is a must, the bang’s island mussels are draped in beautiful sauces and can’t be missed. The salads here are some of my all time favorites, and always have the appropriate amount of cheese on them—think citrusy chicories with a healthy shaving of aged cheese. Crispy maitake mushrooms with black garlic fudge are unlike any dish I have ever had, the cabbage, chard, tomato toast, and any other special vegetable dish will be perfect. The pastas are amazing, order whatever large fish dishes they’re offering, and if they have the knödel, order two.
I frequent pdf, and go as often as my wallet can handle. It is the first place I recommend for special date nights, birthday dinners, or just needing to treat yourself. Their pop-ups are incredible, the feast of the seven fishes on Christmas was remarkable, and I can not overstate how well you will be treated here. The staff is so kind and will ensure you have a perfect meal.
*Reservations open four weeks out—plan ahead for a weekend reservation!*
Raf’s
Raf’s is a new addition to my personal dining repertoire and the New York scene as a whole, opening about a year ago on Elizabeth Street. Disclaimer! I have only eaten here once, whereas the prior two recs are spots I frequently visit. I can not speak to the whole menu, but I can attest to a fabulous meal and a place I have been eager to return to. Raf’s is one of those Noho spots that is a little sceney and knows it—a seemingly traditional Italian dining room is filled with white table cloths and custom plates. The wood and marble bar is the first thing you’ll notice when you walk in, a timelessly chic addition to the restaurant’s interior. My dinner here was really good, and Raf’s is just the right spot for wanting to dress up and have a cute night out downtown among the hip and happening. If you need a great night out with your closest friends to celebrate your birthday, Raf’s is a great contender.
This is top three best bread baskets in New York. The bakery at Raf’s is doing something really, very right. Their desserts are incredible and I cant’t wait to have a chance to go during the day to experience the full bakery set-up. Is this the best dinner in New York? No. But!!! It is special and classy and fun and great for a standout evening.
To order, start with the selection of daily breads with beurre de baratte and olive oil. I wish we had gotten the fresh ricotta with italian long hot peppers. Pictured below is the tardivo with citrus, pistachio, and ricotta salata—it was really fantastic. We also got the leeks vinaigrette with stracciatella and hazelnuts, maybe my favorite leeks vinaigrette other than Bar Bête, and a realllyyy good mafaldine situation (the superior pasta shape). Next time, I would certainly try another pasta, the whole dorade, and I have heard great things about the meat mains. We also got the caramelized white chocolate budino which was stunning and light, rich and fluffy—I still think about it.
*Reservations open two weeks in advance, but you don’t need to wake up at 6am to get a spot.*
Here’s where I reallyyyy want to go right now!
It means the world when you all share the newsletter, and especially hearing that you are hitting the spots I have recommended. Thank you, as always, for reading! See you next week, xo
I took my parents here for dinner during their visit and we loved it! My mom said: “What a great recommendation, loved everything about it and would come back daily!” I’d have to agree, the ambiance, the food, and the staff were just perfect. Everything was so fresh and creative:) the seafood dishes are superb
I'd read about The Feast of the Seven Fishes (like what could that even mean !?!) and all other pop-ups you've been to for hoursssss.. just something I feel like people (myself included) generally do not go to and would be intriguing to read about !!