A Frenchman in Brooklyn – Review of Le Barricou
A Frenchman in Brooklyn – Review of Le Barricou
BY BETH KAISERMAN
Le Barricou
533 Grand Street
East Williamsburg, Brooklyn
718-782-7372
My visit to Paris last summer was short, but what I remember most is obviously the food – especially the incredible pastries. I’ve never eaten so many amazing foods in one weekend. I definitely gained back some of the pounds I had lost living in London, where the only food I managed to fall in love with was fried chicken.
Le Barricou - Image from Le Barricou's website
Tuesday night I took a journey back to that romantic city via Le Barricou, 533 Grand St., in East Williamsburg. According to its web site, the bistro offers southern French dishes.
Everyone was pretty satisfied with their meals, and the portions were right on – with just enough extra to taste each other’s food.
To truly capture that Parisian ambiance I remember so well, I opted for the croque-monsieur, a hot ham and cheese grilled sandwich. It was served with a small heap of salad and a mess of stringy French fries, enough to share with my dining companions. The fresh salad was a nice accompaniment to the heavy, buttery sandwich. The sandwich’s flavors reminded me of Paris, but this one wasn’t grilled enough. One side was barely grilled, and one was still totally soft.
The restaurant offers daily specials, a cheese plate, and a nice wine and cocktail list. I’m enticed to go back for just wine and cheese, and I definitely want to check out brunch. The staff was very friendly and attentive throughout the meal, which definitely makes me want to return.
The darkened room was perfectly relaxing for a casual night out. Though not many things compare to visiting Paris, Le Barricou is the closest thing to a Parisian adventure in my ‘hood – and a fun experience for those who are still dreaming of a journey to Paris.
The dishes range in price from $9 to $24, and the croque-monsieur was a pretty good deal for $9. Note: the restaurant accepts only cash and American Express.
I hope to make it back to Paris someday, but for now this warm Williamsburg eatery will do the trick for a quick French food fix.
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