Olmsted Reviews

4.5

41 of 7,064 Restaurants in Brooklyn


Reviews

Very good, seasonal fare...just note the menu before heading there.

By theoperadiva |

Had a very nice meal at Olmsted. Nice quality, seasonal ingredients, thoughtfully prepared and presented. Interesting cocktails that also were clearly seasonally inspired. I don't know if we hit them at an odd time, but we had a hard time choosing the right combination of dishes. Not a hard time because there were too many choice, but because there weren't enough that were totally of interest. The main meats on offer were a yakitori platter (3 skewers for $24 was a hefty price tag) and a cold pastrami platter (which appealed less upon arrival at the table next to us than that even sounds on paper - the whole point of pastrami is the luxurious fattiness in a warm, oozy sandwich. Cold pastrami is like a day without sunshine). We were instructed to order 2 small, 2 medium, 2 large dishes. It was at least 1 large too many, particularly because at least 4 of the dishes were served with crackers, bread or some other bread like component, which were nice but very filling. Liked the duck mousse and the snap pea sushi, the bluecrab dip was very taste. The carrot crepe was very pretty and a surprisingly interesting plate. The two mains we had did not blow us away. Scallops were a sadly humdrum affair with a very odd presentation. For $23, I expected better. One scallop was about 2/3 of the scallop in one piece, and the other was two poorly cut pieces. Not even 2 scallops and maybe 2 pieces of mushroom in a broth. For all the talk about making this an affordable neighborhood option, we felt a little cheated on that one. The english pea falafel was served with a wonderful labneh, but I'd take Taim over this any day at 1/3 of the price. We also agonized a bit over even ordering something like this here, but frankly, the other options on offer just didn't appeal. We expected more. So, that said, we will definitely consider another go at Olmsted in the future, when their seasonal menu is more in line with our expectations. It's a very nice place where they clearly take great care with their food and the service. We look forward to a time when the menu has better main options on offer!

Meets all expectations

By stemcell |

Inventive and delicious food at reasonable prices in a very nice ambiance with a welcoming staff. Limited but unusual wine listing that also avoids excessive prices. The Long Island Duck prepared two ways, roasted and confit, was memorable and so affordable for $24. Our group also shared the Lamb Chakna, Rutabaga Tagliatelle, Grilled Scallops and Berkshire Pork entrees and each was a notable success. Even more impressive to me was the staff serving the dishes in succession so that our foursome could share and savor each one at a time until it was all over. Leave room for desserts which are not neglected here. Definitely recommend the spice plum cake with cheesecake ice cream which we split four ways..

Great Spot for a Group

By ElJeffeMiami |

Our party of 6 arrived on a Saturday night to a full house. We were immediately seated at a round table and proceeded to order just about everything on this eclectic menu designed for a tapas approach. There were mostly winners in the form of all of the spaetzel and schnitzel dishes, Raghu, etc. The liver pate was outstanding. while scallops were too spicy for my taste and the lobster thermador was too salty. The service was upbeat, friendly and helpful. The wine list was extensive and all moderately priced. Dessert of chocolate mousse was among the winners. If you have a great kitchen and quality staff you can set it down between a laundry and a takeout store on an out of the way street in Brooklyn and they will come.

Good Twist on Modern Food!

By epwater |

I went here recently with a friend for dinner. It was great! They have a lot of plants placed along the wall which makes for nice decor. Excellent food and casual dining experience.

Best organic restaurant

By Fantail79 |

Wow what an experience. Cool restaurant in Brooklyn. Booking a must. Great vibe. Out the back amazing courtyard and herb and vegetable garden for chilling out for pre drinks or just for drinks. The server tends the garden during the afternoon so is a wealth of knowledge. Amazing food cooked to perfection. Simple menu, every dish is a talking point presented very well which I guess gets changed regularly based on available produce. Great meats, seafood, veggies and salads. Perfect for sharing meals. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

This place was a culinary treat

By Reignbow |

Everything at this place screamed service. The food was spectacular. The flavours were soooo good. I normally eat so quickly.. But took my time because it was a party in my mouth. And I did leave room for dessert because the person next to me was having it.. Simply heavenly.. A great experience all around.

MVP

By Jimmy M |

Olmsted is the MVP of restaurants in New York. Chef Baxtrom, who trained under two of the most highly regarded names in the business, serves up some of the most flavorful, creative food I've ever enjoyed, regardless of price point. But his ability to do this without having a single item on the menu above 24 dollars is simply remarkable. Furthermore, the lack of high priced options and pretentiousness makes Olmsted extremely comfortable for a relaxed meal any day of the week. Three of their dishes from my most recent experience at Olmsted stand out: delicious squash rings served on an actual tree - of sorts; extremely basic crab rangoon, with a very simply but equisite spin, served humbly, and for fun in a Chinese take-out container no less; and the most delicious duck dish - served two ways, both incredible - that I've ever encountered in my life. Beyond this, the service is superb, stacked with serious foodies who will happily offer their honest opinions. The drink menu is outstanding, with simply labeled cocktails disguising brilliant subtlety. And the atmosphere is as good as it gets, feeling like you're eating in the chef's garden; and that's before you go out into the actual back garden of the restaurant, where you can roast smores, keeping warm under blankets on a cold winter's night. Olmsted is simply amazing, and easily one of my 3 favorite restaurants in the world.

Amazing, cozy dinner spot!

By Ryan S |

Truly an amazing experience. Our server Linda was incredibly warm and attentive, and recommended my date and I order two of each course (snacks, appetizers, mains). EVERYTHING we ordered was a highlight. I especially loved the fried squash rings (I won't spoil the presentation, but trust me that when they hit the table you will be impressed). I also had two cocktails that were both fantastic. The atmosphere was really classy without being stuffy, and we noticed a really cozy outdoor patio area in the back. Highly recommend a visit, no matter which borough you're in!

Interesting, but not for New Years Eve

By markwY4783QE |

Most good restaurants I have been to on New Years Eve do not achieve their usual experience. Unfortunately, Olmsted joined that cohort this 12/31/17 New Years Eve. We arrived a few minutes early for our 8:30 pm reservation and were ushered to the outdoor garden. We were there in 10 degree F. weather for almost 1/2 hour. The heaters, blankets and warm cider did not help. We were all shivering for a long time after we were finally seated. It is doubtful that the finest imaginable meal could have rescued the situation and certainly the $500 tab with only one person taking the wine pairing with the fixed menu did not. There are ways for restaurants to deal with these sorts of difficulties but Olmsted was unable or unwilling to put itself in its customers shoes and step up to mitigate the situation.

Best of Brooklyn

By JBentraveler |

We heard from a very good travel writer that while in Brooklyn we needed to experience this restaurant. So we took her there to see for ourselves. We started with Rosemary cocktails and beers in order to catch up. We ordered the Duxbury oysters, the squash rings, and lobster thermidor. The rings and oysters were better and quite unique. For our second, we shared the lamb chakra and the carrot crepe. Both were very good and like the entire meal; different than anything we ever had. For entrees, we ordered the trout, duck and rutabaga. All three were excellent! For desert, we stepped outside for the s’mores and yogurt. Sitting outside roasting s’mores, eating the honey yogurt, drinking hot toddy and talking was priceless. Olmsted is a one of a kind restaurant. It is not elegant or fancy, but delivers unique, quality and delicious meals! The portions are not large, and 9 selections plus deserts were just right for the 3 of us. For a great meal, relaxing atmosphere and exceptional experience, it is a must visit.

At last--perfection without pretension

By JeannieChiliBeanie |

Concept matches cuisine matches ambience I brought two clients with me--sophisticated and well traveled colleagues from Berlin. I felt as if this showed American cuisine at its pioneering best. The location, the fresh ingredients, the perfectly executed imaginative menu, the warmly efficient service. It sang. It was meant to be and it cast me in a positive light. And the prices made me look smart.

Very good. Very original.

By Resthelp |

We really enjoyed our meal here. The place was cosy and informal. The food, was well presented, tasty as hell and without pretence. Thanks!!!

Worthwhile Splurge

By Diver Dan |

Casual vibe but serious food. Tasting menu starts in the garden and moves to your table. $150. Hard to believe how food with such flavor comes out of the microscopic open kitchen. We enjoyed every dish, but not for picky eaters, as no menu choice.

Unique and delicious

By Chi_travel |

One of the best dinners I’ve had in a while. Each dish was unique and incredibly flavorful. The staff was really helpful in making sure we had a well rounded dinner and provided great suggestions for wine pairings. They were also just fun people! The space, and especially the back patio, is lovely. This is worth the trip to Brooklyn.

As Good As The Hype

By Victor S |

The owners all come from top tier restaurants but have created a very casual, though highly professional environment. Food is brilliant, creative but not silly. The snacks can be passed over as the least interesting but then each course gets increasingly interesting and delicious. The rutabaga pasta should not be missed. The lamb and the hen were fabulous. Interesting winelist that could use some more half-bottle options.

Great Sunday Brunch and on a nice day go o the back deck

By Kenneth Pages |

We met our friends and Brooklynites Lauren and Adam for brunch here and were not disappointed. The place is very cute and the service was excellent. You truly can order every item on the menu to share amongst the group. I highly recommend Olmsted!

Came back for their 9 year anniversary, and Olmsted is still bringing it strong

By GrandTour824338 |

Dined here last week and it was absolutely. The restaurant was buzzing with energy without being loud or difficult to speak. The atmosphere was inviting. They’re currently celebrating their 9 year anniversary, and I learned they’ve brought back their greatest hits from 9 years of service. They also have pre-pandemic pricing for all their items on the menu, which makes the dishes here an absolute steal. I had a fantastic chicken liver mousse with pickled strawberries; it was light and airy with a tinge of salinity brought on by the berries. It comes served with toast points, and extra ones were brought to us without having to request it, which was a fantastic touch of service. We also had a cauliflower okonomiyaki with hazelnuts and a yuzu mayo. This is from their other past concept Maison Yaki. My wife is not a sauce person and she absolutely loved this. The Wagyu beef tartare with English peas, and morel mushrooms is really worth a try, it comes with this huge buckwheat cracker that makes the dish as appealing as it is delicious. Alex was our server that evening and he was so knowledgeable and pleasant and I’m so very glad he took such good care of us. Kevin, the bartender made some excellent suggestions for us and I tried the Snap Pea cocktail and the Carrot cocktail, which I highly recommend. We finished the evening with some s’mores out in the garden and what a fantastic way to end the night. We’ll definitely be back again.

Farm-to-Genius cooking

By D321 |

This place has been getting great reviews and it deserves it. Small place with something like 48 seats. Reservations are hard to get but it's worth the wait. The menu is incredibly inventive without going over the deep end. Our party of four shared almost every dish, so we ended up ordering about half the menu, and it was all great. Service was attentive and friendly, with good guidance when we wanted it. Prices were actually reasonable given the quality of the cuisine. I'd definitely go back!

Good flavors but overhyped and overpriced

By Lisa G |

It's ok. A bit overrated. Decent food, creative but not that creative to justify the price. service was excellent. Still...prices too high and portions too small and music and talking too loud. We got the carrot crepes (pretty good but tiny) and trout (really good but needed microsocooe to see it) and the scallops. Decent but not worth paying $15-$20 for 3 bites. They are very creative dishes, I will give them that. Creative is one thing. And "delicious to die for" is another. They get the first but not the latter.

Good Brunch

By Kelly D |

We were here for brunch, and it was really tasty. Though we had reservations we were seated at the bar (I expected a table, but it seems tables are for groups of 4 or more). Ordered 3 dishes for the two of us, and everything was amazing. Service was also attentive without being noisy. Had one of the brunch cocktails, which was also really good.

Yummy food, great staff, amazing vibes

By Azemina H |

Can’t rave enough about this place, girls night, date night, bring your parents or friends from out of town, 10/10 vibes

Good in every way.

By Paola J |

Today was our first time at this restaurant. My husband and I walked in by chance and found it to be a gem! I can't believe how authentic they are. Thank you so much for everything. The food was incredible, as was the service and atmosphere. We will definitely be back.

What Happened?

By 577susanjanes |

I am so confused about what has happened to this once lovely restaurant. We were confined to the noisy main dining room - the chilly weather was not the restaurant's fault, but the tinny Motown music was. The restaurant has unaccountably done away with the tasting menu that made it special, and instead has fairly humdrum choices. My scallops were served with a much too salty sauce. You can no longer adore champagne. The wine, while very nice, was almost tepid in temperature. Dinner was served with vintage cutlery designed for dessert. I mean, why? The only thing that remains the same is the quality of the dining room staff, so a shout out to Corbin, the manager, and our waitress, who I believe is called Sofia. If you're looking for a special experience in Brooklyn, it will no longer be here.

Great food but solo diner overlooked

By JoKGo |

As a solo diner, I often easily get a single seat at restaurants with difficult to get reservations. So I was quite excited to get a table here after reading the reviews. I must say the food was wonderful and the ambiance, especially outside in the garden, where you can have your dessert, is magical. My favorites dishes were the carrot crepe with little neck clams and scallops. But as fabulous as the food was, my mood was spoiled by the lousy service I received. One of the items I ordered was overlooked. I was talking to another solo diner, who is a regular and was raving about this restaurant. Even he was alarmed at the service that I received and kindly asked for the whereabouts of my dish (I really wanted the lobster, but had to wait another 15 mins as they had not keyed in the order). My order for a coffee after my dinner was forgotten. I noticed everyone receiving little sweets with their bill, which, of course, I didn't get. A really sad ending to an otherwise good meal.

You had me at S'mores!

By Naureen Chhipa |

You had me at "S'mores" --Talk about nostalgia! Ok, let's start from the beginning! From the moment we arrived at Olmsted, we knew we would be in good hands. The railroad-style intimate restaurant boasts a lively ambiance in a yet intimate setting. We were seated right in front of the action, where the modest yet mighty kitchen quickly sent out some of the tastiest, innovative, and well-crafted dishes, along with refreshing cocktails to match. We got to meet the chef/owner, who was on site himself, bringing his creations to life along with his team of chefs -- it reminded me a bit of the show "The Bear," which, if you haven't yet seen, is worth checking out! For cocktails, we had the Snap Pee—a gin-based drink that was creamy, velvety, and refreshing, making it the perfect summer drink to indulge in on a hot summer day. We had the Rhubarb — a vodka and bourbon fusion cocktail, and the Carrot — a mezcal, carrot, and lime blend — that prepared us for the dishes to come. All the cocktails were delicious and refreshing, so you can't go wrong here! They also have a fantastic wine menu. I loved how the food menu was divided into three sections: Snacks, Appetizers, and Mains. We tried a few dishes from each section. For snacks, we had Sourdough Bread accompanied by a green garlic hollandaise sauce. The sauce was rich and creamy, with tangy flavors that lingered in your taste buds —my favorite! We also tried the Chicken Liver Mousse, which, to my surprise, came with a side of pickled green strawberries. I had never had pickled strawberries before, so this was an unexpected and surprising treat! The strawberries tasted like pickles, and the mousse was light and airy. The combo provided just enough acidity and balance to the dish. From the appetizer section, we had the Kale and Crab Rangoon and the Summer Squash Som Tom. Both appetizers were delicious in very different ways. The Kale and Crab Rangoon was crunchy yet fluffy, and the crab melted in your mouth in a dream-like, savory way, while the Summer Squash Som Tom felt very light and refreshing, featuring shaved zucchini, herbs, and a fantastic Thai vinaigrette. The Cauliflower Okonomiyaki is also worth a try! The warm dish reminded me of the Spanish tortas my mother used to make on Sunday mornings. We had an amazing dinner, but my favorite part was dessert! We opted for the S'mores, and to our surprise, we were led to a lovely patio area at the back of the restaurant, where we sat alfresco with a mini roasting pit, a bar of Hershey's chocolate, and marshmallows. The setting was the perfect way to end our Brooklyn adventures as we DIY'ed our S'mores under a canopy of Brooklyn stars.

The best of Brooklyn!

By Doug H |

Olmstead might just be Brooklyn's best restaurant... REALLY!!! Why you ask? Unique ambiance, excellent food and great service!!! Is there anything else you are looking for in a great restaurant??? If you want the full experience, head to Olmsted when the sun goes down, have drinks/appetizers in the back garden enjoying the twinkle lights, the night sky and watching the ingredients you are about to enjoy growing in raised beds and the greenhouse... Let's face it, the garden is a magical place!!! Then, if you get a bit chilly at night, be sure you bring enough of your friends to book the private dining room... what an awesome place for a festive meal surrounded by the people you enjoy the most!!! While many private dining rooms with high ceilings and large tables seem formal or cold... This on feels warm and intimate!!! I Love this place!!!! Now to the food... Everything (and I mean everything) my group ate at Olmsted got a unanimous thumbs up. The meats were perfectly cooked, the vegetables and alternative (animal based) protein dishes served to the vegan members of our group were flavorful and, when it came to dessert, the chef knocked our socks off! I want their frozen yogurt recipe and I want it now!!!! There were 16 of us at dinner and we spent a good part of the last half hour trying to figure out the ingredients they used to make such a subtle, nuanced and deliciously refreshing dessert. Both of my hands agree... "Two Thumbs Up" for Olmsed from appetizers, to ambiance, to the main course, to dessert!!!!

Lucky to get a table

By Sue W |

I was in Brooklyn with 2 of my daughters and we tried making a reservation here but there wasn't anything available. We happened to be walking past and decided to check and see if they had any tables for walk-ins, it was our lucky night, we were seated immediately! The highlights of our meal(s) were the crab rangoon and Lavendar Honey frozen yogurt. Delicious! Service was very professional, prompt, courteous.

Spectacular

By jdnmjn |

This restaurant is in the hands of people who know what they're doing. I can't think of another spot that I can say is almost perfect: from the choice of tableware, serving dishes, presentation, freshness, quality, inventiveness without being precious to the charming and relaxed but spot on service, each component is chosen with care and executed with precision. Crazy good.

Gem in Brooklyn

By MH0202 |

Wow wow wow. Another simple superb place in Brooklyn! We went for late Brunch on Sunday and the food and service was inspired and outstanding! From the first moment we contacted Olmsted via email till the moment we paid and left the service was amazing. Everyone in the service industry should and can take a leaf out of their book when it comes to providing top notch customer service. Thank you Olmsted! We loved the carrot mimosas and carrot kati rolls part of the wasted project. The bacon and egg rolls with green tomato ketchup was not only delicious but hugely creative and inspiring. The English muffin burger was so good that I can still till this moment remember the first bite and taste. It was delicious! You can taste the quality of ingredients. We loved the garden l, setting and scene. The interior is fitting with their image. Definitely recommend and can’t wait to return! Love Olmsted, fact!

Fantastic & Exotic Dishes

By 79aggie |

Last night we got to enjoy with the family this JEWEL in Brooklyn and it was beyond expectations. Their dishes were not only exquisite but unique in presentations and taste as well as their cocktails.

Great Restaurant

By Mark P |

This is a great restaurant featuring innovative dishes, terrific cocktails and fine service. Service was very good, and the setting is quite nice.

Disappointing, Noisy and Overpriced

By sojourner33 |

We each had the same three dishes: popcorn monkfish, carrot crêpe and guinea hen and guinea hen confit. The monkfish was fried to a dry, tasteless and greasy pellet, served in a plastic basket. The carrot crêpe was cold, gooey and nearly flavorless The guinea hen was bland; the confit was in a bitter dark sauce that had the taste of burned garlic. The seating arrangement in this restaurant is unpleasant. There a too many tables, making for a cramped experience. The noise level is painful. There is no reason to play music at an excessive volume. This is a restaurant, not a concert hall. Our check came to over $200 for food, two cocktails and a bottle of wine. It was not worth it. For a significantly better experience, go to Faun, a block away.

Too Much Sharing

By eralt |

Although the food was very good and creative - be prepared to share your food. This restaurant would be best for a party of 2. We were a party of 4 - booked our table two months prior and were really looking forward to our meal. We were disappointed to learn that we basically had to share everything and could not order our food individually as the kitchen could not handle it. As a result - if we liked a dish we only had two bites each. This "forced sharing" style of service detracted from the very interesting and creative food.

Nice Brunch

By Scott C |

I stopped here for Brunch on a whim last weekend. The food and cocktail were both outstanding. I had a Bloody Mary and the Duck Duo. The Duck Duo is duck scrambled eggs with duck sausage, both were very tasty. The greens on top of the eggs and sausage were very nicely dressed with a subtle vinaigrette. The only bad thing I can say about Brunch at Olmsted, is the cost of the meal. The grand total for a Bloody Mary and the Duck Duo was $33 before tax and tips.

Clever Plates

By Rita C |

Beautiful,, modern space in the heart of Brooklyn. The menu is designed so that plates are shared so we ordered several. From the 'Snacks' section we ordered the Romano beans and Morgan's Meats, which that night was a duck pate. While the first dish was good, it paled in comparison to the pate which was savory and creamy rich. We also ordered the carrot crepes with little necks (this is how carrots should always taste), charred artichoke chawanmushi, a very soft custard flavored with burgundy truffle and crispy fennel (delightfully different), heirloom tomato schnitzel (loved it), roasted pork collar (well prepped) and the duck breast & scorched fig (delectable) and the confit pollack (perfectly cooked.) We also inhaled all the desserts. I just wish the plates were bigger.

A Treat Grows in Brooklyn

By bdt |

Everything here tastes great and is painstakingly prepared in a setting that is both casual and comfortable. If you arrive early or if they're seating a little behind schedule, they'll invite you to take a relaxing wait in their backyard garden, which you should definitely do because it's spectacular. It's only three blocks away from the entrance to Prospect Park, so it's a great place to catch a meal either before or after a stroll through the park. But you'll almost definitely need reservations.

Well executed and innovative.

By Fire cooking |

This place clearly has taken their Blue Hill roots a step further, in a different direction. Do try to sit at the bar in front of the kitchen, incredibly friendly staff. Wonderful food, well investigated and could not be better interpreted. Amazing!

Best dinner all year!

By Natwan M |

Olmsted was one of the best meals I’ve had all year. From the super unique Carrot crepe, to the *incredible* Grilled NY Chicken. Every menu item from the snacks to the entrees/dessert, was incredibly delicious and unique. Our server was incredible and gave the best recommendations. 10/10 experience, can’t wait to return!

Don't be put off by the exterior

By KIERAN P |

The exterior frontage of this restaurant is very plain and you would walk past if you didn't know how good it was .The rather plain decor continues inside but the food is fantastic, lots of variety ,some interesting combinations and some of the best deserts I have eaten anywhere in the world.Good wine list, friendly and efficient staff and not outrageously expensive. If you find yourself in Brooklyn you really should try Olmsted.

Special treat

By JR E |

I'd been wanting to go to Olmsted for a while, but I'm a spontaneous restaurant goer, and Olmsted is more of a "make a reservation in advance" place - but, thanks to the drop in temperature, there was a cancelation, and a wonderful table was waiting. We had the duck mousse (sooooo good and came with home-made freshly grilled bread), carrot little neck clams crepe (not my favorite thing, but it was still good. Not sure I'd order it again, though), and bouillabaisse hot pot (exquisite flavors, you'll want to get every drop) that came with a fresh baked super crunchy loaf. We also had the Beet rhum drinks (if you like beets, and I do, it is amazing - savory, tart, and nuanced) - by then we were quite full, but were determined to have desert. Decided to close dinner the way we started, with mousse! (chocolate) - wow. Didn't disappoint. Now - the waitstaff -- totally attentive (but not in an annoying way) and upbeat and made sure the plates flowed in perfect timing. As for the atmosphere - friendly Brooklyn upscale cozy, and not too noisy. The only downside is that it is expensive, though these days most restaurants in Brooklyn are.

Perfect food and overall restaurant experience

By Jake R |

The food is incredible and creative, the space is beautiful and the service impeccable. Dessert (complete with cheese fondue) in the back garden took it all to the next level. I enjoyed Olmsted more than Eleven Madison Park. Legit.

An Exceptional dining experience!

By Christell M |

An Exceptional Dining Experience! I had the pleasure of dining at Olmsted recently, and it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I walked in, the warm and inviting atmosphere set the tone for a truly enjoyable meal. The staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive, striking the perfect balance between professionalism and friendliness. The food was absolutely outstanding. Every dish we ordered was beautifully presented and packed with flavor. The grilled NY chicken was cooked to perfection, and the heirloom tomato schnitzel was the highlight of the evening. You can really tell that they use fresh, high-quality ingredients. What stood out most was the attention to detail—from the thoughtfully curated menu to the elegant plating and prompt service. It’s clear that the team at Olmsted takes pride in what they do. Whether you’re looking for a romantic night out, a family gathering, or a casual dinner with friends, this place delivers on all fronts. I’ll definitely be returning soon!

What a gem!

By Vitaslava N |

This restaurant was a highlight of our trip. Everything is clearly made with care and top-quality ingredients—true farm-to-table cooking. We started with the fluke crudo, which was incredibly fresh and packed with flavor. Then came the chicken liver mousse pâté, which was so delicious and smooth it was almost addictive. One surprise hit was the cauliflower okonomiyaki—light, savory, and so well-balanced. The summer squash som-tom salad was also excellent—bright, refreshing, and ideal for a warm evening. We were pretty full by the end, but went for dessert anyway, and the chocolate mousse was absolutely worth it—light, fluffy, and deeply chocolaty. Even the cocktails were expertly crafted. And the service? Top-notch. Kevin, our server, was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. Truly a memorable meal.

A must visit if you are a foodie

By Michael R |

Having scored a table on Saturday night during prime time, it was one of my favorite evenings thanks to the team that collaborate on this excellent restaurant. Warm welcome, very busy but no wait, knowledgeable twists to classic dishes, genuinely attentive associates combined to hit all the high notes. An open kitchen adds to this intimately sized restaurant that serves outside in their rear garden as well as the recent addition to street seating. The restaurant is umami. Loved it!

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover

By 4doofus |

The 4 of us were at the Olmsted for brunch on Sunday, 11/4/18. The food was awesome. It is served family style. We had the House Gravlax and Honey Nut Squash Bread for starters. For plates: Egg Rolls, Grilled Breakfast Burger, 2-Duck Duos and a Coddled Egg Florentine. All of these dishes were unique. The overwhelming favorite was the Duck Duo dish; second was the Honey Nut Squash Bread. I hear that the menu changes daily. Reservations are a must on weekends. The staff works as a team. You'll have several friendly, attentive servers deliver food and ensure that your table is satisfied. Great Bloody Mary's. Full bar. Two blocks from the Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn. It's a pricey menu. Hey, it's New York. We would definitely return and highly recommend this culinary establishment!

The Right Restaurant!

By Jud C |

Be sure to reserve 30 days ahead. Everything on the menu is unique and fun. Younger (30’s) crowd but full of all ages. The staff know the food and are excited to discuss the reservation ingredients - after you guess wrong. Every item is a “daily special” but several stay as they are mentioned in the many reviews. This is a great casual place to get together with friends who enjoy food in a great atmosphere.

Excellent Reunion Lunch

By Jake G |

This review is for an experience that happened on Friday afternoon, August 16th. One of my best friends lives nearby and was able to book the private dining room given our party's size. Several people were flying in for this family/friends reunion. I anticipated a great time given the company, but Olmsted made sure it was an excellent celebration. First, the private room is wonderfully designed. I live in London and the wallpaper was very English. Loved that. The space was large but not overwhelmingly so. And the acoustics were such that you could talk to someone on the other side of the large table without raising your voice. Second, the food was surprisingly good. I have to admit that as a vegetarian, I'm not usually over impressed with the "inventive" dishes we sometimes get. I actually don't mind this given that I'm not the most adventurous eater. I'm pretty easy with a simple pasta or some black bean and guacamole tacos. And give me anything Indian and I'll inhale it. But Olmsted succeeded in changing my mind. I think my favourite dish was scrabbles eggs in a fried spring roll. It didn't look like much but wow. I had never tasted anything like that. This was no vegetarian afterthought throw away dish. This was well thought out and executed. And the cherry compote for the bread that was our starter was amazing. We were all trying to figure out what it was until we asked. No one guessed correctly. Third, the service was superb. One gentleman seemed to be in charge of the room. He did an excellent job making sure everyone had a fresh drink or the proper course. I wanted for nothing. He and the staff he was guiding anticipated our desires. Sixteen years ago, my partner and I lived two blocks down the street from Olmsted. Back then, there weren't nearly this many restaurant options on Vanderbilt. If we lived there now, we'd be at Olmsted every other weekend. I know I'll be back next time I'm visiting my Brooklyn friends.

Amazing Gem in Brooklyn

By Arin M |

The service was outstanding- the staff were incredibly warm and welcoming! Mia took care of us and was so helpful throughout. Definitely try the squash rings and the scallops- both are must-haves.

Wonderfully and creatively flavored deliciousness

By Food_Snob_PA |

Reservations only dinner on a hot Saturday evening in Brooklyn. Eating on the early side because that is what was available. Welcoming hostesses, professional and knowledgable waiter. This restaurant was a James Beard nominee so expectations were high. Sufficient creative cocktails list - suggest removing the pepper after a few minutes from the Aji Dulce - nice, classy drink. The Lavender - bourbon with - was delicious, too but perhaps too sweet. The menu is full of dishes with clever names and unusual ingredients begging to be brought up in a question to our patient waiter. Alas, he has been asked them before so he's ready with an explanation. Who can know exactly the contents of a dish "Garden Basil Spatzle"? Is the "Watermelon Sushi" vegetarian? No. Easy answers and no need to guess. We enjoyed our dinner, paced and delivered family style. No sense of a rush - thank you. The bread - for $6 I believe, was underwhelming but good. The highlight: the Glazed Lamb Leg and the accompanying sauce spooned tableside - heavenly. Expensive - ehh, not too, too bad. Delicious - so much, so , yes! Any downsides - one huge one - the temperature in the room. We were seated mid-restaurant and it was hot. How hot? The back of my neck was drenched. It was uncomfortable, very uncomfortable. Return? Perhaps, but not in the summer.

Thoughts

By Marilyn C |

Have been here twice actually. First time getting to know you. We eat in fine dining establishments frequently. So if we don’t like it no go backs. We enjoyed the chicken dish did not particularly care for their house special the crepe. The second time was OK nothing to rave about. Also way too noisy for any kind of personal conversations

One of the Best Restaurant Experiences

By Thomas V |

We have great meals with many different small plates all well-prepared. A few were not to my taste, but most were extraordinary. Wines and cocktails were great. Service was exceptional: Professional, yet sweet and personal. This was a terrific restaurant experience. We are from the San Francisco Bay Area where fine food is king and prices are very high, and found the prices here lower than what we pay for fine dining at home. And i add they are much lower than fine dining in Manhattan. A great evening at a reasonable price.

Welcoming staff and inventive food!

By DAPJr112 |

We came here for brunch on a Sunday, and even though we brought up the median age by about 20 years, were warmly welcomed and made to feel like favored guests. The portions are not large, but the food is excellent. The plates are meant for sharing; we enjoyed the beet cured gravlax, the "burger", and the donuts. There's a charming backyard seating area that I'd like to try in summer. I'm looking forward to returning - if only I can score that hard-to-get reservation!

Excellent from start to finish

By Nick W |

Can’t even think of a neutral comment, let alone a negative one. Everything was outstanding from the service to the food. The raw oysters with smoked beets were a revelation.

Very good food

By Ireneeinan |

The food was great, what an experience, monkfish popcorn? Do it! Very cozy little place with an bathtub with goldfishes in the backyard, funny thing to watch while you stand in the bathroom line. The food you can share or not, recommend not to share, the food is too awesome. :)

Great restaurant

By rdizzle |

Had a great birthday dinner here. The menu was interesting and varied, some dishes better than others, but all very good. I was very excited that they had Green Spot Irish whiskey on the menu. Not cheap, but worth it. $360 for four people. Would definitely recommend. Good service as well.

Wedding party

By bruce_marcia |

Very very good food and attentive staff. Highly recommend this spot! Will definitely come back next time we visit Brooklyn.

Winner in Prospect Heights

By jernst3 |

We ordered the crawfish boiled chips and cauliflower for snack as they call it. For appetizer we ordered the carrot crepe with clams. And for the entree we ordered the pork collar and rutabaga tagliatelle . For dessert we got the mousse and the donuts. We sat watching the kitchen at the bar so we saw our dishes getting prepared. The notion of a snack is that instead of them bringing you rolls or something standard, you can pick from a list. The first thing to understand is each dish is custom made on the spot for you, and in our case, while we watched. The chips had a gentle yet distinct taste of crawfish. Even tho I am not a major fan of crawfish, I loved it and ate the whole thing. The cauliflower was a variation on roasted cauliflower , which I loved. The carrot crepe is probably a signature dish and was absolutely delightful. What a great sauce. Perhaps it is a personal failure, but I don't have positive associations with rutabagas. I couldn't have been more wrong. They were generous with the Parmesan and it had a fantastic taste. I had the pork which had a tang from some pickled peppers. Sounds dubious but again, it really works. The donuts were served piping hot in a tasty caramel sauce. The chocolate mousse was served with a light creme fresh (sp?). Everything arrived with eye catching presentation that made you want to dive in. Fantastic meal. The plates were distinctive and we noted the maker which had a shop in NYC . The space is very thoughtfully appointed.the bathroom was clean and appointed in a lovely way. The space in back which you could see from inside was a charming garden that could be seated . It had a good garden as well. This gourmet restaurant in prospect heights, Brooklyn was a winner for me.

Relaxed fine dining, great food, exceptional service

By Dan |

I booked this for my birthday on a visit from the UK. Cosy environment, nice food (the thyme infused desert was the highlight), but what made it for us was the amazing service - so friendly and accommodating. Our main server was Nicole, who was an absolute delight, the sort of effortless service when you feel so relaxed and welcomed. There was a bit of a delay between two of the courses (and I mean a very short delay) and without question, Nicole apologised and brought us a large glass of her favourite wine and also gave us a dessert wine - which I don't normally like, but was so delicious! We left feeling very satisfied and smiles on our face, especially after a day of torrential rain, would definitely recommend. Thank you Nicole and the team at Olmstead! Cheers, Dan and Jack

Everything I want in a restaurant experience

By Clarise C |

The food was thoughtfully prepared. Great flavors. Good portion sizes. Excellent for a tapas meal for 4 or a sharing meal for 2. Service was spot on. Lovely personalities that knew the food and drinks. Atmosphere is cosy, inviting and rustic and chic at the same time. Was worth the trip from Toronto and a consistently excellent follow up from eating at Café Boulud the night before. (well, actually, the atmosphere is better at Olmsted). Great job! Thank you.

Too much creativity...not enough food!

By NY2StudioCity |

We were so excited to snag a table at this restaurant and I have to say that everyone was exceptionally nice, but after spending $200 for 4 (not including wine & drinks) we left unsatisfied. The portions were miniscule. Even items that sounded like they might satisfy were so tiny or came with a sauce or a wafer that was so thin it dissolved into nothingness. Very disappointing or maybe I'm just not hip enough to understand!

Lovely Dinner on Vacation

By Sandra W |

Went to NYC with my husband and head a great meal here. We walked in early and got 2 seats at the bar. Nice cocktails and I loved this carrot pasta and we shared everything. Was busy but it is a small space so it still feels intimate. It was too cold to go outside but they have a beautiful backyard which is nice as well. Come here when you visit!

Creative, Sophisticated Dinner

By Mammo516 |

We booked the dining room for dinner a month out. I had heard rave reviews and couldn't wait to try. From the outside, it is unassuming. Inside, small, intimate tables. There were two of us and 5-6 shared dishes were recommended. We began with the squash rings which were incredible. So, delicious and something I would have again in a moment. We also ordered the small loaf of daily prepared bread which omg - arrived hot and with soft, unsalted butter. We ordered a raddichio wedge salad which was not something we totally loved, but onward to sweet potatoe pierogies (would repeat), rutabaga tagliatelle and scallops. Five dishes plus the bread for two people and by the time we arrived at the scallops we were too full to fully enjoy but they were cooked to perfection. Our bill with tip and wine was around $160. The food was innovative, plated beautifully and quite an experience. This is a gem in Brooklyn.

Stellar experience in every

By Sarah S |

Stellar experience in every way. Wonderful selection of food, we chose a variety of small plates to share and especially enjoyed the waffles, egg rolls and the carrot mimosa were to die for. Excellent service, comfortable setting, casual atmosphere and fresh greenery everywhere. A welcome respite on a chilly Sunday morning.

Special

By mojoFCH2020 |

Very special cuisine, unpretentious friendly environment with attentive service. As a party of four: we chose to share three of each of the three "sets" of courses and were impressed that EVERYTHING we ordered was quite unique and tasty. Prices are definitely reasonable for the cuisine, service, etc. Definitely a winning combination.

Good if you're in the area, not worth a special trip

By marianneNyc |

Many cities have restaurants similar to this one. Olmsted reminded me of restaurants in Portland, Seattle, LA, etc. A small restaurant that draws a young crowd. There's a bar the length of the restaurant and loud music is played so the restaurant is quite noisy. There's a pleasant garden in the back for drinks or snacks. The service was fine. There's a very limited menu and it changes -- some of the courses I was looking forward to weren't offered. The carrot crepe is better than it sounds but a bit too buttery. The squid salad just tasted of vinegar. Duck was excellent. Almost no desert choices -- frozen yogurt and honey whipped cream was nice. Bread was fine but you had to request it. Prices are online, we paid about $80 for 2 before drinks.

Food in an art form.

By ayvatkursat |

Incredible meal from start to finish. The ingredients were insanely fresh and every bite was full of flavor. It’s rare to find a place where you can taste the intention behind the food — Olmsted nails that. The vibe is warm and relaxed, and the service was genuinely friendly. A must if you’re in Brooklyn.

Culinary gem

By berkeley j |

Excellent food - the best I have had in NYC so far! So many creative plates, had different tastes I have never experienced before. This place is a culinary germ.

Delicious food and great atmosphere!!

By schmidtth |

Delicious food, great atmosphere, nice interior, very friendly service!! I would always come back and definitely recommend it!!

Amazing!!!!!

By Linda Rodríguez Peluffo |

I had an incredible dining experience here! Every dish was unique and full of creativity. I started with the Delicata Squash Ring absolutely amazing, followed by the Kale & Crab Rangoon, which was bursting with flavor, and the Fluke Crudo, which was fresh and beautifully balanced. I really appreciated how innovative and thoughtful the menu was. The presentation, the flavors, and the originality of the dishes made the whole evening unforgettable. I would highly recommend this restaurant and I’ll definitely be coming back again and again!

Absolutely fantastic

By allleftfoot03 |

All the reviews in the press about are here were correct, a memorable dining experience. Everything we ate was faultless but the rutabaga tagliatelle and guinea hen roasted and confit probably just topped the bill for me. Make sure you leave room for the frozen yoghurt dessert, great way to finish a great meal. Wine list also very reasonable and staff very attentive without being pushy. Try and get a table if you can.

Great food and nice place.

By flussier |

Nice place to eat at Brooklyn. You can wait for your table at the terasse with a nice drink. Our favorite plate was the Chicken Cordon bleu and the Carrot Crepe. The lamp leg, heirloom Tomato and the Scallops was another good plate. The only deception was the Grilled Yellowfin tuna, way too overcook for our taste. For the wine card, the price is really expensive and we can appreciate more choice for wine at glass. Good service and at the end, great experience.

Mother’s Day Misfire

By Paul S |

I can’t comment on the food because we were never seated. We walked in at 1:30 without a reservation hoping to possibly score a table. After waiting a bit we were told that they could fit us at 3pm and would text when the table was ready. We then canceled a reservation we already had and went to a local bar to wait. 30 minutes later we received a text from the restaurant informing us that they would not be able to seat us. Very bad service!

Outstanding!

By LarchFoodie |

Seldom do popular restaurants live up to the hype, but Olmsted surpassed the hype and our high hopes! It's at the same time a wonderful neighborhood spot and a serious restaurant whose food showcases the freshest ingredients in winning creative way. The chef experiments...successfully! Turning rutabaga into "pasta", carrots into a delicious crepe that is a base for clams, Olmsted's food surprises and delights! There were four of us for dinner this evening, which enabled us to sample more than half of the offerings. There wasn't one even slight miss. We shared 3 snacks - oysters with their homemade hot sauce, Gobi Pakora cauliflower, and Morgan's meats which was a delicious smooth pâté with a touch of honey on top served with red cabbage kraut and freshly toasted crostini. The last item was particularly tasty! We then shared 4 small plates including an Indian flavored duck sausage with red lentil naan - a brilliant combination of flavors and textures that made it a standout! The chawanmushi was silky and smoky, light but richly flavored. Guinea fowl prepared two ways - confit and roasted - was exceptional. The rutabaga and scallops were also hits. Dessert was apple "donuts" with a pot of caramel sauce. Served 5 to an order, it was the perfect sweet bite to end the evening. They have a nice selection of teas also, including three oolongs. Service was very friendly and helpful. We didn't feel rushed at all - the timing of the dishes was well paced. These Blue Hill at Stone Barns fans are looking forward to returning to Olmsted soon!

Sophisticated Dining in laid back suburban setting

By mikebrownnz |

In ten days of eating out twice a day in New York, this was comfortably the best dining experience we had. The location is quiet yet easy to find. The setting is laid back yet stylish and contemporary. The service is subtle yet attentive. The food is divine but changes regularly (very classy individual hand folded paper menus are given to each diner) so be very happy if you find the mushroom spätzle on the list as it is amazing how such a good chef can make something so simple so special. The scallops and duck usually seem to be on the menu in some form so, whatever the case, you won’t be disappointed.

Culinary heights in Prospect Heights

By Vince K |

This place is the real deal and is truly worth the long wait for a dinner reservation. The meal feels like a fusion of farm-to-table and tapas: a short but very diverse menu of small plates of locally sourced ingredients prepared to perfection and imaginatively presented. The service is particularly friendly and gracious. The backyard garden, which provides some of the restaurant's hyper-local vegetables and herbs, is a charming spot for dessert and coffee.

Creative Cooking In Prospect Heights

By RoxyL |

Olmsted has original food at reasonable prices. There is a working backyard garden where you can have cocktails or dessert. The portions were small and creative with fresh ingredients. The chocolate mousse and frozen yogurt with whipped lavender honey were excellent.

Inventive but hit or miss on the dishes and over-priced

By Brooklynite_Abroad |

We snagged two seats at the bar a few nights before our Thursday night dinner. Advanced reservations are crucial here, but if you can't get a table don't hesitate booking seating at the bar. The bar stools are comfortable and have leg rests. One of the bar tenders, Emmanuel, was a gracious host and an attentive server. If coming here for drinks, or smores, you can enjoy the back patio, complete with heat lamps. The drinks and wine list here is extensive and satisfying, we opted for a great, low tannin, Italian red, by the glass. The menu is printed on a sheet and folded like a card. There are four to five snacks (appetizers), same amount of small plates (second course) and the same amount of entrees. There are plenty of meat, fish and vegetarian options to choose from. We opted for the fresh oysters and lobster thermidor as snacks. These were the highlights of our meal. The oysters were super fresh and deliciously dressed. You can't really slurp these; there's a bit of a chew involved, but everything goes down smoothly and the flavors are superb. The thermidor, is more a cheesy lobster dip with lobster puffs as chips. This was delectable as well, but the serving was tiny and too pricey for how small it was. In comparison, giant beer battered squash rings, the size of small donuts were served at the same price point. Soon after we got out small plates, an order or sweet potato and uni (sea urchin) pierogi (please avoid the s, pierog is singular, pierogi are plural, no s necessary), and an order of lamb chukha. The pierogi were crisply fried and served scalding hot. The saltiness and the crunch of the dough completely overpowered the taste of the yams and the uni was fully imperceptible. The lamb was a deconstructed ground meat kebob, served covered by a bed of delicious greens and onion. The naan, which was more like a soft, thin pita accompanied the greens and bits of lamb, savory chutney was served on the side. Near of these dishes hit the spot. They weren't great, more run of the mill fare. As our mains, we shared the duck confit and the pork dish. The duck was served in to dishes, the breast covered by tasty cabbage, and the confit of dark meat in the second dish. The confit of dark meat was tastier than the fatty breast, but both were good. The pork was a serving of chunks of smoked pork, with pieces of potato and dressed with a dijonaise sauce and topped with shoestring fries. We enjoyed our mains which had great flavor. The mains are a good value and are much larger food servings than the plates or snacks. We also ordered the small house made loaf of bread with butter, but we weren't big fans of it. We did appreciate a fresh and tasty Thai inspired salad which the kitchen sent with compliments. All in all, we enjoyed the attentive service, but were disappointed that a full hour had passed between our second and last courses. This drop in service should not occur at this price point. Our server, noticed our frustration and topped off our wine glasses. Kudos to Emmanuel. Dessert here is an afterthought, so no need to save space for it. Do come to check out this neighborhood institution, but you may not be fully impressed by every dish you order.

Outstanding experience, now I know why I had to book a month in advance

By bnnyc1955 |

We celebrated two birthdays among the six of us at this attractive "hole in the wall". There are only seats for 50, and one table for more than four. There is a limited, but unique menu since much of their food is grown and farmed out in back. I live two blocks from this place and wanted to find out why we had to book one month in advance for a Saturday 5:30 pm reservation. We went and found out: Most are outstanding small plates with a few larger entrees. Here is the entire menu except for the three deserts SNACKS Chicken Fried Trumpet Mushrooms Beer Battered Delicata Squash Rings Lobster "Thermidor" Duck Liver Mousse PLATES Sweet Potato & Uni Pierogies Sauerkraut, Sour Cream Radicchio Wedge SaladBlue Cheese Dressing, Bacon Bits Beef Tartare Roasted Heirloom Pumpkin, Nutmeg Hollandaise Carrot Crepe Little Neck Clams, Sunflower LARGER PLATES Rutabaga "Tagliatelle"Burgundy Black Truffle, Brown Butter Grilled ScallopsWinter Slaw, Spicy Peanuts, XO Sauce Duck Breast & Leg MortadellaHakurei Turnips, Lentils Heritage PorkReading Raclette, Broccoli Rabe, Mustard Jus Among the six of us, we ended up with dining on each of the above items except for the Duck Liver Mousse and the Beef Tartare. Snacks and plates are meant to be shared. Don't go there in a rush. Dining here is an experience. Between the courses and drinks we were here almost three hours. Food came out at a good pace despite their warning of a small kitchen. As busy as they were, we were never rushed. Our waiter Alex was very attentive and carefully answered all questions. Only down side is that the noise level is a little high. We were near the back so we could have conversations. We now know why this place is so popular. Definite thumbs up!

Spectacular, Creative Food

By Diane R |

I heard about this restaurant as the best new restaurant in Brooklyn. I went with high hopes and was not disappointed. Four of us shared small plates. Everything was creatively prepared. The sweet potato and uni dumpling was delicious. So was the beef tartare. I had never eaten any of the dishes we ordered. It cost about $50 per person, and we ordered two bottles of red wine.

Dinner in Backyard Garden

By LnS2004 |

It’s been 4 1/2 years since we came for dinner. This time we got to dine in the back garden (it’s closed last time due to rain). The cocktails (lavender, rosemary and rhubarb) set us in the mood. Knowing that the portions tended to be small, we ordered all the snacks and plates (except the liver mousse eclairs) on the menu including double orders of corn bread and Crab Rangoon for six of us. The delicious corn bread with honey truffle butter was a crowd pleaser. The crab Rangoon served in a Chinese takeout container was tasty. We barely got a morsel of dainty carrot crepe and minuscule clams. Tiny samples of the other snacks/plates including yellow wax beans, spaetzle, squash som tum, and lobster crackers that came in quick succession, found nothing spectacular. Then there was a long interlude before the mains arrived Of the entrees the roasted duck confit was superb: tender, juicy and flavorful. The scallops tasted very fresh. The tomato schnitzel would have been great if the crust/tomato could be crispier. The froyo dessert and shortcake were satisfactory. Our dinner spanned 2 1/2 hours. Good thing we came armed with bug repellent that made us impervious to becoming insect feast on this summer night. Pippa our server provided excellent service.

You must try this place

By Richard E |

If you're in NY and are a foodie, you must try this restaurant. Not easy to get a table, but you're guaranteed to have something you've never tasted befe, and it will be delicious. Definitely try the cauliflower okonomiyaki and the rutabaga main course, which taste like an al dente cream sauce pasta. Really can't go wrong with any of the dishes. For the skill of the chef, the prices are very inexpensive.

Great neighborhood restaurant

By Greg B |

Love this restaurant like it’s my own! The crab Rangoon, Som tum, carrot crepe at classic here. Lots of creative vegetable dishes.

Worth a trip to Brooklyn

By Antionio10 |

Though this is no easy table to get, Olmsted is worth the hassle. The dishes were tasty, creative, and flavorful. Even the two desserts we ordered were a success (don't be tuned off by the yogurt . It is quite good.). The in our party enjoyed the trout, the carrots, duck, and "pasta" dishes. The plates are small, even the entre size, but they are sufficient.

Weekend brunch - Good but pricy for the petite portions

By Lee |

Had high expectations for weekend brunch here after reading the good reviews. For two persons, we shared the egg rolls (love the green tomato sauce that came with it), latke and butternut squash bread. While the food tasted good, they were not mind-blowing, especially for the price and the smallish portions. Service was efficient, but not welcomingly warm. Can't say that I'll be back especially with so many restaurants to try.

😋

By Thang L |

Not to be dramatic but these dishes really wow’ed me! Everything was carefully curated and different in the most delicious way. My personal favorite was the grilled NY chicken; and the strawberry cocktail?? Amazing. Recommend? yes. Coming back? Oh yes.

Buenisima la comida

By Raúl G |

The whole service was great, the food was fantastic. I didn't try all the drinks, but the ones I tried were impeccable. I loved the falafo, the escalopes, another delicious dish. The atmosphere seems good, except that day it was hot and I was on the patio, but other than that, everything was perfect. I have to go back to that place again.

Never seen vegetables so outshine the meat

By lotuseaters |

I did not expect to like this place but I was so wrong. The cooking is like nothing I have experienced before. Care is given to the provenance, the cutting and usage of plant material. I thought the rutabaga spatzle and carrot crepes with clams stood out most. I ordered a second plate of the latter. The lady bartender was warm and effecien. Go.

Daring and Delicious

By mathmomkds |

The menu offerings at Olmsted are incredible! Three of us ordered 2-3 choices from each course and thoroughly enjoyed them all. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Creative delicious and get the mousse

By USCKaboom |

I’ve been wanting to go to Olmstead for a while. Finally made a reservation way ahead and was excited to go. So much fun. Delicious creative dishes. Loved the kale crab Rangoon. The lobster Thermidor. Carrots with clams. Didn’t like the tartare. But we had three orders of the chocolate mousse!

Great atmosphere

By Michael S |

I get all the hype about this place as the outdoor patio garden is gorgeous and amazing for dates or groups. BUT the food didn’t really impress me- it all tasted fresh, yes like just picked from the garden only 20 ft away from me but I was underwhelmed. Service was extremely attentive as one of the guests in my dining party had severe allergies and the staff could not have been more accommodating. I am one to indulge (especially when you have an expense account to burn) but I just left feeling unsatisfied. I tried the fan favorites- crepe carrots, radish top gazpacho (this was one of my favorites), friend dumplings, crab and the featured pasta. Dessert was a star-frozen yogurt, lavender honey- refreshing, creamy, hot and cold at same time- I can still taste it. Maybe I am just spoiled but I wont be running here again soon. But that’s just me.

The wonderfully talented staff and of course the charming Emma!

By dylanboyd2007 |

Last night 4 of us decided it was time to journey to Olmsted, when I say journey and hour plus car ride is a journey. One of the couples had visited the restaurant approximately a year ago so they weren't what you'd fondly call them Olmsted "virgins." However, we were! we came prepared for what we hoped would be a culinary delight with 4 outstanding bottles of wine. We took one look at the menu and everyone at the table said, "this is a no brainer," we decided to order the entire menu to start with. the server looked at us and smiled. We then said however, be prepared for additional plates from the initial choices, So our culinary meal was about to begin. We started with the Island Creek Oysters & Mignonette Du Jour, by the time they were put on the table the words 2 more were said, hmmm, you new things would get interesting. Next came the Watermelon Sushi, which was as interesting as it was refreshing. Next came what's called the Fairy Tale Eggplant tempura with a mint yogurt and what else more oysters. The tempura batter was cooked exceptional well, no oily feel just a perfect texture. We now had "only 2" appetisers left, a Duck Liver Mousse with the most amazing toasted bread you can imagine, a second on this was no question. The final app was a Lobster "thermidor" served with an "air" cracker, a very interesting combination of flavours. We had already finished the white burgundy and we were enjoying a delicious pinot noir. Now you have to realize that there were 5 appetizers on the menu and we consumed 10 plates between the 4 of us. Now we still had coming 9 more plates and who new had many of them would be doubled up on. The first plate was a refreshing Cobb Salad with bayley hazen blue cheese, watermelon radish, grapes and a chopped up hard boiled egg, this was quickly followed by a Kale Crab Rangoon with a sweet and sour sauce, if my Aunt was with us she would have said "simply marvelous!" From there we went to a Grilled Pork Belly with dandelion greens and cranberry beans. If you like pork belly and I do, it was a 10! Then a lighter plate came out which was a Carrot Crepe with little neck clams and sunflower, a super combination of ingredients that were like a play on words. Next came an Heirloom Tomato Schnitzel with ricotta, bagna cauda and piperade the flavors literally came to life when consumed together. We were down to our final 3 plates and wondering what kind of tastes would be presented we knew what the dishes would be but the surprise was going to be the flavor profiles, Out came the dry rubbed scallops with locally grown grilled corn with chanterelles along with blueberries. Each mouthful brought out a different response from each one of. This was an incredible presentation and an even better taste. Next came roasted & grilled duck with a plum shishito togarashi, it was done perfectly but for my pallett it was only ok, (got to be honest with you.) The final plate was a Pork Espanol with a pring leek, piquillo peppers, almonds and garrotxa it was perfectly cooked and had a great presentation, 3 of the 4 of us loved it, i felt it was a bit over salted, being that I'm writing this they have to put up with me. We finished with the last 3 plates a great Brunello and as we sat finishing the wines we realized it was time to go outside to the garden and sit around and have our campfire smores. What a perfect way to cap off a wonderful meal. The servers were just amazing the wine stewards were top notch and totally new there stuff and yes we made sure they tasted everything we drank as well. Last but not least I promised Emma that I say she helped make the night amazing too, So, Thank you Emma! We'll be back :-)

Do not come here if you are vegan, vegetarian or pescatarian

By Chad |

Had one of the worst dining experiences here. When making the reservation for Thanksgiving dinner, we were told that the restaurant absolutely could accommodate a vegan and pescatarian. The vegan was literally served a slice of potato on a plate (nothing else) and the pescatarian a bland piece of fish with mushy broccoli on top. Then for dessert- the "fruit platter" was a bowl of slices apples and canned mandarin oranges. Very disappointed for the price we paid and reputation of the restaurant. Meanwhile, the rest of our party had multiple courses and sides- again trust me, do not dine here as a vegan, vegetarian or pescatarian.

Amazing cuisine

By eeshehawi |

Very detailed attention to all plates being serviced by the master chef. Food is so divers - you feel it in every plate. We could tell the amount of preparations and testing that has gone into this, really superb cuisine. Great customer service followed by 'wow' cocktails. I could see that Manhattaners are queuing to be here. Well done brooklyn Olmsted.

Oh yes! A wonderful place for foodies

By JM1051 |

Great cocktails, creative dishes & wonderful service from knowledgeable staff. Prices very reasonable- especially for such creative food. Loved the tarragon gin cocktail, the crab Rangoon, carrot crepe with clams, scallops, pork & chocolate mousse.

One of the best in NewYork City

By mannymouse |

It is rare that every course is to die for. Usually you go to a place and after a terrific appetizer you end up with a so so main course. Not so here! After some watermelon wrapped sushi, my girlfriend and I shared the spaetzel,, tomato schnitzel, and scallops to die for. The mousse was delightful and the service delightful. It’s a smart, casual atmosphere which is lovely but it doesn’t lend itself to a place where you make a whole evening of it. The only flaw was the coffee which tasted as if the coffeemaker had just had vinegar run through it.....certainly not enough to keep me from coming back again’

Every dish was unique!

By robbi25 |

The food at Olmsted was extraordinary--both in it's preparation and creativity. The plates were beautiful and their flavor palate was unique and delicious. The service was overall quite good. My only complaint was that while I was served my glass of wine as soon as it was ordered, my friend waited another 10-15 minutes (each time!) to have her cocktail served to her.

Sterling reputation... Brunch menu came up short

By christian m |

Everyone has said Olmsted is magical - they've also been talking about the dinner menu. I went there for lunch. Great service Lovely setting Menu was a bit confusing. Everything is meant to be shared and they recommended 3 to 5 dishes. We got 3 and it was plenty. Best thing we had were the egg roll type deals. Cheesey and creamy and delicious. We also got a carrott falafel in a wrap type thing with pickeled cabbage. First bite delicious but too many strong tastes. Then there was a ground duck and egg thing that I didnt like. Glass of wine - A+ But the brunch menu was largely confusing, very few safe havens. Excited to try dinner and they'll definately get another shot but overall this was a bit of a disappointment.

Super creative and simply great!

By Dagmar B |

Delightful small place with a great atmosphere, excellent service and truly outstanding cuisine. I went with my daughter (she lives in San Francisco, I live in Berlin) and the dishes were remarkable in taste, presentation and creativity of ingredients and composition. The people in the kitchen clearly know what they are doing and the service was super friendly, helpful and prompt. We not only enjoyed our evening so much, we took away quite a bit of inspiration. Loved it!!

Beautifully Crafted Dishes

By LnS2004 |

Our friends treated us to dinner at this much acclaimed new restaurant during our recent visit to NYC. The restaurant shares characteristics of many high end eateries: inconspicuous entrance, compact interior space, long bar with stools, open kitchen and rows of tables. It was raining on the night we visited so we could only admire the unique, beautiful back garden patio through the window. Food portions were small (although pricing was reasonable), so it’s a good thing we ordered a total of nine snacks and plates (out of 17 on the menu). To accompany our meal, we chose French white and red wines by the glass and they were quite nice. The oysters were fresh. The purplish curry cauliflower was tasty. The crab Rangoon, playfully served in a Chinese takeout container (never mind that Rangoon is Burmese), was also delicious. The carrot crepe with clams was just as good as expected. The grilled scallops (with shredded turnip) and the trout were also wonderfully done. We loved the Guinea Hen Roasted and Confit and the Lamb Porchetta; both were moist and done perfectly. Hot Oolong tea was great for a cold wet evening. The apple sugar donut and chocolate mousse rounded out an excellent meal. Contrary to a reviewer’s complaint about slow service, we felt our own dining experience spanning 2½ hours (8 to 10:30PM) was properly paced, allowing amble time to savor the carefully crafted food and our own conversations. The wait staff was friendly, observant and unobtrusive. For what you paid you certainly don’t want to be rushed.

Just perfect

By Chris Braae |

I’d been recommended to come to Olmsted by a friend and it was a truly amazing experience. From the moment we came in and had some bubbles in the garden until we left everything was perfect. I couldn’t fault anything on the menu, the service had the perfect balance of casual and formal, the wines paired perfectly to our meal thanks to an excellent sommelier and the entire look and ambience of the restaurant made us feel so comfortable and relaxed. I hope I can come back here again in the future. To all the staff, thank you. It was a perfect night.

Remains a great place

By feigie50 |

We’ve been 3 times and it continues to be great. We love the carrot crepes. And the duck liver mousse and the duck both stand out. But everything is excellent.

Amazing food

By Purrfect |

Recommended by a relative, we were really amazed and pleased by the tasty food and presentation of it. The dry rubbed scallops and carrot crepes were especially meaningful. The service was superb. We can't wait to visit again when we are in Brooklyn again.

What a treat

By feigie50 |

The food and service were excellent. Every dish was something I'd order again but the stand outs were the carrot crepe, the oysters, the rutabaga tagliatelle, and the pork collar.

Wonderful

By Comandante-of-Fun |

Terrific place that captures the zeitgeist of seasonal and creative Brooklyn dinning. Everything was excellent. We started with the crayfish crackers. Then had the crepe with carrot and little neck clams and chawamushi. For mains we had a trout with creamed Brussels sprouts and the rutabaga tagliatelle with truffle and brown butter. Finished with the chocolate mousse and frozen yoghurt with honey. Splendid meal.

Amazing, Wonderful Experience!

By Edam4 |

We love this place, pretty much everything about it! It's our go-to for special occasions. The warm and friendly welcome always sets the stage for a wonderful evening. The ambiance is great, the service is highly customer-focused, caring and helpful. And then there's the food! The dishes are creative, beautiful and delicious! We most recently had the squash rings, crab rangoon, spaetzle, carrot crepe, scallops and tuna. All just fantastic! To top it off, we go to the back patio and have the wonderful smores for dessert, with the fun of self-preparation. Wonderful setting out back too!

Fantastic Experience

By brmusicman |

Wow! Put this on your "must go" list in New York if you enjoy creative and delicious food served by caring, fun people in a simple, relaxing space. Our group of four went on a Sunday night in January 2020. I immediately loved the restaurant's ambiance: a small, open kitchen; a limited number of tables arranged along one wall; gorgeous woods accented by plants. It was casual and relaxing but also fitting of the elevated food. Not stuffy at all--plain, unclothed tables; wooden chairs; plenty of lighting, etc. Our table wasn't quite ready, so we were invited to head to the back garden before dinner. At first, I thought "in this cold?," but was pleased that it was comfortable due to heat lamps and blankets. It was a cozy way to start the meal, and we were immediately met by a pleasant server who helped us with drinks. The wait was but a few minutes and the drinks were actually delivered to the table. We ended-up ordering the whole menu, since we were so intrigued by all the choices and starving. It was coursed out for us. There were a few longer pauses between courses--this was a lengthy meal--but that was excusable given the small kitchen and barely noticeable due to the attentiveness of the service throughout the meal. Water was constantly refilled, wine was refilled, plates were quickly cleared, etc. The food was spectacular. Everything shined. Presentation was original and occasional whimsical without being so outlandish as to make you roll your eyes. We shared everything. Standouts included the chicken-fried mushrooms with gravy, which were wonderfully crispy; lobster 'thermidor,' into which an incredible amount of lobster flavor was infused into the lightest, foam-like sauce; the squash rings, topped with dried spices and seeds; beef tartare, with the richness of the beef cut by pureed pumpkin and a super interesting nutmeg hollandaise; rutabaga 'tagliatelle,' in which the noodle was the vegetable and the texture was perfect; and heritage pork, infused with raclette! If there was a 'miss'--in the context of the overall quality of the food--it was the scallops; the sear was uneven and the presentation overly complex and not very intuitive. Desserts also shined. "Swiss-miss" style hot chocolate was made even better by the cheeky presentation: the mix in an Olmsted envelope, the mug a camping one, and the milk in a Thermos! The chocolate mousse was perfectly bitter and smooth. And the staff, having fun with us, very kindly brought us the cheese course on-the-house. It was spectacular, served fondue-style. Kudos, too, to the sommelier, who has assembled a wine list with delicious options at affordable price points. We had two great bottles, one from Italy and one from the Finger Lakes. We were skeptical of a Finger Lakes pinot noir, but she convinced us with her description. The description was spot-on and the wine was great. I cannot rave about the service enough. Everyone was welcoming and our main server was nice, funny, and a real joy. Superb meal--I would definitely return. Something special is happening here.

Refreshing and delicious

By awesomemike |

I visited Olmsted for the first time when the chef of The Grey in Savannah collaborated with the restaurant and I have to say I will most definitely be visiting more often. It is a smaller space but has a beautiful garden where they source a lot of their herbs. You can watch the chefs working diligently on your meal or you can sit at a table with your group and enjoy the ambience. The food was very different and delicious. They have a fettuccini made out of rutabaga that is probably the best thing I’ve ever eaten. The flavors in their seafood hot pot... I can’t even! I had a gin drink made with beets and I’m not gonna lie, I felt healthy drinking it. It was unexpected but amazing. Definitely a must try!

Highly Creative

By Wayne M |

Olmsted is a very cool spot not far from Prospect Park. Great design and very creative food. As a solo diner I was seated at the bar and really enjoyed my meal, especially the trout which was extra delicious.

so dispointed

By Jackie |

We so excited to have lunch here becsuse of all good review . we order egg roll and the give us green tomatoes souse was very bad and we order potatoes latkes was burnt salty and the service was bad I don.t undestand all concept soory we so dispointed but we give you tip

Such a Great Restaurant

By Food T |

While in NY you might encounter many overhyped, so-so, wanna be restaurants. That can happen actually anywhere. Not in Olmsted, this guys put in the table a food and service worth every penny you spend on it and even more. From the scallops dish, spatzle, watermelon sushi, doble peach melba, yogurt ice cream with lavander meringue. ALL of them showing a flawless execution and more important a GREAT flavor. Service its polite, professional and friendly. Price is way too right compared to other 1 Michelin star restaurants in the city. Do yourself a favor a go without hesitation, because they will deliver.

Green Sauce-YES

By Sophie b |

5 stars all around! The timing of everything was the perfect pace. Our server Alex was so sweet and took his time to make recommendations and explain why he liked certain dishes. My favorite thing was the bread and sauce (can not over sell it 10/10)!!!

Outstanding unique cuisine

By Douglas J |

Four of us had an outstanding meal with subtle and unique sauces enhancing a variety of appetizers, plates, and entrees. The attention to every detail by the staff was superb. Desserts and drink menus were unique and excellent as well. You need to make reservations 30 days in advance to get the best times. Don't miss it if you are in NYC.

Glad we decided to go!

By NYbos309 |

I am so happy we decided to come into BKLYN after a night out in nyc. I really wanted a greasy spoon dinner with pancakes, eggs and bacon. But we came here instead and it was absolutely amazing. The breakfast egg roll will be in my dreams until the next time I’m there. The place is small and beautiful. And the bartenders were really nice. I was anxious this place was going to be hipster-pretentious- but it was all-good. Great timing of plates and surprisingly, the portions were great for sharing. Again, I went in with a preconceived idea of what it was going to be- and it wasn’t !

Great food

By PeacefulTraveller |

Great food, reasonably sized portions, friendly service. The grave lax and the Cobb salad were great.