The Best Kept Secret in Brooklyn. Go Now. Runner Up is exactly what New York restaurants should be and almost never are. Twelve seats, a Michelin Bib Gourmand, a $50 three-course prix fixe, and food that would embarrass restaurants charging three times as much. This place is a gift. The mushroom ricotta toast to start was warm, earthy, and deeply satisfying. Simple on paper, flawless on the plate. Then came the jammy egg and asparagus: soft-cooked egg, bright seasonal asparagus, trout roe on top, blanketed in parmesan. It was one of the most beautiful and delicious things I have eaten in a long time. Effortless and perfect. The chicken was outstanding, the kind of dish that makes you wonder why anyone bothers with anything more complicated. And the blueberry crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a cast iron skillet? Absolute closer. Left us both at the table smiling. The two chefs running this place are genuinely fun to be around. They cook with personality, they talk to you, and you can feel that they actually care about what lands on your plate. The whole experience feels personal in a way that is almost impossible to find at this price point. Runner Up is a freaking gem. Seasonal, fresh, unfussy, and outrageously good. If you live in Brooklyn and have not been, fix that immediately. If you are coming in from Manhattan, it is absolutely worth the trip.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more