This weekend was quite a busy one, as I attended several blog related press events, celebrated a dear friend's new journey in life and got to check out a few new neighborhood haunts. One of these happened to be Dutch Kills Centraal, the newish neighborhood bar in the Dutch Kills area on 39th Avenue. Some of you may know it for its recent name trademark controversy with Dutch Kills bar, which is being fully appealed.
But...let's get to the facts:
Atmosphere:
Very much a neighborhood watering hole, Dan and I walked in at an odd time, as we were in the mood for a quick snack and a drink before moving on to the city. We found the bar to be cozy and filled with a few people, celebrating a child's birthday party. Even though this was a bit unusual, it spoke volumes of DK Centraal's friendly, hospitable environment.
Inside, you'll find a nice looking mahogany bar that stretches through the entire length of the main room. On a chill afternoon, we got our pick of seats, but I imagine it gets busy in the evenings. Along the perimeter of the room, there's lots of little tables and an overall spacious airy vibe that makes this place feel very comfortable and conducive to just lounging around.
Food:
Although I wasn't very hungry, Dan was ravenous and ordered a burger sans the bun. Of course I teased him about it, but what came out was as equally impressive as it was delicious. The juicy burger patty totally hit the spot, and it was cooked to a perfect medium texture.
A heaping portion of shoestring fries with skins still on provided a tasty accompaniment that was made even better when dipped into a spicy aioli. An overall solid meal experience made me curious about other things on the menu that I'll have to explore next time (such as the fish and chips).
Service and Costs:
Staying true to its neighborhood vibe, the service at Dutch Kills Centraal also feels personal and friendly. It didn't take long for the bartender to strike up a conversation in getting to know us and vice versa. Enjoying the friendly banter, we'll look back on our experience fondly and would love to return for a tasty bite and a filling pint.
Costs are on the higher side for a casual bar, but definitely justified due to quality and an overall positive customer experience. We paid a total of $25 for Dan's burger, a beer and a club soda.
3 Mmmms
Dutch Kills Centraal - 38-40 29th Street, Long Island City NY 11101
718.606.8651
N/Q Train to 39th Avenue
www.dutchkillscentraal.com
No comments:
Post a Comment