Diner
New York magazine describes Diner's space as a "snug, just-rehabbed-enough 1927 dining car," and recommends dinner specials like "succulent pork loin with caramelized cipollini and tender lamb ragout with white-bean gratin." A Hamburger Today recommends their burger: "I think the Diner burger is so good because of its simplicity. A good-quality bun, a slice of cheese, and fresh-ground, well-seasoned perfectly cooked beef. No truffle oil or foie gras, no fancy ingredients.. Just an honest burger at a good price using fresh local produce."
AHT also credits Diner with "one of the more impressive feats of waitressing" — instead of listing the daily specials on a chalkboard, "The waitress frantically scribbles each course with a pencil onto the paper that lines your table as she effortlessly lists them, often giving specifics beyond just the dish." However, Blognut refers to the tablecloth scribbling as "a practice which takes an awkwardly long time and should really be replaced by just talking."
Citysearch says that Diner is "as much about the drinking as the eating, and eclectic locals crowd the bar stools while sipping classic cocktails, beer and champagne." Another big draw is their late-night hours — they serve dinner until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and until midnight during the rest of the week. How would you rate this place?
Reviews (9)
itsagas wrote a review on August 4, 2008 12:08 PM
This is probably my favorite restaurant in Brooklyn. A williamsburg original that's managed to stay cool in the face of new money coming to the area. Burger's a classic and the specials never fail to impress. Love the chicken too. If you want, it doesn't have to be expensive. Wait staff is usually very nice too.
miss priss wrote a review on August 4, 2008 12:19 PM
this is my favorite restaurant in NY city. I love the seasonal food, the burgers, the wines and the wait staff - they're always friendly and have tasted the specials that night so can give good recommendations. It has hands down the best music mix too. I love that the owners are often around and in and out of neighboring marlow and sons. This and marlow are my go to places and i've never been disappointed. I agree with the above poster that it can be cheap or expensive depending on what you order.
king of the burg wrote a review on August 4, 2008 12:21 PM
Sometimes it feels a little cramped, but man is it worth it. The food is always great and always original. The service is always excellent and efficient. This is one of my favorite places to go. Sometimes there is a bit of a sticker shock when the check comes, so beware!
BK realestate veteran wrote a review on August 4, 2008 12:35 PM
superb
wine lover wrote a review on August 4, 2008 1:30 PM
i love the scribbling - are you kidding?? that helps make this place soo frickin special. the wait staff is excellent - they know their stuff.
i could eat here every day, every meal for the rest of my life their menu is that varied and good.
altervoce wrote a review on August 4, 2008 4:08 PM
I like Diner a lot, although in these troubling times -- calling the What -- I flinch when dropping $140 for dinner for two, as I did in July. As for the scribbling, I think it's pretty ineffectual. There are often a dozen specials, from soup to entrees, and if the dish is Mahi Mahi with stainless steel washers on a bed of old newspaper, it doesn't help me much when the waitstaff writes "Mahi" on tablecloth. That much I can remember by myself.
dobbs wrote a review on August 4, 2008 4:19 PM
Diner is a fantastic restaurant that has stayed fantastic since it first showed up in Williamsburg. Same executive chef as from day 1, I believe. Great staff. Love the food. All dishes are great from the basics (burgers) to more elaborate things (too good and too countless to name).
I hate to add a negative to this lovefest but I do have one criticism - can they please turn down the music!?? I have purposefully not gone there sometimes when I know that I am with someone I really want to talk with, because I know the hipsters like their loud music and that's also what they serve up at Diner. Stop murdering your great food by giving your customers headaches from having to shout across the table.
Wouldn't write if I didn't care + love the restaurant. Bonita, also same owners, on Bedford Ave., is great too.
treehouse wrote a review on August 16, 2008 4:40 PM
My favorite restaurant in Brooklyn. It rarely disappoints (except when cheese grits vanish from the menu!! Theirs are sublime). Seasonal focus, fresh and interesting ingredients, both healthy and comforting offerings, and nice environs are all what keep me coming back for more. People who don't get it don't have palettes and should eat at Blue Water Grill or somewhere else gross. This is food at its best. The staff is great and the owner is genius...a word I reserve for only a very special sort.
dirty_hipster wrote a review on September 14, 2009 1:33 PM
Can't believe I missed reviewing this!
Everyone else is pretty spot on. When the kitchen is on, this is one of the best spots in the city.
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