Saul
"The spare, 48-seat space has hardwood floors, pale yellow and exposed brick walls, a pressed tin ceiling and a fair amount of room in between tables," the Citysearch staff writes about this uncluttered Smith Street restaurant. Sandra Nygaard of New York magazine adds, "At Saul, former Le Bernardin cook Saul Bolton’s small, dynamic menu changes seasonally, but impeccable service and the quality of the ingredients—such as Niman Ranch pork or hand-harvested sea scallops—remains consistent."
However, some Chowhounds complain about high prices and small portions here. "Three Sea Scallops as a main dish for $27 is not my idea of a good time," says one 'Hound. But others argue that some dishes are completely splurge-worthy: "The lamb 3 or 4 or 5 ways (it varies) is the way to go." For dessert, NYCnosh recommends their absolutely gorgeous baked Alaska, which "possessed a deep carmelized, slightly burnt aftertaste that jumped the bridge between merely good and great. And at $9, it’s an absolute steal that could easily feed two." What are your thoughts on this place?
Reviews (36)
LM wrote a review on August 11, 2008 12:28 PM
I wouldn't call it a high-value establishment, but in comparing it to "The Grocery" it surpasses as a fine place for a romantic evening.
PropJoe wrote a review on August 11, 2008 12:46 PM
Excellent restaurant with attentive staff. I believe it's Michelin Starred. Food was delicious. I straight up give Props to this joint, son.
funstraw wrote a review on August 11, 2008 12:51 PM
Very well run Restaurant.
newbie12222 wrote a review on August 11, 2008 1:01 PM
I find it bit troubling and uneasy that when I frequent a lot of these new Brooklyn places like Saul, Al Li Da, Franny, Rose Water etc. that my gf & I happen to be the only persons of Minority group represented at the given time of the day. Yet, most of the wait/kitchen staffs working and serving these establishments are of Hispanics group. Its interesting that this is occurring in a borough where Minorities make up more 70-80% of the population. Just an observation.
PLG30 wrote a review on August 11, 2008 1:18 PM
I love this restaurant. I find the food very good and the portion sizes just about right.
zeebee_in_bklyn wrote a review on August 11, 2008 1:18 PM
My favorite Smith Street restaurant. Excellent food and service, quiet enough to enjoy a conversation.
James Patience wrote a review on August 11, 2008 1:26 PM
Featured in the Michelin Guide, eh? I'll check it out. Merci!
BH76 wrote a review on August 11, 2008 1:33 PM
We are so lucky to have Saul (and it deservedly has a Michelin star). One of the rare chefs who actually cooks (and on weekends too). Every meal is perfect. The portions are perfect for anyone who actually wants to enjoy three courses. And the service is attentive and friendly.
The food is wonderful without affectations (like Franny's). My only compalint is that the room can become noisy if there are a a couple of loud people.
It is not so new -- 9 years. Saul's wife hosted until she had her first child. I hope thay stay forever!
daveinbedstuy wrote a review on August 11, 2008 1:34 PM
newbie12222...please explain your dilemma. Why is it "troubling and uneasy?" Are you ever mistreated? Apparently not at Saul since you gave them a "4" for Service.
Are there many restaurants in NYC where a lot of the wait/kitchen staff are not "of Hispanics group" (sic)?
rocky4 wrote a review on August 11, 2008 2:13 PM
ehhh it was alright. chicken was dry.
chrishavens wrote a review on August 11, 2008 2:18 PM
one of the best in downtown BK area
BoerumGuy wrote a review on August 11, 2008 2:21 PM
The best restaurant in Brooklyn, hands down. It's nice not to have to go into the city for high quality, innovative cuisine. Saul and The Grocery both do a great job of giving upscale dining options to an otherwise mediocre Smith St. Although it's pricey, I find that it's worth going for special occasions. The seared Foie Gras is probably my favorite dish in all of NY.
daveinbedstuy wrote a review on August 11, 2008 2:23 PM
I'm going soon just for that foie gras recommendation BoerumGuy
dittoburg wrote a review on August 11, 2008 2:28 PM
I cannot understand why people cook foie gras any more than I can understand why people chose to live in DUMBO.
daveinbedstuy wrote a review on August 11, 2008 2:34 PM
dittoburg...most people don't cook it themselves. It's very hard to get it right. That's why we order it at restaurants where its good. Its a hard concept to grasp I know. Stick with your real estate conundrums. That kind of comment makes you look like dumbo. :)
dittoburg wrote a review on August 11, 2008 2:42 PM
Do you cook your sushi too?
daveinbedstuy wrote a review on August 11, 2008 2:45 PM
NO, DO YOU? And most people don't make sushi at home either. Your logic is deeply flawed. I take back my :) icon
dittoburg wrote a review on August 11, 2008 2:48 PM
I think its haute trahison.
daveinbedstuy wrote a review on August 11, 2008 2:53 PM
what about seared tuna?? talk about your conundrum!
dittoburg wrote a review on August 11, 2008 2:58 PM
Hopefully, one wouldn't be searing sushi-grade tuna. There's no need.
daveinbedstuy wrote a review on August 11, 2008 3:04 PM
I admit to having done it in the past. I only buy sushi grade and I was serving a seared tuna dinner. Mea culpa. Fish Tales on Court St sells fantastic tuna.
dittoburg wrote a review on August 11, 2008 3:05 PM
Anyway, we are clearly getting off the topic which should be why does "newbie" feel uncomfortable sitting with so many diners of a different race than his. Is he advocating segregation?
daveinbedstuy wrote a review on August 11, 2008 3:11 PM
Yeah, I had to think long and hard about how to phrase that question.
dittoburg wrote a review on August 11, 2008 3:18 PM
He wouldn't like to come for dim sum to Diamond on Eighth in Bayridge, unless he's chinese. He'd be fidgeting and uncomfortable all the time.
Carlton Banks wrote a review on August 11, 2008 3:32 PM
Definitely not for those on a tight budget but this place has great food. The watermelon salad is excellent.
dittoburg wrote a review on August 11, 2008 4:00 PM
Carleton Sheets? I was wondering what happened to you.
daveinbedstuy wrote a review on August 11, 2008 4:17 PM
foie gras AND veal sweetbreads. Boy, much to the chagrin of my heart, I will be getting over these ASAP.
pierre wrote a review on August 11, 2008 4:59 PM
Can be inconsistent, but when it's good, it's very good.
goldie wrote a review on August 11, 2008 5:07 PM
great
FeiFei wrote a review on August 11, 2008 5:25 PM
Went there once and the only dish I remember was my date's "lamb 3 or 4 or 5 ways". It was yummy! Good ambience. I probably wouldn't go back so soon though because it's a bit pricey for me.
jdonquincy wrote a review on August 11, 2008 6:10 PM
I am surprised this place has so many rave reviews, and even more astonished that it has a michelin star. I took a very good friend and business contact who lives in france for a special celebration. We both eat out a lot in many different cities and countries at many different levels. We enjoy anticuchos on a street corner in south america as much as polenta crusted sweet breads in some hip NYC joint.
The service at Saul was a total let-down. We got a dippy NYU-ish waitress who didn't know anything about the menu. My guest ALWAYS asks the server for their own personal recommendation for someone who has never eaten there before and likely never will again. "The one must have dish" he calls it. She did not know, nor could she choose.
For an aperitif my guest said he really had an urge to drink a small but very spicy virgin mary, as he was unable to drink alcohol that day. "Well we don't really do brunch," said the waitress. He explained he didn't want brunch, just a small tomato juice with some hot sauce and horse radish. She then disappeared for 15 minutes.
All this aside, the food was hardly memorable, nothing bad but nothing to write home about. And more to the point, nothing to stop you riding the extra ten minutes on the subway to get to any one of the many hundreds of better restaurants in Manhattan, sad though it makes me to write it.
dittoburg wrote a review on August 11, 2008 6:31 PM
love the "brunch" response!
amitygal wrote a review on August 11, 2008 6:55 PM
The food and service are excellent at Saul however, the ambiance is lacking. With the fine dining prices I expect to be visually pleased by my surroundings, 9 years in business time for a reno.
superslav wrote a review on August 11, 2008 9:35 PM
I'm not totally bowled over by the ambiance. My husband had the 5-way lamb, which was amazing. Baked Alaska was delicious as well. The only problem: my husband's pine nut allergy landed him in the ER that night after we'd been reassured over and over by the server that there weren't pine nuts in anything....
treehouse wrote a review on August 16, 2008 4:25 PM
Excellent food. It is nice to have a fine dining option in Brooklyn. The only thing I would change would be the atmosphere. It seems a little dated and stale. Unlike some of the reviewers, I have had consistently good service and food here and have never been let down. Their seasonal and thoughfully prepared dishes have always been memorable and keep me coming back for more. It is nice to find such offerings in Brooklyn so one can avoid the ever increasing Manhattan rube-fest that tends to ruin the vibe of any well reviewed establishment.
I too am confused my newbie's race remarks. Dare I say it but have you looked at the #'s on Brooklyn minorities and socio-economic backgrounds? You will find that a majority of minorities here probably do not want to pay those prices and perhaps fine dining is not on the top of their list above survival and feeding all of their children. In a perfect harmonious land (possibly a socialist one) maybe we would all be eating the same thing in the same places but that is not the reality of Brooklyn or the world we live in. Do you find it 'troubling and uneasy' that most Macdonald's are filled with minorities? Is Macdonald's racist against non-minorities? I guess that is an entirely different discussion we could reserve for Brownstoner's race forum coming soon:)
typhanii wrote a review on August 28, 2008 1:08 PM
went with mother-in-law, who loved the everything.
I thought it was pretentious.
The baked Alaska rocked my socks, but everything else seemed too heavy and relatively obvious....
But again, a co-worker LOVED saul. I prefer a little more ingenuity in my experience.
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