Henry's End

"With its ramshackle mixture of sponge-painted, nougat-colored walls, exposed brick and crowded-together black tables, Henry’s End feels like what it is: a neighborhood joint, serving a laid-back local crowd. But the food (and prices) aim a little loftier than you might expect," writes Stephanie Rosenbaum for New York magazine.
The restaurant is known for their Wild Game Festival, a menu served from October through March. Time Out New York says, "For a taste of the season, the wild-game menu dazzles with hearty dishes such as fragrant, oregano-encrusted elk chops. Year-roundwinners include a mustard-seed-crusted tuna served over spinach drizzled with soy and mustard oil." Frequent customer and Chowhound Steve R has a few recommendations, too: "The fried chicken is excellent (beware: cinnamon, cumin and even some clove show up in the batter... much better than that sounds). The turtle soup is verrrry good. I love the duck with honey and ginger. The ribs are great as an appetizer."
The SJ to NYC Journal comments on the down-home friendliness of the staff: "Our server (though she certainly was a good one) seemed like someone from a small-town diner. She was probably 55-60, and she called everyone 'hun' or something similar, and she would say things like 'How did you do?' as she came to clear plates." What are your experiences with Henry's End? And what's the best thing to order from the wild game menu?
Reviews (23)
an wrote a review on October 2, 2008 12:33 PM
Henry's End is great. I have had game there, but their other dishes are great too. The wine selection is really good. The wait staff is quirky (in a good way) and the decor is strange, but if you want great food and wine, it's top notch.
BH76 wrote a review on October 2, 2008 12:41 PM
It reminds me of eating at the better restaurants in Indianapolis and othe MW cities back in the 70s. It's all good but you have to be in the mood for its "heavier" dishes.
bowl of dicks wrote a review on October 2, 2008 12:42 PM
been going here for years, never had a bad meal. very intimate, and for me, a special occasion place. get on their mailing list and give them your birth date. you'll be happy you did.
SouthBklynPartisan wrote a review on October 2, 2008 12:52 PM
As a Brooklyn Heights native, I can tell you that Henry's End is a neighborhood institution. People in BH are known to go there at least a few times a year just to insure that it stays open and the staff hasn't changed in my memory. The waitress described above has been there since my early childhood (I believe her name is Mary) and when a neighbor from my childhood died a few years ago, she sat next to my mother at the memorial service. THAT is a true neighborhood place. Viva Henry's End!
Biff Champion wrote a review on October 2, 2008 1:05 PM
Noodle Pooding gets much of the glory in these parts, but I'll take Henry's End over it any day of the week.
buttermilk channel wrote a review on October 2, 2008 1:06 PM
A real treasure. We've been going there for more than twenty years. Great service. The BBQ shrimp appetizer is amazing. If you go for the Game Fest menu, try the Elk Chops. And the birthday postcards are always a nice touch.
GHB wrote a review on October 2, 2008 1:16 PM
I agree with everyone...Henry's End is great. But if food, service and ambience are all rated as 4s and 5s, why does the value come out as 3? Now I'll try it...
Biff Champion wrote a review on October 2, 2008 1:18 PM
"Noodle Pooding"? Yikes! You know what I meant...
fsrg wrote a review on October 2, 2008 1:33 PM
Great restaurant - food is great - wine list is great and the service is great. True Brooklyn institution (in all good ways) - I think it is a good value - but I am rather disappointed that they got rid of the small (and albeit plain) salad. It was a weird but nice touch.
Johnny wrote a review on October 2, 2008 1:40 PM
Has been my favorite place in Brooklyn since I moved here 17 years ago. Once gave Norman Mailer my chair! Friendly, warm, with excellent wines (and beers) by the glass. Service always friendly and attentive. And staff that have been there for decades.
sam wrote a review on October 2, 2008 2:00 PM
I like Henry's End, it is the "old reliable". Haven't been there in a while though. I used to love the game dishes.
indianajones wrote a review on October 2, 2008 2:27 PM
A great neighborhood joint with the best steak au poive. The staff is super friendly, and the food never disappoints.
janko wrote a review on October 2, 2008 2:41 PM
Henry's end sucks.
janko wrote a review on October 2, 2008 2:44 PM
garbage!
zeebee_in_bklyn wrote a review on October 2, 2008 3:09 PM
Love it - the offbeat staff, the not-trying-to-impress decor, the great wine and beer lists. Excellent food and lots of it - I'm partial to the chicken with pears, nuts and blue cheese when I'm really hungry. The owner and staff treat everyone like a regular.
denton wrote a review on October 2, 2008 3:11 PM
Haven't lived in BH for a while but when we did we went there regularly. By far the best in BH. Great steaks, especially.
fsrg wrote a review on October 2, 2008 3:17 PM
Thanks for the descriptive post janko
janko wrote a review on October 2, 2008 3:29 PM
fsrg...open your eyes my rating is right in front of you.
janko wrote a review on October 2, 2008 3:32 PM
And I think it sucks and it's garage say's it all.
fsrg wrote a review on October 2, 2008 3:42 PM
Janko - you truly are a wordsmith, thanks for the contribution
FeiFei wrote a review on October 2, 2008 3:49 PM
I went there for the first time about a month ago and I wouldn't go back or recommend it to anyone. The bread basket was the best part. I got the BBQ shrimp appetizer and while it was good, it was nothing special, and it was overpriced for three shrimp. The fried chicken was good and fried well. However, the menu is unimaginative and boring - the veal is cooked one way, with three different sauces; two of the steak entrees are cooked the same, but with two different sauces; all three duck entrees are the same, but with three different sauces (one of which we ordered); same could be said of three salmon dishes; and the two sides of rice pilaf and steamed vegetables required no thought at all on the chef's part and were just served along side the fried chicken and duck. While its cozy inside, that neon side has obviously been around for a while and did not add to the ambience for us.
janko wrote a review on October 2, 2008 4:30 PM
fsrg...your welcome.
PPSer wrote a review on October 2, 2008 4:31 PM
We had an awful meal. Everything but the meat tasted like it came out of a can. Although we didn't partake, there appears to be a fantastic wine list and terrific prices for some extraordinary wines (less than what you'd pay in a liquor store if you could even find the wines). We wanted to like it, but we'll never go back.

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