Queen
"Queen opened in downtown Brooklyn in 1958, and from the outside appears to be a nondescript joint on a dingy, crowded block. But when the French Michelin guidebook awarded it a star, it jumped to a new level of recognition, putting Queen permanently on the map in the borough of Kings," says Metromix. Dan McAlvanah for Citysearch adds, "You want to resist everything about this place--the silly napkin sculptures, the mirrored walls, the color scheme borrowed from the world's worst wedding halls--but somehow wind up enjoying it all in the end."
Eater says, "The charm and appeal of Queen Restaurant emanates from two sources: the attentive, friendly staff and the more-than-capable kitchen." And Time Out New York vouches for the food: "Smooth, barely salty mozzarella is made in-house daily and served with a changing side (pray for the garlicky roasted asparagus). A meaty mound of thyme-seasoned osso buco is fork-tender, and the filet mignon gets an herbal boost from its rosemary-infused sauce." What's your take on this place?
Reviews (22)
sam wrote a review on February 17, 2009 12:07 PM
The service here is what it's all about. I have also never had a bad meal. It is very pricey, which keeps things genteel.
BH76 wrote a review on February 17, 2009 12:18 PM
The food is always excellent, the special wines great. And the desserts are really good as well.
chrishavens wrote a review on February 17, 2009 12:26 PM
Really the best food in DB area with rare full service approach. Pre-fixe a great deal for an early early dinner.... Eat two appetizers to save $$.... pasta specials can be incredible
RaginCajun wrote a review on February 17, 2009 12:32 PM
We'd been living in the neighborhood for about a year thinking the place was just a diner (I mean look at the awning and sign!) when we stumbled across some AOL survey proclaiming it the best Italian food in New York City (not in Downtown Brooklyn, not in Brooklyn -- the entire city). Not the sort who believes anything based on surveys of AOL users (that you're using AOL in 2007 already makes me question your judgment), we did some snooping and found more and more rave reviews.
And all of them were spot on. Sure, the decor is a little 1950s suburbia and you'll see a lot of sweater-sets in the place, but the food was out of this world. I'm don't mean that the food is decent for nostalgia-tinged red-sauce joints like Sam's or Red Rose. The food here is three categories removed. The service is great (oh, and polite). Menu excellent.
But you will pay for it. Not cheap at all.
bxgrl wrote a review on February 17, 2009 12:53 PM
They also used to have a separate pizza shop- great pizza. Long gone sadly but the restaurant is great. Lived around the corner on Schermerhorn for years and they are a neighborhood legend.
Expensive but the food is worth it. The diner ambiance is a hoot but really- not that important.
mrkknox wrote a review on February 17, 2009 1:00 PM
Having lived above the restaurant for over three years, I can safely say that this is some of the best Italian in NYC. The food may seem a little on the expensive side, but in the end you will not be disappointed. All the pasta dishes are the best I have had outside of Italy! The wine specials are great and very reasonable.
Also on a side note, due to the fact that my landlord was also the head chef I have had to go into the kitchen several times to speak with him...IT IS THE CLEANEST KITCHEN I HAVE EVER SEEN.
Do yourself a favor ignore the decor...cause the food is outstanding.
stray bongo wrote a review on February 17, 2009 1:02 PM
I, too, was shocked at the raves I read online after moving to the neighborhood. One visit sold me, however. I have never ordered off of the regular menu, but the seasonal menu always has something that I have enjoyed. It is my go to place when the not-so-adventurous parents/in-laws are in town.
Montrose Morris wrote a review on February 17, 2009 1:08 PM
Haven't been here in years. I remember the food was extremely good, and was expensive, but worth it. Decor always reminds me of a restaurant in the Kennedy years, I used to look around for pillbox hats and fedoras. But who cares? I'll have to go back, it's been too long.
babs wrote a review on February 17, 2009 2:09 PM
Wow -- I'm glad somoene else mentioned thier pizza, because I was beginning to believe I dreamt that. But I never tried thier "real" food until they got rid of the pizzeria in the front, so I gues it was a good idea. Everything excellent -- pastas superb, meats cooked the way you say (rare means rare!), and great service. I, too, must go back soon -- it's been too long.
bowl of dicks wrote a review on February 17, 2009 2:14 PM
i wish this place weren't located on the nastiest, most unpleasant block of Court Street. Otherwise i would visit the Queen in an instant based on all these rave reviews. but the McDonalds next door really ruins it for me. the sidewalk is greasy, smelly, and slippery. trash everywhere, and sometimes the garbage bags can pile upto eye level. in the summertime that block downright putrid!
Sorry, Queen.
daveinbedstuy wrote a review on February 17, 2009 2:25 PM
They don't know how to make a proper spaghetti carbonara. Ptteeeewweeey
columbiatch wrote a review on February 17, 2009 2:51 PM
My husband and I went here once on recomendations of other friends who live in the neighborhood and raved about it. The food and service were really outstanding - it was such a pleasant surprise considering how divey it looks from the outside. The only drawback is, like Bowl of Dicks said above, it's stuck in the middle of the Popeye's, McD's and the talk-back theater on the only really sketchy block in Brooklyn Heights.
buttermilk channel wrote a review on February 17, 2009 2:55 PM
Great menu, old school service. It's amazing that it made it through the 70's and 80's. This stretch of Court used to be much more nasty during that time. The porno theatre down the street was a real highlight, and there were more bail bondsmen at streetlevel then. Quite a scene. I'm glad the Queen is still around.
bklynbred wrote a review on February 17, 2009 3:00 PM
Great food, central locale, and the cheesy decor somehow adds to the charm. This place has been around for decades, which is a testament to the service and the food. Love it here.
Biff Champion wrote a review on February 17, 2009 3:00 PM
Like many others here, I never gave the place a second look due to the location. I'll have to try it.
"the talk-back theater"...classic!
brooklyn guy wrote a review on February 17, 2009 3:10 PM
This is a Moonstruck type of old school place that hosts Department of education retirement parties, and things like that, in addition to quietly putting out truly excellent red sauce-joint food. And the food is well prepared, even details, like the crisp vegetable side dishes with the perfect amount of garlic. A great place to go with a friend on a wednesday night, and you can bring wine too - reasonable corkage at $20.
Petebklyn wrote a review on February 17, 2009 5:07 PM
You think location ain't pretty now. It used to be next to a porno theater on Court
(where B&N/Cineplex is now).
Cobblehillbaby wrote a review on February 17, 2009 5:30 PM
Hands down the best restaurant in all of Brooklyn. Never had a bad meal there (and I've been going there since they opened up in that space about 16 years ago), and I question anyone's tatse who says otherwise. Definitely one of the best Italian restaurants in the whole city.
e10b wrote a review on February 17, 2009 10:01 PM
I've been going there for about 5 years now, maybe 20 times. It is always great. I have never had a bad meal and the service is exquisite. As a matter of fact I went for Valentines Day and had the gnocchi with veal. Amazing- even last night as microwaved leftovers.
Splap wrote a review on February 17, 2009 11:30 PM
Try to go on someone's birthday. There is a guy who has worked there for over a decade - short, gray hair, glasses. His rendition of Happy Birthday is priceless. Love that guy.
This place is unreal. Every criticism of the decor and block is spot-on, but the food is what brings people back.
brklynmarks wrote a review on February 18, 2009 11:36 AM
Please don't forget to mention THEY DELIVER!
We often like to have guest over and order for delivery. I always laugh .. they charge extra for butter and grated cheese!
We will ask for the specials and order a few of the special pastas and a couple salads. Not cheap.. but a most delicious meal.
Try it .. you'll like it!
Molly wrote a review on August 19, 2009 1:01 PM
The reviews about sum this place up for me. I agree withe DIBS, they make a terrible speghetti carbonara. Otherwise, the food has been very good. The mozzerella is incredible, and the drinks are strong. Good wine and good service!
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