Walked into Bar Mario in Red Hook like I was just "stopping in for one drink." Rookie mistake. This place feels like it's been here forever--in the best way. Cozy, old-school Italian vibes, staff speaking Italian like they're judging you lovingly, and Negronis that'll make you rethink every bad decision you've ever made at a bar. I ordered the lasagna because a man should test a kitchen on its fundamentals. Absolute home run. Rich, layered, comforting--felt like someone's nonna was in the back nodding in approval. No notes. No leftovers. Bar Mario isn't trying to be trendy. It's just confident, timeless, and quietly excellent. The kind of spot where you come hungry, leave happy, and start planning your next visit before you even hit the sidewalk. read more

Bar Mario - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I have now been to Bar Mario several times, and it is absolutely worth a 5-star review. First, the ambience is terrific. It's not a huge restaurant (so I would make a reservation): a few 2- and 4-seat high tops, maybe 6 or 7 tables, and a bar with about 10 seats. But the environment is warm and cozy, with low lighting and music loud enough to enjoy, soft enough to have conversations with your party, the bartender, or whoever else. The servers are all excellent. Very charming and friendly. They check in often, but not in an intrusive way. I've also seen the owner walking around, greeting customers, and talking with his staff. He's always around, and he's a friendly presence. There's such a great neighborhood vibe here - there are definitely some regulars here, and it helps create a homey atmosphere. The food here is outstanding. I have not had a bad dish here. The Caesar salad is actually made with several long stalks of romaine, so it stays crisp. The meatballs come with polenta around the plate, and it is fantastic. I've also had the hangover spaghetti (excellent) and the lasagna (amazing). Their calamari also has a few shrimp and (I think) some bay scallops, so that's a great addition. And their cocktails are outstanding - potent but flavorful. I don't get a chance to go to Red Hook much, but when I do, I definitely want to stop here. It's on the "main road" of Red Hook, and there are definitely some cute shops and coffee places around, and of course, there's Ikea not too far. This restaurant, though, deserves your business. read more

Was excited to try the new location. Food and service is good but extremely expensive for portion size. Funny how old Red Hook has become the hip place for small expensive food! Lots of non-locals. Hmmm.... read more

Super cute spot in Red Hook! Bar Mario has a large bar inside as well as a bunch of tables on the sidewalk. We were able to walk in on a Friday night since we arrived early in the evening. They make pasta in-house so of course we had to order some along with a couple drinks and apps. The fried calamari was cooked perfectly had a great coating. The Cesar salad had a few pieces of anchovies on it that enhanced the dressing. For the pastas, we ordered a squid ink pasta with shrimp, calamari and tomatoes. The other pasta dish had mixed mushrooms. They were both well balanced and hard to pick a favorite. Of course we had to try dessert and it did not disappoint. The slice had a graham cookie base, a layer of chocolate ganache, fluffy whipped cream, and hazelnuts. One of the best desserts I've had this year! Don't miss Bar Mario when you're in Red Hook! read more

See all

Bar Mario Has won my heart. Found this spot out of the blue in a dark out of the office. Service: was exceptional, very attentive, very friendly. The bartender was amazing. Make me and my coworkers feel welcome and made us amazing drinks Food: oh not complain at all, the french fries infused with Rosemary was amazing. Price: a bit pricey but worthy. Environment: pleasant, perfect for friends or first date, they have a cozy little spot inside and also outdoor sitting. Definitely cant wait to visit again read more

See all

I'm so glad we stumbled upon Bar Mario. We happened to be in the area and were feeling hungry. Bar Mario happened to be open at 3pm on a Saturday and was just a block from us. When we walked in, we were greeted warmly and given a spot in the "pit", which basically a row of closely packed tables which they pulled out so you could squeeze into your seat. We each ordered a drink - I ordered a montepulciano and my husband ordered a cocktail. The restaurant had a cozy and welcoming vibe, with an impressive bar for its size. For food, we ordered the pico cacio e pepe and gnocchi castelmagno e nocciole. We were blown away by both, especially the cacio e pepe. Omg. It was incredible. I make cacio e pepe at home all the time and tried it multiple times in Italy, and this came close to some of the best cacio e pepe I've ever had. I wish we could have stayed longer and tried more dishes, but unfortunately we only stuck around for an hour because we had someplace to be. The staff seemed a little disappointed we left so soon, since this definitely seems like the kind of place you can hang out at if they aren't back. We definitely plan to be back soon to try more dishes and hang out for longer read more

Bar Mario - Pico cacio e pepe and gnocchi castelmagno e nocciole - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

One of the greatest neighborhood restaurants in the city in quite some time has appropriately landed in a storied location in one of the cities longtime most unique and coolest neighborhoods. While RedHook is certainly far from removed from the overall gentrification and insane development that have shattered Brooklyn over the past couple of decades, it's nevertheless retains a uniqueness and certain mystical quality unlike any other neighborhood in the borough. Housed in the former location of the longtime beloved and greatly missed neighborhood institution cocktail bar-general store hybrid Fort Defiance, this charming trattoria from true Italians is in my opinion pound for pound the most charming, beguiling and homey feeling restaurant to open in the city in quite some time, one of those increasingly rare establishments that makes you immediately want to become a regular and fantasize about making it into one of those elusive "third spaces" we always here so much about nowadays, usually in the context of some think piece lamenting how increasingly hard these cherished places are to find. Starting with the food, while I notorious pasta-head that I am, have never been able to move beyond the pasta section of the menu, you only should take that as evidence that these are among the most simply yet perfectly prepared and resoundingly most delicious pasta dishes to be found anywhere in the city, at prices that in this year or 2024 count as downright bargains, generally a full 10 dollars cheaper than the average lesser plates of pastas at forgettable, mediocre places. Rigatoni alla fiesolana, is at the most a very close relative of Penne Vodka with smoky thick bacon kicking up a perfectly creamy and unctuous tomato sauce perfectly clinging to perfectly al dente, despite the name change, can compete for best in the city title with any vodka sauce to be found anywhere. Casio E Pepe stands out amongst countless variations in its glorious lightness and depth of flavor. A kitchen sink/pantry type pasta consisting of a glorious mash of onion, garlic, Capers dried tomatoes and assorted other herby goodness lives up to it's wonderful monicker of "Spaghetti Hangover", with it's assertive and vibrant flavors being exactly what you would want to help fight off the most aggressive morning after a rough night. The food is matched in greatness by a expertly and artfully chosen wine list, obviously leaning heavy on delicious and hard to find Italian vintages, along with top tier cocktails befitting it's location in the former home of one of the trailblazers of the Aughts great and massively globally influential Brooklyn mixology scene. While the food alone would be enough to make me really love this place what kicks it into the next stratosphere in terms of greatness is the impeccable vibes in which it is served in. This is due most largely to the wonderful staff, simply one of the best in the city. While the owners are straight from the boot, bringing both the authenticity and deliciousness where the food is concerned and Italian sophistication and glamour to the proceedings, the staff offers a wonderful diverse represantaion of the variety that makes the borough and the greater city so wonderful and unique. Representing a cross section of cultures and native countries, from Australia to Guatemala and beyond, every server to a person I have encountered here has had that elusive combination of genuine friendliness and eagerness to engage in a genuine and interesting conversation while at the same time giving that extra level of professionalism that is held as the best examples of what a NYC neighborhood institution can offer. Times change even beloved places close, but the best case scenario for the constant reinvention and rejuvenation that keeps NYC great and unique is exemplified by the opening of wonderful new places like this, signaling that the city will continue to grow and thrive and remain great as the years go on and on... read more

See all

Beautiful restaurant, great food and cocktails. Bartender knew what she was doing, great guest service overall. read more

Bar Mario - Vitello Tonnato, focaccia & Gran Madre - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

We had a wonderful meal at Bar Mario. We sat outside due to perfect weather. Enrico provided long and detailed explanations in everything from wine to dessert. We ordered appetizers to share - fried artichokes and finnochina were wonderful. Vitello tonnato was a bit dry. We asked for bread and they delivered crisped slices of focaccia crushed with olive oil and sprinkled with rosemary. The pastas were delicious. We especially loved. The angliotti with sage butter a d the paccheri. We also enjoyed the hangover pasta. Chicken Milanese was crispy and perfect. Prime Steak with crispy Tuscan fries was cooked well-- they provided a side of ceasar salad which was a good counter balance. All good. Desserts: lemon ricotta cheesecake a standout. Gianduja pie just ok. But we felt they need to offer vegetable side dishes -- broccoli rabe, spinach, asparagus etc. In Italy verdura is a common side dish Overall great! Mangia! read more

Okay, so this place is just a wee bit overrated on Yelp. Think: pretty darn expensive; small portions; Brooklyn hipster restaurant. And you should never, ever let Brooklyn hipsters recommend any kind of ethnic food to you. They simply don't understand it. So yeah, I'm a genuine Italian-American and I can guarantee you that nobody in my entire family would like this place. I barely tolerated it because I'm used to chic NYC restaurants that provide this kind of experience (which I would define as "fancy, yet unsatisfying"). For the record, I had the Paccheri with sausage. Well, theoretically it contained sausage. They blended the meat with the sauce until it was virtually undetectable. The dish had some nice heat to it, though. I also ordered the meatballs. They were flavorful, but tiiiiiny. I'll take my mom's meatballs instead, any day. And so should you. In summation: Bar Mario is expensive, but just okay. Also: fuhgeddaboutit!! read more

That's a spicy spaghetti (said with a super mario accent)! This upscale Italian bar opened in January 2023, but seems to have hit its stride in March. They had good business, expanding from 3 to 5 nights of service per week. The food is great, the drinks look well crafted, and the vibe is quirky cool, reminding me of a side street cafe in Rome. Food: 5/5. The pasta is high quality, although al dente, and unique flavor combos. The hangover spaghetti had a salty and slightly spicy profile, and really worked. The special of the day was duck Ragu sauce over rigatoni, and was perfectly balanced. Service: 5/5. Our waiter was from Italy so you know this place is legit! He was attentive and happy to explain all the dishes Ambiance: 4/5. Quirky cool. Value: 4/5. Not cheap, but worth it for quality of dishes and service. read more

See all

Bar Mario, evoking the charm and allure that you must personally visit to truly appreciate. Experience the enchanting feeling of family and the culinary reminiscence of Italy - simple and unpretentious. Enjoy dishes brimming with freshness and natural ingredients, lovingly created in what I imagine is Nona's kitchen. Located in Red Hook, Bar Mario brims with beauty. From Antonio to Shawn, along with their secret weapon--exquisite ingredients, you'll truly find your place at the dinner table. The experience at Bar Mario is incredibly delectable, with its great drinks, menus, and heavenly daily specials, prepare yourself for an enthralling culinary journey. Upon stepping inside, you're immediately welcomed by warm ambiance and stunning decor. Feel free to remove your hat, be your authentic self, and savour the true essence of living the dream. Kick back, catch up, and enjoy the impeccable service & delight! read more

See all

If you ever wish you could go back in time when New York was interesting and fun?Bar Mario may be your best chance.I was first taken there by my children for fathers day.we entered to be greeted by the owner( Alessandro?) and the staff all quite welcoming.I always find the lighting and music very important, theirs was spot on. we ordered Mario's caesar, spaghetti hangover,fritto Dicalamari and shrimp,Agnolotti rags and the Gnocchi alla viareggina,we shared and delicately devoured every morsel. Last Thursday ,a friend and I returned this time we sat at the Bar,Allie was our bartender(she had large group of diverse regulars )she recommended a chilled red, that was very good.we had another fine meal that equaled the first. I looking forward my return to BAR MARIO! read more

Drinks were absolutely fantastic, with an attention to detail and craft that is unmatched. I had a mocktail mule, it was fresh, crisp, and well-balanced. I didn't have any food there but it smelled amazing. The staff were incredibly warm and smiling and attentive, 10/10 service. read more

...Wow. This place was, INCREDIBLE. Vibes were high, food was delicious and service was attentive. Red Hook is severely underrated when it comes to food, between Bar Mario, Red Hook Tavern, Hometown BBQ, this neighborhood is great for foodies. This place was jam packed when we got there, and we were still able to sit outside. The timing on everything was perfect. Our server was charming and attentive. read more

Bar Mario - 27oz ribeye, burger, ceaser salad and wine - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

New spot on red hook. Love the service and friendly people! The pasta is well cooked and very accurate to description. We had the ragu and the hangover pasta. Highly recommend. read more

Bar Mario - Menu - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

Came to Red hook to patronize another venue. They had no tables For walk-ins, we scored at Bar Mario's by just walking a few blocks down. The staff is very attentive and the food was outstanding. Definitely a spot to try ! Never get dessert but more Italian style desserts are offered so had to dive in!! read more

See all

The food, service and outdoor seating were excellent. Has a great neighborhood feel.

We went last night for the first time, even though we have been wanting to try it since it opened. We were seriously impressed! Perfectly executed dishes, amazing service on a VERY busy Saturday night, and a truly excellent vibe. I can't believe how long it took us to get there, but now we expect to be regulars! One of the best dining experiences we have had in a while, and we dine out frequently. Can't wait to return. read more

After having come to bar Mario a handful of times, I have to give high praise to its astounding service and delicious menu. I highly recommend the Rigatoni, the pasta is cooked perfectly and the creamy sauce adds a rich flavor and texture that makes the dish taste incredible. Service was quick and the staff were super welcoming. Overall the vibe of the bar is super chill and classy, amazing place to eat with a few friends! read more

Wow wow wow... Finally, a place that has it all! Service, ambiance, drink and delicious food!!!!! Hostess was super accommodating to squeeze us in. Table service was on point. But the food, every dish that came out was better than the last one. Cannot wait to go back! read more

See all

We came here last minute, and for the first time on Xmas Eve, when another neighborhood restaurant suddenly texted me to cancel our reservation 30 minutes prior to seating! This l ft m scrambling to find a new place for Xmas eve dinner, at 8pm on Xmas Eve night! Bar Mario's staff welcomed us with open arms, the staff was attentive and friendly, the food was delicious, and the ambiance was serene and classy. I got the lasagna special, and my husband got the popular rigatoni dish. Both were excellent! read more

See all

Popped by here while we were waiting for a dinner reservation and was really pleasantly surprised by the ambiance and offerings. It's gorgeous inside and they have a really interesting drink menu. We also tried their chicken liver crostinis which were honestly amazing. Can't wait to come back and try their pastas - everything coming out looked great. read more

Wow. Wow. Wow. What a great restaurant. Fabulous food and even better service and staff. Be sure to inquire about the wonderful daily specials! Love this place. read more

We came here on a Saturday night after being turned away by the ridiculous lines in hometown bbq. It was trully nice suprised, initially, I thought we're at Fort defiance as it's right next to it, until we sat down and realized on the menu that it was not Fort Defiance. We decided to stay anyways as it was late and the menu looks quite pleasing, the bruschetta came w 4 pieces w toasted pita and well marinated tomatoes and basils. I was very happy w my rigatoni entrée, it was al dente, flavorful, right amount of cheeses! the portion was just perfect! so happy we went and will definitely go back. We sat outside, the interior restaurant has a beautifully decorated bar and great cocktails selections. read more

small italian spot with a variety of pasta dishes. cute vibes and outdoor seating. pasta dishes were pretty good, spaghetti hangover was the best one we tried (also tried fiesolana, fiery kiss, lazy hunter) read more

Food was very good ! We had appetizers, main course and even dessert all delicious! However , we were not fans of the service. Everything started off great..Friendly waitress and servers .. we were a group of 6 and we disclosed up front that we would probably be there a little long because we were dining for our bookclub meeting. The place was practically empty; we were engrossed in out book discussion then the weird staring and whispering amongst staff started, then a random server who was not our original servers basically explained that they needed the table..not cool! We spend over $600 and we felt as though we were kicked out! Not going back even though the food was good! We are big on service from start to finish when we dine out as a group ! read more

Amazing and authentic Italian food on Red Hook of all places! The service was amazing, and the place itself is cute. Would definitely recommend! read more

See all

We had a most memorable meal at Bar Mario! It was chosen last minute based on our location and the Yelp reviews (thank you Yelp!) I called ahead to be sure there was a table at 7pm on a Saturday night. The place was packed but we had a table. The atmosphere is just how I like it - cozy and softly lit to help me relax after a long day. Beautiful bar with spot on cocktails and good music. We ordered a special that our waiter mentioned - a locally sourced 32oz steak with frites and salad. It was so ginormous that they pulled another table over just for the food. See the size of the fork next to the plate to get an idea. Once we tasted it, we ordered focaccia to soak up the rosemary infused juices. It was just the right amount for 3 people. We ended with a delicious tiramisu. This was a great meal and I'm looking forward to going back with friends and family read more

Bar Mario - 32oz steak, frites, and salad for 3 people - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

A fantastic Italian restaurant in Red Hook area! The staff was warm and hospitable! The drinks and food was amazing! If you have time or are in Red Hook, definitely stop by and enjoy! read more

See all

The most hospitable of the places! Despite arriving kind of late every single member of the staff was so accommodating and knowledgeable! The menu looks amazing ! excellent wine selection! Cchiu pilu pe tutti! Great job! read more

On a date night with the wife, we decided to check it out and had a really great time. Our server was friendly, attentive, and very welcoming. The music was really nice and the place had a really chill vibe. I had the spaghetti hangover and the better half had gnocchi. Both were delicious ( I had to try her's as well). The cheesecake for dessert was amazing and all in all I will definitely recommend to anyone. read more

My girlfriend and i were strolling around red hook and stumbled upon this place.. they have a very nice menu and interesting dishes... the staff and atmosphere was perfect, but unfortunately we had a very unsatisfying and disappointing experience.. We were both very hungry and left hungry... i dont really understand how i could spend close to $70 with no drinks and leave just as hungry as we came it... honestly i felt ripped off, it really goes to show how looks can be deceiving. To start we got the bruschetta, and well it was very mediocre, im not sure but the tomato's were not flavorful and they obviously did not salt it... the mozzarella was ok kinda dry and i mean just no flavor... worst of all it was $17 for 4 piece's and they were very small... to be fair this was not end all be all as we were looking forward to the pasta... Next we both got pasta and o boy was it disappointing as well. She got the hangover pasta and i got the picio cacio e pepe. The portions size here are not entrees lol they are appetizers and expensive... Her pasta was very salty and not much flavor... honestly we could not figure out what the flavor was, but its not like we even had that many bites to even figure that out.. The picio seemed like it was their specialty and it was pretty good. but again it almost felt like we were eating off the kids menu.. the dish was nice and cheesy but it was a little watery not sure if they put enough starches in the sauce. I understand that some places have small portions and i get that i live in nyc but i know plenty of better places that have dramatically better quality of food and bigger portions for cheaper. At the very least if you are going to have small portions the staff should let the patrons know.. If i were to give a suggestion for this place to strive for it would be saggios nyc.. Well to close it off we left hungry and ended up going and spending more money somewhere else...i don't think a restruant does its job well when customers leave hungry and unsatisfied... i think this place is only a year old so im sure they have time to grow, but as of now i would not recommend or go here again... as i said looks can be deceiving wait till they serve real portions for good prices. read more

My partner and I were spending the day in red hook with no real plan when we spotted bar Mario. The owner welcomed us and got us seated up the bar. Whoever decorated the interior did an incredible job- it's cozy, trendy and intimate. We ordered cocktails and they were fantastic. If we hadn't already eaten dinner elsewhere, we would've loved to have stayed for a meal. We both agreed we will be back for a date night soon. read more

I've been here two times. Food was delicious. I was surprised this restaurant wasn't packed both times. The ambiance is fun. Just wish their music is quieter so that I didn't have to yell so loud at my friends so they could hear me. read more

We enjoyed a fabulous evening at the bar where we enjoyed dinner and drinks. Despite the truly awful young woman who served us at the bar we highly recommend Bar Mario. She is clearly miserable in her job and that is fine. Square peg. Round hole. We've all been there. Hopefully, for Bar Mario, she js fired soon, Just be forewarned by our experience eating at the bar. read more

This is an amazing authentic Italian restaurant in a quiet location in Red Hook. The owner was most helpful in making the reservation for a special family meal. The table was all set up when we arrived and the owner welcomed us immediately. After we had all arrived, he explained the wine list and all of the dishes on the menu. Everything that we ordered was exceptionally delicious and cooked perfectly. The appetizers, salad, pasta, wine, and desserts were all 10/10. We will definitely return and would highly recommend this restaurant for a special night out for wonderful Italian cuisine in a beautiful setting, with friendly and professional staff. Thank you! read more

I'll start by explaining my star rating. The food here is worthy of 5 stars and the service about 3. I do think the latter may have been an isolated incident. The food is so good that we are willing to go back and give it another try. On to the specifics of the evening... We (the hub and I) had four out-of-town house guests -- here to celebrate a birthday -- and we wanted to treat them to dinner. Our neighbor had been raving earlier in the week about this new Italian place, Bar Mario, saying it was so good he'd been twice in two weeks. So our decision to go there was a no-brainer. Thankfully, they take reservations for parties of 6 or more (there were 6 of us). Unfortunately, they aren't on any online booking platforms, so you have to call...yep, old school, but we're fine with that. No website either...not a huge deal...though we do like to know what kind of things are on the menu, our neighbor had given us an idea based on his recent visits. The hostess was lovely. I had heard there were only 8 tables inside (there are additional tables outdoors), so I was expecting it to be a relatively quiet dining experience. Since there is a bar within the dining room -- and it was a Friday night -- the place was hopping and very noisy. Not ideal for the type of night we had envisioned, but we decided to focus on the food. If you are looking for a regular "red sauce joint," this isn't the place. If you want reasonably priced (for NYC at least) cross-regional Italian food with a focus on pasta entrees, you'll love it. Beyond the regular menu, which surprisingly includes a burger, there were a few specials, though we didn't select any of those. We started with a mix of wine and cocktails at our table and this is when the first "strike" happened -- the wine pour was the smallest I've seen anywhere. Both the whites and the reds poured at our table were in rather small slim glasses and looked like half pours at best. The three of us who had ordered wine quietly questioned amongst ourselves how that could possibly be $16-18 worth of liquid in our glasses. We mentioned it to the waiter and he seemed annoyed. BAR MARIO: YOU MIGHT WANT TO FIX THIS. When we began to order food, the server informed us that for larger parties, the kitchen was too busy to accommodate separate entrees, that we would be served family-style. It was unclear why he didn't tell us that at the start so we could plan accordingly. We asked for clarification, as we didn't know how much we should order, etc. and he suggested we get a 3 or 4 apps and 4 or 5 entrees. To us, "family style" means larger (than single entree size) portions are brought out for the table to share. So, we pivoted and figured out how to compromise/consolidate the preferences of the six of us and ordered 3 apps (meatballs, artichokes and calamari) and 4 pastas (cacio e pepe, raviolo, rigatoni with bacon & spaghetti hangover). When the bowls came out, they all looked like single-serve portions, but the waiter gave us tongs like you'd expect with family-style. We proceeded to sample and enjoy the dishes -- all were delicious, but our group's favorites were the rigatoni, the ravioli & the spaghetti hangover -- but finally decided that we had to ask where the disconnect was. Why such a small quantity of food -- were these either the sparsest "family-sized" servings ever or were they single-serving sizes like the regular entrees? Since the hostess was so nice (and our waiter didn't seem as warm/accessible; he was also quite busy), we grabbed her when she passed by and posed the question. She didn't seem to know what we were talking about and proceeded to "huddle" by the bar with our waiter and they seemed to be arguing. Wanting to avoid any undue drama, I walked over to them and started out by saying that all of the food was delicious, that we were just super confused about the portion sizes and just wanted to know if the bowls served to us were indeed family-sized or were they the regular entree size. The final answer was that they were the latter which left us baffled -- why had the server told us that it was family-style? We were ready to order 6 entrees (one for each of us) and at least 3 apps, which would have been a bigger check. Bottom line: the food was great, but we needed more of it and we weren't about to order a "second round" at that point, as it felt kind of awkward as it seemed like the server was annoyed with us and, quite honestly, we were annoyed with him too, as our dining experience would have been more enjoyable if we proceeded in a normal fashion, each of us ordering what we wanted and leaving the place with happy, full bellies. read more

Some of the best pasta I've had in New York City in a very long time. Small, dark and moody, the vibes were amazing.

As someone who believes in the golden rule and the value of personal time, let me cut to the chase: don't go here! Looking for great Italian food in Brooklyn? No problem. The borough has it in spades, capeesh? Planning an evening out in BoCoCa and looking for some buona cucina? Awesome! Let me recommend Cafe Spaghetti, Popina, Gersi, Frankies 457, Rucola, Felice, Sociale, River Deli ... I could go on. So many great spots. In Red Hook and hungry? I got you covered. Check out Red Hook Tavern, Fort Defiance, Hometown BBQ, The Good Fork, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Keg & Lantern, or Grindhaus. Incredible neighborhood to eat well in. Want to be insulted, gaslighted, and have your family's evening ruined by a truculent maitre d? Try Bar Mario! Hot on the heels of one good Grub Street review, we booked a table two weeks in advance for a family dinner to celebrate our young son's birthday. When we arrived for a 6:45pm reservation at 6:49pm, we were informed our table had been given away because the restaurant "didn't think we were coming." When I inquired as to what had happened to our reservation, the maitre d' gestured towards a booth filled with diners well into their apps and second cocktails. "We don't really take reservations," he said. "We can't guarantee anything, but maybe you can sit at a high top if you want to wait outside." It was 30 degrees. We didn't wait and neither should you. Brooklyn has an abundance of great Italian restaurants. This isn't one of them. read more