Woodland

Woodland NYC was established in 2012 with the idea of providing a delicious selection of American Cuisine combined with an exquisite dining experience unlike anything of its kind in Brooklyn. This goal was achieved by bringing a talented chef with years of experience under a beautiful vintage venue just down the street from Barclays Center.

Woodland is a collaboration between Brendan Spiro of the late Vandaag and chef Merrill Moore, fresh off a stint as head cook at Tulum, Mexico’s Hartwood. The open façade allows diners to feel like they’re eating on the sidewalk while an intimate outdoor garden area feels like a homey backyard. The menu is carefully planned: Dinner starts strong with a varied cocktail list and mixed breads served with walnut bitter cream butter and black Hawaiian salt. Appetizers like mild, easy-slurping oysters, and a pan of smoked baby eggplant with crispy, blackened skins are tasty but the venison tartare is a standout, topped with raw egg and dollops of sharp horseradish crème. Entrée highlights include a tender Riesling-braised rabbit; for red-meat enthusiasts, a robust butler’s steak is enhanced by a sharp béarnaise sauce, extra-large potato wedges, and a dose of sea salt. Desserts like a seasonal fruit crisp and a perfectly formed panna cotta end things in deliciously casual style. — Patrick Coffee