Evelina

Evelina Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: In this residential area of small buildings, DeKalb Avenue has become a mecca of sorts for the Brooklyn dining experience. Occupying the former Chez Oskar space, Evelina embodies the qualities that are making Fort Greene a destination for upscale, relaxed eating. The wood-paneled, open-kitchen restaurant is cozy and seats 34.

Likes: The platings of the dishes are complete wows.
Dislikes: Difficult to get a prime-time reservation.

Food & Drinks: The menu from chef Lanfranco Paliotti (Daniel, Boulud Sud) centers on fresh veggies, seafood and wood-fired grilled meats. You are encouraged to put together a medley of small plates to share, which can be paired with some of the more interesting un-bistro-like beverages, such as vermouth, mezcal, cider and apéritifs. A varied wine list is also available. Your server will help you select if you’re overwhelmed by too many choices among beverage and food. We loved the dry-aged prime rib for two, salted ideally and set within its own juices, as well as all of the pastas of the day. But it is hard to say that they were better than the grilled Spanish octopus starter with pepper agrodolce and crispy potatoes, the bright black sea bass ceviche or the Wagyu beef tartare with shaved truffle. For dessert, the butterscotch budino was a deliciously comforting yet updated throwback to childhood treats. Dishes are meticulously presented and the menu changes frequently, adding to the appeal. Service is attentive.