The Culture Club: Top 6 laid-back dining spots in Brooklyn

Clover Club restaurant

Brooklyn’s gentrification in recent years has led to many great things, including ones to satisfy our hunger pains. If you’re in New York this summer, hop over the East River to check out one of these spots for a low-key nosh.Surf Bar (139 N. 6th St.,718-302-4441, brooklynsurfbar.com) Upon entering this adorable ode to all things kitschy-tiki-surf-culture, Culturites wanted to break out into song with a sweet rendition of “Mele Kalikimaka.” This place is pure genius–there’s seafood galore, but they had us at the mere mention of fried plantains! Great place to spend a Saturday afternoon in Brooklyn.

Clover Club (210 Smith St., 718-855-7939, cloverclubny.com)  We came for the old-school speakeasy vibe, but we stayed for the expertly prepared food and drink. It’s open for brunch and dinner and will start serving lunch this summer.

Egg (135 North 5th Street, 718-302 5151, pigandegg.com) Don’t let the name of this Southern-style joint fool you–breakfast may be served all day, but they also have a killer dinner menu.

Alma (187 Columbia St., 718-643-5400, almarestaurant.com) Serving great Mexican in Redhook, Alma also offers one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline from their rooftop terrace–lovingly built by the restaurant’s four owners from the ground up. The house-infused tequilas aren’t bad either.

Frankies 457 (457 Court St., 718-403-0033 frankiesspuntino.com) Frankies is a relaxed neighborhood spot with simple but good food that will impress even the pickiest of customers. The house red wine ($12 for a carafe–unheard of!) is delicious, the house olive oil (which they have shipped from Sicily) is incredible (and makes for perfect gifts) and every dish is solid.  All that and there’s a carriage house in the back that’s ideal for private parties.

The Good Fork (391 Van Brunt St., 718-643-6636, goodfork.com) A Brooklyn staple with comfort food that gives a hat tip to the chef/co-owner’s Korean heritage.

Check out Ashleigh and Amanda’s picks for places to shop in Brooklyn.

The Culture Club appears every Thursday. Ashleigh Dempster and Amanda Blakley are the co-founders of The Society Global, a social club with chapters in Toronto, New York, L.A. and Miami. For more info on The Society Global, visit their website, thesocietyglobal.com, or follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/culturites.

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