Dec 14 2008
The Diner - Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Dear Reader,
My friend and I had “dinner at The Diner” but not in Carolina (85 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn), even though the meatballs were served over grits. I was not the happiest of campers, although my friend was content – which is what really counts. This was early day in the evening so no comment yet on the food. The pints seem overpriced at $7.
At this moment, my complaint is with the menu or lack thereof. Our waitress, from notes, recited upwards of eight appetizers with more detail on their construction than an engineer’s design for a nuclear reactor. The six entrees were similarly described and were left written on the table with a one-word cheat sheet without reference prices.
To my comment that “my eyes are glazed over,” our waitress, with gracious good humor, asked if I needed the candle perhaps to see better. I was sorely tempted to avoid the over-described food and just order a burger, the only item on the printed menu. My friend says that only old farts like us are upset with the presentation, and everyone younger is fine. My response is that they are not fine with it, but merely intimidated. One couple, say 20 years (chronologically) younger than us sitting at the counter seemed to have a similar problem when they were handed a hand-written menu. I think they left. Reading someone else’s handwriting by candlelight is daunting.
The food: My friend had the braised chicken with unremembered (from the recitation) trimmings; I, the steak with surprise accruements. Both were quite good. Value measure was about average.
The noise level was on the upper end of acceptable. A request to drop the audio system’s volume “say ten decibels” was honored quickly. However ambient noise rose to fill the vacuum.
The service was attentive but not intrusive. In totality, “needs must where the devil drives,” even if it was my idea.
P.S. Around the corner is the Grocery, Marlowe & Sons. Same ownership; much more value for the buck.
