Gothamist Weighs In On Atlantic Avenue’s Red Gravy Restaurant

By on January 12, 2013 3:59 pm in Brooklyn Heights, Food, Profiles

Saul Bolton’s new eatery, Red Gravy, which opened at 151 Atlantic Avenue in December, got props from the Zagat Blog earlier this week. Now Gothamist weighs in, also offering some keen pics and the dinner menu.

Gothamist: “Chef Saul Bolton, the talented toque who runs Saul, one of the first Michelin-starred restaurant in Brooklyn, has opened a new joint in Brooklyn Heights called Red Gravy. The 75-seat trattoria is located in the space formerly occupied by Mezcal at 151 Atlantic Avenue, and it’s not a flashy affair. Exposed brick walls and wooden ceiling beams, simple chandeliers and a modest bar layout create a casual framework for Bolton’s seasonal Italian menu. Considering Bolton’s impeccable reputation and the lack of competition on this stretch of Atlantic, we’re not surprised to hear Red Gravy’s been mobbed.”

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  • Thruxton

    Are the owners of Grimaldi’s and Red Gravy paying an admin on this blog or something? They have been talked about an awful lot as of late.

  • http://thelunaticassylum.com eats

    Just checking. Sosta’s at 145 Atlantic in the same block as Red Gravy is the “lack of competition?”

  • James

    Somebody is getting a lot of free meals…

  • James

    Interesting that the original first response to this post has been removed…

  • PBL

    Have never been to Sosta, but judging by their uninventive menu, I suspect they truly aren’t competition. Perhaps I am wrong? Would love to hear some reviews.

  • David on Middagh

    Thruxton, it was visible to me late last night, but now isn’t. Probably too libelous.

  • David on Middagh

    …and it’s back!

  • Prom Gal

    RED GRAVY REVIEW

    We finally had dinner at Red Gracy, and frankly, sad to say, we were not impressed.
    My overall feeling is that this is a place that has potential, but needs a lot of work.
    A nice starting touch was some hot, homemade focaccia brought to the table with some sort of dip, which turned out to be white bean hummus. Very rich and heavy. Good hummus, mind you, but not really an exciting start to excite the palate for an Italian dinner.
    The starter salad was good, but at $15, the portion really small, too small for sharing.
    The two pasta dishes we had were incredibly overly salted. The portions were normal sized portions for one diner. The pasta was far too al dente for our taste, not cooled enough.  The idea of large portions is gross. The problem here was food so salty it ruined what was potentially a fine dish.
    The service was good, and the attitude polite and generous.
    We shared the gelato trio for dessert, and when it arrived, after a very long wait, our waitress said it was on the house. Really excellent gelato, just the right consistency and temperature, and two of the favors. Chocolate honey and Meyer lemon were outstanding .
    Homemade cookies filled with fruit and nuts were served along with the espresso, a nice touch missing from most neighborhood restaurants.
    All in all, an OK dinner, but overpriced, in my opinion, and nothing really outstanding.
    We’re hoping with time they will work out the kinks and go easier on the salt. In the meantime, we’ll stick to Noodle Pudding and the Queen, where the food and service are much better, and are a far better value.
    The no reservations policy is another downside, even though they weren’t crowded at all, and there was hardly any wait.
    A full dinner for two runs well over $125-150 with two glasses of wine. As I said previously, Red Gravy needs major work to merit those kind of prices here in Brooklyn. 
     It isn’t good or nice enough for special occassions, and far too pricy for regular dining, compared to other local restaurants. 
      We have some special occasions coming up, as well as guests, and are looking for suggestions for restaurants. We already have Babbo, Balthazar, and Peter Luger lined up. Any suggestions?

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlsiLOnWCoI Arch Stanton

    Prom Gal, thanks for the warning. $125-150 for a mediocre pasta dinner sounds like a total ripoff. I’ll be sticking to NP and Queen as well. You know what P.T. Barnum once said… well I’m not one of them.

  • James

    Prom Gal Henry’s End is always a good choice for special occasions – but it sounds like you like to travel out of the neighborhood. Not sure that Red Gravy will be around for very long – not at those prices on Atlantic Avenue. At least we know where to find the suckers…

  • Wiley E.

    Where does Colonie fit in? Good, bad or ugly?

  • Thruxton

    Colonie is excellent. In my opinion it is the best place we have in the Heights at this moment.

  • Jorale-man

    There’s a lot of great Italian now in the neighborhood, with River Deli and Bevacco along with the aforementioned Noodle Pudding and Queen. I haven’t been to Sosta yet. Chez Moi is also excellent in my experience. Look forward to giving this a try.

  • WillowNabe

    My husband and I ventured into Bevacco one afternoon for lunch. We sat far away from the kiddie corner. There were kids everywhere running amok. (did I spell that right?)
    But, the food was very good.

  • Homer Fink

    @Thruxton – No, we are not paid by the restaurants to write about them.

  • Mr. Crusty

    . . . But all the red gravy we could slurp up?

  • James

    Red gravy and pizza pies – the new currency in the restaurant reviewer world…

  • http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/author/homer-fink Homer Fink

    For those trolling this thread and coming up with their own ‘theories” why a neighborhood blog would cover new restaurant openings and goings on in said neighborhood, I offer you this clip as an personification of how you make us feel:

    http://youtu.be/sXJ8tKRlW3E?t=2m10s

  • Prom Gal

    @James
    I have been going to Henry’s End since I was teenager. We go often, and I love the place, and adore Mark and Bonnie. It’s great for a good dinner, especially when the Wild Game Festival is on, but it is not my idea of a “special occasion” restaurant.
    The no reservations policy, the small tables crowded together, make for a great casual dining experience with good food, but not the “special occasion” place for a birthday, anniversary, or inviting guests.
    My idea of a special dining spot has to meet all three criteria: excellent food, elegant decor and ambiance, and excellent, professional service. And they must take reservations.
    I loved the River Café; elegant, romantic, wonderful food, great service, spectacular view. As good as the food is , and as warm as the ambiance, in some of our local restaurants, I can’t imagine a proposal or anniversary there.
    Quite frankly for special occasions, I don’t want to be in a place where people are dressed so sloppy. To each his own, but dressing like one would to go out for a burger or pizza, isn’t my idea of a special evening.
    Why are so many of the restaurants in Brooklyn Heights, including the aforementioned $150 dinner places like Red Gravy, filled with people who look like they slept in their clothes?

  • David on Middagh

    “Why are so many of the restaurants in Brooklyn Heights … filled with people who look like they slept in their clothes?”

    Because years ago the cotton industry successfully fought back the encroachment of synthetic blends and meanwhile we’d all forgotten how to iron?

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlsiLOnWCoI Arch Stanton

    “Why are so many of the restaurants in Brooklyn Heights, including the aforementioned $150 dinner places like Red Gravy, filled with people who look like they slept in their clothes?”

    The phenomenon is caused by one of the most hideous aberrations of pop-culture yet, the Hipsters. Yes it’s true these creatures that look, and often smell, like hobos are invading our neighborhood. They are completely self-absorbed and have absolutely no regard for anyone outside their little bubble and little, for those within. They simply don’t care if they offend you with their disheveled looks and body odor. They’ll stand in the middle of a crowded sidewalk, texting their all-important “status”, while being completely oblivious they are blocking it. They’ll fiddle with their smart-phone while in a movie theater and look at you like you have a third eye when you tell them to shut it off. No one else matters to them, manners are an unknown concept. How can they afford $150 on dinner? Well it’s not like they actually have to earn their money, they are trust fund zombies.

  • ColumbiaHeightster

    I accept that this neighborhood, and by extension, this blog, is filled with very judgmental people, but are you people honestly commenting on how others are dressed? And you find someone else’s appearance at a restaurant somehow personally offensive? Good lord, get over yourselves. Better yet, stop worrying about everyone else and just enjoy your meal!

  • Mr. Crusty

    After reading Arch’s diatribe I’m amused by his lack of self-awareness when he says, “They are completely self-absorbed and have absolutely no regard for anyone outside their little bubble”

    Kettle, Pot.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlsiLOnWCoI Arch Stanton

    Dear Mr. Crusty,

    I am far from “self-absorbed” I am old school Brooklyn meaning; I have little tolerance for nonsense, I am not afraid to say what I think and have no problem calling someone out on the carpet if they say or do something idiotic. In person I would say the same thing to their face. I am also a gentleman, I have the decency to wear a nice shirt and jacket when dining in a fine restaurant, I am conscious of those around me and don’t block their way, I hold doors open, I don’t talk or masturbate my phone while in a theater and I always give up my seat on the subway.
    And oh yes, I bathe regularly and will throw the first punch, which is usually the last. Brooklyn in your face MF get it?

    As far as the “Kettle, Pot” you might try reading your own diatribes.

  • Mr. Crusty

    To each there own Arch. If I had to choose between a restauraunt filled with individuals as judgemental as the likes of Gerry, PromGal and yourself or one filled with so called Hipsters, I would undoubtably choose the latter. And trust me, I am no Hipster. Guess that is what makes the world go round. I wonder how other BHB commenters feel?

    Oh by the way, it was a very gentlemanly comment you made, “Yes it’s true these creatures that look, and often smell, like hobos are invading our neighborhood.”

    I guess we have different definitions of what it is to be a gentleman as well. Have a wonderful day Arch.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlsiLOnWCoI Arch Stanton

    Oh Crusty, spare me the PC crap. Practically everyone is judgmental to some degree. “Non judgmental” simply means someone is judging other people the same way as you are. Please go sit with the Hipsters, but if you think they are non judgmental you’re in for a very rude awakening.

  • ColumbiaHeightster

    Someone should start keeping a record of the dumbest things ever written on this blog, because “…and will throw the first punch, which is usually the last” would go straight to the top of the list. We’re all so impressed by your internet muslces, Arch.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlsiLOnWCoI Arch Stanton

    ColumbiaHeightster, personally I don’t care how anyone chooses to dress. However, when I go out to a nice restaurant I believe it is proper to dress accordingly. If the establishment goes through the effort to make a nice environment for me I think it is only right to reciprocate. Some very nice places still enforce a dress code, a practice that is sadly waning. If the hipsters want to present themselves as boorish slobs it’s their problem. When they smell as bad as they look, they are impinging on my space, then I have a problem.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlsiLOnWCoI Arch Stanton

    ColumbiaHeightste, you may think it “dumb” but it’s statistically true.

  • Mr. Crusty

    You give guys like Arch and Gerry a little rope and they invariably make total asses of themselves. What a repellent little man.

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