By Chef Brad Willits
Chef Brad Willits | Photograph courtesy of Camperdown Elm
About Brad Willits
Brad Willits is the chef of Camperdown Elm in Brooklyn. The restaurant is located in the former Thistle Hill Tavern space and named after the historic elm tree in Prospect Park. Before joining the opening team here, he was the executive sous chef at the one-Michelin starred Agern, and the chef de cuisine at Lupulo and one-Michelin starred Aldea in Manhattan.
Photograph courtesy of Camperdown Elm
Camperdown Elm
Our goal is to make you feel at home when you're here. The restaurant uses a lot of reclaimed wood that my business partner and I sanded and finished. The bar and the kitchen pass-through window are made from wood taken from the Domino Sugar Factory in Williamsburg.
Squid Cracker with Mackerel Paté and Benne Seed | Photograph courtesy of Camperdown Elm
As for the food, we don't try to manipulate it too much. We buy amazing ingredients and treat them with respect. One of my favorite things on the menu is the Squid Cracker with Mackerel Paté and Benne Seed. We crush it with a bunch of lime zest and benne seeds. It is super tasty.
41 Seventh Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
T: 347.294.4786
www.camperdownelm.com
Chef Brad Willits' Williamsburg Guide
During the summer, Brooklyn is my favorite place to be in the world. No matter what time of day, there is always something happening -- you'll find food with loud music on the patio or amazing cocktails with art. I don't want to sound like a Manhattan hater, but I think that Brooklyn is the new Manhattan for food and culture. Brooklyn is the place to be.
MORNING | Coffee
New Orleans Style Iced Coffee from Blue Bottle | Photo Credit: ©Find. Eat. Drink.
Blue Bottle Coffee
I really love coming here for coffee. I recommend their iced coffee which is cold brew with maple and chicory. It is super delicious.
160 Berry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249
T: 510.653.3394
www.bluebottlecoffee.com/cafes/berry-st
MORNING | Breakfast
Photograph courtesy of Sunday in Brooklyn
Sunday in Brooklyn
A very good buddy of mine, Jaimie Young, is the chef / owner. Everything is really good here, but I love the Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich. It's on a house-made bun with house-made sausage, scrambled eggs, cheese and crispy shoe string potatoes. It’s damn good.
348 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249
T: 347.222.6722
www.sundayinbrooklyn.com
SHOPPING | Farmers Markets
Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket
Working in the city I got spoiled by the Union Square Greenmarket. It's the best in the city, so I make the trip here on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. There is really no substitute for this market. However I hit up he Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket on many Saturdays.
Saturdays: 8am - 4pm
Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11238
www.grownyc.org/greenmarket/brooklyn-grand-army-plaza
Bartel-Pritchard Square Sunday Market
This market is right next to Prospect Park and they have amazing berries and summer fruits. The cherries are dynamite.
Sundays: 8am - 3pm
Prospect Park West at 15th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11238
RESTAURANTS | Lunch
Photographs courtesy of Emmy Squared
Emmy Squared
This is an amazing pizza joint. They aren't serving traditional New York pizza and their burgers kick ass too.
364 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
T: 718.360.4535
www.emmysquaredbk.com
Photograph courtesy of Xi'an Famous Foods
Xi'an Famous Foods
All I can say is, it is soooo good.
48 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222
T: 212.786.2068
www.xianfoods.com
AFTERNOON | Sweets
Photograph courtesy of OddFellows
OddFellows Ice Cream Co.
They do a lot of savory ingredient ice creams, as well as classic flavors. They also make their own waffle cones dipped in chocolate.
175 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249
www.oddfellowsnyc.com
RESTAURANTS | Dinner
Photograph courtesy of Olmsted
Olmsted
Delicious food and wine with an amazing backyard. The food is very seasonal.
659 Vanderbilt Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238
T: 718.552.2610
www.olmstednyc.com
Four Horsemen
If you like wine, this is your place. It's affordable, delicious, and it will not let you down. This is a wine bar with a great menu. The crispy potatoes (patatas bravas) are amazing -- it might be one of my favorite foods. I also love the crudos.
95 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
T: 718.599.4900
www.fourhorsemenbk.com
LATE NIGHT
Photograph courtesy of Double Windsor
Double Windsor
This is a beer bar where the menu is always changing. They have great bar snacks, but I love the steak frites. And there is nothing better than their homemade French fries with mayo.
Open until 2am, 4am on weekends
210 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215
T: 347.725.3479
www.doublewindsorbklyn.com
Photograph courtesy of Extra Fancy
Photograph courtesy of Extra Fancy
Extra Fancy
This is a great place for oysters, burgers, and pimento cheese.
302 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
T: 347.422.0939
www.extrafancybklyn.com
MUSIC VENUES
Photograph courtesy of Brooklyn Bowl
If you're in Brooklyn and love music, there are plenty of places to check out because there is always someone awesome playing somewhere. Here are three I recommend.
Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249
T: 718.963.3369
www.brooklynbowl.com
Music Hall of Williamsburg
66 N 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
T: 718.486.5400
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
Saint Vitus Bar
1120 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222
www.saintvitusbar.com
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