Today, we’ve got for you the second outpost of Avant Garden, the prettiest new vegan spot in Williamsburg. It’s now open for all your summer dating needs, which we’re going to assume are plentiful.
You may be familiar with its sister restaurant, should you have been with us for a few years now, or should you randomly be tuned into the best plant-based fine-dining spots around the city. In any case, this is the latest from owner Ravi DeRossi—and he’s brought the same vibe, the same beautiful plating and some killer new menu items from Chef Tony Mongeluzzi items across the bridge.
You’ll enter into a small, airy space befitting of its menu: from the plush purple booths, to the reclaimed wood lining the walls, to the floating log and plant installation hanging above the bar. Settle into a two-top and start with some drinks: they’ve got an all-bottled cocktail program here from the guys behind OTB, and the mezcal-hibiscus one might be the move, on account of its delicious.
Food-wise, the menu’s divvied up into the categories hot, cold, and… toast. Our advice: order more than you think you need, and share everything. A couple stand-outs: the pineapple tartare with jicama and macadamia nuts that’s just about as good-looking as a tartare you can get, the crispy rice topped with an avocado covered in carrot-ginger dressing, and the merguez eggplant toast with fried chickpeas and hazelnuts.
Now, this is one of those places that’s consumed better visually, so here’s a slideshow to drive it home.
Now open, Avant Garden, 188 Havemeyer St (between S 3rd & S 4th), see the menu and the slideshow
