Intimate Brooklyn Heights tasting destination w/ innovative prix fixe menu, praised for seasonal seafood & truffle dishes. A charming, special occasion spot.
Amber Sutherland-Namako awards Clover Hill five stars for its exceptional tasting menu and charming Brooklyn Heights location, noting its blend of French and new-American influences with a focus on seasonal seafood.
This intimate Brooklyn Heights restaurant offered a charming and elegant dining experience with a focus on a generous multi-course tasting menu. Chef Charlie Mitchell's creations, such as aguachile with kombu-cured scallops and truffle-stuffed fluke, were praised for their innovation and skill. The ambiance was described as cozy and authentically Brooklyn, making it a notable spot for special occasions.
The restaurant offered a seasonally changing tasting menu, with highlights including aguachile with kombu-cured scallops, stuffed fluke with mushrooms and truffles, and a notable grilled, dry-aged sirloin. Some diners found the cuisine to be bland and boring, while others praised its creativity and execution, particularly dishes with bold profiles featuring spice and smoke.
"The tasting menu was generally praised, with specific mentions of aguachile with kombu-cured scallops and stuffed fluke with mushrooms and truffles being standout dishes."
Customer sentiment is mixed, with some praising the innovative tasting menu and charming atmosphere, while others found the experience underwhelming and bland, with one commenter noting it "wasn't a fan of Clover Hill."
Important Note
The restaurant has reportedly closed. Several comments indicate a negative sentiment regarding food quality and overall experience, with some finding it bland and unremarkable.
"In response to the correction, this user acknowledged the possibility of misremembering the name but recalled a similar white tablecloth restaurant and expressed fondness for the previous Iris Cafe, which they patronized for breakfast."
Neutral"This user agreed that fine dining establishments often rely on tourists and must be located in areas frequented by them. They also noted that Brooklyn Heights has significant tourist traffic due to its proximity to DUMBO and the Brooklyn Bridge, and suggested that NYC's fine dining market is generally oversaturated with uninspired options, requiring a unique offering to draw customers."
Neutral"This user suggested that the commenter might not be fully aware of the demographics of Brooklyn Heights, implying their assessment of the area's dining needs was inaccurate."
Neutral"This commenter dismissed the notion that a short subway ride was a significant deterrent, stating that the wealthy residents of Brooklyn could sustain a Michelin-starred restaurant without needing constant traffic from Manhattan."
Neutral"This commenter corrected 'TurbulentArea69', stating that Clover Hill did not exist 13 years ago and was preceded by Iris Cafe, which was not a fine-dining establishment."
Neutral"The commenter explained that their argument about travel distance was based on the likely consumer base for a restaurant like Clover Hill, suggesting that high-earners and tourists, who are critical for such establishments, are more concentrated in Manhattan."
Neutral"This user pointed out that a large portion of New Yorkers live in Brooklyn, implying that travel within the borough is common."
Neutral"Acknowledging the point about food tourists, the commenter argued that Williamsburg is more accessible from Manhattan for potential diners than Brooklyn Heights. They also expressed surprise about tasting menus in Queens, inquiring for examples."
Neutral"This commenter pointed out that tasting menus are also available in Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and even Queens, countering the idea that Clover Hill's location was uniquely remote for such dining."
Neutral"The commenter stated they dined at Clover Hill once and never returned."
Negative"This commenter recalled dining at a similar fine-dining establishment in the area around 13 years ago, stating they couldn't recall much about it, which they felt was telling."
Neutral"The commenter agreed that the restaurant was boring and poorly executed, noting that the service was also subpar and found its Michelin star baffling."
Negative"This diner found their experience at Clover Hill to be just 'fine' with nothing memorable, also noting the location was not ideal."
Neutral"The commenter felt the restaurant's closure was somewhat predictable after the departure of chef Charlie Mitchell."
Neutral"The commenter expressed mild surprise at the closure, noting they never felt compelled to dine there despite living in the area for six years."
Neutral"This commenter found Clover Hill to be one of the most bland and boring tasting menu experiences they've had in recent years."
Negative"This user expressed regret for not getting to try Clover Hill, acknowledging that its location in Brooklyn was somewhat out of the way and tricky to access."
Neutral"The commenter briefly stated that the restaurant was 'kind of bad'."
Negative"The commenter clarified their point about travel distance, noting that while Brooklyn Heights is close to Manhattan, it's further from many residents' homes. They also contrasted Clover Hill's situation with that of La Vara, which they do travel for."
Neutral"Responding to the previous comment, this user argued that Brooklyn Heights is only one subway stop from Manhattan and noted that the neighborhood was initially excited about a more casual concept before the pivot to fine dining. They suggested the restaurant's survival depended on being a destination spot, unlike other nearby high-end restaurants."
Neutral
