TLDR
Creative Vietnamese-Mexican fusion in a vibrant, all-day Greenpoint space. Expect bold, cross-cultural flavors in a charming, casual setting.
The beloved Bushwick gem has moved to Greenpoint, continuing its tradition of innovative Vietnamese-Mexican fusion.
Willa Moore reviews Falansai, a versatile Greenpoint spot that blends Vietnamese and Mexican influences, serving as both a daytime café and a wine-forward evening hangout.
Willa Moore highlights Falansai, a versatile, all-day restaurant that transforms from a casual coffee shop into an elegant Vietnamese-Mexican wine bar at night.
Details
Located in Greenpoint, this restaurant masterfully blends Vietnamese and Mexican culinary traditions under the direction of chef-owner Eric Tran [1]. The establishment offers a unique fusion menu that transitions from a daytime cafe serving coffee and pastries to an evening wine bar [2]. While the a la carte offerings are highly praised for their innovation, some diners have noted inconsistent performance across the menu [2].
Food Overview
The menu features a creative, high-quality blend of Vietnamese and Mexican influences [2]. Must-order items include the incredibly juicy Berkshire pork skewers [1], [2], comforting Vietnamese tamales with confit duck neck [1], [3], and tender lamb neck braised in pho spices [1], [2]. While the ginger chicken is considered a solid choice [2], the meatball has been criticized for being overly dense and dry [2]. The restaurant occasionally offers a 'Dac Biet' tasting menu, though some diners find the a la carte experience more reliable [2].
Overall, the restaurant receives positive feedback for its innovative menu and fun fusion concept [3], though experiences can be inconsistent across their offerings [2]. Some diners have expressed frustration over specific menu labeling incidents and feel that some dishes do not meet expectations [4].
Caveats
The four-course 'Dac Biet' tasting menu is generally less recommended than the strong a la carte selections [2]. Additionally, there have been reports of inconsistent performance across the menu [2].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About FALANSAI
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Brooklyn Eats For Lovers Next Weekend Help Us
"Described as a fun mix of Vietnamese and Mexican food."
PositiveFrom post: Restaurants That Focus On Nose To Tailfull Animal
"The restaurant is simply named in a comment without additional context."
NeutralFrom post: Tasting Menufine Dining With Minimal
"Falansai is mentioned as a place to consider."
NeutralFrom post: My Top List For Vietnamese Food In Nyc From A
"The commenter expressed a strong negative opinion about Falansai, citing an incident where they were served rau cần while it was called rau muống on the menu, and they tried to dispute it. They also find Saiguette 'meh' and refuse to pay high prices for disappointing food at places like La Đồng and Madam Võ."
NegativeFrom post: My Top List For Vietnamese Food In Nyc From A
"The original poster acknowledged the update about Falansai's move and menu changes, and plans to assess it based on the new menu and photos."
Neutral