Chic Red Hook bistro w/ exceptional chocolate cake & chill vibes.
Nestled in Red Hook, Brooklyn, Cafe Kestrel offers a charming escape with its cozy and relaxing bistro atmosphere. Time seems to slow down within its walls, complemented by perfect acoustics, making it an ideal spot for a delightful meal, especially for dinner. While many find the dining experience consistently good, with praised items like the soup and an outstanding chocolate cake that's a must-try (especially with a special preparation), there are a few voices of dissent. Some have found the overall quality lacking and have noted the higher price point of certain dishes, like an $18 salad.
The cuisine is primarily American with French influences, fitting the 'Cafe' tag. Customers rave about the Chocolate Cake, calling it exceptional and recommending it highly, especially with modifications. The soup also receives praise for being spot-on. Other mentioned food items include brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert, eggs, salad, and toast. While the food is generally well-regarded, one critic found the quality to be poor, and the $18 salad was cited as an example of the restaurant's expensive offerings.
"The Chocolate Cake is a standout, described as exceeding expectations and strongly recommended, with a suggestion to order it with whipped cream on the side. The soup is also highlighted as being perfectly executed."
Customers generally have a positive experience at Cafe Kestrel, often describing it as a chill, delicious, and elegant place perfect for a relaxing meal. It's frequently recommended for its pleasant atmosphere and good service. However, there are some dissenting opinions, with one user finding it among the worst offenders in terms of quality and another pointing out the high price point of their appetizers.
Important Note
One reviewer mentioned the cheapest appetizer, a salad, priced at $18, indicating a potentially high price point for some items.
"Cafe Kestrel was recommended as part of a general list of restaurants to try for the user looking for new dining experiences."
Positive"User haribobosses points to Cafe Kestrel's $18 cheapest appetizer (a salad) as another instance of the New York Times reviewing restaurants that are not affordable for most people."
Negative"The user was surprised by the number of restaurants on the list they had visited, specifically mentioning Cafe Kesteral as one of the worst offenders. They found the quality of these restaurants, including Cafe Kesteral, to be generally bad."
Negative"The user recently visited Cafe Kestrel in Red Hook, finding it very chill and delicious. They highly recommend it."
Positive"Recommends Cafe Kestrel in Red Hook, saying it's very worth the trip."
Positive
