In a city that’s full of surprises, of speakeasies hidden behind everything from an ice cream parlor to a key-cutting storefront, it’s pretty clear that New York’s residents appreciate a good twist. Those who are willing to lift the veil in this town are often rewarded, and while the city has a lot of impressive graffiti, it’s not often those bright scrawls invoke the idea of fine dining. Until now, which is exactly where a new Brooklyn establishment comes into play.
Beyond the colorful fence outside of Williamsburg’s Hotel Indigo is the newly opened Continent Brooklyn. The restaurant is an outpost of the Atlanta dining spot opened by Scotley Innis. Hell’s Kitchen fans may recognize Innis from Season 18. He is a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef who has made a reputation for combining the rich culinary offerings of places like the Bronx, Jamaica, and Atlanta into exciting new dishes.
Photo by Jillian Lenser
Continent Brooklyn is a gorgeous space in an unexpected setting. The restaurant has a grand appeal with two chic levels that can accommodate 110 guests. There is a gorgeous bar on the lower level and a more intimate bar and lounge on the second level. There’s even an outdoor terrace where guests can enjoy drinks and conversation in the open air.
Dishes Worth Dishing On
The menu at Continent Brooklyn features Innis’ nuanced Caribbean-Afro-Asian fare. Appetizers range from Mussels in red pepper pomodoro sauce to Spiced Lamb Chops. I had a chance to try the Tamarind Wings, which are prepared in a flavorful marinade and topped with toasted sesame seeds, and they are simply exquisite!
For the main course, guests can order seafood dishes like Escovitch Lobster and Fried Whole Snapper. There’s also Oxtail Lo Mein, a surprising take on a familiar dish with pulled braised oxtail that is both sweet and tender.
Heat lovers will be sure to enjoy the Scotch Bonnet Fried Chicken, a dish made with a bonnet pepper marinade and drizzled with a honey-thyme mix. These wings have a scrumptious crispy skin and a delightful kick.
Drinks for Days
Choosing a cocktail at Continent can prove to be a difficult task. There are so many innovative choices. The Bramble-Berry Crush is a satisfying concoction comprising Grey Goose vodka muddled with blackberries, crème de mûre, and lime juice. Another sweet tipple on the menu is the Love & Lychee, an addictive drink combining Bombay Saphire and lychee syrup. Both bars have an elegant appeal, and with so many drink options, either space would be perfect for a charming date setting.
Visitors will find the hotel has more to offer than incredible food and drinks. The Hotel Indigo has a beautiful pool and an inviting courtyard with a fire pit. With the addition of the buzzy, new Continent Brooklyn, this hidden gem may just become a desirable staycation spot. It would also easily be a good choice for out-of-towners for their home base while in the city. The hotel is near the Metropolitan Avenue subway stop, and reservations for Continent can be made on Resy.
