The Owl S Head

Cosy, intimate atmosphere. Great wine selection. John, the bartender gives great recommendations as well as local tips on the area. He’s a wealth of information on great food spots and local events. Great guy to have a chat with, friendly and genuine. Small bites are great to pair with a nice glass of your favorite wine.

I'll take a step out of my usual Japanese cuisine reviews to give a shout out to The Owl's Head. I've only been in Bay Ridge a handful of times in my life, but I made a special trip out to see this place after seeing it written up in a number of places as one of the best wine bars in Brooklyn. On a side street rather than the avenue it's easy to miss - except it's not. it's the only place of business on its block. The quaint/tiny single room has a handful of tables and a handful of stools and a ton of charm and character. The old exposed brick walls show the age of the building. The combination of kitschy owls and gorgeous woodwork makes you feel like you're in your grandparents basement. If your grandparents were master carpenters. The beer (bottles/cans only) and wine list is limited, but updated by the minute on the large slate wall next to the bar. A handful of carefully chosen reds, whites, roses, sparklings, lagers, ales, and stouts provide plenty of diversity and a lot to explore. A surprising number of (good!?!) New York wines dot the list. The menu is sparse, but fab. A small selection of locally sourced cheese and charcuterie make up the main attraction. The meats and cheeses are arranged on slate platters with the names chalked next to them so you don't forget - a great touch. An interesting selection of paninis are available as filler if you need something a bit more substantial. Brooklyn made chocolate pretty much represents the extent of the dessert menu. All of it pairs fabulously well with the wines, which is really why you go anyway. An added bonus is that given the remote location, it's easy on the wallet. While everything feels and tastes artisinal and local and carefully chosen and prepared, the prices are incredibly reasonable. Bottles of wine start under $30 and don't range all that high. My recommendation? Plan a trip out there. Tuck in with a bottle or two, leisurely snacking on the menu. Go home happy.

Now it is about time Bay Ridge, just off the Staten Island bridge (VZ) that we have a local wine bar like this one! -down to earth, friendly, clean and welcoming. I got a haircut across the street since my date was late but since the place was so nice it was worth leaving my date there on her own to find her way at the cool bar. You could do the same if you wanted :)

Great selection of wine and imported-and-local craft beer (bottles and cans only). Adventurous and creative small plates are delicious and expertly crafted by an exciting up and coming chef. Very friendly staff (make sure you say hi to Shannon and John!) and a laid back, dimly lit decor make this a very unique, much needed addition to the neighborhood, which as many know, can often be a cultural black hole. And they're even having an Angelo Badalamenti night!