With the recent overflow of the Saturday afternoon brunch
crowd from Manhattan, Brooklyn has been seeing a growing demand for hip yet
comfortable dining establishments. Hill Cafe, located in the Clinton Hill
section of Brooklyn, is the perfect representation of the eclectic backgrounds
that give the neighborhood its identity. The vintage style wooden tables
adorning the dining room add a sense of nostalgia that one would expect from
historic Brownstone Brooklyn, while the diverse, French-inspired menu offerings
reflect modern cuisine.

Sipping my Gates cocktail, a blend of St. Germain and
Bombay Sapphire with fresh ginger juice adding an exotic twist to the floral
notes, I begin to feel more and more at home.

The space which Hill Cafe now occupies was originally home of
French/Pan-African restaurant Kush, chef Samuel Beket’s first venture. After
closing it last year, he and longtime friend/business partner Sal Batua
transformed the space into a cozy canteen that reflects Becket’s African
heritage and passion for French traditions.

While the range of dishes make it
difficult to declare Hill Cafe as a true French Bistro, it is the perfect place
to entertain without having to worry about the fickle dietary restrictions of
your typical Brooklyn transplant. The pita bread served with the 3-way
bruschetta consisting of eggplant puree, hummus, and olive tapanade is a unique
take on the popular Italian small plate, and anyone who loves crabcakes will
love the crispy shrimp and crab fritters served with sweet mango salsa. The
Legumes Au Riz Sauvage, with grilled sweet peppers, spinach, mushrooms, dried
fruit, and tofu is one of the best vegetarian dishes I’ve ever had; the
plantains added a nice touch of Latin flavor.

Hill Cafe’s menu has plenty of
options for meat eaters as well, especially for those on a budget; at $15,
their Tuesday night signature burger and fries with tap beer is an affordable
treat for even the starving artists residing nearby. The special runs from
6pm-8pm, so be sure to arrive early. Live jazz and other types of musical
performances on Wednesday nights also attract local musicians. The pulled pork
sandwich with mayo, a juicy portion of pork, onions, and jalapeno peppers
slathered between brioche bread with a side of fries, is also a bargain at $12.
Of course, no French style meal would be complete without dessert, and Hill Cafe
boasts some notable ones, especially the apple tart and the ginger creme
brulee.

Thanks to its proximity to the
subway and laid back atmosphere, Hill Cafe draws clientele from Manhattan as
well as Clinton Hill and other parts of Brooklyn. It is the ideal
spot for both burgers and brunch, whether on a cold snowy evening basking in
the soft amber glow of the lanterns dotting the dining room or enjoying a
brunch time breeze from the garden patio.

Hill Cafe 17 Putnam Avenue  Brooklyn, NY 11238 (718) 230-3471
www.hillcafe.net