DISH OF THE WEEK: Carrot Crepe at OLMSTED

Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City

Just when I thought the seasonal, local food scene in Brooklyn was getting a little tiresome, dare I even say boring, Olmsted comes along and breathes life to the Brooklyn restaurant world. The meal I had at this bright, classy Prospect Heights dining room was one of the best I’ve had in a long while.

It’s the brainchild of Chef Greg Baxtrom (who has worked at some of Manhattan’s top restaurants like Per Se and Atera) and Farmer Ian Rothman who have a beautiful garden behind the restaurant that provides many of the dishes’ herbs and vegetables and acts as a stunning waiting and bar area for diners waiting for their table.

Our entire experience was airy and sophisticated without the high price point or the stuffy service. I can truly say everything was perfect. And I don’t say that a lot.

Keep your eye out for my 100 Best Dishes at the end of the year and just about everything I tried here will make its way onto that list come December. I’ll re-live the earthy and smooth truffle chawanmushi (egg custard), the impeccably grilled hake filet livened with rhubarb and smoky bok choy, and the fantastic and textured frozen yogurt lightly kissed with lavender honey.

But for my purposes here, I force myself to choose just one dish that stood above all the rest this week. It’s nearly impossible at a restaurant of this caliber, but the one dish that was truly unforgettable was the carrot crepe. Many people are talking about this already in the food world and I know exactly why.

Yes, it’s a crepe made from carrots, but it’s similar in texture to a giant tender ravioli. Inside, little neck clams are buttery and briny and pair perfectly with the creamy complex carrot reduction. Sunflower seeds and sweet carrot ribbons provide crunch and texture. It’s a gorgeously plated dish and one of the rare ones that tastes as good as it looks.

I dare say that Olmsted is a game changer in Brooklyn. It’s bringing thoughtful highe-end cuisine to an approachable level that many people can afford and indulge in. In my mind, it’s what the new Brooklyn dining scene is all about – and Olmsted thankfully won’t let us forget it.