Delicate Flower?

I first noticed this neighborhood restaurant while walking to a nearby bookstore by an unusual route.  Magnolia is tucked away on a quiet Park Slope corner of a shady street.  (I had decided to walk in as much shade as possible.  It was 101°F!)    The extensive brunch menu, prix fixe options and well thought out entrees all caught my attention.

Magnolia has a welcoming and mellow ambiance.  Service for all 3 of visits was consistently friendly and efficient.  (Yes…three visits!)  The pricing is extremely reasonable  and the food is really good.   It is almost the perfect “neighborhood spot”.

My first visit was a family affair with three generations at the table for brunch. The eggs benedict, frittata and eggs florentine were all lovely, but the challah french toast was slightly disappointing.  Magnolia’s homemade breakfast bread  definitely a winner.  If your party is larger than two, you should probably order a second basket of the homemade bread as soon as the first is laid on table.  There was a little tension at our table when grandma refused to hand over the last piece of bread to a tween grandchild!  However, all was forgiven when a second bread basket arrived.

My second visit involved afternoon lunch with one of the girls.  The jumbo lump crab cake burger and blackened salmon salad were both wonderfully executed.  The staff was incredibly patient with us!  We lingered for quite some time to catch up on some friendly gossip.  Fortunately, there was a brisk turn-over of other tables, so no one was kept waiting while we were there.

A dinner date was my most recent visit.  It was a festive First Friday evening with live music.  The energy was perfect for a mellow Friday night.   Our smoked baby back ribs and Magnolia paella were both flavorful and delicious.

I must mention that all of my visits reflected a recurring theme.  My pre-teen niece, who eats like a very small bird, stated her meal was cute, and asked to visit her favorite fast food eatery after brunch.  My girlfriend decided that her lunch was delicate. After leaving Magnolia, we immediately headed to our regular gelato vendor.  My dinner date stated that his meal was dainty. He immediately drove us to his favorite late night snackery for some pomme frites.

Notice a theme?

While no one complained that the portions were too small, no one left fully satisfied either.   It may be that my circle of friends and family includes a lot of hefty appetites.  I am not sure what is the issue, but I am more than willing to keep going back until I figure it out!

Magnolia
486 Sixth Avenue at Twelfth Street,Park Slope, Brooklyn 718-369-4814
magnoliabrooklyn.com