Citroën - Brooklyn

I must have walked by this place hundreds of times...was always intrigued, and finally stopped by for a solo dinner.Food: Ordered one of their shrubs/sodas and a burger. Easily one of the best burgers I've had in the hood. Cooked perfectly. Presented well. Fries were fresh I hate soggy fries). Came with a little side of homemade pickles. Everything was great. Lots of other French classics on the menu, but figure I'd keep it simple and wasn't disappointed.Service: It was a slow night....like 3-4 people in the entire place, but the staff was chill and always around if you needed anything. Attentive but not overbearing.Atmosphere: When everything is starting to feel the same and going for a certain look no matter where you are in the world, Citroen is a breath of fresh air. It's a unique spot...and that's pretty cool! They really put some effort into the decor, and you can tell it's true to the owners and feels authentic. I ate next to a skeleton at the bar! It's fun...it's not pretentious, and when you have to plan 4 weeks in advance to get a decent rez at most of the popular spots in Greenpoint, this still feels like a neighborhood spot where you can grab a burger and beer $5 happy hour) on your way home from work and catch up with a friend or just read at the bar while you have a cocktail. These places are a dying breed and should be supported.The one thing I'll say is that it was very slow, which can affect the vibe, but whatever, it was a Tuesday night. It always looks full when I'm walking by on the weekends. Highly recommended...especially if you're local to the hood.

I liked the atmosphere of this place. It is quite authentic. The waiter was very attentive and pleasant.The food and drinks are delicious. A must-visit place in Greenpoint.

Very nice and capable staff. The food is delicious. I’d have to dig deep to find flaws and they executed each dish very well (from steak to coq au vin to fish and sides). It was pretty empty when we came on a Friday evening and I have no idea why, this place is great!Food: 5/5

Only manager was nice, not another waiter. At that night the place looked haunted like the decorations. Only few customers but service from the waiter was trashy and unprofessional. I was so disappointed. Maybe this is the reason why this place is empty.update* after response from the owner. There were 2 people working at that night. The lady bartender was nice and we didn't have any problem with her but the guy who walk around wasn't nice to us. My friend was so upset and almost going to complain with the guy. Luckily, I stopped her and took her out of the place. Obviously, the place wasn't busy. She called the waiter and he was ignoring her and he wasn't happy to seat us at the beginning. Please explain.

Update:Following my initial review, I experienced an unwarranted series of discourteous emails from the establishment's owner. In light of this unexpected backlash to my constructive feedback, I feel compelled to amend my rating to a mere one star as a cautionary signal for others who might share similar critiques.With a culinary history that includes dining at numerous Michelin-starred establishments, including esteemed locations such as Eleven Madison Park, Le Bernardin, and Daniel, I am well-versed in the high standards set by the Michelin Guide. While these mentioned venues represent the apex of fine dining, I firmly believe that any establishment vying for recognition within the Michelin system should, at the very least, adhere to the fundamental expectations of a one-star Michelin restaurant.My recent interactions, coupled with my initial experiences at this venue, have led me to conclude that it currently falls short of even a single Michelin star's requirements. I urge potential diners to approach with caution when considering this establishment.Original review:I appreciated the flexibility in adjusting my reservation time, but there were several concerns. Despite a seemingly spacious and uncrowded restaurant, we were seated sandwiched between two couples. Perhaps other seats were reserved, yet it seemed we could've been placed somewhere more suitable.A bigger issue was with our first appetizer—the oysters. Every oyster contained fragments of shell, which considerably hampered our initial dining experience. We found ourselves either spitting out shell pieces or unintentionally crunching on them.Moreover, I noticed a lack of attentiveness in service standards expected from a Michelin-rated establishment. We weren't offered fresh cutlery or plates between courses, and our drinks, particularly the sparkling water, weren't refreshed. Even though we mentioned being in a bit of a hurry, the service felt sluggish and inattentive.I left a three-star review based on my understanding that this was a Michelin-rated restaurant. Otherwise, the food was commendable and would merit four stars on a regular scale. Let me know if you require further elaboration.