I cannot confirm nor deny that one of the deciding factors of buying our home was the fact that Brookland’s Finest Restaurant is just a few blocks away. This neighborhood restaurant is so loved, that even the realtor pitched it when he showed us the house. However, I was already in on the secret as my buddies Frank & Steve live steps away from this restaurant and had frequented it plenty of times before moving into the neighborhood. Brookland’s Finest is a quaint restaurant in the heart of Northeast DC where the patrons and the staff mirror the eclectic vibe of our neighborhood: multicultural, young, old, new neighborhood, old neighborhood… I am working on a guide to Brookland and decided to reach out to Chef Shanna Troncoso about her new menu picks for the season. All about it:
Behind the scenes: Brookland’s Finest
The Scene: Brookland’s Finest is a classic neighborhood restaurant. Far away from the bustling U Street or 14th Street, Brookland’s Finest is unpretentious with ample seating, an outdoor bar area, and a spacious patio. You see a combination of young families, groups of friends, grad students of Catholic University, and on the weekends, families coming from church in their suits and eclectic hats. Not from the neighborhood? Still come over… Thankfully there’s still plenty of free parking in the area and an uber from Downtown DC will run you around $10.
The Food: We (my hubby and my neighborhood friends) love Brookland’s Finest menu of delicious comfort food. Think juicy burgers, spaghetti and meatballs, and fried Maryland catfish. For the summer menu, Chef Shanna Troncoso added a beautiful heirloom tomato salad with burrata which quickly became one of my favorites. The creamy burrata with a touch of balsamic reduction pairs beautifully with the bittersweet heirloom tomatoes. Another seasonal highlight: the stuffed squash blossoms. As you bite into the deep fried squash blossoms you encounter the creamy ricotta filling. Honestly, if I could have these two starters all the time, I would be a vegetarian.
For the carnivores: indulge in the colonel burger. The burger is thick and juicy but the highlight is what comes on the side: the thick tempura onion rings. Crispy in the outside and moist on the inside, they are delish. The item which every Brookland’s Finest customer begs the chef never to part from is the spaghetti and meatballs (she assured me it’s not leaving the menu). The recipe has been passed down to the chef from her grandmother, which she says is a carefully guarded family secret.
Although you may be filled with comfort food, make sure you save room for dessert. Try the cannoli, another secret recipe from the chef’s grandmother. The shells are made in the restaurant, filled with a heavenly cream and topped with pistachios. Another decadent option is the brioche bread pudding which is topped with a rich caramel bourbon sauce. Walk it off: take a walk to one of my favorite places in DC: the Franciscan Monastery.
The Verdict: Whether you are visiting Washington, DC or are looking for a laid back, comforting, and friendly neighborhood atmosphere, Brookland’s Finest is a great choice. We bring our out of town guests here often because the food, atmosphere, and service get better at every visit.
Brookland Finest: www.brooklandsfinest.com; 3126 12TH STREET NORTHEAST, WASHINGTON, DC
Avg price per person w/ 1 drink $25-30. Recommended for: group dining, catching up with friends, kid friendly, family friendly.
