A Grocery Store Becomes The Best Chef's Table In Town At César Ramirez's Brooklyn Fare | Tasting Table NYC

A grocery store in downtown Brooklyn is probably the last place you'd expect to find acclaimed chef César Ramirez, but such is the case at Brooklyn Fare, an independent shop where this David Bouley protégé runs the kitchen–and now hosts one of the most memorable dining experiences found on either side of the Brooklyn Bridge.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, Ramirez (pictured, left) and his sous-chef, Juan Leon (right), prepare an intimate, five-course dinner for up to 12 people in the grocery's street-front kitchen. For $70, diners can watch their meal being prepared, chat with the chef about cooking and indulge in a complex yet refined meal.

Ramirez's menu changes nightly, but will most likely feature a progression of fish and vegetable dishes. One recent dinner included a sea urchin, grapefruit and caviar canapé; scallops with Japanese squid; monkfish with Bibb lettuce and white-wine sauce; and tomatoes prepared three ways.

The food here is nothing less than exceptional; the environment is nothing more than casual. If you ever wanted to be invited into the home kitchen of a favorite chef and treated to a one-of-a-kind meal, then this may be the next best thing.

Plus, it's BYOB: Like any good guest, just bring a little extra to share with your hosts.

Brooklyn Fare, 200 Schermerhorn St. (between Hoyt and Bond sts.), Brooklyn; 718-243-0050 or brooklynfare.com