Gordon Bennett
“After our horrible horrible experience at Bembe's, we decided to just go have a drink here instead.”
“Definitely a hidden gem in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.”
“The huge front windows & high ceilings makes this place an uber relaxing spot.”
Gordon Bennett
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
7 reviews
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I've been here three times in three years, which shows my level of enthusiasm at the restaurant. It's fine, but I'm never going out of my way to eat here.
What they are doing they're doing well, but it's not a very high degree of difficulty. It's pub grub, plain and simple. One visit I had a nicely assembled hamburger, cooked medium rare when ordered as such, with juice that soaked into the bun. There wasn't much in terms of flavor that didn't come from the added ketchup, but nothing here stood in the way.
I like the lower-than-normal four tops in the back of the restaurant, which are prefect for conversation away from the nice bar right near the door. The nearly all wood interior is a particular type of cozy that is probably best appreciated in winter.
I'd recommend ordering the mac and cheese on those cold nights. Get the buffalo sauce to kick up the intensity and soak up the carbs and cut it with a pint or two. There are definitely worse meals you'll have in your life.
Chill
Pub with
Better than
Average bar
Food under the lovely Williamsburg Bridge.
There are probably a thousand places to grab a drink in Brooklyn. How many do you know that serve a legit burger? Definitely more than a few; that's why this is the best borough.
But how many do you know that can also serve a tasty, fresh, well-balanced salad, good fish & chips (with the ill tartar sauce that I just want to eat with a spoon), excellent wings, and an creamy, chocolatey, achingly rich and delicious bread pudding. I'm betting this is the only one.
I don't know who they have back there in the kitchen…this is a good place to drink, but the kitchen (open late), makes it great.
Had lunch here yesterday and was not disappointed. My friend lives in the area so she suggested this place.
They have $3 mimosas which are served in short glasses but definitely do the trick. I had the salmon burger with French fries. DELISH!!!!!! Great portions. I ate everything and felt satisfied after.
The place wasn't crowded at all which was great. The waitress was attentive without being overbearing and turned on the AC when we asked – it was kind of stuffy. I'm not sure that I'll be back to this place since I don't live in the area but if I visit her again I definitely will.
A great chill, somewhat sporty, neighborhood bar. I had Strongbow hard cider and chatted with other friendly customers. Felt very homey.
We went in on a Sunday afternoon to grab a quick drink while we waited for the ferry. The staff were trying incredibly hard, unfortunately just not to do their job. The barman asked if we wanted to order food, but when my boyfriend said we just wanted a drink, he just handed him the menu and walked away. The bar was empty except 3 tables, but it took another 5 minutes for the other bartender to come over and serve us. I don't find that kind of service interesting or edgy or whatever it's trying to be, so I wouldn't recommend this place. Two stars because it has wifi.
Who is Gordon Bennett? Like John Galt for objectivists, Charles Foster Kane for movie buffs and Lorem Ipsum for typesetters, the name Gordon Bennett may very well be associated with alcohol.
Wikipedia reveals several historical and fictional Gordon Bennetts, some of which may or may not be the inspiration of this gastropub's name:
A song by Gilbert O'Sullivan. (early 70's flashbacks)
A comic book character
Or an exclamation of surprise, contempt or frustration.
Gordon Bennett!
Anyway, we had reservations for a party of 5 on an unusually cold October evening. Our waitress was not initially the fastest taker of orders as we were on the verge of ordering at the bar until she swooped in.
The interior, and perhaps I'm being unfair, was pretty much what you've come to expect from this type of establishment: dark, wood, tables, walls with interesting art. (Well, that part is fairly unique)
So we're clearly in the realm of pub and pub inspired settings.
The beer aficionado will have much to hop about. I had a leffe blonde (Where did she come from? How gauche…) that satisfied the beast of brain cell destruction quite nicely.
But what does set Gordon Bennett apart is a menu of eats that includes typical and atypical pub grub.
I introduce you to baby mac and cheese. A smaller version of the entree size, the baby was the perfect appetizer. Penne pasta, cheddar, parmesan and gruyere all melted and crusted together in a melange of milk and grain action. Oh yeah, this is going to be good….
And it was by far the highlight of the edibles last night. For the burger was just average in my book, a bit on the small size with my medium tasting more medium well. The brioche bun that housed the burger was notable.
Venturing downstairs to the bathroom, I observed a door that seemed like it belonged in a dungeon. Now that's privacy!
Extra points for our waitress substituting another drink for my wife's cocktail that tasted like an industrial fluid. I'll let her elaborate.
Next time I'll venture to try some more items from the menu, excluding the burger, a menu that offers fish and chips, bangers and mash, beef stew, steak frites and more. The baby mac will be there too.