Blossom's Soul Food Fusion — Restaurant in New York

Visited on a late Sunday afternoon, was lucky to find street parking a few doors down from the restaurant. There's a small ramp in the doorway which I'm assuming is compatible for wheelchairs or those with mobility needs. The space is very small, but as soon as you get in the doorway you're immediately transported into "grandma's" living room - if not your own, I'm pretty sure there's someone you know who lived in a very similar space, and it makes you very nostalgic! The small tube TV, the vinyl records and time magazines laid around are all very familiar and brought a smile to my face. It made me all the more excited to eat what the visionary of this space cooked up! I really was excited to try the fried oxtail on the menu as I saw a Tik Tok video with someone giving it rave reviews. I don't eat meat any more, but stepped off my usual diet because I really wanted to try such an interesting sounding dish. We also ordered yams, oxtail Mac and cheese and string beans - all small plates. The menu has some great options, and with the small plate offerings your afforded the opportunity to try a few extra things without ordering large entrees which worked out great for us. The servers were all friendly, good music was playing in the background and there is a small bar area with stools you can sit at instead of the tables. The vibe/atmosphere is great for dates, catching up with your bff, or if you just want a good meal and good service. If you have a large party, I would recommend calling first to make sure your group can be accommodated, there were only two servers when we went and there aren't many tables. We were informed that the oxtails would take long because the chef had run out and was starting a new batch. We told them we would wait for them but bring out the other food in the meantime. Everything was DELICIOUS! The oxtail in the Mac n cheese was tender and well seasoned, the yams were perfect...but the string beans?!? Outta this world! I think they were grilled, and they were fresh and simply delicious. Finally my fried oxtails came, and I'm sad to report that they did not live up to the hype I heard about them. They were tough, and some of the pieces seemed to be like pork chops, not oxtail. I was disappointed but since I was able to enjoy the oxtail in the Mac and cheese, I just decided to bring home the fried oxtail to give to a family member. Other than the fried oxtail, everything was perfect - the silverware was so clean and shiny I had to take a pic of it! I highly recommend Blossoms, I'm going back soon for some more of those...

I came to visit some friends who were already waiting for me at the location, and when I got there, it was very nice—well lit and welcoming. They were in the middle of karaoke when I arrived, so I sat down next to my friends. As soon as I sat down, one of them told me not to order anything because the food wasn't good. I asked, "Are you sure?" She said yes, and the other two women agreed, so I didn't order anything.

The hostess came by and asked if I wanted anything, and I said no. Then, I looked at the bar and saw a cookie jar on one of the bar seats, so I asked if I could order some cookies. The hostess took my order and came back with a cookie in a bag. My friend asked if she could have a piece, but we couldn't break the cookie—it was so hard. No one could break it, and I called the hostess back to let her know we couldn't eat it because it was too hard. I wasn't about to damage my teeth on it.

She asked me what I wanted to do, and I said, "I want what I paid for—a cookie that’s edible." She said she’d go back and check. I told her if all the cookies were like that, I didn’t want it. She returned about five minutes later, saying she was able to chew the cookie and didn’t think it was that hard. I asked, "Well, did you eat it?" I told her I wanted my money back. She acted as if I shouldn't have asked for a refund, even though she had already charged my card with gratuity.

After talking to one person and then another, she eventually gave me a cash refund. I asked why it couldn’t be put back on my card, and she said it was easier to give me cash. But in the end, I lost in this situation. First, I didn’t get my cookie, and second, I was charged gratuity for a cookie I couldn’t eat. She only refunded me the $5 for the cookie, not the gratuity, and while I don’t want to be petty, this shows poor business practices.

That’s why I gave this place such a low rating. No, I didn’t get to taste the food for myself, but my friends spent over $200 here, and if they said the food was horrible, then guess...

Where to begin? I am so excited! “Blossoms” is simply fantastic.

Nestled in the somewhat run-down section of Bed-Sty on Dekalb and Marcus Garvey, Blossoms truly is one of the crown jewels. It's been on my bucket list since it opened, but initially, it wasn't easily accessible. Now, with a newly added ramp, it's ready for everyone to enjoy.

This past weekend was my time to explore the neighborhood, and while waiting for the bus right outside the restaurant, the billboard caught my eye and whet my palate. Blossom's Soul Food Fusion offers a delightful blend of traditional soul food with a Dominican multicultural twist.

My server, Natalie, was very knowledgeable about the restaurant, the owners, and the menu. She was exceptionally welcoming and friendly. The décor is very traditional—think old-school grandma's living room. I loved all the family-style mementos and photos. The color palette is very calming and inviting.

The menu is a trendy yet traditional take on soul and Dominican classics. I selected the Fish and Grits with a Coquito waffle featuring Hennessy Maple Syrup. The fish was incredibly fresh, the grits were perfectly prepared, and the Hennessy Maple Syrup was absolutely packed with flavor. The presentation was a showstopper; everything was hot and generously portioned. My sweet tea was like sitting on a porch down South—it was that good!

Every detail is an homage to classic food and the Southern dining experience. Even the modest and inexpensively priced check came in an old-school encyclopedia volume.

Blossoms and Natalie, you deserve all the thanks for taking me back to a time of happy and joyful memories, if only for a few hours! You've quickly become one of my new neighborhood favorites, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit with the throngs of friends I plan to bring along.

#blossoms...