Breva — Restaurant in New York

Went to this place twice, about a month ago and last week. Ordered multiple different things to get an idea of the food.

First time, I had a double cheeseburger which was delicious, fish and chips which had unsalted fish, but fried well. definitely needs seasoning, a pizza which had really thick dough, so I didn't like it, even though the flavor was good. The fries that come with the burger and fish is very boring and bland. For $30 a meal they could put parmesan fries which they have as a side dish. The fries taste like supermarket frozen fries. Also got the potato dumplings which were delicious. The staff were friendly, and food came out quickly.

Second time I went it was like an entirely different place. I got the double cheeseburger again, but the bun was different. It didn't have any sesame seeds, and was flat and stale. The cheeseburger only had 1 patty, so I got ripped off there in what is supposed to be a double cheeseburger. On top of that I ordered it medium well and it was nearly rare. The crispy calamari were a bit overcooked but not too bad. I got the charred eggplant which had tahini in it and it doesn't say that on the menu at all. I hate tahini so I couldn't eat it. Awful. Did the chef get fired in the last month since I went?

A friend of mine called them to order takeout once and they said you have to use their online ordering service, but that service has each dish listed at 6-8% higher than the regular menu. I have never seen a restaurant not offer takeout by phone in 2025. They said if you don't want to use the online ordering, you can come in and order in person and then wait for your food to be made, which defeats the whole point of ordering ahead of time. Like, how is ordering by phone any different than ordering in person? Write my order down on a piece of paper and make it. I'll pay when I come in.

Anyway, this place isn't for takeout unless you want to overpay, and the food was much worse the second time I dined there compared...

Located right on the Brighton Beach boardwalk, surrounded by a predominantly Russian-speaking community, this restaurant feels like a true standout—almost like a black sheep in the best possible way. There were four of us, and we made a reservation just to be safe. Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly and seated right away. I’ve always loved the crisp, fresh vibe of a new restaurant, and this place didn’t disappoint. While I know new establishments often go through a learning phase, I’m happy to say this one already feels well on its way. The simplicity and warmth of the décor, paired with thoughtful attention to detail, made the atmosphere incredibly inviting—we loved it.

Now, let’s talk about the food and drinks. The cocktail and wine options were fantastic, and our entire party was fully satisfied. The food menu looked so appetizing, and it delivered on all its promises. We started with the caviar tots, burrata, and harvest salad as appetizers—all absolute winners, 10/10.

For the mains, we shared the grilled skewer, the steak & frites and the wild mushroom tagliatelle. Both were exceptional, bursting with flavor and perfectly prepared. Of course, no meal is complete without dessert, and the pavlova and salted caramel chocolate cake were the perfect ending—playful, rich, and utterly delicious.

We enjoyed our dinner so much that we booked a brunch reservation on the spot! When we returned for brunch, the experience was just as wonderful. Between the two types of Bloody Marys, the breakfast sandwich, and the burgers, everything was flawless (another 10/10!). This time, we tried the cheesecake, which I highly recommend. It’s a hearty portion with a meltingly smooth texture and a delightful touch of pistachios—absolutely divine.

This restaurant is a true gem, and I can’t wait to return. If you’re looking for a spot that delivers on both quality and atmosphere, this is it. Let’s support places like this so they can...

Yesterday, my friends and I visited Breva with the idea of potentially booking a table for my upcoming birthday brunch. We also wanted to get a feel for the atmosphere and try some cocktails. Unfortunately, the experience left a very negative impression.

Upon arrival, the hostess informed us that no tables were available, even though the venue was visibly empty. We said we’d be happy to sit at the bar for just drinks and snacks, but she insisted even bar seating required a reservation. After we politely asked to speak with a manager, he allowed her to seat us—but she did so begrudgingly, practically tossing the menus at us.

We stayed for about 1,5 hours , quietly enjoying a few cocktails and appetizers. Then, without warning, the bartender abruptly said he could no longer serve me because I was “intoxicated.” This came as a complete shock—I was calm, coherent, and had only had three drinks.

We asked to speak to the manager again to clarify the situation and also address the earlier issue with the hostess. The manager, Yakov, was dismissive, condescending, and refused to let us explain. In fact, he admitted that his decision to stop service was not based on any genuine concern, but because the hostess and he personally didn’t like our group for some reason.

Even worse, he ordered the staff to close our check immediately and stop serving us—purely because of some unfounded and clearly personal bias. That kind of behavior from restaurant leadership is not just unprofessional, it’s appalling.

While the food and cocktails were genuinely good, the management at Breva is careless, disrespectful, and absolutely uninterested in hospitality or fairness.

Naturally, I’ve decided not to book my birthday brunch there. More importantly, I don’t feel safe returning to a place where guests are treated with open hostility and...