Sailor — Restaurant in New York

Enjoyed our meal at Sailor with a few caveats. Cute, albeit tight space with very welcoming staff throughout the restaurant. Great paper plane cocktail and boulevardier. Second was not on the menu but clearly they have a capable bar staff and when ordered, was accepted without hesitation. That said, my husband was asked whether he'd like another before the glass was empty and when he declined, our server took the glass away with about 15% of the drink left. Not egregious but you know...leave it until it's actually finished.

The green toast was really interesting. The particular herbs used were unusual and paired really well with the cocktails. The arctic char was served slightly after the toast and we wish it were the reverse. It was lighter in flavor so it had less pizzazz after the pow of the toast. It also had a large bone in the mix, so take care with that.

My husband left his cutlery on the serving plate since it was used for fish, and instead of providing us with a fresh set, the server asked him to take his back to reuse. They should fix that... it's one of those niceties of service that elevate the experience overall.

The radishes were the big disappointment for us. The NY Times photo showed a veil of guanciale on top. We had one very tiny piece of guanciale. Poof! It was gone in an instant. It was also served so exceedingly hot that it was hard to eat. Kind of an odd thing to have on its own too...would have been a nice accompaniment with the main dishes. It was still an interesting dish without it, but it felt ungenerous without.

The stars of the night were the celeriac (trust me...get it, it's outrageously delicious) and the pork shoulder. Heavenly, both of them. You could have eaten the pork with a spoon and the sauce had a really interesting underpinning that just made you feel cozy. The chicken was good but I honestly wouldn't order it again. If you know the NY Times buttermilk chicken recipe, you can make something fairly comparable at home. The parmesan potatoes were super crisp but a clunky size and shape so they proved difficult to eat.

Profiteroles were an excellent end to the meal.

Would we return? Definitely yes. I'd love to come in spring to see what new items appear on the menu. I'd order different things because the dishes were in some ways very traditional but with fun and intriguing twists, offering unexpected surprises. I'd love to see how things progress as the restaurant settles and finds its rhythm. Overall, more of these sorts of places in Brooklyn, please! It was a nice...

TLDR: condescending staff that provided slow service and gave bad recommendations to try and get rid of unwanted dishes

I have never written a review before, but the behavior of the staff was so unprofessional I felt the need to say something. I was really excited to go to this restaurant which is why this review is so disappointing to write. Once we were seated they took our drink and food order. The waiter suggested we add a rice dish since we did not order enough. The rice that arrived was pretty flavorless and definitely not on par with the rest of the food we had, but I brushed it off since I assumed it was a one off and 75% of the food was excellent. I also tried to order desert with our food, knowing it was later in the night and knew they may run out. I was super excited to try their profiteroles, however the waiter condescendingly said “we will cross that bridge when we come to it.” I again moved on, since I assumed it was a policy with their kitchen. Our drinks then took multiple courses to arrive, and subsequent drinks took the same amount of time. It was noteworthy enough that the waiter acknowledged it. Once we had finished our food we asked to order desert. The waiter said he would clear our plates and be right back. 20 minutes later, he returned and informed us they had run out of desert. Keep in mind this was after he had denied me trying to order desert earlier, as we watched the tables on either side of us receive the deserts we wanted to order while our waiter was no where to be found. The waiter offered us a complementary ginger cake, a self-proclaimed “house favorite” despite an entire case of it no one wanted being visible from our table. I passed and said we were not interested, just the check please. He brought a slice of ginger cake boxed up anyway along with some “cookies” (small coffee croutons) that we also did not want. I would normally appreciate the gesture, but that point I would have appreciated them comping the tasteless rice we barely touched and our delayed drinks rather than trying to pass off leftover desert as an apology. I tried very hard to give the staff the benefit of the doubt, however it seemed like their only interest was in using us to get rid of the dishes no one wanted. Won’t...

Sailor NYC is an absolute gem nestled on a picturesque corner in Brooklyn. From the moment we walked in for a spontaneous lunch, the experience was nothing short of exceptional. We were greeted warmly and seated immediately—a rarity in the city, especially when our party unexpectedly grew from two to three. The maitre d’ handled the change with grace and efficiency, setting the tone for a seamlessly hospitable afternoon.

Our server, Farrah, was incredibly knowledgeable and attentive, guiding us through the menu with genuine enthusiasm. Every member of the team was gracious and professional, creating an atmosphere that felt elevated yet warmly unpretentious.

We received the anchovy butter and toasted bread as compliments, a punchy and indulgent opener that set the stage perfectly. The avocado toast and egg special were both beautifully executed, but the standout dish was the soft omelette—delicate, expertly cooked, and laced with fresh fine herbs. Accompanied by a perfectly dressed side salad. It was a refined yet comforting plate that paired effortlessly with cocktails.

Speaking of drinks, we enjoyed two rounds of the Moonlight cocktail—bright, balanced, and dangerously easy to sip—alongside a ginger-based cocktail that was wonderfully complex and refreshingly drinkable.

The decor deserves its own round of applause: nautical in theme but never kitschy, every detail from the glassware to the plateware reflects a clear and thoughtful design vision. The space feels curated, timeless, and inviting—an ideal backdrop for a leisurely afternoon meal.

Sailor NYC is a must-visit lunch destination, and I can’t wait to return for dinner and brunch. Farrah mentioned the roasted chicken and the burger as house favorites, and I’ll absolutely be back to try both. Every element—from ambience to execution—was handled with finesse. This is the kind of spot that reminds you why dining out can...