The Commissioner — Restaurant in New York

I was sad to see Pork Slope, the former resident of this space, shutter its doors. The Commissioner, however, ably fills Pork Slope's shoes . . . and then some.

Came here with some friends on a Saturday night around 7 p.m. Given the early hour, the bar was fairly lively, and the room had a nice buzz; even as things picked up over the course of the evening, the place never felt too full -- in part because of the smart, spacious layout, but also because of the great service. The crisp, friendly attention provided by the bartenders and the server -- I believe her name was Jenesa -- made us feel like we were at a really good house party, with two personable, on-point hosts.

The cocktail list is very straightforward with a half-dozen or so classics, and subtle spins on classics, at $10 a pop (a solid deal for the neighborhood). On the night in question, I stuck to the menu, ordering a few Old Fashioneds (hefty and made with Rye, as they should be); the handsome bar was well-stocked and the bartenders seemed sharp, though, so I'd imagine that they'd be happy to whip up something a little more out there if called upon to do so.

The fried pickles deserve special recognition -- they're lightly battered, crispy, and you get a ton of them . . . an absolute steal for $4! We did not try any of the other food, but we did carefully survey the menu. Most of the offerings appear to be traditional, well-priced bar fare -- hamburgers ($8), buffalo wings ($9), chips and guac ($5) -- but there are also a few wild cards, such as a Kale and Farro salad with avocado vinaigrette ($8). We'll...

This is the kind of bar you want to make into “your” neighborhood bar, even if you don’t live in the neighborhood. Cozy atmosphere that makes you feel at home, with darts, shuffle board, and a photo booth for the restless folks in your crew. The drinks and food are top notch, but the service is what really makes this place - everyone is super nice and attentive.

I hosted my husband’s birthday there recently and was blown away by the warm reception we received. I asked Jon (one of the owners) to reserve some space for a casual hangout of friends. I was just expecting a few tables to be reserved, but Jon and The Commissioner team rolled out the red carpet - reserving the back part of the bar with funny signs with the hub’s nickname, a happy birthday banner, and even a balloon (something along the lines of “my husband’s bday” and the tied it around my wrist...it was pretty hilarious).

Seriously, guys, this place is the...

I’ve been to The Commissioner a few times for a pint but today I had the food. Holy smokes, I had no clue! I met the incredibly nice owner and he suggested Tenders with Ranch and Nasheville Hot dipping sauce and a side of tots. First of all, if the owner recommends something, just do it. The food was out super quick and cooked perfectly. Tots are easy to screw up, these were crispy on the outside and tiny potato clouds on the inside. I can’t even describe how good the chicken tenders were, how??? Just perfect. The other staff was also helpful and friendly and I’d go there everyday if I could. If you’re in Park Slope go to The Commissioner. If you’re not in...