Apartment 138

138 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-858-0556

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Apartment 138 is an escape from the shiny restaurants that litter Smith St. Upon entering you’re taken back to a seaside establishment you’re not sure you’ve ever really been to. Cozy, candle-lit two tops scatter the dark wooden floors, while the bartender pours strong drinks from his fully stocked, homey enclave.

Although the interior of the restaurant is a great place to spend the evening making googly eyes at your companion, not all is romantical at 138. If you choose to move down a narrow staircase, you’ll be dumped out in to a game room of sorts. Arcade games, pool and Foosball tables are provided for your, probably by now, tipsy entertainment.

If dimly lit rooms and a game of pool aren’t your bag, have no fear because Apartment 138 provides one last surprise. . .the always elusive patio. And what a patio it is. A continuous bench lines the dimensions of this overly large for Brooklyn outdoor space. Tables and greenery are scattered along the benches as well as throughout the elevated wooden floor. And a water wall adds a bit of serenity to the bustling activity of the servers and patrons. Parties big or small are welcomed with a smile.

But enough with the atmosphere. It’s time to get down to the food. I was in the mood for a burger but not ready for the guilt of what a beef burger would do to my body. I opted for the turkey burger, sided with greens and seasoned fries (don’t judge). Before my meal arrived I had a chance to peek at a few other plates from the surrounding eaters. The portions were gigantic and every one seemed to be enjoying their meals. During the comfortable wait for food, drinks were always replenished and bread was put out as a pre-meal tummy pleaser.

The food arrived, visually appealing. The burger sat atop a juicy slice of tomato and crisp Bibb lettuce and all was nestled between a fresh English muffin. A few bites of mesclun with house balsamic accompanied the burger while a generous portion of fries demanded almost as much attention as the main attraction. I’d give the appearance an A- (given the ingredients) but the taste a C. The burger had that great fresh off the grill taste but lacked flavor and individuality. And although the burger lacked oomph, the lightly seasoned, crispy fries and the slightly sweet vinaigrette salad helped to boost the meal’s delish factor.

I’d definitely go back but I’ll probably try another dish (with a side of fries, of course).

By Saint Ramsey Von Spinkle