Beast

Nothing bad, but nothing really good either.

Everything was tasty, but nothing really that ht the spot. The place does have a romantic vibe, but I don't know if I want to come back.
Cheese plate was too expensive and not that great. Seriously had better.

Posted 02/18/09

I have been here time and time again. The menu is constantly updated and challenges me to try to new things (which I'm typically not very good at). This is the type of place that makes you think of "Top Chef" - where they make the beautifully presented dishes that happily surprise you.

Posted 12/07/08

If you want really amazing food with a well though out wine selection, go to this place! However, the servers are really unorganized and not very polite about it when they make mistakes.

But really, the food and drink is fabulous.

Posted 11/11/08

The first time I came here with friends, we came in the afternoon and ordered only tapas. Tapas and tapas and tapas and they were GOOD. The service was friendly, the sangria was good, and the tapas were wonderful. My friends and I really enjoyed it.

And then I decided to go back almost a month later with a different group of friends, and this time we came for lunch. And we ordered actual entrees with a couple of tapas. This time the food wasn't so great. One of my friends had a VERY oversalted dish that she ended up not being able to eat, and no one seemed very happy with what they got. If I had based my opinion on this meal alone, I probably would have gotten two stars, or two and a half.

As a result, I'm giving this place three stars. I'm sorry the Beast , I will always treasure my first memories of you~

Posted 10/12/08

I have given this place a few chances and I want to like it, but they just never seem to get it right. Most of the food consists of tapas, which is an interesting twist for that neighborhood. When the food is done right it can be very good, but I think there is some kind of flow issue in the kitchen. For instance, on one visit we ordered various tapas and the ricotta tart came out at the right temperature but the brussel sprouts came out ice cold and the manchego cheese bites were undercooked and almost solid inside. Another time I got the ribeye which was cooked perfectly medium-rare, but my friend's chicken came out dry and tasteless. Service is the same thing, once I was the only person sitting at the bar for lunch but the bartender could not tear herself away from washing glasses to come take my order. Another time my girlfriend and I sat down for dinner and were greeted by a friendly and eager waiter, only to have him switched for a dull-looking, inept waitress half way through the meal. We went from receiving capable and prompt service to having to repeat each of our drink orders because the waitress kept forgetting to enter them in! All in all, I would avoid this restaurant and eat at one of the others in the area instead.

Posted 10/02/08

this is one of my favourite restaurants in the neighbourhood, consistently good food, chilled out vibe and a good selection of wines. like the idea of the wine in quartino size. we have never been disappointed with food here but service is very erratic. don't go if you're starving, it's not quick. usually with just 2 of us no problem but took 4 friends and ended up in the back room one night waiting 40 minutes for a bottle of wine, yes 40 minutes.. don't mind waiting for food when it's busy but it's not difficult to grab a bottle of wine and usually keeps the customer happy while waiting for food. avoid the back room and the australian waitress (our wine culprit)

Pros: food, wine list

Cons: service

Posted 07/28/08

20 of us ate here for a freind's bday and were served quickly and efficiently. The food was great. That paella was good enough for a return trip. Looking forward to eating there again.

Posted 07/13/08

The food was good, but not a great value. I found the service to be a little lacking. We were going to order dessert, but our waitress disappeared for about fifteen minutes. The ambiance is nice, but It's not a place I would eat at again.

Posted 06/25/08

The space is super comfortable and the food is great... I love tapas. And their wine list is amazing.

In the past we've always had great service but the last time we went the service was pretty bad,,, I'm hoping they're not getting too busy as can happen with really great places :(

There isn't anything I don't like on the menu and I've tried almost everything. And I usually skip dessert but not at Beast, their smores are delicious!

Posted 06/05/08

IT'S TAPAS FOLKS!! For those that don't know what tapas is, it's basically a appetizer sized portion.. That being said, the food is delicious. The burger however is regular sized, and a good bargin. One of the best burgers I've ever had. The chicken is a good deal too. They have a great beer selection, wonderful brunch, and the wait staff are incredibly nice and helpful. My only problem is that sometimes it gets a bit loud in there. They need to learn about volume control. I've only been annoyed once or twice by the music level, and I've been there at least a dozen times.. If you live in the hood you must check it out...

Pros: Great brunch

Cons: Too loud sometimes

Posted 07/11/07

They have the best brunch! My Favorite local place to eat!!! I love the scallops entree too! The brunch hours are great 11 -4.

Pros: great cocktails

Cons: non

Posted 06/03/07

i had a really delicious beer here- i think it was 5 points? tasty! the happy hour prices are great and i love that there is a latenight happy hour as well. the food here is just average though. i ordered "greenmarket vegetables" which was really a misnomer. there are no yellow beans growing in the northeast in early spring. also, the veggies were cooked in way too much butter. we waited 30 min for the roasted chicken which was okay but not worth the wait. i've roasted better in my own oven at home, for half the price. i say, come for the beer, not for the food.

Pros: good beer, 2 happy hours

Cons: average overpriced food

Posted 05/29/07

After recently moving to the area, my roommate and I wandered in after work just looking to grab a beer. We were pleasantly surprised by the decor, replete with centaurs and griffins and the chill atmosphere. The bar boasted some great Belgian ales. Then we smelled the food being prepared and had to order. . After splitting some nicely peppered cracker bread still warm from the kitchen, I had a hefty 10 oz. burger nicely spiced and roasted potatoes with a velvety Guinness mustard sauce. The skirt steak with chipotle aioli was so good it demanded to be savored. It being a tapas bar we were expecting smaller portions but these were satisfying. The staff was super friendly and attentive. If you're in Prospect Heights don't pass it by.

Pros: Friendly attentive staff, chill atmosphere, uniquely tasty dishes

Cons: reserve a seat for brunch it fills up fast

Posted 05/17/07

i did brunch here last sunday & rsvp'd
Good: table was waiting
Bad: table was right next to front door
Ugly: it was freezing rain & the front door kept getting stuck in the open position. my friend & i had to keep asking people in the doorway to close it, would have been nice if the staff noticed this. a sign on the door that says close it completely would work as well.

we had a waitress
Good: she told us the specials
Bad: she never asked us if we needed salt, pepper or their much balleyhooed house ketchup. when our food arrived, we had to get up & go ask for it after waiting forever.
Ugly: b4 our food arrived our waitress never once checked on us. we probably would have had about 3 more mimosas in the time waiting for our food, money lost by unattentive staff. it took about 50mins. to get our food. we had to flag down another waitress for a new mimosa. after 10 minutes of waiting, our waitress finally showed up to ask if we wanted a new drink, duh, yes.ordered chorizo hash w/ eggs, "crispy" polenta & "the standard" (eggs and sausage)
The Good: chorizo hash w/ eggs & a spicy hollandaise sauce was so creamy i almost forgot how annoyed i was with the freezing draft from the nearby open front door. another bite & i almost forgot that it'd be great to wash it down, if only i had a drink
The Bad: the "crispy" polenta, was NOT crispy, it was smothered with a tomato based puree that totally destroyed any chance for "crispy" anything on that plate. presentation was gross & the polenta was the same. sorry to be harsh, but it's true
The Ugly: the wait staff really sucked
only redeeming thing was the chorizo hash. i am actually mad i left a 20% tip, it happened by accident, reflex actually.

Pros: location?

Cons: too much, way too much. the waitstaff needs to be rehauled

Posted 04/18/07

The food is amazing, the wine is great, the atmosphere is a Sit and Talk for Hours place (although I've never been there on weekends). Thank god it's there.

Posted 04/03/07

I've been heading to Beast for a while now, at least once a month. I'm guessing that the quality of the ingredients drives the prices, but I wish they could bring the cost down a few notches especially considering the portion sizes and the low key neighborhood feel. I'm in awe of the kitchen staff who work in a miniscule space just off the bar, yet turn our dish after dish like a VERY well oiled machine. I got a chuckle from one of the other reviewers who was dissappointed by the fried manchego cheese and the burger. There are few reasons for me to order fried cheese, and even fewer reasons to order a $12.00 burger. Be adventurous at Beast. Their menu has some average 'standby' offerings, but avoid them unless your in a tastebud rut.... I think you'll be pleased. Peace-out.

Pros: Great food, good service, very relaxed ambience.

Cons: Cost.

Posted 03/30/07

This place is just confusing. The evening we visited that bar area was overwhelmingly loud- head-banger loud. When we were shown to our table we were shocked to walk into an entirely different world- too few tables, zero ambiance, and thankfully- no Quiet Riot.

The food was enjoyable, but over priced for Brooklyn tapas- especially given the lack of ambiance. There are much more enjoyable neighborhood places than this one.

Pros: neighborhood place

Cons: ambiance, bar tv and music

Posted 04/20/06

The portabella and the venison are divine; the pistachio icecream and banana dessert is the stuff dreams are made of. Keeping in mind it's a tapas restaurant, the portions are more than adequate. Complaints about size might be due to ignorance regarding tapas. Something mammoth? Try the Beast's burger. It's too large to finish if you plan to button your jeans afterwards.

The decor and lighting is lovely. It's perfect for dates and hanging with friends. Very moody. The music is also great! I was thrilled to find that Beast's play list is exactly what's on my ipod.

The staff are not only friendly and knowledgeable but somehow everyone there is attractive too. Enjoy the eye candy while feasting on great tapas in a fun restaurant with the perfect music.

Pros: Great food, Great price, Cute staff

Cons: None

Posted 12/21/05

ok This place is good but definetly not a 9. The cheese platter was tasty and overpriced. the grilled sardines sank. I love the flatbread but I'm a carb fiend. Bread is always good. It's not good for kids. There are no children's selection on the menu and its a bar. There was a high chair but even my very upscale ten year old could find nothing to please his palate forget about my 6,3 and 2 year old nephews. If you miss this one-oh well

Posted 12/06/05

A Brooklyn must-visit.
New American tapas-like plates, crafted and delivered in a pub-like atmoshpere.
The short, reasonable wine-list is well-chosen.
The house-baked flat-bread is to die for.
The skirt-steak can't be beat.
If you seek a hibernation-inducing finish to your feast, pair the toffee pudding with an Italian amaro.
The service can be too casual and specifically wants staff-guidance when it comes to ordering.
The menu is slightly confusing, sorted by "Earth, Sea and Sky."
Though the poetry is not lost, the roast seasonal vegetables would have paired better with our hot course than they did with the house-cured olives with which we started.
All in all a great experience and though the location is off the beaten path, when you walk through the heavy, wooden door a warm reception is the welcome you've earned for chosing the road less travelled by.

Pros: Food, Fun, Price

Cons: Menu

Posted 12/02/05

I went last night and was very surprised with how the food tasted and how good the service was. Order the steak, it is very good. Other notable items are the shrimp, vegetable dish and short ribs. This place is a must try.

Pros: atmosphere

Posted 11/09/05

I thought the menu looked appealing. Then the meal came. Four shrimp for dinner! Sure it was only $12 which sounds cheap but four shrimp are not dinner. I was embarrassed that i picked this place. The tuna- again- a ridiculously small portion for dinner. It is not served with anything. You will leave starving and while they claim it is outdoors, you'll be eating in the street if you choose to sit outside. Not a nice setting at all. Skip this place. Even trying to get a glass of wine was hard. It is served in a quartet. a glass and a half at a high price. So stupid. A terrible experience.

Pros: none

Cons: portions, wine in quartets, atmosphere

Posted 10/22/05

I have absolutely no complains about the wonderful food, everything we tasted was nearly perfect. The problem is the bar. The bar staff here has no clue about making drinks. I took some European guests here the other weekend for early snacks and cocktails. They wanted to try a bloody mary, a rarity in Europe, and what we got was a vodka and tomato juice with a splash of worcestire sauce. All of the other ingredients were missing, they had no clue. I am a fan of vodka, so I didn't complain, but when I asked for a vodka soda with lemon I got a huge vodka with a tiny splash of soda and a lime. Again, wrong! I recommend that you order the fabulous food and stick to beer, wine and straight up drinks, until they train their bartenders properly. Don't get me wrong though, I will be back.

Pros: Food, Friendly staff

Cons: Awful cocktails

Posted 05/10/05

I ve been keeping track of reviews of beast since i'm such an avid fan, and i still see people saying the portions are small, but ...HELLO.... its tapas! And actually if you ARE familiar with tapas you would know from your first course, that the Beast tapas are freakin' huge. The ingredients are fresh and despite running out of a couple things from time to time, it is probably the best meal in brooklyn. I think running out of things says that the kitchen doesn't have old food hanging around.

Every time i've been in the staff has been courteous and non intrusive, and i end up lingering at the bar for the great late night happy hour.

I'm a particular fan of the tremendous hamburger, with homemade ketchup, homemade pickles and potato salad.....not potato AND salad like was mentioned in another review.

Try for yourself. Beast Sized Tapas!!!!

Pros: spectacular food, great staff, outdoor seating

Cons: nada

Posted 05/06/05

Went to Beast in several ocations, great menu selection at affordable prices.
The wait staff is young and cheerfull, specially the beautiful bartenders.
Ah, also great selection of wines and imported spirits.
Nice crowd of young and funky people. Had a great time.

Posted 05/04/05

For a neighborhood boasting Cosbyseque brownstones, a coveted proximity to Park Slope and Fort Greene and a citizenry of limousine liberals, Prospect Heights has proven a barren ovum for solid eateries. For restaurants, the neighborhood's twin fallopian tubes, Washington and Vanderbilt, are speckled with the overpriced, the nondescript and the mediocre.

So it was with trembling anticipation that we headed to BEAST. To put it bluntly, they failed in all regards. Despite a promising menu, our appetites were shriveled when told the chorizo and cod were unavailable. The fried manchego cheese was miniscule and no better than mozzarella sticks. The burgers were bland meatballs; no onions, no spices, nada. The accompanying baked potato was a tablespoon of tater salad and the "salad" was leaves of limp arugula. Although friendly, the wait staff was VERY reluctant to give us more bread, but she did recommend a pizzeria up the block.

Pros: Burly chef, Near pizzeria, 4-lane traffic

Cons: Meager helpings, Overpriced, Pointless

Posted 04/29/05

Terrific, top notch tapas. In two visits, I've had the red peppers stuffed with salt cod, which were delicious, and the lime-marinated shrimp which were a standout. Portions are generous, especially for tapas. Solicitous service and a staff that is knowledgeable about food make for a pleasant dining experience all around. The sort of goth decor is quirky but fun, and tall pours on all drinks complete the package. Great new place.

Pros: courteous staff, delicious food

Posted 03/16/05