Robin Des Bois Sherwood Cafe

Brunch always has been, and might always will be, one of my favorite pass times. Last week, when Matt and I had our visitor, we had hoped to impress her with some excellent Brooklyn Brunching at Miriam in Cobble Hill. Distressingly, we learned that this branch of the excellent Israeli restaurant had closed (and is being replaced with MORE Thai food for Court St.). So we did the next best thing and swung over to Robin des Bois on Smith Street. Matt and I have eaten here many times so we thought it would be a solid pick.

The decor is absolutely why you come to Robin des Bois. That and the inclusive brunch specially of a free drink (Mimosa or Bloody Mary) with your order. The food is never OUTSTANDING but its passable. Here's what we ordered . . .

Chicken Sausages with caramelized apples, roasted potatoes and salad

Crab Cake Benedict with roasted potatoes and salad

Ouefs au Gratin
(baked eggs served with toast and salad)

All of the food was decent enough. No complaints on either of the egg dishes, although the crab cake was heavy on the bell pepper and that really came through. The salad wasn't worth mentioning, just some salted greens. But the potatoes. The potatoes were under cooked, under seasoned, and generally bland. (EATER SCHMEATER would like to point out that although all the posts thus far have criticized potatoes and they way they're cooked, we can be pleased with a potato. Just cook it all the way.) Also, the apples on Matt's Chicken Sausage dish were a little pedestrian, just sugar and cinnamon and also, not the melt in your mouth apple-goodness that he was looking for.

So, even though the food isn't going to get past the quick-fire challenge on Top Chef, Robin des Bois Sherwood Cafe will also be a hit with us. The strictly French waitstaff, kaleidoscope of found objects, and the family style huge wood tables make this a place that Matt and I long to bring our friends. Give it another month and once it warms up, go to the patio and enjoy.

a.

Robin des Bois Sherwood Cafe
195 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201