The Bon Vivant of Brooklyn

This new, nearly hidden gem of an eatery keeps getting better every time I visit it.  Conveniently located one block North of the Graham Avenue L stop, the Oak Cafe provides a casual atmosphere and superb food.  The interior and exterior are quite humble, and not terribly spacious, but this modest cafe serves up some top notch food at a reasonable price.  They very recently began serving dinner from 5:00p.m. to 10:00p.m. nightly, and as I had a delicious lunch there previously, I decided to give it a shot.

I started with a bruschetta appetizer; fresh tomato and basil, the tomato diced, ripe and full of Summer, and mixed with some seasonings and sliced strands of basil adorning two thin, buttery crisps of toast sliced on the bias.  Each bite was flavorful and full of mixed textures - a true delight.  Dinner was pan-seared chicken breast with peaches and blackberries atop a slice of polenta.  I very much wish I had brought my camera, because the presentation was an absolute treat:  luscious, shiny blackberries scattered amongst rich, slow-baked peaches and a crisp, juicy collection of meaty slices stacked neatly onto a bright yellow rectangular slab.  Once again, the seasonings were impeccable, and the crunchy-moist texture of the chicken dovetailed into the snappy juiciness of the blackberries and the sublimation of the soft roasted peaches.  When combined with a stiff chunk of the savory polenta, it achieved perfection.

All that remained was dessert!  And I was eagerly anticipating marinated figs with fresh ricotta and balsamic vinegar - I was sure that this was what was on the menu, but instead I was delivered strawberries and toasted pine nuts with the above.  Really I was just there for the ricotta... I had sampled it previously at a lunch with a superb eggplant sandwich, and I must say that the fresh ricotta is one of the things you must try when you come here.  As a dessert, it was excellent, sweet and smooth and perfectly complemented by the nutty crunch of the pignoli.  The strawberries were a little bit bland and underripe, and there was really too much balsamic vinegar in the dish - it would have been better served with tastier fruit and just a bit of drizzled balsamic over the top instead of pooled in the bottom.  The entire meal altogether ran me about $30 including an iced cappuccino.

Sadly, Oak Cafe does not yet have a license to serve alcohol, but they will gladly let you bring and drink your own beverages.  Their patio is very pleasing, and has a lot of outdoor outlets for people to plug their electronic devices into; I haven't confirmed it, but I also believe they have wireless access available, as befits an excellent cafe.

[Where: 361 Graham Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211]