Summer Chef’s Table at Hunter’s in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn

A few weeks ago, Hunter’s hosted a Chef’s Tasting Table event in preparation for their summer menu release. Their chefs created 15 different three-course menus along with 15 cocktails for the restaurant’s friends and family to try and help decide what items will be permanently placed on this summer’s menu. Each night a different menu was served - and at a mere $35. True to my fashion, I could not resist this opportunity, and Rene and I paid them a visit for dinner after work.

The meal started with a refreshing whiskey lemonade that was surprisingly floral.

Next came a seafood salad served on a bed of frisee, tossed with some hearty beans in a terragon olive oil vinaigrette. The contrast of the cold greens and warm shrimp, octopus and beans made this dish intriguing. And, thanks to the lack of carbs, it was really light.

For the main course, the chefs prepared an unbelievably indulgent seared leg of lamb that was served atop of a chick pea puree flavored with turmeric and complemented by a generous amount of mizuna - spicy, fragrant greens, not unlike arugula. The lamb just melted in my mouth, and although there was more fat on it than I’m used to, I practically inhaled the whole thing anyway. Don’t even get me started on that gorgeous yellow puree - it was so airy and buttery, it made it hard to believe it was made of something so run-of-the-mill as chick peas. Overall, this entree stayed true to the restaurant’s hunter-gatherer style cooking and I really hope it made it to the final menu.

Last but not least, for dessert we were served this beautiful creation - a blueberry and plum crisp topped with homemade vanilla ice cream.

There is no summer dessert more perfect than a berry crisp. It showcases summer’s greatest edible gift to humanity - berries; and it’s, well, crispy, which kids of all ages find especially palatable. The way the two elements intermingle with melted ice cream… fuhgettaboutit.

The chefs did a fantastic job of using summer produce to create a fresh, balanced meal. There was just enough of an element of surprise in these dishes to delight but not scare away. All that’s left to say is, I can’t wait for the fall tasting table.

Pay this delightful place a visit to find out which items made the cut. And don’t forget about their daily happy hour from 4-7pm and half-priced bottles of wine on Sundays (to accompany their fabulous brunch).