Gage & Tollner

"Gage & Tollner opened on the ground floor of a commercial building in 1879, and its landmarked interior has been preserved, despite a rocky history that has seen it closed for years before recently reopening. It was once home to the legendary late Black chef Edna Lewis. Her fried chicken is one of the menu’s offerings, buttermilk marinated and served with hush puppies and kimchi slaw, the latter a touch of modernity in a historic plate of food." - Robert Sietsema

"If Gage & Tollner in Downtown Brooklyn feels like a relic of old New York, that’s because it is. The restaurant opened in ​​1892, became a TGI Friday's in 2004, then reopened in 2020. The atmosphere is what makes the place—the dining room is full of floor-to-ceiling mirrors, there’s a revolving door from the original construction, and the bar up front is the perfect place to have a solo martini and some snacks. Unless you have some wealthy relatives in town, Gage & Tollner is a place where you should stick with cocktails and snacks. The larger entrees, like a steak that would benefit from some finishing salt and a pot pie whose pastry can’t hold up to the soupy filling, tend to lack finesse. But a round of clams casino with kimchi butter or a plate of devils on horseback will enhance any high-end date night or outing with a friend." - Carlo Mantuano

"How Far In Advance Should You Book? Four weeks, or four hours if you don’t mind eating at 10pm. Congrats to Gage & Tollner. Since the historic Downtown Brooklyn steakhouse reopened under new management in 2021, tables have been in high demand. The good news for people who possess the strength to plan ahead: Reservations are now plentiful a full month in advance. Come here if you’re looking for a fun, classic steakhouse with a few twists, like kimchi cornbread." - bryan kim

"This bar and restaurant in Downtown Brooklyn feels like a relic of old New York, because it is. The restaurant opened in 1892, and still has the revolving door from the original construction, and bartenders in precisely fastened ties. Their martinis are damn near perfect. Order the Turf Martini, a retro drink composed of gin, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, absinthe, and an orange twist. All martinis are served in a frosted glass accompanied by a sidecar to hold the leftovers." - bryan kim, kenny yang, neha talreja, carina finn koeppicus

"There is plenty to eat here, as the team, headed by Executive Chef, Adam Shepard, is not content to merely let history and looks stand in for substance." - MICHELIN Guide