"This jewel box of a restaurant shows off the talent of Alex Raij and Eder Montero with dishes like cod pot pie, squid a la plancha, and, as always, dynamic specials like the fun-to-eat gooseneck barnacles." - Melissa McCart
"Right next door to La Vara is Saint Julivert, a seafood restaurant from the same team. On the weekends, both are packed with Cobble Hillers, who are smugly grateful to have both spots right in their neighborhood. Bring someone who loves fish just as much as you do, sit at the bar or outside, share a bottle of wine, and a bunch of different little bites. We especially like the head-on shrimp with yuzu mayo, the whipped mackerel on grilled sourdough, and the cod pot pie." - willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, neha talreja, will hartman
"Alex Raij and Eder Montero, of Manhattan’s Txikito and next-door La Vara have created both a charming neighborhood restaurant and an excellent fish and wine destination. Start with snacks like the head-on shrimp and the whipped mackerel. Move on to the chilled octopus or amberjack. Share a cod pot pie on a cool spring night or order for the table the jerk hamachi collar or squid a la plancha. If there are specials like barnacles, don’t pass them up. Good to know: Every night from 5 to 6 p.m. it’s Violet Hour, with a $45 three-course menu." - Emma Orlow
"If you love seafood and trying unusual wines, you’re the ideal candidate for Valentine’s Day at this Cobble Hill restaurant. Saint Julivert is from the people behind La Vara, a great Spanish restaurant that happens to be right next door, and the menu here is mostly dedicated to shareable stuff inspired by what you’d find in coastal Portugal or Spain. It’s romantic inside (but still casual enough where you’ll be sitting on a stool), and the outdoor heating situation will keep you comfortable even in 20-degree weather." - hannah albertine
"This long-time neighborhood favorite comes courtesy of Chefs Alex Raij and Eder Montero, who also run next-door La Vara. The narrow space does not at all match the kitchen’s outsized talents and imaginative plates, which put seafood front and center. Consider starting with spiced Puerto Rican hushpuppies or shiso steak tartare tacos before diving into the likes of seared scallop tostadas with black garlic and olive agrodolce or mussel toast with fermented cucumber and dill. It’s seafood again come entrees: go for the cod pot pie that’s wrapped in a flaky, golden crust, or the jerked hamachi collar, which is brilliantly grilled and charred. A generous selection of regional wines highlights small producers to match the cooking." - Michelin Inspector