The Brazen Fox caught my attention as I walked down the alley off Third Avenue. This place opens all week long, serves oysters for a dollar at the bar until 2am, as well as offers a wide menu of mouth-watering choices.
Spotted the night we came back to New York, the two floored restaurant boasts a large facade, a simple yet classy interior and the dimmed lights from the outside attracts you to come closer. The Brazen Fox Kitchen & Craft Beer was an exciting choice.
Enter into a large rectangular space that looks more like a bar with high chairs and tables and a long, well lit bar. TV Screens take over all the walls displaying sports.
Old wood, dimmed lighting, sports banners and games decorate the restaurant, old wood floors and posters, the place is really more of an Irish pub or London tavern.
The menu is interesting. Appetizers, burgers, sliders, sandwiches, mains, sides, salads and desserts. Several nacho choices, mac'n'cheese, avocado toast and Canadian nachos... Oysters and the bourbon burger... a bone marrow burger... sandwiches and ribs... I loved the choices and couldn't stop ordering.
Other than the food, they have a list of 24 different choices of beer brewed in-house. From 4.2% alcohol to 9%, we chose to have the medium bodied "Magic Hat", which is a fruit beer with 5.1% alcohol. Amazing beer with fruity notes, light bodied and pleasant with long lasting flavors.
A smiley waitress, positive vibes, a pleasant ambiance... We were waiting to be served.
Dinner:
- Hogs in a blanket, smoked pork sausages wrapped in sticks with smoked ranchero dip and house-made jalapeño ranch dip: Puff pastry dough wrapped around a hotdog, flaky with a rich full bodied dog and the unique sauce adding sourness and taste.
- The large platter of oysters: That's a great start!
- Crispy chicken tenderloin tenders covered with creole seasoning mix, fried crisp, served with hot sauce mayonnaise and a chopped romaine bacon salad. They're so juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside with a premium taste.
- The fries and sweet potato fries are awesome!
- The Bourbon burger is to die for: Bourbon glaze, crispy shallots and bacon.
- Turkey burger is served with drunken fig jam, sautéed onions and Brie cheese. It's a premiere and must try. Feels like beef, but actually tastes more complicated. A sweet after note and a juicy patty.
- Canadian nachos are a mix of chorizo and gravy with mozzarella cheese on hand cut fries. It's heavy but yummy.
Second beer: Speakeasy, prohibition amber ale, 4.2%. Full bodied, strong in aromas and taste, fruity and floral with a light alcohol feel, a beer that will put a smile on your face.
- The steak sandwich is sliced hanger steak, poblano peppers, onions, sharp cheddar cheese, rosemary filled in a ciabatta bread. Tender bread, tender meat, tasty sauce, a good sandwich.
Third beer: Ommegang witte. As good as the other two. I've rarely enjoyed beers that much. Brazen Fox, the king of beer if I may say.
- Desserts: Multi-colored mini macaroons served with a dollop of fresh cream. They're superb for a pub. Lightly crunchy and filled with tasty cream.
- Bread pudding: House-made and served hot with drizzled caramel sauce. That's too sweet!
- Cheesecake: New York style baked cheese cake, no cookie but full bodied cream. A bit too sweet for me, but I can't deny how amazing the cheese is.
- Brownie: Chocolate chip brownie, American style because it's way too sweet. It tickles my throat! Not sure I like it.
- Ice cream: Nothing to write home about.
Minuses:
- The service is slow; waiters disappear and rarely approach the table.
Impressed, I was impressed. This place served delicious food and awesome beers.
