From the owners of the widely loved Maiella Restaurant in Long Island City comes a new American Brasserie style restaurant. American Brass promises to delight with a locally focused menu in a upscale atmosphere.
Elevated Space
After a significant two year long renovation to the space at 2-01 50th Ave, American Brass first opened it’s doors in March 2020. The restaurant location has been completely transformed to a bright and inviting atmosphere, with seating for up to 140 guests inside, and 100 guests outside. Artfully tiled flooring is accented with brown leather booths, brass fixtures, and bright white walls with mirrored panels. Overall American Brass’ dining space feels like a fresh, thoughtfully designed atmosphere perfect for a dinner or weekend brunch. It’s prime location across from Gantry Plaza State Park provides the perfect backdrop on the East River with views of the Manhattan skyline.
Dining During A Pandemic
After a brief halt on in-person dining due to COVID-19, dining has resumed at American Brass with the health and safety of guests an utmost priority. Upon approaching the main entry, a quick touch-less temperature check is performed from where you can then proceed to enter the restaurant where a sanitization station is available for use at your own discretion. The staff are very inviting and offer the choice of dining indoors or outdoors. Indoor seating is generously spaced apart with dividers between tables for extra protection. Outside most of the tables are situated with overhead tents or coverings to protect from the elements, including partially opened sides to allow for easy in and out access and significant fresh air flow. The care and attention to make sure guests are safe and comfortable really shines through, and is a much appreciated accommodation during these times.
Delectable Cuisine
Adding to the bustling restaurant scene in Long Island City, American Brass offers a modern take on Brasserie style cuisine with an added flair. The diverse menu lends itself to a wide variety of dishes sure to please any group. For starters, the fresh sourdough focaccia is surprisingly light and perfectly crispy, served with whipped ricotta and rosemary sea salt. Some other stand-out appetizers include the Yellowtail Crudo and Grilled Baby Octopus (pictured below) that were both a perfect combination of ingredients and aesthetically plated. For seafood lovers, a separate raw bar menu is also available with platters that are great for sharing.
Moving to the main course, American Brass offers something for everyone. It’s hard to pick just one entree when there are so many interesting options to taste; you may just have to come back for another visit. From salmon and halibut, to steak frites, colorado lamb, and amish chicken, each dish highlights the main focus while being thoughtfully paired with just the right accents. For one example, the new seasonal Gnocchi dish features winter squash, chicken sausage, brown butter, and pepitas – an exceptional autumn recipe. Another popular menu item, the 28 day dry aged burger has been touted as the best burger in NYC – and is also available in a take-out Burger Kit.
Potato Gnocchi with winter squash, chicken sausage, brown butter, pepitas.
Weekly specials are considered to be show-stoppers, like the 28 Day Dry Aged NY Strip Steak pictured above, served with bone marrow, a side of grilled vegetables, and out-of-this-world truffle mashed potatoes. A quite extensive drink menu also adds to the experience providing just the right diversity. Staying true to the local focus, beers are sourced from only Long Island City breweries like Fifth Hammer, Big Alice, LIC Beer Project, and Iconyc; the menu even including the distance in feet of each brewery to the restaurant. A few speciality cocktail favorites of ours were the Mezcal Old Fashioned, and Strawberry Rose with gin. Whether meeting friends for casual drinks and bites or going to celebrate with an appetite, American Brass is a must-visit that can easily become your new go-to dining destination.
American Brass
2-01 50th Ave, Queens, NY 11109
