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Le Barricou

Le Barricou (533 Grand St, Brooklyn. (718) 782- 7372. $$. www.lebarricouny.com)- I found this restaurant randomly, a dimly lit entrance amongst bodegas and bars on Grand St in Williamsburg. Since my first visit I have been back time and time again. It has rapidly become my go-to staple restaurant for family visits, birthdays, catching up with friends, and romantic dinners.

Le Barricou is a rare combination of cozy and sophisticated. The place is small, candlelit, with a little fireplace in the back and antique decorations. It is the sexier version of a grandmother's bed and breakfast. Ask for a table in the back if you make a reservation (though reservations in my experience haven't been necessary.) You will sit amongst the black couches and the old books. It feels like a place where I want to eat all of my meals and then stay, relax, and spend the night. If you can't picture it you should check out their website (with your volume on) which does a perfect job of encompassing the feeling of the restaurant.

What to eat: If you are lucky enough to be there on a day when the fisherman's soup is the soup du jour then I highly recommend you order it. It is a large portion of fish broth which is creamy and velvety and comes with homemade croutons, cheese, and aioli on the side which are meant to be dipped and left floating in the bowl, sopping up the rich flavors.

The escargots are standard, served with garlic and parsley butter. Unless you are specifically in the mood for snails (and if you are, these definitely aren't a bad choice), then I wouldn't waste my time. The roasted vegetable salad in my experience was a bit boring but the roasted beet salad and the pan seared diver scallops with figs, pear, frisee, and baby arugula are great appetizers and a fine entree if you are not too hungry. In reality, all of the hors d'oeuvres other than the escargots could be your whole meal. There was a duck confit appetizer which rested over brussell sprouts and though it is currently not on the menu, it was the most filling appetizer I have ever had. It seems that their menu is constantly changing with the seasons which is both good and disappointing since certain items that I loved are no longer offered (a poached egg with lardon over a frisee salad comes to mind).

The moules frites (mussels) are all slight variations on the regular options (mussels with fennel, tarragon, orange, and french fries) and are all recommended. Otherwise, all of the entrees are very large and filling and decently priced. The whole menu is reasonably priced, actually, with appetizers averaging at $9 and entrees at around $18. I say get two appetizers and a cocktail. You'll stay under $30 but eat like you spent $50. Definitely a date pleaser.