Elite Williamsburg

Elite Williamsburg

Reviewed by
Em Pineda @TheHungryDominican

Elite Williamsburg is an interesting “restaurant” in the sense that it’s clearly a club, and then somehow during construction a bar and restaurant fell smack dab in the middle of it all. It’s been lively every time I’ve stopped by. A bouncer – sorry, doorman – greets you at the front. When you walk up to the hostess you feel like you’re about to be escorted through some silk curtains into a  “Champagne Room” (I don’t believe they have one, but hey, I dunno). It all feels clubby. I don’t say this as a negative. I say this as a warning to anyone who comes here and expects chill vibes. This place doesn’t even know the meaning of “chill.” The menu is a bit all over the place, but I can’t fault it for being that way. Elite Williamsburg just wants to offer everything to everyone, from a Dominican breakfast to Mexican Tacos to Peruvian Lomo Saltado. And it wants to give you the option of classic burgers and Asian-inspired fried rice. It’s a spot that could easily come off as having an identity problem, but it’s really just a people-pleaser. The food here is pleasant enough that you won’t leave disappointed, but if you’re looking for the city’s food you’re better off going to a restaurant that specializes in one of the cuisines offered here. No, what this place really excels in is the vibe. You come here for a loud, boisterous atmosphere. Birthdays, weekend brunches, Friday nights… this is what you come here to celebrate. Grab a drink or two and focus on the libations, the endless and awesome hip-hop soundtrack, and the beautiful people around you.