Ditmas Kitchen and Cocktails, the new American eatery from former Top Chef contestant, Chef Alex Reznik (La Seine, Cafe Was), sports two identities. On one hand it’s a restaurant dressed as a lounge with a rustic-style 20-foot communal table and some bar seatage, and on the other hand it’s a white tablecloth joint with oversized round booths and assorted bare lightbulbs. But through and through Ditmas is a place inspired by Reznik’s Brooklyn childhood, his mother and grandmother’s cooking, and the Avenue on which he grew up, Ditmas.

Is it a kosher restaurant? You bet, but it's so much more.  His New York share plate menu ranges from a house-made pretzel with horseradish mustard, whitefish rillettes with house-made brioche and seasonal pickled vegetables; to duck consommé with smaltz matzo balls; to a 24-hour braised short rib with butternut squash polenta. Over in the drinks department, expect craft cocktails made with seasonal fruits/veg and small batch spirits, plus craft beer from the west coast and Europe.

www.ditmasla.com