Sel de Mer

c/o Grub Street

374 Graham Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211
view map
718.387.4181

Cuisine: Seafood/Mediterranean/American
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: All Major
Price: $$$
Hours: Mon-Thurs 4pm-Midnight; Fri-Sat 11am-Midnight
Booze: Beer and Wine
Subway: L to Graham Ave.
Menu: Click Here
Delivery: No
NY Mag says:

Think of the menu at Sel de Mer, a new seafood-focused restaurant in the old Najeeb’s space, as “a Mediterranean–meets–Long Island kind of thing,” says chef-owner Jeff Slagg: whole roasted dorade and three moules-frites preparations, but also steamers, fish-cake sliders, and fish and chips. That goes double for the new bar. “I wanted it to look like an old dock,” says Slagg, who did a stint at Oceana and more recently ran the kitchen at Sweetwater. “I’m just really into the water.” With its curtained façade, simple décor, and affordable menu, Sel de Mer reminds us of another cash-only Brooklyn seafood bistro: the original La Bouillabaisse during its Atlantic Avenue heyday. Like that crowd-pleasing spot, Sel de Mer is without wine and beer, for now. But that temporary drawback only helps keep tabs low for meals showcasing generous portions of fresh, imaginatively prepared seafood, like a recent halibut special served over coconut-milk-creamed spinach with crispy potatoes ($14), and a curried grouper ($15) that chef-owner Jeff Slagg dreamed up on a stroll down East 6th Street. There are three versions of moules-frites, and a selection of whole fish of the day. But the best deal might be the pair of so-called fish-cake sliders: two hefty hake burgers on toasted English muffins, served with a mound of cole slaw and the expectation that you’ll need a doggy bag ($12).

Shecky’s says:

Who needs a website, publicity blitz, credit card machine, or even a beer and wine license to launch a hot restaurant? Not seafood specialist Jeff Slagg (an ex-Sweetwater and Oceana chef). His tiny Williamsburg baby may have only a handful of tables and a couple of bar stools, but they’re packed with people slurping on mussels and oysters. This bare-bones place has become incredibly popular the moment the doors opened. The seafood is so fresh that most of the regular menu is sold out before dark. But fear not, there seem to be as many specials as there are dishes on the menu. No matter how busy they are, Sel de Mar’s waitstaff will happily rattle off every detail for you. Hint: it’s all seafood. Even the salads feel fishy. If you’ve never experienced a trout salad, now is your chance. Get it before it’s gone.

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