Spatzle & Soup at Flatbush Farm Bar(N)

I met a friend on a cold night recently for dinner at the bar next door to Flatbush Farm known as the Bar(N) (76 St. Marks Place, at 6th Avenue and Flatbush, 718-622-3276). I'm a fan primarily because they only serve seasonal fare and organic farm-raised meat, and local products as often as possible. The bar area feels like an old country home as it's decorated with with busted wooden crates and rusty farm tools. There's dark wood everywhere which makes it feel rustic, cozy, and relaxed which is nice.

We decided to eat at the bar and ordered a couple of items. We started with the Ploughman's Plate to share. This came with Cheddar Cheese, Cured Meats and slices of crusty French bread. There were two kinds of meat - one was a hard salami-type and one was closer to roast beef. Both were tasty and good, and the cheese was sharp and dry and delicious. It needed some mustard or jam though, as it was it was a bit lackluster.



I then chose the Spatzle with King Trumpet Mushroom Ragout and Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. Spatzle are a German style of dumplings usually made with egg. This was a fabulous dish, wonderfully seasoned and flavorful with meaty mushrooms in a creamy broth. I loved it and would go back just for this dish!



My friend ordered the French Onion Soup which was really good too. It wasn't drowning in melted cheese and seemed more delicate than how it's typically served. It was well-balanced, and had one big Gruyere crouton floating in the broth and chives sprinkled about adding to the flavor. Yum.



All in all it was a good outing. I'm curious about their burgers and grass-fed steak and may be back soon to try them out. Mangia!