Place des Fêtes

In the crowded landscape of Brooklyn wine bars, Place des Fêtes stands apart as something genuinely special. Tucked into Clinton Hill on Greene Avenue, this intimate spot from the team behind Oxalis offers an experience that elevates the typical wine-and-small-plates formula. The space feels warm and inviting with its tweed banquettes, setting the stage for an evening where both the wine and food demand your full attention.

The kitchen here excels at snack-sized plates that punch well above their weight. Seafood takes center stage, with dishes like the unforgettable sardine toast—a single fish on crusty bread with smoked butter that transports you to a coastal bonfire. The mussels en tinta arrive draped in an inky, tangy sauce spiked with Szechuan peppercorns, a dish so unexpected you’ll spend the first few bites trying to decode its complexity. When flounder tartare appears on the menu, it’s an absolute must-order, often arriving with delicate garnishes like dashi gelée that somehow feel exciting rather than fussy.

The wine program leans Spanish rather than French, offering an array of natural wines that are funky in all the right ways. Glasses hover in the $15-$20 range, and the selections pair beautifully with the kitchen’s creations. While larger plates exist—a daily pasta, a fish entrée—they’re pleasant diversions rather than the main event. This kitchen’s true talent lies in the small stuff, those perfectly composed bites that make you want to return weekly.

For a memorable date night or an evening of sipping and grazing with someone who appreciates thoughtful food, Place des Fêtes delivers consistently. It’s the kind of place where you’ll leave talking about that one dish, already planning when you can come back to see what new creation the kitchen has dreamed up.