You’ve probably heard of Laser Wolf, but the name of the hotspot restaurant’s little sister might be new to you.
Jaffa Cocktail + Raw Bar, also located inside the Hoxton in Williamsburg, opened in May and gives a cool girl vibe that is distinct from its acclaimed sibling that lives a few floors up.
The cocktail bar and restaurant is an outdoor oasis with an interior space that is equally as hip. The entire space, which sits a couple floors above Williamsburg, is sure to impress.
“At Jaffa, I want our guests to experience Israeli food in ways they haven’t before,” said Chef de cuisine Sam Levenfeld to Hotels Above Par.
He elaborated: “By harnessing another side of Chef Michael Solomonov’s creativity and being the first of his restaurants to serve shellfish, we’re creating something new and exciting with this concept. Even if you’re just at Jaffa for a drink or a quick snack, we want it to be something special.”
Inspired by Israel’s famous port city Jaffa, the restaurant has a seafood focus — in line with the city’s acclaim for Mediterranean-sourced cuisine.
The city’s history also served as an informing factor for the menu.
The orange, one of Jaffa’s main exports through the 20th century, is also a central element of the restaurant’s decor. The restaurant features a large mural with stunning citrus and orange appears on the menu, too. Most notably, perhaps, is the Jaffa Orange, a frozen cocktail that tastes exactly like a creamsicle, that is made with vodka, Aperol, orange and vanilla.
Also delicious are the French Onion Labneh that comes with pita chips and crudite, the East Coast Oysters, with schug and passionfruit mignonettes and the Lobster Slider. But our favorite was the Scallops & Merguez with harif tehina.
Jaffa is the perfect antidote to a long day at work, a curious search for a great first-date (or a later date) spot and the ideal place to have a group hang on a pleasant summer day. And we imagine that it will be just as fun in the fall and winter months, too, with measures like covers, heaters and enclosures being added to winterize the space.
Top Takeaways
Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Cuisine: Israeli
Price Point: $$
Takes Reservations: Yes – Resy
The vibe: Fun and casual, perfect for a hang with friends or an early date.
Our favorite thing on the menu: Our favorite menu item was the Scallops & Merguez with harif tehina, it was absolutely delicious and definitely an option that’s been on our mind since our July visit to the restaurant.
The attire based on the vibe: Casual chic
Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner: Monday – Tuesday: Closed. Wednesday – Friday: 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM, Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM.
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