Isa

Isa is a…
…wonderfully wooden hipster hideaway along windy Wythe Ave.
…series of triangular architecture, from three-​pointed cabinetry, angled ceilings, intersecting flooring, firewood nooks, and foldable chairs.
…open-​air kitchen serving mostly Mediterranean fare by a friendly, laid-​back staff.
…perfectly adequate, albeit mostly empty, Brooklyn brunch joint (that also takes the ever-​coveted brunch reservation), seemingly undiscovered by the masses opting to instead wait for hours outside other, hotter Williamsburg addresses.
…spot to score a well-​champagned Mimosa and Breakfast Pizza with fontina, pancetta, and perhaps one egg too many, unless you prefer a drippy, over-​yolked affair (along with a pie you strangely slice yourself, despite the restaurant’s affinity for everything triangular).
Isa isn’t everything, but come brunch, it’s enough. Isn’t it?

Came here for dinner tonight. Menu was not very complex. Food wasn’t bad but wasn’t good either. Let’s start with the focaccia and «spiced butter» that they give you complimentary. Focaccia was good. The butter had no seasoning whatsoever and if it was whipped butter it was very cheap as it had no butter flavor. It actually tasted like crisco and had the same greasy mouthfeel. The pesto pizza was next. While the pesto itself was delicious it got lost in the taste of charcoal since the crust was completely burnt. Next, the avocado smash was literally a teaspoon of weird sugared guacamole with three giant deep fried tortillas, the flavorless bland unseasoned chicken was next for the main course, and let’s not forget their atrocious over fried to the point of almost burnt potatoes with some white creamy sauce that tasted like it was mixed with armpit sweat. The only reason it got two stars was because the cocktail was delicious and the ambience was warm and inviting. It seems like most people go for brunch and the positive reviews revolved around that so I may try them again for brunch. But definitely never wasting my time or money for dinner. Also at $ 140 for two people there are 100’s of restaurants that are 100x better in NYC to try. That meal should have been about $ 70 for two people for the low quality products and small portions we received.

Chairs were extremely uncomfortable, service, food and cocktails were nothing special.

We had an interesting meal here. The food was good but we had a table next to the open kitchen and it was very hot. Also, our server recommended a bottle of wine that was very strange called «Dirty and Rowdy» which I would strongly recommend against ordering because it tasted like Lambrusco (we wanted something medium-​to-​full body and New World-​style, like a Cab. NOT a Cab! It was strongly acidic, alcoholic and slightly effervescent. My friends commented that it «tasted like the wine you get at church» — not what I was going for as it was also one of the most expensive bottles!).
As for the food: we ordered the gnocchi (very soft), two pizzas (margarita and the sausage one; they were good but not great and some of the crusts were burnt), the chicken (this was very good but tough to cut and share), the squash salad (meh) and the kale salad (it was basically just a bunch of shredded kale; the least favorite of the group; don’t think we even finished it).
All in all, our group didn’t have a bad experience but we also weren’t particularly impressed.

The design of the place is nice and the wood covered walls and ceiling are perfect for a cold day brunch. Food is good and simple.

I love my weekly brunches but they always consist of pretty much the same type of food.
THIS! This was different. I was so pleased to find that the menu was so different and creative.
I have posted pictures below of the dishes we ordered. They were so tasty and refreshing. Especially those Zeppoles! OMG — Nutella all over it!
They fit right into Williamsburg with their rustic and artsy décor. I think service could be worked on. We waited a while for a few items we requested. And the seats weren’t too comfortable but other than that, I would definitely be back when I need a change in the usual brunch menu.

I met an old high school friend here when he was in town on a layover for work. We graduated in 1994 in Austin. While I went to college he went to work for a small start up named Dell. The lesson to be learned here kids is don’t go to college.
I had the pizza and it was good. My friend whose the director for global development for dell didn’t pick up the check so that was disappointing.

The bartender was great and the drinks were excellent.
The reason why I knocked it down a couple of stars is because of the non-​working staff. There were a few people who worked at Isa, but were off, sitting at the bar. Actually taking up quite a few seats at the already busy bar. I had to stand. At one point they all left, taking all their stuff and didn’t have any drinks left on the bar, but we were told they were probably coming back and that we shouldn’t take their seats. Ok, fine.
After some paying customers left, we got to sit down. At some point a bunch of their friends came in and one of the most pretentious ones was really rude to us. He sat in one of our seats that had a full drink in front of it and we nicely let him know that our friend was just in the bathroom and coming back. He gave us attitude and then kept loudly and snidely whispering to his friends about how we were saving the seat. It actually was very immature and uncomfortable and he kept bringing it up over and over like we were the ones doing something wrong.
I just think management has to set some standards in place for their staff. I am totally cool with employees having some shift drinks or coming in on their days off, but don’t make me feel unwelcome because I want to come spend money at your bar.

Hands down, best restaurant in Williamsburg. The chicken with charmoula is amazing. Be sure to order the fingerling potatoes on the side. I dream about them.

Service was so bad, we left before being asked for our order.
Made a reservation on Open table and arrived to a nearly empty restaurant. When greeted, the host said, «be with you in a minute.» Three different staff members later of being told, «be with you in a minute» we were finally seated. Waiting for what I would estimate at 15 minutes, or however long it takes to watch a new party come in and be given the, «help you in a minute» circus, watch them be seated and watch their order be taken… really? We were ready to order and staff members were standing around talking and on cellphones. We politely tried getting the server’s attention and he completely ignored us. We asked firmly and he said, «be with you in a minute» to what we said, «goodbye.»

This didn’t start well, as my brunch mate’s chair almost collapsed as he sat down (he’s 150 pounds). Isa needs to be careful with shit like that given how litigious certain people can be.
We’d had a really good brunch before here about 10 months ago. The French Toast (served in its own cast iron skillet) was really memorable — memorable enough to bring us back. But this second trip will probably be our last.
First off, the French Toast wasn’t on the menu today, which was disappointing, but understandable given they’re a seasonal place and not everyone wants to eat French Toast in the summer time. We ordered the White Fish and Breakfast Sandwich.
The white fish portion was anemic — so small in fact that when our server asked how we were doing I asked her if that was normal as I was surprised how small it was. She said it was and that it wasn’t something she had control on. Remember, this dish is billed as a main, not a appetizer. It’s also under seasoned — all the liquid from the cucumber and egg washes away a lot of the taste — the flavor mostly comes from the bread — a more generous portion of whitefish would have fixed that.
The egg sandwich was better, but not amazing. The brioche was a little dry, and the filling was again a little mean. Lots of lettuce and a fried egg — and a small amount of bacon. The flavor with aioli and pickle was nice though.
It was a meh brunch overall — I hate those.

First, let me just say I’m a huge fan of the décor. It’s very rustic and romantic. We started off with some tequila cocktails, which were amazing. The bartender was great! Very attentive. The food red carpet was rolled out, getting to try the Housemade Cavatelli, Crispy Fingerling Potatoes, Spiced Chickpeas, Clam Pizza, and Lamb Burger. All incredible, especially the lamb burger. I would highly recommend this place for dates. It has the perfect vibe and great food & drink!

Ok, because I live nearby, I cracked this winter and spring and went to Isa. And because it was delicious, I went again and again. And because the service was attentive and attitude-​free, I kept going.
And that’s it. Count me converted.

All about the brunch bowl. Yum. Generally food is great, service is nice… been here for dinner or brunch and both are decent.

This restaurant is charming! This is a dimly-​lit, intimate setting, perfect for a romantic date; however, I went with 2 friends (a couple) and it was still delightful.
Our server was extremely accommodating. She had a thorough knowledge of the menu, was able to offer recommendations, and was accurate in her description of them.
Oh, one thing about our waitress: they don’t carry Chardonnay by the glass, but she was spot-​on with her recommendation for an alternative.
I ordered the spiced chickpeas as a starter. They were semi-​crunchy, a good finger food. I had the hangar steak as my entrée, and it was prepared to the perfect medium in which I had ordered it.
The fingerling potatoes were the perfect consistency of soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. I grabbed up a piece of my friend’s margherita pizza, and it was amazing. I discovered when I was walking past the kitchen that it was 100% made from scratch.
Everything in the menu was exactly as the waitress, who was extremely personable, described. This place is somewhere I will definitely consider returning to!
P. S. My friends also thoroughly enjoyed their food.

I had the breakfast pizza, which was very good, but then the couple sitting next to me ordered the avocado sandwich and that looked amazingly good. I have to go back to try that!!! And you should too!
The service is good, and the environment is very casual and nice.

Had a great meal here on a Saturday night with another couple. First and foremost we were sat without the other couple arriving yet, which if you live in Billy Burg you know that rarely happens. We had some top notch vodka martinis and then followed those with some kale Caesar salads.
I got the malfatta for the main dish and it was out of this world. The service was good, thankfully we had a patient waitress because we were a bunch of chatty Cathy’s and took forever to order. Great atmosphere, with the kitchen right behind us and the wood oven roaring away. Probably be a bit hot during the summer but on a cold March night it was just what we needed. Total aside about the strangest bathroom I’ve ever seen but also loved it.
I would definitely return! Worth every penny!

I have been here at least a dozen times. I originally came here over a year ago as I dug the current bartender whom has since left. However the drinks are still fantastic.
Come here for the small plates and great drinks. I would generally avoid the full dinner, it is a bit pricey for what it is, and a full meal for two can easily climb past $ 200 here. However stop in for a pizza of the day — thin crusted and cooked in a wood fired over — or for a warm kale salad. The meatballs and the roasted cauliflower are also standouts.
This used to be my go to for a pre-​glasslands drink (RIP) but I will still head here when I am in the area for lunch.

Hunger is the best spice they say… but that wasn’t the only reason I enjoyed my meals. All the Veggies and Even brusselsprouts was a yummy treat. Carrot salad? Sounded suspicious but was also delicious.
But…yes there were a few of those ‘buts’. But… the waiters seemed distracted, absentminded and not very present. Maybe it was only this evening so I will let that pass. But… we sat at the bar counter so how hard could it be to serve us water which my friend kept requesting for? But… the way they looked at her every time she asked for more water… As if it was an expensive elixir she wanted them to produce. Hmmm
In any case… I wouldn’t mind to return for a munch… It was good food although the lack of engaged service made me reduce one star it was not bad either. A cosy Average

Incredible experience and meal all around. Been meaning to come here for quite some time and only reason I hadn’t was I had heard they really toned things down in terms of experimental food from the early days. Having walked by several times during the summer with all the windows, Isa always seemed inviting, but nothing can compare to the experience of going on a cold blustery night. The warm glow emitting from what feels like a mountain top lodge on the interior draws you in, and once inside the wood burning fireplace and open kitchen immediately warm you up and make you never want to leave.
What really impressed me was the staff. Yes they have the requisite Williamsburg hipster uniform and haircuts, but none of the attitude that many restaurants like this can have. Despite the very relaxed and lodge like vibe, the service is top notch and super attentive. It is on par with what you would expect from a more stuffy high-​end place, where your water glass and drink are always full, and table perpetually free of any crumbs or dirt.
They started us off with a bottle of what they described as «funky» wine, which was strangely delicious and a round of their insanely good house made bread spreads. We let them choose a pizza to start us off (which turned out to be a perfectly cooked veggie pizza) and mussels.
Apparently the menu changes daily and has the funky scrapbook look of a light post flyer for an underground art exhibit. The main course options were your typical chicken, beef, duck protein choices with a tuna and pork shoulder special (which the waitress highly recommended). We had a vegetarian as well as someone on a special diet in our group and they were really great about accommodating them. We pretty much sampled everything with the pork shoulder and the tuna being highlights.
By the way, let them pick the wines for you. Never in a million years would I pick something described as «orange» wine, yet this is what they brought us and it was fantastic. Don’t even know what the last wine we had (label was size of postage stamp) but it was funky and great.
Overall Isa was just a truly wonderful experience from start to finish and I can’t wait to go back.