#coloniaverde

Ariel writes the bi-weekly Gilt City column for am New York’s Eat & Drink section.

I don't go to Brooklyn a lot, but when I do, it's for really good food or a cute hipster. For both, I recently found myself at a quaint little spot called Colonia Verde.

Straight from husband-and-wife team Felipe Donnelly and Tamy Rofe (the duo behind Cómodo), Colonia Verde offers Latin American-inspired dishes designed for sharing—perfect on a date or with a group of friends. The items are as tasty as they sound: Brussels sprout Caesar salad with a mustard-avocado Parmesan dressing; juicy duck confit tacos with pickled onions; grilled baby eggplant with red rice, crispy chickpeas and smoky pecans.

On a recent visit, I found the dishes rich and comforting, from the cauliflower gratin with cheese bubbling and burnt against a cast-iron pan to the split-open langoustine charred over a wood fire with cilantro chimichurri. The menu changes often, though the Sunday pig roast is a happy constant.

For such a tiny open kitchen, it is a wonder the chefs keep up with the orders. Colonia Verde is primed for a massive crowd, with seating at the bar, a number of cozy two-tops and a gorgeous enclosed greenhouse with a cool brick floor and glass ceiling. The candlelit, romantic space will be open and heated throughout the winter. While the weather is still mild, you can also grab a spot on the outdoor patio, which has plenty of wooden seats padded with pillows and blankets, should you and your skinny hipster date get chilly.