House of Small Wonder Brunch review
Ever heard of a cozy, treehouse oasis hidden in the heart of Williamsburg? It’s a place where both bubbly mimosas and lavender lattes freely flow, and brunch is served (wait for it)… every day. My dearest fellow foodies, allow me to acquaint you with a hidden Brooklyn-brunch gem, known as the House of Small Wonder.
After a quick self-pat on the back for actually finding the place (yes; I might have seriously done that), I climbed the few steps past the mysterious entry, and swung open the main door. The three words that immediately came to mind: Treehouse. Greenhouse. Zen. Now it might just be me alone here, but these are not the usual thoughts that pop into my head as I join a table of my friends for Sunday brunch.
After settling in at our cozy, rustic table, I quickly discovered that “Small” is not endearing or figurative. It is very, very small. For such a tight space, they do a surprising job of not making you feel like you’re eating right of top of strangers. However, if you’re rolling deep with your 6+ crew and want a place to brunch, this is not the spot for you (or any larger groups).
We naturally kicked things off with a round of cocktails. My brunch-in-crime partner, Lydia, also felt Mary calling, and opted for House of Small Wonder’s Japanese take on the classic favorite. The Bloody Maki, based on a blend of tomato juice, hot sauce and spices, differentiated itself with Shochu and Red Yuzu Pepper. The Maki was light and delightful, with just the right amount of spice.
Just a few blocks north of bustling Bedford Ave, I found myself staring at what appeared to be a long, wooden wall, with a rectangular opening the size of a door. I’m not exaggerating here; to say the entrance is unassuming would be an understatement. Had it not been for the cute, chalk menu board throwing me some major cues, I would have completely overlooked this entryway.
I love a good secret entrance. While it wasn’t quite giving me that full-on, hidden speakeasy-vibe, I was completely on board with its unique subtlety.
My other cohort for the day, Mel, dove in headfirst with an extremely refreshing, lavender-infused cocktail, the Gardener. Vermouth Royal and sparkling water were complemented by lavender syrup, lavender bitters and lavender buds. (Did I already mention the lavender was freely flowing here?)
Still being enamored by the simple fact that we were dining in a life-size terrarium, I made a very last minute decision on my beverage of choice. Unashamedly, I landed on a little number titled the Salty Mama.
Salty Mama arrived full of grapefruit juice, Shochu, grapefruit bitters and homemade shiso, topped with a rim of sea salt. It was not too tart, and overall was a perfect alternative to the standard OJ-based brunch cocktail (which we still all know and love).
I started to feel a twinge of jealousy towards all the food finding its way to the tables around us, so we decided to streamline straight to the entrees.
Leading the way, Mel chose the Croque Madame. House of Small Wonder describes itself as a modern Japanese brasserie, and this dish will instantly erase any question of how the Parisian fusion comes into play. This classic French dish was delectably delivered with layers upon layers of gruyere cheese and robust béchamel sauce, with a side of freshly mixed greens.
Feeling extra green, Lydia went with the day’s brunch special, the vegan veggie chirashi. A plentiful bowl of veggies that included radish, sweet mushroom and avocado was mixed with flavor indulgent ingredients like scallion, nori and sesame seeds. The seasonings in this dish, all placed over rice and topped with a tasty vinaigrette ginger sauce, came together beautifully. For both the vegans and non-vegans/veggies at the table, this was a literal explosion of flavor in your mouth.
The Okinawan taco rice caught my eye and I couldn’t resist. Taco rice, a Tex-Mex favorite consisting of pork and rice, was given its own Japanese twist and topped with chopped veggies, cheese and a fried organic egg. The dish was hearty and cooked to perfection.
Feeling inspired by Mel’s extreme lavender experience, I ended the meal with my own flower-infused drink, a lovely lavender latte.
When the three of us finally emerged, sauntering back to the paved streets and city sounds, I left thinking it was just the right amount of indulgence for a hearty weekend (or weekday) brunch.
Foodie Review: A. From the zen-like atmosphere to the tasty fare, House of Small Wonder yanks you right out of New York and into an indulgent, delicious brunch of your dreams.
House of Small Wonder.
77 N 6th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11249
(718) 388-6160
House of Small Wonder serves brunch Monday through Friday.
Seasonal hours are listed here.