Strange Delight

Date Night!I have a serious obsession with Oysters. Raw, cooked, grilled, stuffed, charbroiled... if there's oysters on the menu I'm going to order it! So happy we came here for date night. We arrived 30mins prior to our reservation in hopes of being seated early. We checked in and was lucky enough to be seated early. Immediately ordered a half dozen of the charbroiled oysters. These were without a doubt the best oysters I've ever had! We ended up ordering a dozen after we finished the half. The catfish basket was amazing! Fried to perfection, not slimy and very tasty. Our waitress continually checked on us making sure we didn't need anything. I will surely be back to try the other variations of yummy oysters.

About the best part of this restaurant is the fact that I parked literally right out front. I had been looking forward to trying this place after a doctor's appointment in the area. I figured I would come in for dinner before a long ride home, thinking that perfect parking spot would bring a perfect meal. That was not the case. Let me give context about who I am - I go on these splurges wanting a full meal experience: cocktails, appetizers, entrées. I had a reservation for later, but they managed to seat me at the bar in the back. I sat in a nook on a stool, perfectly fine, loved it. I could hang my coat up. Everything seemed great. Then came this bartender who had a dual role - bartender and server.I asked my usual questions that all my friends know about - do you have grenadine? He said no. Could I get a sugar rim on my margarita? No again. No problem, except here is where I started seeing the first signs of distance. As he took my order, he kept moving away, doing other things. Maybe he had drinks lined up to make, but here is the real issue - if someone is sitting at your bar with a full place setting (fork, knife, napkin, plate), that means you are also providing server duties. That service was absent. It really bothered me how he could not stand in front of me to take an order. He had to multitask during every interaction. The margarita was decent enough without my usual grenadine to make it Cadillac style. I ordered Oysters Rockefeller and charbroiled oysters, half dozen each - yes, I like to eat. Again, he took that order while flying through the bartending space. A nice woman served my meal. The oysters were very dense, large. The Rockefeller had too much vinegar, no nut substance, not my usual take on that dish. The charbroiled ones were better - should have ordered a dozen of those instead.He took my menu while I was eating, maybe even before my appetizers arrived. When I asked about their dips, he gave that same fly-by-night service, answering questions while doing something else. But I noticed with other customers, that was not the case. They got his full attention, small talk, maybe he knew them. He recommended the fish dip, but I chose the crab dip - crab dip for $35, absolutely criminal. The accompanying chips were sparse, so I asked for more bread, which helped make this horrible dip somewhat edible. Mind you, I had not eaten all day because of my doctor's appointment. This was supposed to be my meal, but I had to stop at the dip. The food was so subpar, I could not justify more expenses. Another bartender came in later, more attentive, thank goodness. I ordered a glass of rosé somewhere between all this - it was barely chilled, just okay.The bill came to $172. Ouch. I am used to spending money, but not when everything is mediocre. As I got my check, I turned to see him chatting and laughing with a couple next to me. Did I get any of that attention? No. I was just some person in the corner to throw a menu at and serve drinks to. My recommendation: Do not go here. Save your money for a beautiful summer trip somewhere with really good seafood, or that trip to New Orleans for proper oysters. What frustrates me most is how places like this rely on gimmicks and atmosphere, but when you actually examine what you are eating versus what you are paying, it is pure highway robbery.Despite everything, I left above 20% tip because that is who I am. People have bad days. Maybe they dislike how I dress or my general vibe. Everyone needs to survive in this world. His colleague who actually looked me in the eye and stood present while speaking deserved it more.Message to Strange Delight: Put more items on that menu, immediately. If you think this limited selection suffices for this neighborhood, fine, but it speaks nothing to quality. And get a bartender who understands service - when there is a full place setting at the bar, that customer deserves equal attention as any other.Two stars. I will never return. Those charbroiled oysters showed potential, but that $35 crab dip with zero real crab? Laughable. To that bartender: your service needs vast improvement. Never underestimate anyone who sits before you. Look them in the eye, give them respect. At the end of the day, customers talk and word spreads. Always remember that. LA

Very cute new spot with an interesting twist on New Orleans seafood. Came to have the seafood and three lunch with a friend -- we had a reservation on a Sunday at 1 pm but seemed like there were empty tables for walkins -- and overall everything was very tasty. While the dishes do include fried fish and sides reminiscent of indulgent NOLA staples nothing felt heavy or flat out "unhealthy" -- even the fried shrimp I had were non greasy with a crispy cornmeal crust and more shrimp than batter by far. The fish dip is incredible, herby and smoky and perfectly accompanied by spiced fried saltines (genius idea, would eat a bag on their own). Standout sides: the broccolini salad (with nutritional yeast, a bit of a healthier twist on broccoli salad) and the amazing sweet potato w pecan (not TOO sweet -- only wish there was more of it!). Only side that was a bit lackluster was the tamaki gold rice, which came out a bit cold and tasted and looked like...plain old white rice. Would get extra fish dip next time or double the sweet potatoes! Desserts are individual little portions, sort of like pickup hors d'oeuvres -- we wanted to try the cinnamon bun but they were out of it, so had the cream cheese creole tart, a nice little bite. Overall a nice chill place for lunch and for a seafood fan like myself a nice departure from other places in the 'hood!

Made a reservation a week ahead for a Friday night and had an amazing meal here! One of my favorite restaurants that I went to this year. The food is fantastic and the service is exemplary. I tried:+ Having fun since 1933 cocktail+ Classic gin martini + Curious George cocktail+ charbroiled oysters+ fried oyster loaf+ smoked fish dip + fried shrimp basket + the salad + bread puddingMy absolute favorite dish was the fish dip, followed by the charbroiled oysters (which didn't only taste like cheese and salt for once!) and shrimp basket. Would get the oyster loaf again, too. Bread pudding was also incredible and it's such a nice touch that it's complimentary. Cocktails were really solid. Finally, they let us move to the bar in the back to finish our drinks (and we befriended Chris the bartender). Most popular places will just kick you out in order to turn the table but they couldn't have been more accommodating here.

Beautifully decorated, a lovely staff & delectable food & drinks. Brunch was 9/10 so dinner service with the charbroiled oysters need to see me!Standouts: Freaky French Cocktail, Mac & Cheese, Sweet Potatoes & Cornbread. 1000/10 recommend any of these.Good: Collard Greens & Quinoa. They were good, don't get me wrong, but the quinoa could've been a bit heavier on the dressing/flavor & the collards could've used more vinegar in my opinion.Underwhelming: Catfish Nuggets. They weren't seasoned to my liking & the breading took over the actual catfish. I wasn't particularly a fan of the remolaude sauce.All in all, definitely recommend!

Have cone here a couple times now and have bend very impressed with the wine selection as well as quality of the food. It is quite seafood forward so if that is not your thing, it's likely not for you. But if you are, I can't say there are any places with more fun bites than here. Their shrimp loaf sandwiches are quite possibly a perfect bite. A combination of soft bread, crisp lettuce and tomato capped off with a warm crunchy thick fried shrimp. They make Cajun saltines which are perfect for dipping into any number of their appetizers. Staff is also super friendly and helpful in choosing their specialties. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a nice date night spot or just a delicious bite to eat.

We had the pleasure of visiting Strange Delight, a seafood gem in Brooklyn, twice--once during their soft opening on May 30th and again on October 27th. Both experiences were incredible, showcasing the evolution of this creative eatery, helmed by one of our favorite chefs, Ham El-Waylly.First Visit - May 30th, 2024 (Soft Opening)During the soft opening, the food alone was enough to leave a lasting impression, even without a finalized drink menu. Each dish reflected bold creativity and top-notch ingredients.Dishes:Marinated Crab Claw - Fresh and delicately seasoned.Le Grand Remoulade - Rich, creamy, and loaded with shrimp.Oysters:Cold Local OystersCharbroiled Oysters - Smoky with a perfect balance of garlic and herbs.Spicy Charbroiled Oysters - Added a fiery kick to the briny goodness.Oysters Rockefeller - Creamy and herbaceous, a classic executed beautifully.Fried Potato & Béarnaise - Crisp exterior with fluffy insides, paired perfectly with the buttery Béarnaise sauce.Fried Shrimp Loaf - Light, crispy shrimp nestled in soft bread, making for a fun, flavorful bite.Atmosphere:The vibe during the soft opening was inviting and relaxed, setting the tone for what was to come. The staff was attentive, and the menu gave a great preview of the culinary journey Strange Delight was embarking on.Second Visit - October 27th, 2024By the time of our second visit, the addition of a drink menu and a few new dishes elevated the experience even further. It was great to see how the restaurant had evolved, while still holding on to what made the soft opening so enjoyable.Dishes:Oysters:Cold Local OystersCharbroiled Oysters - Just as delightful as our first visit.Spicy BBQ Oysters - Deep, smoky heat with a lingering spice.Oysters Rockefeller - Creamy and indulgent, a must-have.BBQ Shrimp - Juicy shrimp bathed in a flavorful, rich sauce.Gumbo Special - A hearty bowl packed with seafood, spices, and comforting depth.Hush Puppies with Steen's Butter - Crisp on the outside, fluffy inside, and perfect with the sweet butter.Shrimp Loaf - As delicious as we remembered, fresh shrimp, creamy sauce, and soft bread.Cocktails:The new drink menu added an exciting dimension to the meal, with each cocktail thoughtfully crafted to complement the food. Our favorites were:Having Fun Since 1933 - Playful and balanced.Hair of the Daiquiri - Bright, citrusy, and refreshing.Irish Coffee in a Martini - A delightful take on the classic, with a smooth, velvety finish.Overall ImpressionsBoth visits to Strange Delight were stellar, but it was thrilling to see how the menu expanded and evolved between visits. The addition of creative cocktails brought another layer to the dining experience, enhancing the already outstanding seafood offerings. Chef Ham El-Waylly's playful and refined approach shines through in every dish, creating a unique experience that's sure to resonate with seafood lovers and food enthusiasts alike.Would we recommend?Without a doubt. Strange Delight is a must-visit for anyone who loves seafood, cocktails, and inventive dining.#strangedelight.nyc #hamegram #BrooklynEats #NYCFoodie #SeafoodLovers #Oysters #CharbroiledOysters #RockefellerOysters #BrooklynRestaurants #FoodieAdventures #CocktailsAndSeafood #Gumbo #HushPuppies #DiningExperience #CreativeCocktails #ChefDriven #NYCDateNight

The interior design at @strangedelight.nyc is cute, very NYC style, and the service was one of the friendliest I've had in the city in a while. Their food is inspired by New Orleans cuisine so there are oysters, seafood, fried seafood, etc. Their popular fried shrimp loaf actually reminded us of the sandwiches at breakfast stands in Taiwan, probably because of the milk bread they use.Overall the food was good but nothing memorable for me, and we got full quickly because of the amount of fried food and heavier dressing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the food at Strange Delight. The crab dip was delicious and came with homemade phill crackers that were out of this world. The fried oyster sandwich is simple but it's delicious and full of flavor! The vibe is nice and slightly upscale so strange delight is a solid spot for everything from family dinners to date night. They do not sell dessert but every two people share this small piece of cake the is sooo delicious. Only down side is because they don't sell it you can't get your own. Our waiter was very attentive and checked in regularly. Loved this place and would definitely go back! It's walking distance from Barclays so it's also a nice dinner option if you're about to go to an event there!

Everything about this experience was exceptional! My friend was able to get reservation and it was on! It's not a huge place and yet they moved us to the back upon request. We are foodies so we ordered several items and shared! We didn't have the viral shrimp since we got the sandwich. The service was outstanding and whewww the drink did exactly what they were supposed to!