Once upon a time when I wasn’t too familiar with the land of the hipsters that we know as Williamsburg, I remember driving through the area with a friend of mine who had grown up on the South side. I was sick and we were on a search for some miso soup. We ended up at a Japanese spot nearby, but on the way we passed Sea. I said, “what’s that all about? Is that a club? Why are all those people standing in front of that place?” He told me it was a restaurant, and I never forgot the place. What was all that fuss about? Was the food that good? Was it a restaurant that doubled as a club? I just didn’t get it.
Fast forward a year or two to when I started living in Brooklyn. I remember a gorgeous night where I dressed up in this little blue secret weapon of a dress I have, and met some good friends at the Williamsburg Hall of Music for a special private performance from John Legend and The Roots. It was a fucking amazing show, and everyone with me that night would agree, but the only thing that makes a good show better is a good dinner afterward. And wouldn’t you know, Sea was right up the block. Even better, it wasn’t a weekend and it was post-dinner rush, so there wasn’t even a line.
We walked inside and I finally got what all the fuss is about. It might as well be a club. It’s huge inside and the ambiance is no joke. There’s a big pool of water in the middle with wooden benches affixed to its perimeter, so certain patrons can eat on the water directly under a massive sky light. There’s a trendy looking bar randomly placed near the entrance, not along a wall like most bars. The lighting isn’t too dark, isn’t too light, but is just perfect. It’s where you want to take someone if you want to wow them by their surroundings. I enjoyed a good meal that night, with good friends, and they all agreed it was pretty decent food. I had the grilled lemongrass chicken (pictured above), which was half a chicken marinated with herb, honey-chili sauce, and served with steamed broccoli and napa cabbage. At this point UntitledType didn’t exist, so the above picture is stolen from Yelp. HA.
The other day I made it back there during lunchtime hours and re-assessed my initial impressions of the place. This time I went for the beef stir fried with chili and basil ($10), and really enjoyed it. It wasn’t skimp on beef, or basil, both of which I love, and was filled with a mildly spicy sauce stir fried with onions and red and green bell peppers. Some young trendy types were in there eating as well, but I’d hardly call the place crowded. As far as the restaurant’s food goes, it’s average-priced Thai food, on the higher end of moderately good quality (not home cooking levels of amazing but not random takeout place levels of bad either), with a creative, and extensive menu. A full bar helps its case as well.
It hit me that this is the perfect place to take a seasonal cuddle buddy. Someone who you find special enough to want to impress, for whatever reason you may have, but yet you don’t want them to think “oh, this is romantic.” It’s impressive but it’s so large that it’s hardly cozy, and it has more of a lounge feel than a date spot. But it’s also not the kind of place you want to take a jump off or a completely random fling, because so many people come here that there’s a large chance you’ll run into someone you know. Remember I told you that. I’m trying to look out for you.
Try it once. At least to say you did. You’ll probably return if you’re in the area. But do remember there’s better Thai food elsewhere, don’t let the decor fool you.
Sea, 114 N. 6th St., Brooklyn, NY
