PSbklyn Restaurant: Makes Family Friendly Dining Family Fabulous

As of January 2012, this restaurant has closed.

As we left PSbklyn my husband turned to me and said, "if I had an 11 and 7 year old I would totally go back to that place so we could enjoy a nice meal, especially if they were getting on my nerves." I glanced back just in time to catch my eleven year old punch my seven year old in the arm as he screamed and punched her back. The brief reprieve we had enjoyed at PSbklyn, a new family friendly restaurant in the heart of Park Slope with a rec room in the basement, was clearly over.

If it's been a while since you were able to have a nice meal out, you might want to head over to PSbklyn too. Located on Union St right across from the Coop, PSbklyn doesn't obviously look like your typical family friendly joint. With a slick, modern interior of dark woods adorned with orchids and a long bar, it looks like a trendy restaurant where you might more expect to get cold stares from hipsters for bringing kids to ruin their ambience. But look a little closer and notice the screens set in every booth, each one loaded with an animated movie like Despicable Me or Shrek.

The menu is still being set, but seems to be on its way to an upscale nouvelle bistro with an italian twist. We enjoyed juicy burgers and hand cut fries ($9) and an artisanal pizzetta margarita with fresh basil ($9). They were also offering appetizers like wild mushroom spring rolls, fig and baked brie, and deviled eggs, (2 for $10). A kids menu is in the works as are a selection of milkshakes and other family-friendly eats.

After your kids scarf down their chow, they can head downstairs to a small rec room with an air hockey machine, a few video games including a vintage Ms Pacman/Galaga machine, ski ball and a bunch of those mechanical arm thingies where you try to get win a stuffed animal.

While your kids spend your quarters, you can savor your meal, have a discussion that doesn't revolve around Pokemon, or just sit quietly and enjoy a drink from the bar, which has beers on tap, as well as Saranac Root Beer and a full bar and wine list or you can join them for some games yourself.

I'm not sure I love the idea of the TVs at the table, but you can choose a non-TV table or just leave it off. Perhaps for younger kids who are too little to go downstairs alone this is a decent compromise. But a roll of quarters costs a lot less than a babysitter nowadays, and I like that this kid friendly spot offers a menu and ambience that makes the moms and dads feel like they are getting a treat too.

PSbklyn
833 Union St
Park Slope, Brooklyn
718 398-5475
www.psbklyn.com

PERK: We liked PSbklyn so much we asked them to offer our readers a deal so every one can try it. Next week look for our Poppins Perk for PSbklyn. If you're not getting our Poppins Perk alerts you can sign up here.