I am always on the lookout for new restaurants in New York City. This week, we are sharing a new Brooklyn favorite already on my list for a revisit. Sweet Catch BK has now taken its place on the border of Little Caribbean in the Prospect-Lefferts Garden neighborhood. The restaurant breathes fresh air into the Nostrand Avenue strip between Winthrop and Hawthorne Streets. This new Restaurant is a MUST visit with an incredibly curated menu focused on Seafood perfectly complemented by an equally well-thought-out cocktail list.

“Sweet Catch is a love letter to our culture, our people, and our love of seafood cuisine. A place of remembrance for what history has erased and a celebration of our spirit.”

—Ka-wana Jefferson, Co-Owner of Sweet Catch BK

Sweet Catch BK—The Restaurant

Sweet Catch BK is Brooklyn’s newest Black-Owned seafood restaurant. It made its debut on September twenty-second, twenty twenty-two. It occupies 1,100 square feet of space, accommodating fifty seated guests in the main dining room and backyard patio. The decor features a lively minimalist coastal design. With an understated chic and modern Style with lush greenery—paired with the vibe of a neighborhood spot you will want to visit again and again.

The inspiration for Sweet Catch BK is grounded in the owner’s Ka-wana Jefferson Southern Heritage by way of South Carolina. The menu graciously expresses the inspiration with a well-curated list of dishes. And the restaurant is an ode to African-Americans’ rich history of seafood culinary mastery, in addition to a connection to the land and a respect for the fruits of the sea.

The Menu

Sweet Catch BK is a fast-casual, seafood-focused restaurant creating Seafood dishes made for the Soul. The menu displays tasty options for shared plates, shareable sides, and entree offerings.

The menu is clearly “a celebration of Black Food,” and the celebration lies not only with the roots and culture. But also with the ingredients chosen and used to prepare each dish. The focus of the food is African American fare that celebrates African-Americans’ contributions and impacts on cuisine in America.

Creatively curated, the menu has something for everyone, even the nonseafood lover. Take a look at the full menu here or see below.

For the table

Begin your dining experience with something for the table and choose from these three tasty choices.

• HOUSE CORNBREAD chipotle honey butter & herb oil
• CHESAPEAKE CRAB DIP  plantain chips
• THOMAS DOWNING BROILED OYSTERS manchego, whiskey, chives

Appetizers

Appetizers are meant to whet the appetite before the other courses. Prepare to whet your appetite with these tasty choices:

• MARYLAND STYLE CRAB CAKE—sugar snap pea remoulade, watercress [$22]
• TUNA CRUDO—avocado ‘caeser’, radish, lime gremolata, sweet potato crisp [$18]
• STEAMED LOBSTER SALAD—tender greens, avocado, confit tomatoes, champagne vinaigrette [$21]

And then there are the main dishes—which does not disappoint. You can choose the star of the show the “SIGNATURE SWEET CATCH BOIL” [lobster, crab, shrimp, bay scallop, roasted corn, red potato, sweet catch boil sauce]. Or other Amazing choices:

• SEAFOOD PASTA—butter roasted lobster, cajun grilled shrimp, seared bay scallops, lemon buttercream [$32]
• BBQ CAULIFLOWER STEAK—roasted beans & tomato, white rice, shallot crumble [$26]
• FRIED LOBSTER & CORNCAKE WAFFLE—maple syrup, parsley roasted garlic butter[$36]
• CHARLESTON’S BURGER—grass-fed beef, brioche bun, gruyere, caramelized onion, special sauce, cajun fries [$23]
• SEARED BRANZINO—summer squash caponata, Carolina red rice, watercress [$32]

In addition, there are plenty of shareable sides to choose from:

• cajun fries 8
• roasted candied yams 9
• homestyle macaroni and cheese 16
• lobster macaroni and cheese 21
• smoked collard greens vg 9
• holy trinity, macaroni, and cheese, collard greens, candied yams 29

The Drinks

Sweet Catch BK features a full bar offering an array of beers, a pretty nice wine list, and a wonderfully curated list of cocktails.

The Team

A Bronx native and graduate of Virginia State University, Ka-wana Jefferson is co-owner of the beloved Sweet BK Bar located in Crown Heights. And is now an owner of Sweet Catch BK. Ms. Jefferson is making a conscious and continued effort to preserve and uplift Brooklyn communities. She intends to connect us to our culture and each other through food. Sweet Catch BK, is simply a love letter written to her guests. It reminds us of “our culture, our people, and our love. It is “a place of remembrance for what history has erased and a celebration of our spirit.”

At the kitchen’s helm is Executive Chef Bryan Lindsay. A Food Network “Chopped” contestant with experience from sous chef at Junoon to the James Beard House. Although Chef Bryan is Caribbean|American, he is passionate about creating dishes deeply rooted in Southern authenticity in a neighborhood with possibly ninety percent Caribbean restaurants. An amazing addition for diversity,

My visit

Visiting Sweet Catch was such a treat. The service was excellent, and the dimly lit space with moderate music created a wonderful ambiance for the meal to follow. We felt welcomed and catered to and loved every bit of our experience.

Rozebud Travels and I felt like we were back in New Orleans. The food, the conversations with the lovely couple celebrating their forty-seventh wedding anniversary, the attentive bartender who graciously answered my way too many questions, and the vibe was just right.

Here is what we ordered:

Black-eyed pea fritters with tamarind sauce—everything about this is to be loved. Perfectly spiced and tasty. It is not greasy or too crunchy.

• Cauliflower with cornbread crouton [Soup of the day]—the cornbread croutons provided the perfect balance to the cauliflower. A savory dish with just a touch of sweetness.
• Mussels in green tomato sauce [that day’s special]. Unexpectedly tasty with just the right touch of tangy flavor.
• Seafood Pasta—I did not think I would try this since creamy sauces is not a favorite of mine but this is a MUST try. And should be a mainstay on the menu—it is creamy but not in an overwhelming way. It is flavorful and fresh Seafood [chef’s kiss] Not a crumb was left on Rozebud’s plate, and it is on my list to order on my next visit.
• Seared Branzino—the summer squash caponata, Carolina red rice, and watercress brought this dish together in perfect taste.

We also had Nassau bay punch and Kid Creole. Both were amazing.

We enjoyed our visit to Sweet Catch BK. It is lovely to drive down Nostrand Avenue and see this diamond in the rough, peeking through the window that shows just enough to make you want to visit.

It was terrific to meet Chef Bryan, and I am excited about the okra dish he is creating for the menu.

Tip:

• Once a week, there is a new Soup
• Happy Hour takes place on weekdays from five to seven PM.
• Discount food and drinks—including Oysters at $1.50 during Happy Hour.

Hours:

• Closed Mondays
• Tuesday through Sunday Kitchen hours five to ten PM—Bar closes at eleven PM

Location: 1222 Nostrand Avenue—Prospect-Lefferts Gardens
(347) 240-7799

Have you visited Sweet Catch BK—comment below and share your experience and your favorite dish or cocktail.