César **

In July 2024, Chef César Ramirez opened his namesake restaurant, an intimate, deeply personal project built on 37 years of training, discipline, and an unmatched level of refinement. Within five months, he earned two Michelin stars. That alone tells you everything you need to know about the caliber of talent behind these doors.

Of course, when you speak about Chef Ramirez, comparisons to Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare inevitably surface. The history between the two is well documented, highly public, and impossible to fully separate from the narrative. Even we found ourselves slipping into that mental comparison. But here’s the truth: César stands firmly on its own.

The small bites that defined Chef Ramirez’s legacy at Brooklyn Fare are very much alive here precise, focused, and layered with the kind of luxurious ingredients that immediately command your respect and appreciation. The difference is the setting: César is far more comfortable, with thoughtful spacing between tables in a much larger space.

Service was warm, gracious, and attentive, though not quite at the hyper-polished level we have consistently experienced at Brooklyn Fare. Still, for a first visit, it was excellent and the team delivered the experience with genuine hospitality rather than choreography.

Chef Ramirez’s menu leans Japanese in influence, seafood-forward, disciplined, and absolutely beautiful. His signature sea urchin on brioche arrived crowned with an avalanche of white truffles, a combination so indulgent and so perfectly balanced that it reminded us why his cooking has resonated for decades.

One detail that stood out: César serves A4 Wagyu, not the A5 so often associated with luxury tasting menus. Chef believes the flavor is more pronounced in A4, and after tasting it, we understand exactly what he means. Though truthfully, we will happily enjoy either version any day.

César is not an extension of a past chapter; it is the evolution of a chef who has spent nearly four decades honing his voice. And that voice has never been clearer, or more confident.

Perhaps the most telling detail of the evening was the room itself. On a Tuesday night, just before the city begins its holiday exodus, the restaurant was completely full. That alone says everything.