As a locavore, I love to cook local foods, but more importantly I like to eat it. Sometimes it’s nice to have someone else do the cooking for you, right? And in Brooklyn, there’s so many great restaurants, focusing on local food, humanely raised meats and fish and seasonal ingredients, so why not?

The other night, my husband and I went to Apartment 138 in Boerum Hill. It looks pretty similar to most of the chic “New American” restaurants that line Smith Street, but step inside and you’re in for a treat. I was first intrigued by the pot of pickles. They were just that. A mason jar filled with garlicky, sour house cured pickles. That plus some Truffle Mac & Cheese made with NY state cheddar was the perfect starter for my husband and I to split. The Mac & Cheese was creamy with the perfect bit of crisp from the breadcrumbs.

Pot of House Cured Pickles

Truffle Mac & Cheese – NY cheddar cheese, smoked crumb crust

After we moved onto the main course. I went with the Ricotta Gnocchi, served with fresh asparagus, peas, charred lemon and a fresh farm egg on top. The gnocchi was homemade of course, a bit dense but packed with flavor. The egg was cooked perfectly with a bright yellow runny yolk. For me, the runnier the better!

Ricotta Gnocchi – asparagus, fried farm egg, charred lemon, spring peas

Overall my meal was great, but when I tried my husband’s Brooklyn Banger’s Sausage, I knew he had won. The sausage is made right here in Brooklyn by Chef Saul Bolton (you might recognize him from Saul restaurant in Boerum Hill). Apartment 138’s menu changes seasonally and while the exact sausage and sides might change, Brooklyn Banger’s Sausage is a staple of their menu. The summer version was served with hominy, cheese grits, hamhock jus and mizuna. The favors blended well together, but to be honest, I would have been just as happy with the sausage alone. It was just that good.

Brooklyn Banger’s Sausage – hominy, cheese grits, hamhock jus, mizuna

After devouring our meals (my husband’s was huge, and I might have helped just so that beautiful sausage wouldn’t go to waste!), we were sadly too full for dessert. Though with choices like Jelly Doughnut Panna Cotta and Frozen Chocolate Mousse, we will most definitely be back!

A few extra bonuses about Apartment 138–first Tuesday is half price wine night (or 2 for 1 as I like to think of it). That means nearly every bottle on their wine list is 50% off! Can’t beat that. And another bonus, Cobble Hill Cinema is just a few blocks away and offers $7 tickets all day Tuesday and Thursday. It’s my favorite movie theater in Brooklyn. They have the right mix of mainstream and indie films, so there’s always something good to see. Good food, cheap wine and discounted movie tickets? Sounds like a perfect Date Night to me!