On a trip to New York, writer Julie Hatfield discovered a charming restaurant that offers charms no matter what time of year you go.

Pull up a chair at Faun Restaurant.

Although Faun, the pretty little Prospect Heights Brooklyn restaurant that made its debut a little more than a year and a half ago, may have Italian roots, this gem is not your usual spaghetti and meatball joint. It’s definitely worthy of venturing a quick Uber ride away from Manhattan for a fine dinner.

Take advantage of Faun’s beautiful wine list.

Take, for example, the delicious mezze maniche, pork ragu and pecorino main dish.  Maniche comes from “maniche de frate,” or “friar’s sleeves,” because of its shape.  Another wonderful pasta dish is the buckwheat spacatelli with Brussels sprouts, hazelnuts and buckwheat honey, not on too many ristorante menus, nor is bone marrow cappelletti in brodo.  All the pasta is handmade right in the restaurant kitchen.

Salads include the refreshing whole head of Bibb lettuce with button mushrooms, watermelon radishes and buttermilk dressing.

Bibb lettuce with buttermilk dressing from Faun.

The main courses are every bit as imaginative as the starters.  Take whole crispy duck with buckwheat crepes, Bibb and radicchio, fluke in green garlic broth, boar shank with polenta and pistachio, as examples of fine dining.

Sardines on Toast. Photo courtesy Faun Restuarant.

The interior of Faun Restaurant was designed by architect and restaurant owner, David Stockwell.

We visited Faun on a cold December night and sat in a cozy corner near the window, but we want to return this summer, when diners have reported that the restaurant’s backyard garden patio, where co-owner/architect David Stockwell does most of the gardening, is one of the prettiest and sought-after places to have dinner in all of Brooklyn.

It has only been serving happy customers for around 15 months but already, Faun has received a recommendation in Michelin’s Guide for 2017. Check it out on your next trip to New York.

— Article by Julie Hatfield, photos by Faun Restaurant.

Faun Restaurant is located at 606 Vanderbilt Avenue, in Brooklyn.

Hungry for more? Here’s another article by Julie.