Review: Gus & Marty's

I stumbled upon Gus and Marty’s, the new Greek spot in Williamsburg, a few Friday nights ago. The floor-to-ceiling glass entrance, right off McCarren Park, drew me in. As I approached, I asked a super-hip, local-looking guy sipping orange wine what the place was. Over the lively chatter of the dinner crowd, he giggled and echoed my overly-excited curiosity: “Right?” It turns out he was Demetri, a co-owner, and he graciously scored me two seats at the bar as others were leaving (rare luck at a place this swanky in NYC.) Curated by, and co-owned with, wife Sarah, both with Greek-American roots, the restaurant serves delectable and elevated traditional dishes. To start: the mezza, a velvety Taramasalata with trout caviar and the freshest fire-roasted lavraki as one of the dinner mains (of course, plated with perfect execution). It’s not your average blue-and-white taverna; the space has a cozy, lounge-like vibe with candlelight and framed family photos from the couple’s family in Greece from the ‘70s. Sarah and Demetri work together on the floor—chatting with local friends or new faces alike, all as if they’re family, making sure everyone has a smile on their face. At night, shadows from the tree leaves outside dance on the floor through the large window. Gus and Marty’s is exactly what this corner of Brooklyn needed—elevated yet un-fussy, an essence of real warmth, and genuinely great food. After three visits since its brand-new opening—no notes.