Reviewing Pecoraro Latteria: Intimate Italian dining & market in an elegant cafe setting in Brooklyn, New York.

Nestled in the tranquil, residential side of Williamsburg is a special Italian dining experience and market, Pecoraro Latteria. Offering lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, this Brooklyn Italian gem is a restaurant and market in an eclectic cafe setting. With both indoor and outdoor seating, a bar, and a walk-up counter, you can stop by for a quick bite, grab drinks with a friend, pick up Italian market goodies, stop in for a coffee, or sit and stay for a while for a complete Italian dining experience.   

The modern, cafe-like setting has plenty of space, but only around a dozen tables create an intimate and welcoming atmosphere. The interior is decorated with a clean and contemporary look, checkered floors, wood-top tables, and minimalistic art. Shaded tables outside let you soak up the cozy Brooklyn neighborhood known for its rich Italian culture and history.  

Italian groceries are scattered throughout the restaurant, with a cold case holding fresh meats, cheeses, pastas, and sauces. The mozzarella and burrata are expertly crafted by the Pecoraro family themselves. Many of their pasta and sauce options are also homemade. The rest are meticulously chosen specialty groceries, both local and imported. 

At the same counter that you purchase groceries, you can pick up a quick bite to eat in the form of pizza slices or bakery goods, or grab one of the many cafe drink options. With over a dozen bakery and dessert items in addition to the many menu and market options, Pecoraro Latteria has something for any time of the day and any mood, no matter if you’re in a hurry or want a complete dining experience.  

Whether you are there for brunch, lunch, or dinner, the extensive menu holds something for nearly everyone, with multiple salad, appetizer, pizza, pasta, and entrée options. The kind and elegant staff add to the dining experience; they helped us narrow down our decision as every option sounds just as good or even better than the next. With so many delectable options, this is a great place to go on a date or bring some friends to split a variety of dishes.  

Situated across the street from my abode, Pecoraro Latteria has become a regular spot to stop in. Though only served on the weekends, my first experience here was Sunday brunch. The perfect place to stop before enjoying the weekend out in the city, Pecoraro offers a range of traditional breakfast options with their own twist.  

We ordered the prosciutto-stuffed four-egg omelette and the eggs Benedict with lox. Both meals were elegantly presented and tasted even better than they looked. The fresh prosciutto cooked into the omelette introduced a new flavor to the traditional cured meat, while the lox gave the Benedict a nice smoked touch. The ideal portion sizes left us filled up but not overstuffed, which was perfect for starting our Sunday morning.   

As we went about our week, our stomachs couldn’t forget the delicious food we ate over the weekend, so a few days later, we found ourselves back for dinner. We were delighted with an even lovelier dining experience. This time, we ordered alcoholic drinks; they offer a variety of cocktails and traditional beverages, but their specialty is Spritz. We chose the Apside (“like Aperol,” orange bitters, and torresella prosecco) and the Il Flip (gin botanica, elderflower, yuzu, and torresella prosecco), which were both well-crafted and refreshing.  

We started with the pei mussels, which were drenched in a creamy white wine dressing and bursting with flavors of mustard, fennel, and scallions. Even after all the mussels were gone, we couldn’t help but eat the remaining sauce-soaked garnish.   

For our meals, we ordered off of the daily specials menu. As a huge seafood fan, I couldn’t resist the Maryland crab garganelli special, and no regrets were had; the shellfish and tomato flavor blended flawlessly. Every bite was filled with fresh crab meat, with the occasional bite of tomato or preserved lemon. Even though I ordered the gluten-free pasta due to dietary restrictions, the meal tasted just like real gluten-packed pasta.  

My partner ordered the cavatelli special, a pasta dish with fennel sausage, peas, and fresh mascarpone on top. Even with a gluten intolerance, I couldn’t help but try a bite of the dish, which was even better than what I ordered. The hearty sausage and refreshing mascarpone lent balanced, rich, and creamy flavors to the dish.  

Each time we visit Pecoraro Latteria, we are left with full stomachs and in awe of the flavors that blessed our tastebuds. Genuinely excellent and fresh food mixed with a welcoming atmosphere and staff makes for a top-notch New York City Italian dining experience.