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Former Pegu Club bartender and food writer St. John Frizell moves his potable expertise to Red Hook. Low-key décor and a friendly staff provide neighborhood ambiance, while the drink menu is as exceptional as one would expect—and, at around $8 a drink, priced to make even the most jaded Brooklynites happy. A custom-built seltzer system (built for extra-cold fizzyness) pumps out three varieties of Tom Collins (the traditional gin-and-lemon concoction, a smooth Cucumber Collins, and a 24-oz. version for the serious drinker). There’s also the butterscotch-smooth Venetian Spritz—prosecco and Aperol—while the Prescription Julep perfectly blends cognac, rye, and mint. Everything on the small plates menu is well-priced and tasty, with a few standouts: spicy deviled eggs, raw oysters, and tasty La Quercia speck served with fresh bread. — Melissa Lafsky