Vekslers

This Cobble Hill block might appear a little dodgy, its lack of foot traffic made less lonely by the roar of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Vekslers, a warm tavern, is a welcoming respite from the outside world, with wooden booths, well-made drinks and a family-friendly menu. Chef Joseph Bayley won Chopped and can whip up seemingly anything: lobster rolls; twice-fried, crispy and sticky Korean-style wings; a filling vegetarian dish of farro with mushrooms, lemongrass, leeks and fennel. Kids go crazy for his french fries with homemade cheddar cheese "whiz."