A hidden gem located in Williamsburg
Last week we had the opportunity to try one of our new favorite Sichuan restaurants, Antidote. Located in Williamsburg, Antidote is tucked away right by Domino Park. As soon as we walked in, our eyes were drawn to the décor of Antidote. The furnishings have an industrial feel and to balance it, a plethora of plants are adorned wherever possible making Antidote feel somewhat like an atrium. The décor was also stunning and we could not help but notice some of the beautiful lighting fixtures surrounding the restaurant. We went on a Tuesday, but even on a Tuesday Antidote was lively and had no shortage of people dining. The staff at Antidote were all very helpful and provided spot on recommendations for us both for drinks and food.
For drinks, the stand outs for us were the Milestone, Be Passion, and the Love Potion. For the whiskey lovers, we recommend the Milestone. The base is Toki Whiskey which has been having its renaissance lately with cocktail making. Being round, sweet, and citrusy makes it the perfect center for a light and refreshing whiskey drink. The Milestone also adds Rockey’s Botanical Liqueur for an herbal note that pairs well with the lemon notes. And the addition of rose syrupadds both a light sweetness to the drink but also adds a beautiful flora aroma when drinking. 
The Be Passion is what we would describe as the perfect Summer drink. Made with Plantation Pineapple Rum, fresh passionfruit juice, egg whites, and a lavender garnish, the Be Passion is light, sweet, and packs a delicious fruity punch to it. And lastly, the Love Potion is something for the people who love something dry and sweet. It has a lovely strawberry base with a frothiness from the egg white that is decadent. The added prosecco adds a wonderful crispness and the bubbly aspect accentuates the strawberry flavors.
For our appetizer dish we opted for the Chili Pig Ears that was paired with oyster sauce, garlic, chili oil, and cilantro. For those that like to be a bit adventurous with food, we highly recommend this dish. The pig ears were served cold and had a burst of flavor with each bite thanks to the addition of oyster sauce to the dish. The chili oil adds a good amount of heat to the dish that makes you keep coming back to it. And the thin cut on the pig ears makes it an easy dish to snack on and come back to throughout the night.
For our mains we opted for the Mapo Tofu, the Sichuan Chili Fried Chicken, and the Fish with Spicy Bean Paste. For the Mapo Tofu fans, we can wholeheartedly say that this Mapo Tofu was one of the best recipes we have tried. The preparation and flavors were clean and simple with no added flair that takes away from the traditional flavors you would find in Mapo Tofu. The tofu is plump and pillowy and absorbed so much flavor from the sauce. The budding heat with each spoonful makes you sweat a bit but activates you palate where it becomes mouthwateringly irresistible. We highly recommend an order of the white rice to pair it with as it can help with the heat and also is a perfect starchy pairing that will absorb the goodness that is the sauce.
For the Sichuan Chili Fried Chicken, the chicken arrived in little bit sized portions, almost like it was popcorn. Each piece of chicken was so airy and light but juicy and tender inside as well. There was a decent amount of heat from the chili and peppercorn but nothing that would cause you to sweat. Our lasting thoughts on the chicken was that it was delicious and prepared well, making it something we would definitely come back for.
Our last dish was the Fish with Spicy Bean Paste. In it, is a whole fish covered in a rich and spicy bean paste sauce that packs umami bombs in each bite. The fish was so tender and delicate with pieces of meat falling off the bone. The amount of heat in the dish was perfect and the fish meat helped balance some of that heat with each bite. The caution we would give about this dish is that the fish is not de-boned, so unless you are experienced with picking out the tiny fish bones, this dish might be a little daunting. With all of that said, this dish was by far out favorite of the night. From the presentation to the amount of food on the plate, we would come back to Antidote for this dish alone.
For our final thoughts we have to say that Antidote exceeded our expectations. To find a restaurant that serves such authentic Sichuan and Shanghai-style food in Brooklyn was unexpected. From the very affordable price points to the amount of food that comes in each dish, we left full and extremely satisfied. And on top of that, the innovative cocktails were delicious making that the cherry on top to such a wonderful dining experience. We cannot wait to come back to Antidote to sample more food on top of ordering the fish again.
