DINING OUT: Theresa’s Place

Open for just a few weeks, Theresa’s Place is causing quite the stir on 13th Avenue.

Owned by native Dyker Heights resident Salvatore Brunetto and Chef Omar Lorenzana, the restaurant serves up “high-end comfort food.

“We wanted to make this a homey place where people can come, eat and be relaxed,” said Lorenzana, who also lives in the neighborhood and has worked in top Manhattan hotels and restaurants for the past 16 years.

“We wanted to bring New York City food to Brooklyn at Brooklyn prices,” he said.

Brunetto’s daughter, Rachelle Yiannaki, explained that the restaurant is extremely close to her heart. It is named after her sister, Theresa, who lost her battle to cancer at the age of 24.

“She always wanted her own restaurant. After she passed away, we got the opportunity to be partners with Omar and we made her dream come true,” she explained, adding that her family owned D’netto’s Bagels, which is now Theresa’s. “She’s looking down on us. She is proud.”

Yiannaki noted that her father and Lorenzana are a “good pair,” with backgrounds in Italian, French and American cuisines between them. And she is definitely right.

For starters, we enjoyed the Marinated Grilled Chicken Pillard ($8.95) and the Tortilla Salad with Beef ($8.95, with $2.50 extra for chicken; $3 for beef or $4 for shrimp). The Pillard featured grilled summer corn, cherry tomatoes, arugula, slivers of red onion and carrot shreds with a lemon herb vinaigrette. It tasted refreshing, with the bright flavors melding together nicely.

The Tortilla Salad was served in a deliciously crispy, flaky and light tortilla shell, made by hand by Lorenzana on the premises. It was a flavorful combination of iceberg lettuce, grilled summer corn, jicama, pickled jalapeno, grilled steak and avocado with a Thai dressing. It was tasty and light with tangy, bold flavors.

One of us enjoyed the Brooklyn Cheese Steak ($10.50) consisting of roasted rib eye smothered in pepper jack cheese, caramelized red onions, sautéed mushrooms and peppers, and cheese fondue. The sweetness of the cheese and the mushrooms was delightfully complemented by herbal undertones provided by rosemary from the perfectly toasted roll, marrying well with the deeply flavored beef slices. With parsley-flecked French fries, it was a copious meal that was intensely satisfying.

The other loved the Big Boy’s Burger ($10.50), which was an eight-ounce beef burger, lettuce, tomato, ham steak, cheddar cheese, an egg and fried onion ring on a toaster garlic rosemary bun. This baby was so big we could hardly get it in our mouths. But once we did, it was gooey, cheesy, burger heaven. This burger came with sweet potato fires seasoned with parmesan cheese. Hats off to the chef!

For dessert, we shared a delectable Nutella Parfait ($5.25) made with a layer of Nutella, berry compote and fresh whipped cream. The berry compote was made with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and figs, reduced slowly with Grand Marnier, brandy and sugar. It was tart, sweet, rich, dense yet light, and totally addictive.

Theresa’s Place also serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 8: 30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Breakfast is served during the week until noon and on weekends until 3 p.m. They offer take-out and delivery within a five-mile radius.

Save us a table at Theresa’s!

Theresa’s Place

8308 13th Avenue

718-745-8308

Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sundays, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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