Similar to birds we’ve been flocking to Williamsburg Szechuan spot Birds of a Feather–one of our favorite Chinese restaurants in NYC–since husband-and-wife Xian Zhang and Yiming Wang first opened the space back in 2017, so we were thrilled to set our focus on Szechuan newcomer Ren, which recently opened in the same neighborhood by a Birds of a Feather alum.
After a year of hard work, preparation, and a whole lot of passion, Ren has officially come to life on the corner of Grand and Leonard Streets. Owner Jayne He previously worked at Birds of a Feather, and after a brief exit from the restaurant industry she’s returned with this new venture.
Ren, whose name means “harvest,” serves traditional Chinese Szechuan dishes with a modern twist in a space that’s incredibly sleek, though also warm and inviting. That’s to say the restaurant has a casual vibe that’s perfect for both small dates or larger group gatherings.
Ren’s head chef has worked at some of the best Szechuan spots in NYC, and guests can expect all the classics including Mapo Tofu, Shredded Green Chili Beef, and Spicy Cumin Lamb. Its rotating menu–changing with the seasons and readily available ingredents–focuses on a diverse array of dishes, and also has a bunch of traditional Chinese dim sum options.
Lucky for us the dishes are served tapas style, so you can share a bunch of different bites with whoever you’re dining with. Sharing is caring, right?! We’re certainly eyeing the Crunchy Golden Tofu, Spicy Squid Legs, Golden Eggplant, Crispy Rice with Duck Confit, and Scallion Pancakes (our absolutely weakness). On second though, we’re pretty much eyeing everything on the menu–anyone wanna join our dinner reservation?
There’s also a dessert menu which includes Rice Wine Panna Cotta, Black Sesame Ice Cream, and Rose Crystal Jelly. Beyond the food, Ren also offers a specialty cocktail selection that deliciously integrates traditional Chinese spices, along with hot and cold tea.
An Instagram post from the team reads:
From perfecting our menu to creating a warm and inviting space, we’ve poured our hearts into building Ren, and we can’t wait to finally share it with you. Join us as we open our doors…and serve up delicious flavors made with love 💚 We’re beyond excited to see you, serve you, and start this journey together.
Ren is very much a love letter to the atmosphere of agriculture–their logo is inspired by the iconic conical hat, which pays homage to the dedication and hard work of farmers around the world. And we don’t know about you, but that’s certainly an initiative we can get behind! Make your reservation today!
📍 623 Grand Street, Brooklyn