First Bite: Dassara

Welcome to First Bite, in which Digest NY brings you a look at some of the city's newest restaurants shortly after they open.  We'll go, eat some food, take some pictures, and report back to you.  This go round it's Dassara, the three week old ramen spot on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

Dassara's website dubs the ramen "Brooklyn Ramen."  The restaurant's name is a play on the Japanese phrase datsu sara, "which, loosely translated, refers to stepping out of your comfort zone to follow your passion."  The menu is broken down into three sections: Not Ramen, Ramen, and Sweet & Spicy.

Order a PBR and this is what your tablescape will look like.

Here's one of the "Not Ramen" selections.  Steamed buns ($8), two per order.  The lineup changes and the menu suggests you ask the server about the selection of steamed buns.  This time it was fried chicken with pickles and sweet chili.

Heirloom Tomato Salad ($10) with herbs, miso-glazed bacon, and bonito flakes.  The flakes add the necessary salt component that tomatos get along with so well, but nothing beats good ol' fashioned sea salt.

White Clam Mazemen ($13) is a mostly brothless ramen with Manilla clams, parsley, oil cured chilis, and scallion pancakes.  The ramen is the owners' take on non-traditional ramen, the Mazemen is a perfect example of what Dassara is trying to do with the menu.  The noodles were a bit soft and a few more clams would have been nice, but the flavors were great.  Harvested mostly in Washington State's Puget Sound, the Manila Clam is not native to North America.  The clam came over from Japan in the 1940s in oyster seed shipments.

Deli Ramen ($13) is a chicken broth based noodle dish with diced celery, matzo balls, smoked meat from Mile End Delicatessan, and a poached egg.  You have the option of ordering the ramen spicy.  For $1, the poached egg is garnished with house-made chili powder.

There's a Hot Plate ($2) available to accompany the ramen.  House-made chili oil and sauteed chilis are an upgrade from the S&B LA YU chili oil on the table, but it was hard to get away from the fact that these sorts of condiments are usually free in restaurants where ramen is served.

There are four stools in front of this window into the kitchen where guests can sit and watch Josh Kaplan (right) and co. in action.  Josh is one third owner along with Lana Yang and Justing DeSpirito.

Dassara is the fabrication of the trio's mutual dream to open a restaurant in their neighborhood.  There are plans for brunch in the near future and backyard space opening next spring will add a few extra seats to the 55 inside.

271 Smith Street | 718.643.0781 | dassara.com