MAISON PREMIERE

The real draw at this Williamsburg hotspot from La Barricou’s Joshua Boissy is the absinthe and oysters, despite delicious dinner and weekend brunch menus. A U-shaped marble bar frames the room’s centerpiece: a Napoleon-topped absinthe fountain. There are $1 oysters during happy hour (4 to 7 pm, with more than 17 varieties), a dozen-plus absinthes, and an otherwise compact, yet superb beer and wine list. While the real people-watching takes place up front, the tables in the back offer a little extra elbow room and view of the oyster shuckers at work (as well as the food, which is only served at the bar and rear tables). Maison Premiere is worth a trip to Williamsburg just for the old-world charm of this perfect date night spot.