A sought-after Williamsburg grill with excellent steaks, a memorable rustic open-kitchen setting, and real but inconsistent service and reservation friction.
St. Anselm delivers strong food quality anchored by expertly grilled steaks and seafood, though occasional lapses in temperature and seasoning prevent flawless consistency. The rustic, visually distinctive setting and Williamsburg destination appeal enhance the experience, but uneven service attentiveness during peak hours keeps it just short of the very top tier for a casual fine dining steakhouse.
St. Anselm is a highly sought-after Williamsburg grill where a warm, rustic room, visible fire, and energetic crowd make dinner feel like an event rather than a formal steakhouse ritual. The open kitchen is part theater, part atmosphere; one diner described the room as a cozy old lodge, while others caution that the volume can make intimate conversation difficult. Reservations are genuinely valuable, and walk-ins may face a long wait or a bar seat. The cooking is confident, classic, and grill-led rather than experimental. The $34 butcher's steak is the repeat favorite, joined by larger shareable cuts, well-liked clams and seafood, rich grilled sides, and a near-universal dessert recommendation in the sticky toffee pudding. The trade-off is uneven execution and hospitality: most visits are satisfying, but some diners report cold or overcooked meat, excessive salt, delayed food, or inattentive service. This is a relaxed, high-demand Brooklyn steakhouse where ordering strategically matters. Families can make it work, especially with familiar choices such as butcher's steak, salmon steak, sausage sandwich at brunch, grilled potatoes, spinach gratin, ice cream, and sticky toffee pudding. However, there is no dedicated children's menu, burgers are not offered, and sides are separate charges. The lively noise, tight seating, and reservation pressure may be less comfortable for young children, while older kids and adventurous teens are better suited.
Area vibe: Trendy, artsy Brooklyn neighborhood with vibrant dining and nightlife scenes.
Safety: Generally safe with busy streets and active nightlife, though pockets get quieter late at night.
What's nearby: Near Bedford Avenue, McCarren Park, subway (L/G), craft breweries, bars, and a dense restaurant strip.
The $34 butcher's steak and sticky toffee pudding are the safest bets, but the sides and seafood are worth planning around too.
Plan ahead for a loud, reservation-heavy dinner where separately priced sides and large shareable steaks can push the bill up quickly.
Expect a cozy, fire-lit grill room where the open kitchen adds theater, though the energy can become loud and cramped.