“Chez Oskar is what you want when you think Brooklyn restaurant, but seldom get.”
—Emilijalin, New York City
When Chez Oskar opened in 1998, a vibrant new dining era was about to explode on the back streets of Brooklyn. As a pioneer among the young, hip dining establishments that crept up in the borough, Oskar was at the forefront of a culinary counterculture that rebelled against Manhattan's slick eateries. With a custom-painted and -finished interior that harked back to the Harlem Renaissance and well-loved Paris brasseries, Oskar delighted the neighborhood by cranking out fine French cuisine jazzed up by influences from Brooklyn's cultural diversity.
The intrepid, multi-national team behind this bold bistro is still the same today. Our guests, many of which have been with us since the start, still enjoy 'El Grand Chefe' Octavio Simancas's superb cooking (he's Mexican, but Français in spirit), GM Angelique Calmet's service savoir-faire and fine wine selections (now, she really is French!), and owner/house artist Charlotta Janssen's severely colorful touch (German, but slightly French due to Napoleon's invasion of Bohemia).
In 2016, Chez Oskar said goodbye to its original home and embarked upon a new era in the heart of Bed Stuy. The new space was lovingly rebuilt, renovated, and painted by Charlotta who adorned ceilings and walls with original frescos and murals. The space is dominated by a deep teal color that Charlotta calls “Oskar blue,” which she says provides the perfect background because it makes everyone look just a little happier.