Sheepshead Bay, home to a large community of Russian and Eastern Europeans, welcomes its first European fine dining establishment with the opening of Terra.
The restaurant specializes in contemporary and experimental European cuisine, curated by chefs Dima Martseniuk and Anna Shitova. Martseniuk, who began at Veselka in 2009, also opened Ruta, a Ukrainian restaurant in Washington, D.C.
The restaurant was founded by Oleg Rybak and Dmitry Khavko, two friends who grew up in Sheepshead Bay. As wine enthusiasts and fans of curated dining, they saw an opportunity to bring their experiences in Manhattan’s fine dining scene to their own backyard.
Dishes are guided by the principle of “layered flavoring,” said sommelier John Camacho Vidal. Take the Beef Tartar appetizer: The salty flavor explodes as the bread sandwiches the beef and egg yolk sauce, but because the dish is topped with black truffle slices and kaluga caviar, the creation turns into a sharp, nutty delight.
Another highlight on the appetizer menu is the Beetroot Ravioli with Goat Cheese and Tarragon, where a beautiful purple-colored beetroot ravioli is filled with goat cheese, tarragon and citrus zest.
The Mushroom Cappuccino Soup with Truffle is a creamy mushroom soup with black truffle sprinkles. While some drink the hearty soup as part of their dinner, some diners have it to cleanse one's palette after a few dishes.
Featuring hundreds of European wines, dishes are developed with a wine or drink pairing in mind, said manager Guillermo Lesassier, the curator of Terra’s drink menu. On a recent weekday dinner, he presented guests a glass of Ai Mojito and Molecular Pina Colada, both mixed with a 3-year-old rum and a layer of foam that one server suggested that diners experience without a straw to get the full flavor experience.
A standout main course is the Shrimp a la Mar, with shrimp charred in a salty brine and served over creamy fennel purée, accented by sweet roasted grapes that highlight the dish’s contrasting flavors.
While labeled as a European restaurant, some fan favorites on the menu include the Black Linguine with Seafood and Tom Yum Sauce, and Burger with Pineapple Chutney, both featuring beloved Asian flavors. From the use of Kaluga Royal Caviar, wagyu beef patties, to locally sourced vegetables, the ingredients sourced for the dishes at Terra mirror Brooklyn itself—a rich mix of cultures, influences and traditions.
Bartender David Vilenskiy said what he loves about the dishes at Terra are that they are "forward-facing,” or that they don't necessarily focus on true replications of traditional European dishes, but are instead unconventional twists.
Terra, at 1716 Sheepshead Bay Rd., is open for dinner on Wednesday through Sunday, from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. They are closed on Monday and Tuesday.
