Boardwalks are a hallmark of summer, their seasonal openings ushering in laughter, conviviality, and youthful innocence along some of the nation’s most popular shores. Beyond the rides and outdoor entertainment, their strongest pull is often culinary: the scent of sizzling meats on the griddle and the warm sweetness of fried dough drifting through the air.
Brighton Beach, a beloved boardwalk town within Brooklyn’s greater Coney Island area, remains one of the country’s time-honored summer destinations—a legacy that the new American brasserie Breva embraced when shaping its waterfront concept. The restaurant opened in late 2024 inside a landmark building.
“The menu offers delicious dishes that can be shared family-style for special occasions or enjoyed as a casual beach bite during the summer,” said executive chef Travis McGinty, who acknowledged the history of the locale from design to signature dishes. “We really focused on bringing people together and the celebratory nature of waterfront dining.”
Take their lobster escargot: “We deconstructed the classic, envisioning both escargot and the Connecticut-style lobster roll—warm, with butter,” explained McGinty, who has long preferred this style over the cold mayonnaise preparation favored in Maine, for the way the butter makes the lobster shine. “This dish invites our guests to savor the lobster, dip their brioche into the warmed, seasoned butter, and build a perfect bite, from start to finish, every time.”
The lobster escargot is the first dish McGinty recommends for recreating a boardwalk-style dining experience at home, followed by traditional fish and chips and a pavlova topped with fresh berries for a refreshing finish.
When not preparing a special occasion meal, McGinty said summer entertaining is all about cocktails and a grill. “It doesn’t get better than that,” he said, noting that grilling doesn’t always have to focus on meat. “A skewer of gorgeous summer vegetables can also be incredibly satisfying.” He cautioned against ingredients that wilt in the heat, adding, “Nutritious, filling, and sustainable are my guideworks [sic].”
