On a recent visit from Los Angeles, we were fortunate to stay in Brooklyn Heights during our daughter's winter break. As former New Yorkers, we wanted to try many local spots and were thrilled to find Montague Diner. We showed up on New Year's Eve without reservation, and Mark was lovely in giving us the option of sitting at the counter as the room was packed. This counter proved an excellent choice thanks to Riley, a charismatic bartender and server my daughter thought was the coolest. Her laidback yet attentive demeanor was the type of hospitality we appreciated. We all ordered delicious and satisfying meals- from my daughter's delight in ordering pancakes for dinner to enjoying a veggie burger on gluten-free bread. My husband indulged in a tuna melt and was thrilled to find a zero-proof beer to order. We also enjoyed talking with Sarah, who appeared to be the manager on duty; she was charming and at ease with navigating a packed room that evening as they were planning a 24-hour day for the holiday. We loved the experience so much that we returned a day later and repeated our counter experience to enjoy the same cast of on-top-of-their-game employees! This Montague diner experience feels hip x homey and cool x cozy.