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April 13, 2006

Foodie Happenings at Grand and Lafayette

cafe
store
We're getting psyched for the new cafe Choice on the corner of Grand and Lafayette, which looks like it's getting close to opening. The short-lived health food store, Carrot (bottom photo, center), across Grand and next to the yummy Grand 275 (bottom photo, left), has apparently been shuttered. The lesson there? If you're purporting to be a health food store, have some fresh food and don't leave half your shelf space empty. GMAP




Posted by Brownstoner at 10:20 AM | Comments (18)
Categories: Restaurants

Comments

Does anyone have an opinion of the restaurant to the right of the old Karrots in the photo? I don't recall the name.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2006 10:40 AM

My girlfriend and I have been to Dakar (the restaurant to the left) twice, both times the food was good, service was friendly, and we had fun, we couldn't understand why they don't do more business, but part of the appeal was that it wasn’t extremely crowded. I’d recommend it.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2006 10:56 AM

Le Dakar is a excellent restaurant with friendly owners. They have live music and other community-oriented events several times a week that often draw a crowd. I highly recommend it.


In defense of Karrot, for some time they did offer fresh produce but it did not sell. They were losing significant sums of money on produce they had to throw out on a daily basis. Also, although the store's inventory was low relative to the avalailable shelf space, the availability of products was rarely a problem. Inventory is a significant business expense. As a struggling business it is understandable that the owners of Karrot kept inventory low.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2006 11:13 AM

sorry, Dakar is to the right (towards clifton place)

Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2006 11:13 AM

don't rag on Karrot. I'm sure they did what they could. it's not their fault that they did not have a lot of customers. i tried to shop their when i could, but i ended up getting all my health food store needs met in manhattan near my job.

rip Karrot.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2006 11:18 AM

there not their. sorry.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2006 11:20 AM

What does anyone know about Choice Market? I understand that it's to be a bakery/prepared foods establishment. Anyone know otherwise or know an opening date? I'm pretty psyched as well, as the offerings around here are just this side of miserable. As much as I love boiled ham and miracle whip on a stale hero with shredded iceberg lettuce, I'm willing to branch out and give Choice Market a shot!

Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2006 11:24 AM

A reliable source tells me that Choice Market is set to open next week, and they will have a bakery and prepared food--allegedly a meat, fish and veggie entree each day plus other items.

If you look at the space, you can see that it's mostly kitchen, and the basement is also for food prep. So they seem set up to put out some good food...

Posted by: tinarina at April 13, 2006 12:26 PM

I walked in and spoke to the one of the owner two days ago and they want to open in a week or so. He's a pastry chef by training and will be offering prepared food for pick up or for delivery. Roasted chicken and fixins deliverd to your door!

Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2006 12:32 PM

Karrot on Myrtle is the main store. This one was just an outpost, Brownstoner, in case you did not know. I am looking forward to Choice market. Anyone know if they will have a website?

Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2006 12:55 PM

There is still a Karrot's on Myrtle which has always has seemed better than the one that was at this location.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2006 12:57 PM

Sorry, I also forgot to post this great url for food spots in the FG/CH neighb:

http://www.communitywalk.com/map/2616

Please update with any new places. Also pass it on to other neighborhood blogs.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2006 12:57 PM

Stuck my head into Choice today and and was told they're planning to open around the 21st of the month.

Posted by: TW at April 13, 2006 2:37 PM

Will one need to ring a bell to gain admittance to the new store as one did at the old Karrot part of the time? Such policies do not necessarily entice walk-in customers.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 14, 2006 12:08 AM

The problem with Grand Avenue between Lafayette and Clifton is the hoodlums that hang out at the corner. For years the neighbors try to get 88th Precinct to do something about this and nothing have worked. Even the politicians were asked to help, but they only come around during election time. Maybe when the bodega at Clifton and Grand is gone things will improve.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 14, 2006 10:23 AM

It'll take more than a few hoodlums to keep me away from that roasted chicken.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 14, 2006 10:34 AM

My friend who operates a retail store in Park Slope recently lost a laptop computer and about a grand in merchandise to a single theft incident. You betcha they're using the door buzzer system now. You shouldn't let a buzzer deter you from shopping in a store. It's for the saftey of their merchandise and their own safety.

Posted by: annonymouse at April 15, 2006 10:34 AM

Oh, I'm excited to hear that Choice is part-bakery! It will be lovely to have a source for fresh bread in the neighborhood.

Posted by: Katy at April 17, 2006 12:30 PM

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