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September 5, 2008

Streetlevel: New Asian Restaurant Coming to Smith

112-Smith-Street-0908.jpg
Another small step in the gentrification of Smith Street: Beauty parlor out, trendy restaurant in. According to a liquor application (and a sticker a reader spotted in the window), a new "Pan Asian Vegan" restaurant called Wildginger is slated to open in the storefront at 112 Smith Street formerly occupied by Kendel's Beauty & Barber shop. We don't know for sure, but it seems a safe bet that the new boite is part of this chain of restaurants a spin-off of the Williamsburg spot of the same name. Anyone know for sure? GMAP




Posted by Brownstoner at 11:02 AM | Comments (15)
Categories: Boerum Hill, Streetlevel

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Comments

You found a chain of restaurants in Seattle when there is already a Wild Ginger in Manhattan and Williamsburg? They also just opened one on Flatbush called Tao Palate for some reason, but it is the same place.

Posted by: Paluka at September 5, 2008 11:15 AM

I don't think I would call it another step of gentrification. Would call it one more step to losing a neighborhood and becoming a restaurant/nightlife district.
I don't find over-saturation of eateries and bars an 'amenity' as some people here call it...I find it detracts from quality of life (dirtier and noisier).
Some restaurants and bars can be great part of neighborhood - but seems like 5th Avenue and Smith have become more a problem than improvement. Businesses with liquor license can pay more rent than other types and they squeeze out the mix of shops a neighborhood needs.
CB6 does nothing to slow this down and seems to only encourage it.

Posted by: Petebklyn at September 5, 2008 11:19 AM

"5th Avenue and Smith have become more a problem than improvement."

You don't think 5th Avenue has improved VASTLY in the past several years? Seriously?

Posted by: SnarkSlope at September 5, 2008 11:24 AM

The only annoyance on Smith Street is that cluster of restaurants on Smith and Pacific all owned by the same guy. Seriously, the food is mediocre and it's just not fun. At least Bar Tabac makes sense; those places are worthless.

Posted by: Jack at September 5, 2008 12:00 PM

too many "asian" places on smith street as it is. I can think of at least 3 on smith street north of Baltic. YAWN.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at September 5, 2008 12:07 PM

Yeah, it's not unlike Bedford where there are now 3 asian joints in a row on one block. I never got my hair cut at Kendel's so it won't make a big practical difference to me. Just another flashy neon sign, really. That this neighborhood is going further down this road is nothing surprising. Yawn.

Posted by: spnder at September 5, 2008 12:21 PM

I understand why Bar Tabac does well the food is good and the scene is great. But Pacifica adn Trout are dumps. They have no pride and keeping that area clean at all. There is always garbage everywhere and they are both just dirty I dont understand why these owners cant even clean it up a bit.

Posted by: boerumer at September 5, 2008 12:36 PM

Yeah! Finally an Asian restaurant on Smith!! Whenever I wander around that area, that's the nagging question in my mind... Where could I get some asian food? maybe some Thai or some sort of fusion somethingorother... Thank you Pan Asian Vegan restaurant! Your finally filling in that gaping hole.

Posted by: tybur6 at September 5, 2008 1:28 PM

It is one and the same. I worked with the woman opening Wild Ginger. They also have a location in 380 Broome Street in the city. Check it out. Good stuff.

Posted by: Shoots and Leaves at September 5, 2008 1:38 PM

Also, I noticed that corner store that used to be a dry clearner across the street had a sign on it stating that it's been leased. Anyone know?

Posted by: Shoots and Leaves at September 5, 2008 1:41 PM

I would much rather have seen an Atomic Wings in that location, but that "Beauty" parlor was anything but. I see it's demise as only making the neighborhood better; call it what you want. However... another Asian place? Seriously? I guess, since "vegan" was also mentioned in the description, I'll never be writing a review of this restaurant.

Posted by: broadwayron at September 5, 2008 1:45 PM

By the way, the service at Bar Tabac is obnoxious. I can really do without being served by disaffected emo folks with french accents. The food is usually pretty good though and my friends seem to not mind the waitstaff. :-)

Posted by: tybur6 at September 5, 2008 1:45 PM

Shoots and Leaves-
I asked the construction crew what they were building [in the old cleaners] and they said some sort of clothing place. I can't remember the adjective they used, but it sounded like a non-chain type of deal.

Posted by: broadwayron at September 5, 2008 3:04 PM

snarkslope, while it would be hard to argue that 5th Ave is worse than it used to be, when I first moved into the Slope in 1990, there were more services on 5th Avenue then there are now. There were three Korean greengrocers btw 9th Street and 5th Street, and there was also a fish store. While I have to admit none of those fine establishments were the last word in freshness, if you shopped carefully you could make a decent meal without having to go up to 7th.

There were two more fish stores in the direction of Flatbush. Now there's not a one.

Given that many people wouldn't live below 7th Ave back in those days, those of us who bought down there were well rewarded for being pioneers, and it's certainly nice to have several dining choices. But we've lost some things also.

Posted by: denton at September 5, 2008 4:02 PM

Fish stores out, sushi bars in. Works for me, but I'm not much of a cook.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at September 5, 2008 5:59 PM

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