Food and Drink
May 9, 2008
Community Board Moving to Nuke Union Hall
Last night Community Board 6's landmarks/land-use committee dealt a harsh (albeit symbolic) blow to local watering hole and performance space Union Hall. After a lengthy and often rancorous public hearing about renewing the Park Slope bar and venue's liquor license, the committee voted 6 to 2 in favor of a motion that denies Union Hall a renewal unless the business's owners sign a contract stipulating that they will take measures to ameliorate noise, such as stopping the sale of alcohol after midnight. Although the motion is ultimately only advisory, the committee member who introduced it—Lou Sones, who himself owns a bar, The Brazen Head on Atlantic Avenue—described it as the community board's "nuclear weapon" in terms of being a powerful indication to the State Liquor Authority that Union Hall is disturbing the lives of nearby residents. The motion was introduced after a two-hour-long pubic hearing in which many supporters of Union Hall, which is on Union Street between 5th and 6th avenues, spoke about how much they appreciated the business. A good number of residents who live near the establishment, meanwhile, described how noise from the business and its patrons was negatively affecting their quality of life. More people at the hearing, in fact, spoke out in support of Union Hall than against it. Find out what they had to say, and read the anti-UH faction's claims, on the jump...
Continue reading "Community Board Moving to Nuke Union Hall"
May 7, 2008
Closing Bell: Inflation at Nathan's
For the working man's playground, Coney Island's most well-known hot dog sure is getting expensive. A poster on Coney Island USA's message board noticed last weekend hot dogs at Nathan's Famous now cost $3.20 including tax, a 9.2 percent increase over last year. That's $1.20 more than the typical Manhattan water dog (or $0.70 more if you're a tourist). Maybe it's the rising cost of beef casing? The poster, who calls himself Outlaw, commented, "I do feel sorry for the family of four that stops at Nathan's before or after a day at the beach because it's going to cost them an 'arm and a leg' to enjoy a decent meal there now." Indeed five hot dogs (two for dad) and four tickets to the Wonder Wheel is already a $40 day at the beach, and that doesn't include fries, drinks, toppings or a round at Shoot the Freak. Fortunately, Nathan's website provides a printable coupon that'll get you two dogs for the price of one.
Nathan's 2008 prices rise again [Coney Island USA]
Photo by ckaaloa.
Wednesday Food & Drink Round Up
Photo by Eating in Translation
Tasteworthy: Blue Marble's Organic Ice Cream
420 Atlantic Avenue (between Bond and Nevins), Boerum Hill
Ice cream season is upon us, and Brooklyn Based is raving about the fresh flavors at Blue Marble: "a Strawberry that actually tastes a little tart (just like in real life!!), a Mocha made with rich cocoa and studded with fat chocolate-covered almonds, and Blackberries and Cream that no one should ever share." This Sunday, they'll be setting up shop at the Flea and offering a rotating selection of four flavors.
Loads of Openings
The NY Times reports that Abigail Abigail Café & Wine Bar (807 Classon Avenue at St. Johns Place, Prospect Heights) will open this Friday, South Brooklyn Pizza (451 Court Street at Fourth Place, Carroll Gardens) opens tomorrow, and the owners of Fatty Crab are getting ready for a summertime opening of a Southeast Asian barbecue spot called Fatty'Cue (91 South Sixth Street, Williamsburg). Time Out New York says that Plan B, a "sports den that boasts an 800-square-foot garden," has opened at 626 Vanderbilt Avenue (between Park and Prospect Place) in Prospect Heights, and Organic Heights, an "organic bakery and takeout spot, featuring 30 varieties of tea and fair-trade, shade-grown coffees," has opened at 460 Bergen Street (between Flatbush and Fifth Avenue).
Now Closed: Chicory Brooklyn
243 DeGraw Street (between Clinton and Court), Cobble Hill
"Just taking a moment to mourn the neighborhood's best fried chicken, greens and various roasted veggies. Also, I'll miss the burger." [A Brooklyn Life]
After the jump: Prices rise at Sweet Melissa and — you knew it would happen eventually — somebody's opening a burger joint called "Williamsburger"...
May 6, 2008
Streetlevel: Franklin Park Already Packed
Franklin Park, by the creators of Park Slope's Southpaw, is already packed after only being open a week. We stopped by the Crown Heights bar and beer garden on its opening night April 25 (totally packed) and last Friday, when even the patio was full despite the chilly weather. There're not many places like it in close proximity — featuring a large patio that welcomes (apparently) dogs and carryout, a unique beer list mostly for $5 or $6, good music (primarily hip hop), and a trendy yet comfortable atmosphere. We're going to go out on a limb here, but we think this is going to be The Summer Place for a lot of people living in Crown Heights, Prospect Heights and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, and for people visiting the Brooklyn Museum two blocks away. Its success reminds us of when Enduro, a mid-priced bar and Mexican restaurant, opened 12 blocks away in Prospect Lefferts-Gardens. Almost instantly it grew into the neighborhood gathering place for a diverse cross-section of residents and is busy EVERY night of the week, probably beating out a lot of similar restaurants in Park Slope. While the photograph doesn't show the most diverse clientele, as the word gets out, we think the mix will be more representative of the overall neighborhood. The bar is located at 618 St. Johns Place at Franklin Avenue.
Streetlevel: Crown Heights Bar Goes to Bed Early
May 2, 2008
Streetlevel: Ice Cream Could be Fair Game For Sun, Flies
Clinton Hill isn't the only neighborhood with new outdoor seating in the pipeline. There's some good news for sun-worshipping sweet-tooths in the Heights: The Häagen-Dazs at 120 Montague Street gained approval from a Community Board 2 subcommittee last week to add sidewalk seating, according to District Manager Robert Perris. Zwei Schaufeln kugeln, bitte!
May 1, 2008
Closing Bell: Feast at the Navy Yard
A reader sent in the photo above from last night's Brooklyn Eats, which was held at Steiner Studios in the Navy Yard. The tasting event featured chow from around 30 restaurants. Yum.
StreetLevel: Starbucks Sweet on 4th Ave.?
Gowanus Lounge reports that the western corner of 4th Avenue and Third Street is rumored by an "informed reader" to be the future location of a Starbucks. The site, which sold last year for $3.25 million and is currently being rehabilitated, is across the street from the Novo and on the same block as Staples and Hotel Le Bleu. A real estate executive we spoke to who was involved in the sale of the property said there's truth to the Starbucks talk, though its owner declined to comment on the matter. Is there room on 4th Ave. for more than one Clover?
Fourth Ave. Bulletin: Hot Corridor Getting a Starbucks? [Gowanus Lounge] GMAP
Photo of site from GL; photo of drink by Miss Peach.
April 30, 2008
Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up
Photo by roboppy
Bars in Battle with Neighbors
Park Slope's Union Hall (pictured above) is up for their liquor license renewal next week, and according to Eater, community members issued a 1200-word press release railing against this stroller-free establishment. Meanwhile, Gothamist reports that Greenpoint's Studio B has received a stop work order from neighbors who are hoping that the club's proposed tropical rooftop oasis will be nipped in the bud.
New Brooklyn Openings
Looks like there's nothing but love for the recently opened Root Hill Cafe on 4th Avenue an Carroll Street. Ed Levine describes their Clover-brewed coffee as "pretty amazing" and Slice loves the cafe's outdoor canine accomodations. Eater reports that a new bar and burger joint called Brooklyn Ice House is slated to open in the old Pioneer Bar-B-Q space on Van Brunt Street in Red Hook. And according to Time Out, Appertivo (279 Fifth Avenue at 1st Street) — part of Sotto Voce's mini-empire in Park Slope— is now offering a menu of "pastas like linguine with a chicken liver, sage, white wine and cream sauce," but their liquor license is still pending.
Best Outdoor Bites
Brooklyn Based shares a list of all their favorite restaurants and bars with outdoor seating, calling Rocky Sullivan's "the only rooftop bar in the city that can actually be called serene" and describing the table for two beside the fountain in Palo Santo's tiny backyard as the most romantic outdoor table in Brooklyn.
After the jump: Fresh Direct expands delivery range, the Voice says Barrio is overpriced, Gothamist hits Shachis and the Times visits Jake Walk...
April 23, 2008
Streetlevel: Crown Heights Bar Goes to Bed Early
Crown Heights bar Franklin Park will open its doors for the first time this Friday—and will close at 2 a.m., according to the bar's website. We were wondering if its 2 a.m. closing time had anything to do with the fact that most of its space, 1,200 square feet, is outside. The inside is 800 square feet. Last week, the New York Post reported that the city's traditional 4 a.m. closing time "is facing its last call because community boards are approving liquor licenses for new establishments only if they close at 2 a.m." Totally lame, unless you live next door, of course. Franklin Bar co-owner Matthew Roff, who also co-owns Southpaw in Park Slope, told us the earlier closing time was more of a business decision, to initially gauge the street life in the area before staying open all night. At any rate, from 3 p.m. until 2 a.m. Franklin Park will be serving these beers on tap: Coney Island Lager, Kastel Rouge, Green Flash IPA, Schneider Weisse, Raddelburger, Ommegang, Six Point Righteous, Blue Point Toasted Lager, Original Sin, Jever, O'hara Irish Stout and Stone Pale Ale. The bar and beer garden is at 618 St. Johns Place, a few blocks from the Brooklyn Museum. Bring it on.
Franklin Park Bar & Beer Garden Coming to Prospect Heights [IMBIBLE]
Last Call: 2 a.m. Closing Time a Sobering Reality [NY Post]
Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up
Angry Wade's Gets a Makeover
224 Smith Street (at Butler Street); (718) 488-7253
Haven't been inside in a while, but doesn't this place look better in red?
Five Guys Burgers in Park Slope: Hot or Not?
Says one Chowhound: "I was walking past the corner of 7th Ave and 6th street (where that ugly Bank of America is going in) and I saw a work permit on the space next door (the old D'Agostino's) that says a Five Guys is going in. Yea!"
But another replies: "Or is it another nail in the coffin for the charm of Park Slope?"
Opening and Closing Report
According to Eater, Jesse's Brooklyn Kitchen will be closing shop on Smith Street, and Manhattan's Cheyenne Diner will reopen in Red Hook, but Red Hook's 360 is officially gone for good.
After the jump: Luz turns out the lights for Earth Day (and today), bargains at Barrio, and Andrea Strong's move to Brooklyn...