Food and Drink
November 20, 2009
StreetLevel: South, New 5th Avenue Bar, Opens
South, the new bar in the former Vin Rouge space on 5th Avenue between 17th and 18th streets, has opened. According to BlackBook, South is run by the same people who own the Brooklyn Ice House in Red Hook and has half a dozen beers on tap.
StreetLevel: New South Slope Bar on Tap [Brownstoner] GMAP
November 18, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Brooklyn Restaurant & Bar Openings
Lost City shares this photo of the old Shakespeare's Sister space (270 Court Street between Butler and Douglass) and reports that the owners of Nectar are taking over: "Our information is that it will be an oyster/beer bar/gastropub. The Nectar people also run Bocca Lupo on Henry Street." Lost City also has noticed some signs of life in the long-shuttered Bonafide Deli (corner of Henry and Baltic, Cobble Hill) and says, "Now, word comes that a sandwich joint will open there." ... Eater looks inside Roman's, the "sweet little Italian neighborhood spot" now occupying the old Bonita space in Fort Greene, and also reports that "a new wine bar called Mauzac will be taking over a portion of the space currently occupied by Carol's Daughter... at 136 DeKalb at Elliott Place." ... Metromix recommends the "Bloody Mary, served in a pint glass and made with Absolut Peppar, fresh-squeezed lime and house-made everything" at the newly opened South in Windsor Terrace... Plus, we've got the pre-reno shot of Lucali's 2 in South Slope, and Eater posted a photo of the newly painted storefront on 6th Avenue and 20th Street.
Two New Brooklyn Beer Gardens
Eater reports that Loreley Williamsburg is in the works: "The uber-crowded LES beer hall and pretzel stop, will open a new Williamsburg beer garden in two to three weeks, just in time for the winter chill to creep in. A rep at the original location reveals that the beer and food menus will be pretty much identical at the new space but it will be a whole lot bigger." Plus, Clinton Hill Blog has some beer garden gossip: "An anonymous source tells me that someone has been considering opening a beer garden in the building next to the Absolute on Myrtle Ave. Said proprietor is allegedly an experienced beer garden operator." Anybody got details on this tidbit?
Call for Restaurants of the Day
Yesterday's Closing Bell comment thread includes a bunch of suggestions for Bay Ridge restaurants to add to the Brownstoner Restaurant Guide, so it looks like we'll be snacking (and snapping storefront photos) there soon. Got a suggestion for an ROTD we haven't featured yet? Please leave a comment here!
After the jump: Umi Nom, the Halcyon Gourmet, killer figs in Bensonhurst, Em Thai, and more...
November 13, 2009
StreetLevel: Cortelyou Market, Wine Bar Coming Along
Work was humming along yesterday on two future adjoining Cortelyou Road spots, a Middle Eastern market and a wine bar. According to Ditmas Park Blog, the wine bar will be called Castello Plan. Both businesses are being opened by an owner of Mimi's Hummus, says the Voice. GMAP
November 11, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Brooklyn Kitchen Labs: A Sneak Peak
Our new hometown cooking school, the Brooklyn Kitchen Labs, has a lot of work to do before their proposed opening date of November 16, but this huge, raw space — with one 1500-square-foot teaching room, another 1000-square-foot cooking lab, a butcher shop, and a Bulk Room where cooks can stock up on locally-sourced oils, vinegars, beans, rice, flour, chocolate, and spices — is a Brooklyn foodie's dream-come-true. Classes should start up in early December.
Restaurant & Bar Openings
An insider at last night's Brooklyn Kitchen Labs preview party told us that a neighborhoody cocktail lounge is getting set to open at 177 South Fourth (between Roebling and Driggs) in December. Cocktail maven Tom Chadwick is running the joint and thinking about calling it Dram. This place is a long time coming — Gothamist reported a couple of years ago that it was set to open in early 2008... Le P’tit Paris is now open at 256 Prospect Park West (at Prospect Avenue) in Windsor Terrace, and local Chowhounds are loving it: "I had the duck dish, which was great--large slices of perfectly done breast, along with nice crispy confit... The best thing on the plate though was this amazing timbale of roast potatoes, mushrooms, and garlic which was incredible, I could have eaten a full dish of it." ... Plus, Time Out reports that Café Mei Mei, a "seasonal American restaurant" from a River Cafe alum is getting ready to open this week at 231 Court Street (between Baltic and Warren) in Cobble Hill: "Wines and beers are planned, but until the license clears, expect free pours on the Friday and Saturday." Not sure which Friday and Saturday they mean, but we'll be keeping an eye on this place.
Sam Sifton Hits Prime Meats
465 Court Street (Luquer Street), Carroll Gardens; (718) 254-0327, frankspm.com
We're really liking the new New York Times restaurant critic, and he likes this place: "The menu is currently small. But it delivers... The hamburger ($13 and up) is one of the better in this burger-mad city: Black Angus meat on a sesame roll with pickles, lettuce, tomato and a slice of Gruyère if you like, and you do, alongside a tangle of excellent salty French fries."
After the jump: A rum-lover's hideout in Williamsburg, Pit Stop closes, the Frankies make a cookbook, Williamsburgh Cafe goes Korean, and a blogger keeps watch on Roman's in Fort Greene...
'Nationally Known' Restaurants May Land in 345 Adams
A principal from Muss Development, the firm that's trying to lure classy retailers to Downtown's 345 Adams Street, said at yesterday's Brooklyn Real Estate Roundtable that negotiations are underway with two "nationally known" restaurants. One of the restaurants is eyeballing a 10,000-square-foot space, he said, while the other is looking at a 2,000-square-foot chunk. Guesses?
Closing Bell: Shopping for High-End Retail at 345 Adams [Brownstoner]
November 4, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
New Greenpoint Gastropub: Manhattan Inn
632 Manhattan Avenue, between Bedford and Nassau, Greenpoint; (718) 383-0885
Manhattan Inn "sounds like something a little more upscale than what we're used to seeing over here in the 'point," says Greenpointers. The blogger also notes that the restaurant opens at 8pm tonight, and you get get on the grand opening guest list by emailing abbey.manhattaninn@gmail.com. Time Out New York adds, "James Endicott (Per Se) is behind drinks like the Manhattan’s Manhattan (rye, Carpano Antica, mirto and bitters). Look for dishes like shepherd’s pie and live piano in the dining room."
More Upcoming Openings
Eater shares an update on the still-shuttered Pies 'n' Thighs space, reporting that "There is still quite a bit of work to be done," but they're hoping to open "between Thanksgiving and Christmas. PnT lovers have been burned before, so don't book the office holiday party there just yet." ... Plus, the Brooklyn Kitchen Labs and the Meat Hook are set to open on Wednesday next week. Stay tuned for some interior photos of this new cooking school and butcher shop in Williamsburg... And Time Out shares plans for La Petite Provence, opening in the old Patois space on Smith Street: The husband-and-wife team behind Provence en Boite will be serving "Provençal specialties like the chickpea pancake called socca and pan bagnat, the niçoise salad–stuffed sandwich."
Rave Reviews for Saltie
378 Metropolitan Avenue (Havemeyer Street), Williamsburg; (718) 387-4777; saltieny.com
Oliver Strand for the NY Times weighs in on this new spot: "The savory sandwiches, which change periodically, are careful compositions of bright and brawny flavors... Even the vegetarian Clean Slate ($8) is as vibrant as it is hefty. Generous scoops of quinoa and hummus are rolled in a blistered naan with pickled vegetables, sauerkraut and tangy yogurt. The combination works. Culturally speaking, it’s fearless, if a sandwich can be such a thing." CHOW's Outer Borough Digest recommends Saltie's dessert options, too: "C Elise was stopped in her tracks by the Car Bomb, a dessert at the newish Saltie in Williamsburg. It’s a scoop of salted caramel ice cream drowned in Guinness."
After the jump: Umi Nom's "incredible" off-menu hot sauce, the New Yorker hits Saraghina, "seafood perfection" in Canarsie, Hecho en Dumbo's big move, and more...
October 28, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Kicking It Old School at the Red Rose
315 Smith Street, Carroll Gardens; (718) 625-0963
Who Goes There?, our favorite Eater feature, takes Lost City's Brooks of Sheffield to the Red Rose on Smith Street, where he shares a glimpse of the friends-and-family clientele: "Men with ponderous guts perch at the bar and watch the tube, keeping up a running conversation with Santo and showing no sign of leaving anytime soon. Friends—in running suits; in t-shirts; in suit and tie—mill about casually, standing, then sitting, then getting up again, ordering drinks ('Here's to bow-legged women') and plates, asking who exactly among the staff mixed their cocktail." Anyone else feeling hungry for a rice ball?
Lobstah Feast Fridays!
34 Van Dyke Street (Dwight Street), Red Hook; (718) 246-8050
Red Hook Lobster Pound has been running this sweet $25 deal at Rocky Sullivan's since late-August, and "Now they’re steaming lobsters out in Rocky’s courtyard, fat, hard-shelled fellows deep with the flavor that only fall ocean brings," writes Sam Sifton for the New York Times, "Served with corn, coleslaw or greens from another neighborhood outfit, Added Value farm... (and Key lime pie from the neighborhood tough-guy Steve Tarpin of Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies on Pier 41 for dessert), it’s money well spent for a kind of neighborhood feeling that generally doesn’t take in New York City." Lobstah Feast Fridays are first-come first served, but parties of 6 or more are can email redhooklobster@gmail.com for a reservation.
This Week's Bar and Restaurant Openings
As we reported last week, The Pulp and The Bean is now open at 805 Franklin, and the NY Daily News says that this family-owned, family-run shop sources "everything from coffee and pastries to cups and stirrers" from Brooklyn businesses... We already mentioned that the Black Horse Pub opened last week, and now Time Out New York shares a few more details about what they're serving up: "Sixteen taps, dispensing international brews like Radeberger and Monty Python’s Holy Grail Ale, plus a menu of pub grub, including a traditional Sunday-night roast." ...And Chowhound Bookistan comments on Park Slope's new Mexican joint, El Jalepeno (641 President Street, between 4th Ave & 5th Ave), "This is in the old Delicious on the Slope space - an odd space not made better by the new owner's kitschy Mexican decorations. But the food is surprisingly good! ...The owner is incredibly friendly, and gave us a plate of flan gratis to top off the meal."
After the jump: An early review of The Vanderbilt, must-eat spherical pancakes in Cobble Hill, the Wild Game Festival in Brooklyn Heights, and big news for Brooklyn Brewery...
October 26, 2009
NYT: Food Co-op Exile's Story Demands 2,000 Words
Comrades, a new bar has just been set for Park Slope Food Co-op navel gazing: "For such a scrutinized institution, little public attention is paid to people like me—co-op failures and near-failures who have struggled to stay in good standing and have stumbled in the cramped aisles. Like every other aspect of the much-loved and much-hated co-op, the topic of members in trouble draws a bushel of opinions. An organic bushel, of course...The co-op, a place that raises aspirations for society, makes us raise aspirations for ourselves. I am still suspended, but imagine myself someday returning and remaining in good standing. Nostalgically, I envision old friends and former roommates in the aisles, examining the white nectarines. But I wonder: couldn’t it be a little mellower?" —Flunking Out at the Food Co-op
Photo by Betty Blade.
October 22, 2009
StreetLevel: Black Horse Pub Finally Opens
Back in May, the owners of the Black Horse Pub, the new bar on 16th Street and 5th Avenue, said it was supposed to open "within the month." That didn't happen, but the watering hole is at last opening tonight. Black Horse will have 16 beers on tap and its website says the menu will include stuff like a full English breakfast.
Streetlevel: Black Horse Pub Opening Soon [Brownstoner] GMAP
Black Horse Pub [Official Site]
October 21, 2009
Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up
Ditmas Park: One of NYC's "Best Food Neighborhoods"
Time Out New York's top 6 best food neighborhoods are all in the outer boroughs, but Ditmas Park is the only Brooklyn neighborhood that makes the cut. Recommended spots include Bahar Shishkebab House, Torteria Del Valle, Café Tibet, Famous Pita, Bukhari Restaurant & Sweets, and Sycamore. Seems like TONY is focusing on less-traveled eateries because they left out a few favorites — The Farm on Adderley, Pomme de Terre, and Picket Fence.
Brooklyn Opening Report
The New York Times says that the owners of the now-closed Bonita in Fort Greene will be reopening the space as Roman's: "It’s the name of [co-owner Andrew] Tarlow’s son, and has nothing to do with the food at the restaurant, which will be opening in a couple of weeks." ... Time Out reports that Almondine Bakery is getting ready to open their second location at 442 9th Street (at Seventh Avenue) in Park Slope: "Just as at the Dumbo original, expect breads and pastries including croissants, baguettes and madeleines." ... Plus, the Vanderbilt (570 Vanderbilt Avenue at Bergen Street) is all set to open on Friday. Stay tuned for more info.
Real Thai on Smith Street?
Chowhounds are buzzing about the new spicy section on Em Thai's menu. Judging by the universal foodie love for Sripraphai in Queens, it's about time one of Brooklyn's myriad Thai joints tried their hand at spicier, more authentic cuisine. But does Em succeed? Chowhound versicle "ordered a pork dish, can't remember which one, for delivery and it was impressively spicy." We tried the seafood pucket and then Bangkok minced pork basil, which were both sweat-inducing, but not as nuanced as our favorite Sripraphai dishes. Still, we'll be back to try more — on Fridays and Saturdays, the new spicy entrees come with a free beer.
After the jump: Roberta's expanding bread and booze menus, love for South Slope's Korzo, truffle pizza, a fondue extravaganza, and more...
October 14, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Game Night at Char No. 4
196 Smith Street, near Baltic Street, Boerum Hill; (718) 643-2106
Char No. 4 will be hosting a weekly Game Night on Wednesdays — tonight through January 27. New York magazine says, "Call two days ahead to preorder a whole smoked game bird, each of which comes with a different side dish like dirty rice. Squab and quail each serve one ($24), and guinea hen and duck feed two to three apiece ($65)."
Brooklyn's Best Sandwich?
Chowhound HankyT has posted an admittedly incomplete list of Brooklyn's top ten sandwiches:
*Panelle Special at Ferdinando's
*Grilled Pork Banh Mi at Ba Xuyen
*DeFonte's Roast Beef, Eggplant, Fresh Mozz, Gravy, S&P (seeded hero)
*Torta from Pueblo Market (not sure which variety)
*Chicken Cutlet Hero from Catene
*Lioni's hero (not sure which one)
*Cubano from Cibao on Smith
*Falafel from ??? used to say The Fountain but I'm not so sure anymore.
*Rollin' Roast Beef (as long as you put onions, gravy, salt and pepper on it)
*Spicy Beef Patty inside coco bread from Christie's
Can you think of any that this 'Hound is leaving out?
Barcade's 5th Anniversary Party
Barcade is celebrating their 5th birthday tomorrow night (Thursday, October 15), says Examiner.com. According to Barcade's Facebook invite, they'll be "opening early at 2pm and will be grilling out with free burgers and hot dogs," and their "crazy ass draft menu" includes Brooklyn Manhattan Project (which "tastes like a Manhattan. Seriously.") and Sixpoint Hops of Love.
After the jump: Early reviews of Ultimate Burgers and Dogs and Henry Public, a new sports bar on Fulton, Halloween at Habana, and a re-opening date for Totonno's...
October 8, 2009
StreetLevel: People's Republic of Brooklyn Opens on Smith
Per a tipster comes word that a bar/restaurant called the People's Republic of Brooklyn opened last Friday in the old Sapodilla space on Smith near the corner of Douglass. We haven't heard details about the setup or menu yet, so if anyone's already stopped in, we're all ears. GMAP
October 7, 2009
StreetLevel: New 4th Avenue Bar On Tap
A bar called The Sackett is scheduled to open in a week or so in the former Latin American Cafe space near the corner of 4th Avenue on Sackett (natch). The watering hole will mainly focus on classic cocktails but will also have four beers on tap and a selection of bottled brews. GMAP
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Opening This Weekend: Henry Public and Piquant
New York magazine snapped this photo inside Henry Public, "a saloon, and one that will serve cocktails made with Kold-Draft ice cubes along with grass-fed 'hamburger sandwiches,' oysters, turkey-leg sandwiches, marrow bones, and eventually brunch." (329 Henry St., near Pacific St., Cobble Hill; 718-852-8630)... This weekend also marks the soft opening for Piquant in Prospect Heights, which promises "Mexican-influenced faves studded with high-falutin' touches, served up in surroundings marked by muted green/red/yellow tones, exposed brick, wall-mounted candles, two generous wooden bars, paper lantern-style ceiling lights, and a rock waterfall jazzing up a sizable, tree-lined back patio," says Thrillist (259 Flatbush Avenue at 6th Avenue; 718-484-4114).
Purple Yam Pushed Back
1314 Cortelyou Rd (between Rugby and Argyle), Victorian Flatbush
The owners of Manhattan's now-closed Cendrillon have been planning on opening another Filipino pan-Asian restaurant called Purple Yam near the Cortelyou Road Q-stop for months — the opening was originally slated for April. Now, with spring and summer behind us, Ditmas Park Blog shares this tidbit from the restaurant owners: "Yes, we have been delayed again due to permits which take a loooonnngg time to process... We want to thank those of you who have written asking how they can help. When we find out, we will let you know." They're now hoping to open in "late October."
Two Stars for Smith Street's Saul
140 Smith Street (Bergen Street), Boerum Hill; (718) 935-9844
"One of the first restaurants to bring a contemporary sensibility to Brooklyn when it appeared on Smith Street in 1999, it has neither faded, nor stood still, nor sought a personality transplant. Instead Saul Bolton, the chef and the owner with his wife, Lisa, has upgraded just about everything in their modest storefront. Saul is the same restaurant, but better," writes Pete Wells for the New York Times. The slideshow that accompanies the review has us craving Saul's amazing baked Alaska.
After the jump: Adrian Grenier isn't pulling his weight at the Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn Star is serving beer and brunch, an rooftop farm fundraiser at Roberta's, and how to register for the Fourth Annual Casserole Party...
October 1, 2009
Longtime Thai Restaurant in the Slope Shutters
T Thai, the second-floor restaurant on the corner of 7th Avenue and Carroll Street, closed down last week, and signs have gone up announcing that the space is for rent. In its window display, the Thai joint boasted of being in business since 1980. GMAP
September 30, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Brooklyn Restaurant and Bar Openings
A tipster snapped these photos of the old Chicory space on Degraw between Court and Clinton, and Lost City reports: "A menu in the window hails the coming of something called Ultimate Burgers and Dogs. It will serve, yes, a wide variety of burgers and hot dogs... There's also a breakfast menu. Most intriguing from that menu: Bowl of Tots. That's a bowl of tater tots covered with whatever you want. There's nothing over $8." ...The guys behind Buttermilk, Boat, and Great Lakes have opened the Canadian-themed Ontario Bar at 559 Grand Street (near Lorimer Street) in Williamsburg, says Grub Street... Eater says that "Armando's, the 73 year-old classic Italian restaurant that shuttered last year, was replaced by a mistake of a restaurant called the Spicy Pickle, and then rebuilt in its original spot" is now open (again) at 143 Montague Street... Bar Celona, a new tapas joint is opening this week at 104 South 4th Street (between Bedford and Berry), says Time Out New York.
New Chinese Spot for Old Tempo Space
Stone Park co-owner and chef Josh Grinker told the Brooklyn Paper that he and co-owner Josh Foster are planning on opening "a traditional Szechuan-based, low-price Chinese restaurant" in the old Tempo space on 5th Avenue between Carroll Street and Garfield Place. Grinker's plan sounds promising: “It’s going to be a traditional Chinese restaurant, not a fancy restaurant like some of the Manhattan places have tried. We’ll cut out the stuff that Westerners just don’t go for … but the food will be traditional in the techniques, the ingredients and the recipes.”
Restaurant Rave: Sue Perette
Chowhound Nehna says, "It's really rare (as anyone who has read my others posts) that I gush about a meal," but this picky 'Hound is "so utterly in love" with Sue Perette (270 Smith Street) and recommends checking out the following dishes: "a trio salad (with celery remoulade, wine braised leeks, mushrooms), the Pastifret (which is a cross between pate and rillettes and absolutely delicious), the berkshire pork shank (stunningly good, pork falling off the bone, delicious cauliflower and greens), and the 'Double Duck' (breast, braised duck leg, brussel sprouts), and the fromage blanc with berries, honey and lemon zest (?) for dessert. They serve PORK FAT with the bread. Need I say more?" Has anybody else checked out Sue Perette yet?
After the jump: Flea favorites take home the Vendy Cup, Cobble Hill's Tea Lounge is closing, and tonight's the night for single meat-lovers...
September 23, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
New Restaurant & Bar Openings
Grub Street sneaks a peek inside Mercat Negre in Williamsburg and shows us the restaurant's roof deck, pictured above. The NY Times says it's scheduled to open tomorrow at 65 Grand Street (at Wythe Avenue)... The Strong Buzz reports that the GM of 'inotecca is teaming up with Mike Burkett (a.k.a. Fat Mike from NOFX) to open Thistle Hill Tavern this December or January: "The restaurant, which will be located at corner of Seventh Ave. and 15th St. in the South Slope, will serve robust regional seasonal cuisine in a very laid back, turn-of-the-century tavern setting." ... According to Eater, the old Baron's at 98 Nassau Avenue in Greenpoint is now The Keg And Lantern, "a bar and grill serving classic pub fare." ... And Bushwick BK says that the Hibachi Tiki Hut is now open and serving "wood-fire barbeque cuisine" at 890 Broadway (at Belvidere Street).
More Food at Fort Defiance?
New York magazine shares our love for Fort Defiance, and hints at what the future may hold for this Red Hook spot: "There are plans, gas service pending, to fire up the stoves and start offering daily specials, like red beans and rice and oysters Rockefeller. But [owner St. John] Frizell says he won’t turn the joint into a full-fledged restaurant. For him, the café-bar-what-have-you model serves the neighborhood, and its quotidian appetites, quite nicely."
Homebrews by Brooklynites, for Brooklynites
"Stephen Valand, 23, and Erica Shea, 25, quit their jobs earlier this year to start the Brooklyn Brew Shop, which makes gallon beer-brewing kits sized for New York City apartments," says the New York Times. The fledgling company's current DIY brews include Grapefruit Honey Ale and Chocolate Maple Porter. The $40 kit (grains included) seems like a pretty solid gift for a beer enthusiast. Has anybody tried their brewing system yet?
After the jump: Bushwick's pastoral wonderland, karaoke confusion in Bay Ridge, and more love for the food vendors at the Flea...
September 22, 2009
StreetLevel: Ghang Opens Court Street Outpost
Ghang, the Smith Street Thai restaurant, opened a new location on Court Street a few days ago in the old Miriam space. Appetizers (dumplings, summer rolls, calamari, etc) mostly run $4-$6; noodle dishes cost between $8 and $12; and curries run between $9 and $15. As the Cobble Hill Blog noted, unlike the Smith Street restaurant, the new Ghang is not BYOB. GMAP
September 18, 2009
StreetLevel: Slope's Drama Cafe Becoming a Latin Joint
Per the photo above, the old Drama Cafe space on 5th Avenue near the corner of 4th Street appears to be transforming into "Rico Cafe," and it will specialize in "Latin flavor." Drama closed a couple years back. The inside of the space doesn't look like it's seen any major upgrades during that time, but perhaps they will be forthcoming. GMAP
September 17, 2009
Two New Eateries Coming to Slope's President Street
A Mexican restaurant and a cafe are opening on President right off 5th Avenue, both coming to spaces that have hosted short-lived businesses in the past. (Hopefully this new crop will have better luck!) The Mexican restaurant, El Jalapeno, will open in the space formerly occupied by Delicious on the Slope, on the west side of the avenue. El Jalapeno's menu will have items like burritos ($9.95-$12.95), enchiladas ($7.95-$10.95) and other standard Mexican fare, most of it around the $10 mark for entrees. The owners say they plan to open by the end of next week. On the east side of 5th avenue, meanwhile, signage has gone up announcing that a place called Cafe DuCharme will open soon. The space was previously home to the Oak shoe store and, more recently, the Scandinavian Grace Kafe. GMAP
September 16, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
The Best of Hot Plates Live
We checked out Metromix's premiere Hot Plates Live event at the Bell House on Monday night, sampled beer and cheese, ate lots of great food from new Brooklyn restaurants, and wholeheartedly recommend that you check out the next Hot Plates tasting event. (We'll keep you posted when Metromix plans another.) Our favorite bite of the evening was the Chinese sausage and sticky rice with chili-lime sauce (pictured above) from Umi Nom. We've been long-time fans of this dish at Kuma Inn on the LES, so we're excited that chef King Phojanakong has brought it to Brooklyn. Sui Ren's quail egg wrapped in seaweed and maguro was another favorite. We'll be adding both spots to our restaurant database shortly.
Opening This Week: Mercat Negre
65 Grand St between Kent and Wythe Aves, Williamsburg; no phone yet
"This sister location of the East Village’s Mercat features an open kitchen in which [Barcelona's chef Oriol Sala] Colomer will cook shareable dishes, such as grilled red mullet with eggplant puree and marinated endives," says Time Out New York.
No Reservations: NYC Outer Boroughs
In case you missed Tony Bourdain's recent romp around the boroughs, you can check out all the places he visited on the No Reservations website. We thought it was a pretty solid episode, featuring stops at Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos in Bushwick, East Harbor Seafood Dim-Sum Palace in Sunset Park, and Diner and Marlow & Sons in Williamsburg.
After the jump: Hecho en Dumbo is leaving Dumbo, Chicago dogs, dumplings, Chickadee Chick's menu, Spanish wines, and more...
September 9, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Best New Brooklyn Drinks
Off Manhattan rounds up the "most unique cocktail spots" in Brooklyn and shares their favorite drinks at each bar. Their picks include the Lavender Sour, "a delightfully tart mix of plum wine, violette liqueur and lemon juice," at Littlefield in Gowanus; the creamy Batido de Coco, "brimming with coconut milk, condensed milk and Cachaça," at Beco; the "frothy and smooth" Watermelon Gin Punch at Fort Defiance; and Huckleberry Bar's complicated-sounding "peppery Merrill Beth Nisker, with El Jimador Tequila, Del Maguey Mezcal, succulent peach syrup made in house, and touches of lemon, lime and bitters, all topped off with a jalapeño-infused cocoa powdered rim for an addictive bite."
This Week's Openings
The new Knitting Factory officially opens tonight in the completely revamped Luna Lounge space at 361 Metropolitan Ave in Williamsburg. Time Out says: "the new spot features a single performance room cleverly designed to look like a giant recording studio, complete with soundproof glass dividing the bar area from the concert space." ...Sue Perette is now open in the old Cafe Dore space at 270 Smith Street (between Sackett and Degraw). Cobble Hill Blog shares the restaurant's very small menu and asks: "What do you think about the name: play on 'superette' or interesting moniker?" ...Time Out also notes that a Vietnamese restaurant called An Nhau is opening adjacent to Bánh Mì 172 at 172 Bedford Avenue (between North 7th and 8th Sts) in Williamsburg, and a new spot called Saltie will be serving "sandwiches, ice cream and morning pastries" at 378 Metropolitan Avenue (between Havemeyer and Roebling Sts).
Mark Your Calendar for Hot Plates Live
Next week on Monday, September 14 from 6 to 9pm, Metromix is throwing a tasting party called Hot Plates Live at the Bell House. Tickets cost $15, and include endless tastes from ten new Brooklyn restaurants: Aqualis Grill, Bussaco, Calexico Carne Asada, Eat Records, Latitude Zero, Mesa Coyoacan, Sui Ren, Umi Nom, Vue, and the soon-to-open Vanderbilt.
After the jump: A "food dork megaplex" coming to Brooklyn; an honor system farm stand; and Totonno's news...
September 2, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
This Week's Openings and Buzz
BushwickBK reports on the soft opening of "Bushwick’s newest café and performance space," Flushing Farms (pictured above) at 970 Flushing Avenue, just north of Bogart Street: "Flushing Farms has many components, including a lawn, garden, patio, an indoor café, and even a little patch of sand called Flushing Beach..." Clinton Hill Blog learns that "Just Taste It, a fried foods establishment" is preparing to open within the next two weeks in the old Fish and Crustaceans space at 901 Fulton. And Greenpointers notes that a new bar called Blackout has opened at 916 Manhattan Avenue between Greenpoint and Kent: "Though you can't tell from the street, Blackout is actually a spacious affair with a stretched out bar and a accommodating backyard."
More Upcoming Openings
The New York Times Restaurant Preview Issue lists a slew of new Brooklyn spots. Some highlights: Provence en Boite on Smith Street is moving into the old Patois space down the block. An offshoot of Manhattan's Mercat will open this month at 65 Grand Street (at Wythe Avenue) in Williamsburg. Dumbo's Almondine is opening a second location "with a fireplace, garden and terrace" at 442 Ninth Street (at Seventh Avenue) in Park Slope. Plus, Tanoreen will be moving from its current location to double its size at 75-23 Third Avenue in Bay Ridge.
This Week's Closings
11211side reports that Planet Thailand in Williamsburg has permanently closed... Pardon Me For Asking notes that Bagels by the Park in Carroll Gardens has temporarily closed for vacation (until September 7)... Eater reports that Choice Atlantic is temporarily shut down, but Choice Market on Lafayette remains open for business.
August 31, 2009
StreetLevel: New Bakery in the South Slope
A bakery called Little Buddy Biscuit Company opened a few weeks ago on 5th Avenue near the corner of 18th Street. Its owner, Pete Solomita (whose blog you can read here), says he took up baking about four years ago when he was looking after his young son; prior to that, he had trained as a chef. The goods at Little Buddy are baked in small batches on a daily basis and include stuff like brownies ($2.50), big cookies (also $2.50) and scones ($2.25), as well as a revolving lineup of daily specials. More details on the business are included on a Brooklynian post. It opens at 7 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. GMAP
August 26, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Opening This Week
Time Out New York says that The Double Windsor (210 Prospect Park West at 16th Street) is getting ready to serve "Classic cocktails from the 20-seat horseshoe bar... though craft beers and cask ales are the real focus, with a rotating selection dispensed from 14 taps." Plus, their fancy pub grub will include "a duck-confit sandwich with fig jam and arugula." TONY also reports that the owners of Bar Tano are set to open Provini (1302 Eighth Ave at 13th Street): "Italian pastries and Intelligentsia coffee are available in the a.m. Later on, the full menu offers dishes like tagliatelle with lamb ragù, along with Italian craft beers by the bottle."
Coming Soon
Metromix dishes the details on 9 new Brooklyn restaurants slated to open in the coming months and a handful of upcoming Brooklyn bars. Highlights include Lucali Park Slope (691 Sixth Ave. at 20th St.) and Mission Dolores (249B Fourth Ave., next to Cattyshack) which will be opened by the Bar Great Harry folks and "will serve 24 craft beers and one cask ale on tap—18 American, plus six Belgian and German—as well as a handful of DUB meat pies."
Secret Tamales in Carroll Gardens
476 Smith Street at W. Ninth Street; (718)422-0001
"New York’s latest stealth tamales have surfaced at F Line Bagels, a little-mentioned deli at the less fashionable end of Smith Street in Brooklyn. Off the menu and announced only on a handwritten sign, they’re fat, moist, and delicious," reports CHOW's Outer Boroughs Digest. Apparently, this shop serves a good bagel, too. We'll have to check out their "Middle Eastern–style special with hard-boiled egg, olive oil, and za’atar."
After the jump: Lobstah Feast Fridays in Red Hook, where to score seasonal pies, good buys at Fresh Fanatic, and a beer that tastes like a Manhattan...
Latest Restaurant Additions
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Le Barricou
added November 20, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Der Schwarze Kölner
added November 19, 2009 12:00 PM in Fort Greene -
Oak Wine Bar & Café
added November 18, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Mr. Wonton
added November 17, 2009 12:00 PM in Park Slope -
Casa Rosa
added November 16, 2009 12:00 PM in Carroll Gardens -
Cousin John's Café & Bakery
added November 13, 2009 12:00 PM in Park Slope -
Elote
added November 12, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Miracle Grill
added November 11, 2009 12:00 PM in Park Slope -
Phoebe's Cafe
added November 10, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Ruthie's
added November 9, 2009 12:00 PM in Clinton Hill, Downtown Brooklyn