Kosher Fro-Yo Coming to Bed Stuy in June



Opening soon in Stuyvesant Heights: Brooklyn Swirl, a soon-to-be Kosher fro yo shop with toppings, smoothies, coffee, fruit crepes, and an outdoor patio. The rabbi hasn’t come to the store yet to make it official. It is located at 445 Marcus Garvey Boulevard on the corner of MacDonough, down the block from Peaches. There will be six frozen yogurt flavors, including non-fat and gluten-free options. There will also be 16 dry toppings and 8 fruit toppings to go with it. As the owner says, “We wanted to bring something healthy to the community.” The opening day is scheduled for June 23rd. GMAP

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Calexico Expanding to Blue Ribbon Spot in Park Slope



Park Slope will be getting its own location of Calexico. The popular Mexican restaurant chain will be setting up shop in the old Blue Ribbon Sushi digs at 278 5th Avenue. A tipster sent in the photographic evidence of the liquor hearing notice that appeared in the window over the weekend. Excited? UPDATE: Here’s Park Slope has a more exhaustive post up on this topic that’s worth taking a gander at.

By Brownstoner | | Comment

Brooklyn Well-Represented in List of Indie Boutiques



Shopping blog Racked came out with its list of the 38 Top Independent Boutiques in New York City this week and Brooklyn appears to have held its own. Thirteen Brooklyn spots made the cut, with the lion’s share of those being in Greenpoint and Williamsburg. In addition to North Brooklyn staples like Bird and In God We Trust, Fort Greene stalwart Stuart & Wright were highlighted as well as a handful of places on Smith Street like Epaulet and Dear Fieldbinder.

By Brownstoner | | Comment

Natty Gardens Opens Bigger Store on Washington



The new, larger Natty Garden opened on the corner of Dean Street and Washington Avenue, very close to its old location. It was a very quick move! It looks like there’s a much larger interior space and a bigger plant selection. From the looks of the building, the lion mural (which graced the old building) is still to come.
Natty Gardens Moving to Bigger Digs Nearby [Brownstoner] GMAP

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Open and Shut



Park Slope
Finally! After a long battle with the surrounding neighborhood, Woodland (aka Prime Six) opened on Flatbush Avenue, reports Here’s Park Slope. Says HPS: “This is a new type of restaurant for the neighborhood: sprawling, multi-level, glamorous, pricey.” There are two floors which include a bar, a large backyard with an open grill, a lounge, and a private dining room. The menu is very meat heavy… you can see a copy over at HPS. The image above comes from the website as well. Also open in Park Slope: English-style Monro Pub now serving English brews at 5th Avenue between 11th and 12th Street, Banyo, a fancy shmancy Turkish bathrobes/textiles store at 421 7th Avenue, and Yogurberry on the corner of 5th and Prospect. The New Happy Taco joint on Park Place shuttered for good after a DOH shutdown.

Elsewhere
Italian restaurant Arthur on Smith starts serving lunch tomorrow in Carroll Gardens. And in Cobble Hill, the Ethiopian restaurant planned for the old Quercy space on Court Street opened up yesterday for dinner. A burger joint – Mark’s Gourmet Burgers – will open this summer on the corner of Waverly and Myrtle Avenue (the former Bechamel space) in Clinton Hill. Also on Myrtle, we noticed that Wicked Good Franks, which opened one year ago, closed up shop. Racked checks out the new Brooklyn Industries in Greenpoint on Manhattan Avenue. The store is made almost entirely of recycled materials – even the electricity is totally generated from wind power. And in Bed Stuy, Scratchbread Bakery now serves breakfast.

By Emily | | Comment

New Italian Spot Opens in Speakeasy Space



A tipster noticed the paper down at the former Speakeasy restaurant on Waverly and Greene in Clinton Hill. He wasn’t sure of the name or if the new spot is officially open. We peeked in this morning and it looks like a nice bar and restaurant set-up with a kind of “old Brooklyn” vibe that’s popular these days. However, there’s no name posted and the internet revealed very little. Who can fill us in? UPDATE: We should read our own blog! As a commenter points out, we already reported back in February that the chef from Fiore in Williamsburg is doing an Italian thing here. Judging from one commenter who’s already been, it’s quite good too.
Clinton Hill’s the Speakeasy Calls it Quits [Brownstoner] GMAP
Details on a Forthcoming Italian Joint in Clinton Hill [Brownstoner]

By Emily | | Comment

Milk Bar is Expanding to 780 Washington Avenue



There have been rumblings on Brooklynian of the Milk Bar on Vanderbilt Avenue expanding to 780 Washington Avenue, at Sterling Place, across from Tom’s Diner. Turns out the expansion is indeed happening. The owner of Milk Bar said they are planning a restaurant and bar for the space. As for the food, he said: “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel.” He promised a good quality product with friendly service, similar to what’s happening at the Milk Bar. Dinner service and weekend brunch will come first, then lunch. There will be a full cocktail menu, but the vibe won’t be “hipster cocktail bar.” The focus is on a more modern, clean design; something different, he says “than a lot of the bars on Washington Avenue, which are very dark.” The establishment’s first application with Community Board Eight was not approved due to the 500 foot rule so they’ll be back to the board next month with an amended presentation. They hope to open the restaurant in late August, early September. GMAP

By Emily | | Comment

Jazz Club Coming to 960 Atlantic Avenue



Last week Community Board Eight approved a full liquor licence for a nightclub coming to 960 Atlantic Avenue, between Washington and Grand avenues. It will be two floors with a capacity of 175 people. On the first floor, the owner plans to host blue note jazz acts. The second floor will only be used for private events. “This will bring life to an otherwise desolate strip,” one community board member told the rest of CB8. There will be no bottle service, no outdoor space, and there will be security service outside. For now, the biz is going by the name Milk River. GMAP

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Open and Shut



Park Slope
We spotted a fashion boutique open this week in the ground-floor space of condo-turned-rental 9 St. Johns. Here’s Park Slope shares a few details: “There’s no visible name to speak of and no online presence yet (and they weren’t open yesterday at 5), but with an advertised rent of $8K/month, it’s nice to see that it didn’t end up becoming a real estate office or Pearle Vision.” HPS also notes a few openings ’round the neighborhood: sandwich/salad/wrap joint Pure Bistro opened opened on 5th Avenue, near Warren, A Shoe Grows in Brooklyn is open on 7th, fro-yo joint Yogurberry will open this Friday at the corner of 5th and Prospect, and Aarpan Cuisine opened its doors at the old Mezcal’s space on 5th Avenue.

Williamsburg
An “artisanal snocone and sweets shop” going by the name of Handsome Dan’s Stand opened in the Williamsburg Mini Mall at 218 Bedford Avenue. Some flavor samples: thyme dream, rose pomegranate, and chili passion fruit. Grubstreet reports that Sweetleaf Coffee, a popular cafe in Long Island City, opened Monday at Kent Avenue and North 6th Street. The owners of the “Bukowski-homage whiskey den Post Office” will open a restaurant/bar at 141 Broadway in the South Burg. The menu will lean toward seafood. And finally the Brooklyn Paper sketches the scene at new bar Tender Trap, 245 South 1st Street between Roebling and Havemeyer streets. Over in Greenpoint, the Pie Corps will sell pie out of a store on Driggs Avenue at the beginning of June.

Elsewhere
Eater digs up all the details about the Littleneck expansion in Gowanus. The new place, which will have a more land-based menu that its clam shack counterpart, is called The Pines. It should open early July. Also in Gowanus, GYFA notes that the sports bar 383 Bar and Grill and record store Sector Records have closed. The Irish Pub moving into 139 Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights will be called Custom House, says BHB. The tapas bar planned for awhile now by Vanderbilt Avenue’s Plan B, now named Cork will open next month in Prospect Heights.

By Emily | | Comment

Treats Truck Now Open in Carroll Gardens



Over the weekend The Treats Truck, a popular food truck serving an array of sweets, opened an actual shop at 521 Court Street, just past 9th Street. It serves all the treats the truck does (cookies, brownies, and bars), plus coffee and drinks, breakfast and a light lunch menu. There’s also an option to make-your-own cookie plate. The spot was closed stopping by yesterday evening, have any Carroll Gardens residents checked it out yet? GMAP

By Emily | | Comment

Kid-Friendly Company Moving to 380 Court St.



According to a Crosstown Realty broker associated with the deal, Kidville, a children’s classes/party/programs business, is moving into 380 Court Street. The Eileen Dugan Senior Citizens Center previously occupied the ground-floor and basement space, and Kidville was leased for the ground-floor space. The senior citizens center will move to the basement. The square-footage on the groundfloor is large, 4,500. Considering it’s right across from Carroll Park, think it’ll do good business? GMAP

By Emily | | Comment

Sisters Hardware No More on Fulton Street



Sister’s Community Hardware closed its much-loved store at 900 Fulton Street. An in-the-know source told us that Sister’s is moving to Atlantic and Clinton avenues. We couldn’t pin down the new location exactly, but our best guess is 860 Atlantic Avenue (previously a hardware store), on the south side of the street. The windows are papered up but there’s no signage on what’s to come… see a picture after the jump. Anyone know for sure? The phone number for Sister’s was disconnected. GMAP (more…)

By Emily | | Comment

“A Demure Hunter Green” in Carroll Gardens



So says the tipster regarding the new signage up at 16 Handles’ Carroll Gardens location. Neighbors previous expressed outrage at the garish bright orange/neon green signage first up, which was quickly replaced with temporary signage. And now, here we are.

By Emily | | Comment

Area Yoga Opens Tomorrow on Montague Street



Tomorrow Area Yoga opens at 144 Montague Street, between Clinton and Henry Streets, for its first day of classes. There’s a special going this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday where you can bring a friend for free. Class cards are valid at this location and the Area Yoga in Carroll Gardens. A single class costs $11 and a 10-class card costs $85. Click through for the class schedule for this weekend! GMAP (more…)

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Brooklyn-Stocked Boutique Opens at 679 Classon Ave



Now open at 679 Classon Avenue, between St. Marks Avenue and Bergen Street: Lady J +1, a jewelry, accessory, and clothing shop. Lady J + 1 only sells merchandise from Brooklyn artists and plans on rotating the merchandise through the store on a bi-monthly basis. A few examples of the the offerings are jewelry by Lady J Jewelry Designs and women’s swimwear by Oyster NYC. Looks nice! GMAP

By Emily | | Comment

Open and Shut



Gowanus
Gowanus Your Face Off reports (and took the picture above) of a new restaurant coming from the Littleneck crew. They are renovating a space a few doors down from Littleneck Clam Shack (the old Tony’s bagel space) and plan to open it up in July. The food and drink concept isn’t yet set in stone, but GYFA guesses it’ll be a tapas bar.

Park Slope
Lots of shutters and openings this week in the Slope. First, a sad closing: the owners of Bob and Judy’s Coollectibles are moving to California and closing up shop in July, after 15 years in business. The knitting supply and gift shop Brooklyn Mercantile closed on 5th Avenue after a rent hike. Flatbush Avenue’s Carlton Park is now open, as well as Skylark Bar on 5th Avenue and 11th Street. Die Koelner Bierhalle, the beer hall at St Marks and 4th Avenue, is getting close.

Williamsburg + Greenpoint
My Moon, a once-Turkish restaurant at 184 North 10th Street, got a new chef who is experimenting with flavors from Barcelona, says the Brooklyn Paper. Grubstreet posts a slideshow of Beloved, a bar now open on Manhattan Avenue. Norman’s Sound & Vision is moving from St. Marks Place, in the East Village, to an undisclosed location of Williamsburg. And Gothamist tours Donna, a late night bar (with a food menu) open on Williamsburg’s southside, 27 Broadway.

Elsewhere
Dumbo NYC reviews Dumbo Kitchen and reports that the made-to-order sandwiches (named after building addresses in the neighborhood) are tasty. The Treats Truck opens this Saturday on Carroll Gardens with an opening day party on Saturday. A “halal Chinese and Afghani cuisine” restaurant is opening on Coney Island Avenue near Newkirk, writes Ditmas Park Corner. Bar and restaurant owners seek to open up a sports tavern on a previously troubled area of Rockwell Place in Downtown Brooklyn.

By Emily | | Comment

Middle Eastern Restaurant Opens at 316 Court Street



Here’s a shot from the opening night this Sunday at Levant Brooklyn, the new Middle Eastern restaurant open at 316 Court Street in Cobble Hill. According to the Facebook page, the spot “specializes in Middle Eastern Mazzeh, Grills and Manakeesh (a cross between pita and pizza.)” Check out some pictures of the dishes at Pardon Me for Asking. It’s open for brunch and dinner, from 11am to 11pm every day of the week. GMAP

By Emily | | Comment

Reshuffle on Fulton for Habana Outpost Expansion



Yesterday the Local reported that Habana Outpost is expanding on Fulton Street, but not without a bit of shuffling involved. Community Board Two’s Permits Committee heard a permit for Habana-to-Go, a 24-hour takeout spot that also serves alcohol. The owner plans to open in the Not Ray’s Pizza space this summer. The menu will be a scaled-down version of the Habana Outpost menu, similar to the Manhattan Habana To-Go location. The owner told CB2 he doesn’t plan to operate a rowdy bar, rather a “Get-’em-in, get-’em-out” joint. As for the move, Not Ray’s Pizza will shuffle from South Portland Avenue to a larger space two doors away, Go Greene Hardware. And Go Greene Hardware will relocate across Fulton Street into the empty building next to Habana Outpost. CB2 unanimously approved Habana’s proposed liquor licence.
Panel Approves First Step in Habana Outpost Expansion Plan [The Local] GMAP

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Kimchi Grill Finally Opens on Washington Ave. Today



Kimchi Grill, the brick and mortar location for the popular Kimchee Taco Truck, should open today. Plans have been in place for the restaurant since March of last year. Says the New York Times: “It’s up to [chef] Michael Calderon to cook the creative Korean fare: dishes like kimchi quesadillas, ssam buns with spicy pork or beef, and barbecued beef burritos. The truck still runs.” Earlier this afternoon the paper was still up on the windows but a construction worker told us it should be open by 4 or 5pm. Let us know if you stop by and the place is ready for biz. GMAP Update: A tipster tells us: Kimchi Grill is open and delicious! Tacos were terrific, as expected. A bit bigger than the truck’s tacos. Menu was in three sections: Tacos, Burritos, Bowls, all with the following options: Grilled Korean BBQ Short Rib, Seared Spicy Pork, Korean Fried, Chicken, Tofu Edamame Falafel. An interior picture after the jump. (more…)

By Emily | | Comment

Open and Shut



Carroll Gardens
We noticed that the 16 Handles signage, which caused quite a stir in the neighborhood, was replaced with something less garish. But this signage looks temporary, so who knows! And Pardon Me for Asking wonders if Vinzee’s Magic Fountain, the burger joint on Court Street, is kaput. The hours were erratic and now neighbors noticed its not open at all.

Park Slope
The expansion of Zito’s Sandwich Shop is confirmed for the Coney Island Boardwalk! Here’s Park Slope talked to the owner, who signed a three year lease to open a 140-square-foot sandwich stand right near Luna Park, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Flea favorite People’s Pops opened its brick and mortar storefront at 808 Union Street with five types of ice pops and two shave ice flavors on hand. The Pink Berry construction site on 7th Avenue was slapped with a Stop Work Order. Happy Taco, at the intersection of Park, 7th, and Flatbush Avenue, was shuttered by the DOH. Grab Specialty foods opened with a new name (The Plougman) and new management. And Casa Ventura opened in a (possibly cursed) storefront on the corner of 7th Avenue and 3rd Street. Here’s Park Slope gave the place a thumbs up: “Judging by the food, decor, and service, all signs point to us having a real winner on our hands here.”

Elsewhere
Ditmas Park Corner notes that Lark Cafe will move into 1007 Church Avenue (next to the AM Thai Bistro) and serve Stumptown coffee, pastries, sandwiches, soups, and salads come June. Lost City reports good news that Leske’s Bakery, the last Scandinavian bake shop in Bay Ridge that closed last year, will reopen in the same location this month. Greenwood Heights residents worry about the massive beer garden under construction on 7th Avenue. The joint has not applied for a liquor licence from the Community Board yet. The cursed storefront corner of Dumbo which once housed Choice and The Gallery is now Dumbo Kitchen. It serves pizza and sandwiches. Carol’s Daughters, a successful bath and body shop from Fort Greene, closed its flagship location at 1 South Elliott Place. Says Patch: “The closure marked the departure of a key black-owned and operated business from the traditionally African-American brownstone-lined streets of Fort Greene.” And Eater wonders if popular Spanish chef Jose Andres is planning a restaurant somewhere in Brooklyn.

By Emily | | Comment