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Is the mystique of Brooklyn finally getting squelched? Not long after Brian Williams poked fun at the New York Time’s obsession with Brooklyn, food writer Mimi Sheraton shares these choice words with Capital New York:

I’m from Brooklyn, but it would take a lot to get me there for dinner. When Lundy’s was Lundy’s, I’d be there. When Gargiulo’s was Gargiulo’s, I went. I certainly went to Gage and Tollner. There were one-of-a-kind things there, but so far anywhere I’ve been to there has not been worth the trip from Manhattan. I haven’t been to Al di la, because you have to wait on line, and I’m not going to Brooklyn to wait on line. Not when there are 10 good Italian restaurants in Greenwich Village. The Times has certainly been very exaggerated in its Brooklyn coverage, because most of them live there. They begin to see it as being better than it is because it’s so close to them. I would go to Brooklyn if it were exceptional.

Chow Time: Mimi Sheraton on What’s Changed Since Lutece [Capital via Eater NY]
Photo by kathyylchan


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  1. No, in Center City and Carversville (5 miles north of New Hope).

    Osteria is part of the Vetri (most expensive)/Osteria/Amis family. They are all really great.

    Philly magazine just came out with the top 50 list and I largely agree. I think Le Virtu (pastas rival those of vetri) is incredible. Bibou is an exceptional experience and a BYOB (that takes reservations.)

  2. What I like about Brooklyn restaurants compared to manhattan’s are the service and the prices. Those restaurants she mentions are like 10-40 years old in regards to popularity, so it makes me think she doesn’t really come here enough to know what she is talking about. Personally, I like the vibe at places like Prime Meats or Char 4. Places that are willing to serve food that is fresh, original, maybe even local.

  3. This reminds of when everyone was scared of going to Fire Island and/or didn’t think it was up to par to the Hamptons and then the recession hit and you see all the once wanna-be hamptonites flock to FI and now it’s the place to be. I’m all for visitors to Bklyn but for the naysayers and people with negative ‘tudes, keep them in Manhattan. More room for me at al di la.

    Dave, don’t you live in New Hope? New Hope has some nice restaurants but do you actually drive 30 minutes to Philly? just curious bc I try to get my husband to go to osteria in philly but we never get around to it (we’re usually visiting his fam)

  4. By ymbpoy on January 4, 2011 4:10 PM

    Uh, they have a wine bar around the corner where you can wait.

    The idea is that it’s a nice restaurant with an expensive menu and you shouldn’t have to wait. I know it’s a rather outdated concept and one largely comprehended by older people

  5. “I’m not going to Brooklyn to wait on line.”

    I couldn’t agree more, and I’m from Brooklyn, too.

    **

    “the version of Brooklyn that the Times raves over is pretty much the same one that is depicted (and marketed) on Brownstoner.”

    Indeed.

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BFC Partners, the developer of the new building at 150 Myrtle Avenue (and a Brownstoner advertiser as of today), is courting Apple to locate its first Brooklyn store on the ground floor, said partner Joseph Ferrara. The tower is expected to be finished Spring 2009. “Aesthetically, I think our building really does fit their design guidelines,” he said, adding that he just put a call out to the company but hasn’t heard a response. Otherwise, Ferrara is thinking some type of organic market and deli. CRES Chief Executive Chris Havens said Apple is having a hard time finding the perfect Brooklyn location, not wanting to make its grand entrance in the average shopping mall cubby. What do you think, would Toren (rendered out the wazoo above) make a suitable throne?
SOM-designed Toren About to Hit the Market [Brownstoner]


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