Fresh Produce, Cheese for Greene and Grand (Ah!)
The folks who brought salvation to Clinton Hillers last year in the form of espresso, pastries and prepared foods at Choice will be opening a new spot with complementary fare two blocks away in the former laundromat at 214 Greene Avenue. (Full Disclosure: Choice used to advertise on Brooklyn Record.) The lease started yesterday and…
The folks who brought salvation to Clinton Hillers last year in the form of espresso, pastries and prepared foods at Choice will be opening a new spot with complementary fare two blocks away in the former laundromat at 214 Greene Avenue. (Full Disclosure: Choice used to advertise on Brooklyn Record.) The lease started yesterday and we got a sneak peek at the space last night. Our first impression was that it was much bigger than we expected; our second impression was that they’ve got a lot of work to do. That said, the raw material is there: There’s an old tin ceiling that will add beaucoup d’ambience and a cute backyard. When it opens (hopefully by Labor Day), the as-yet-unnamed store will offer fresh local produce, lots of high-end cheeses and charcuterie, fresh cut flowers and a whole lot more. Still up for grabs is the former barbershop next door. GMAP
I don’t blame the employees as much as the system they have in place there. It seems that they could use an expediter between the counter people and the kitchen. It takes a person 5 minutes just to squeeze by in order to get to the back.
I agree that this place sounds great but these types of store always seem to have a rough go of it – Blue Apron & that place that was on Court Street by Kane for instance.
I’ve never found the staff at Choice rude; on the contrary they’re well intentioned and cheerful. I eat there at least weekly. But they are glacially slow. Certain times of the day, (weekends, for example) it’s not worth going if you’re actually hungry now. Their set-up is badly flawed. The person on the register should not be the same one scooping carrots and cutting slices of banana bread. What are they thinking?
But the food’s delicious and I think decent value for money given that it’s freshly made, with quality ingredients.
Prices permitting, I’ll be shopping at the new grocery but I hope they come up with a way to deal with the bottlenecks.
As for the naysayers, a visit to Choice any time of day proves it’s been embraced by the entire neighborhood. And the fact that people are willing to put up with the wait shows how much it was needed. All power to ’em.
You’re right, it is CH. I guess I was just wishful-thinking — I was picturing a different corner completely (one that is near my house). Like I said, wishful thinking.
But I don’t mind making the trek out there. What a great drag that Grand Ave is becoming.
It is Clinton Hill, isnt’t it?
I hope we can have something similar on Myrtle Ave soon.
OH MY FOOD GOD!!! I could not have prayed, sacrificed goats, or done a special dance for a better choice than . . . those people. They have phenomenal food. I don’t care that their staff is often lazy and/or plain stupid (sorry, just the facts).
Fort Greene is officially the best neighborhood in the tristate area.
Bring on the racist, anti-yuppie, simpleton diatribes. If this kind of news is your problem, you need to pick your head out of your butt.
WOO HOOO
Has anyone spoken to Tish James lately on her efforts with the Waverly/Fulton methadone clinic efforts?
really, get new business to Fulton!!! get the methadone clinic out!!!!!
Great news. Hopefully the same sort of thing will start happening more on Fulton Street in Clinton Hill. The Former Bodegas is going to be something per earlier posts and the new bank etc…
Bring on the bakeries and green grocers, more cafes and shops.
Any as for Choice, while it can be slow service, I’m always proud to bring friends there as the crowd is so diverse from a racial and age perspective – it’s really nice to see.
This is good news, but someone really needs to tell the folks at Choice that they need to improve their service. I think the food there is great, but not only does it take forever to get simple things (a salad from the fridge) the people who work there are kind of rude. I know they are French and all, and I don’t need a smiley “Have a Nice Day,” but at least an acknowledgment that I’m standing at the counter waiting for service.
I actually avoid the place on weekends because it’s so packed it’s impossible to get food or coffee.