Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

Closing: Donuts Coffee Shop
“The much loved Donuts Coffee Shop on Fifth Avenue at Union in Park Slope is in its final days. Its space will soon be consumed by the Associated Supermarket next door, along with the storefront that had been occupied by the shuttered Beso…It’s due to close by the end of December.” [Gowanus Lounge]

Now Open: IHOP in Downtown Brooklyn
276 Livingston Street (Corner of Bond Street)
“An anticipated International House of Pancakes that opened in downtown Brooklyn to a swarm of hungry flapjack fanatics Tuesday is owned by a hip-hop producer behind Foxy Brown and Mary J. Blige… As lunchtime crowds converged into the 4,900-square-foot batter behemoth, all but a few customers left happy, with some predicting the area’s newest addition would soon compete with Junior’s and other local standbys.” [NY Daily News]

Another Opening: Peter’s Since 1969
168 Bedford Avenue (North Seventh Street), Williamsburg; (718) 388-2811
“A former butcher shop has been turned into a bistro that cooks chickens on a French rotisserie. Other dishes are macaroni and cheese, corn bread, yellow rice, and even sausage and sauerkraut stew. You may bring your own wine and beer.” [NY Times]

Chowhounders debate the best burgers in Park Slope, Gothamist reveals big plans for Sweet Melissa, and the Times hits up Radegast Hall and Biergarten…

Big Plans for Melissa Murphy
Sweet Melissa already has three locations in Park Slope and Carroll Gardens, and Executive Chef Melissa Murphy has plans to expand: “I am at this very moment negotiating a warehouse space in the neighborhood where I will relocate my Central production kitchen. It is 6200 square feet; we currently have about 1000 square feet. The new space has room for offices and enormous production capabilities. I want to maximize the stores that I have (we are adding a beer and wine license to both locations, and are creating a menu that compliments that)… All of this is being done so we can move forward with opening more stores when the time is right.” [Gothamist]

Park Slope’s Best Burger?
Chowhounders have been debating this topic for years, and one recent comment says: “This is the GOLDEN AGE for Hamburgers on Fifth Avenue in Park Slope; some day our children, and our children’s children, will long discuss the unsurpassed burger delights on this famed avenue, long after these restaurants have been replaced by banks.” Favorite burgers include those served at 200 Fifth, Bonnie’s Grill, Blue Ribbon, Cocotte, Belleville, and Stone Park Cafe.

Plenty o’ Beer at Radegast Hall and Biergarten
113 North Third Street (Berry Street), Williamsburg; (718) 963-3973
“There are 13 varieties on tap — all available by the pint ($7), liter ($13) and pitcher ($18) — and dozens more in bottles ($6 to $9). If you’re hankering for domestic beer this isn’t the spot, but the list has plenty of easy-drinking European selections, be they Czech (like BrouCzech), German (Gaffel Kölsch, anyone?) or Austrian (why drink wasser when you can drink Gösser?)” [NY Times]

Photo by Nate Kensinger