The Beginning of the Williamsburg Dining Scene
“This latest, most delicious chapter in Williamsburg’s history began in the early 1990s, as artists in search of large, cheap loft spaces near Manhattan continued to colonize the neighborhood’s abandoned industrial spaces. Two friends, Mark Firth and Andrew Tarlow, bought a rundown 1920s diner just down the street from Peter Luger and, in 1998, installed…
“This latest, most delicious chapter in Williamsburg’s history began in the early 1990s, as artists in search of large, cheap loft spaces near Manhattan continued to colonize the neighborhood’s abandoned industrial spaces. Two friends, Mark Firth and Andrew Tarlow, bought a rundown 1920s diner just down the street from Peter Luger and, in 1998, installed a neighborhood bistro. In a burst of imagination, they named it Diner. “I don’t think we had any grand vision of changing the neighborhood,” says Tarlow, who then lived in a 6,000-square-foot loft for which he paid less than $2,000 per month. (Just before the current recession hit, local real estate had been selling for $1,000 per square foot.) “You could stand outside the restaurant in those days and not see a single person walk by. But we fed the neighborhood—all these people like us who lived in lofts without kitchens.””
— “A Scene Grows in Brooklyn,” Bon Appetit, May 2009, Photo by roboppy
Will try Oak, thanks.
My current favorites:
*Walter Food
*Bacci & Abracci (pasta, pizza, salad — not entrees — the brunch egg and bacon pizza is great)
*El Almacen — unbelievable spinach salad, short rib, churros con chocolate
*Superior (except it’s impossibly crowded)
*Taco Bite if you want something cheap, has green salad, margaritas, awesome al pastor burrito
*Aurora for brunch
And I suppose these don’t really count but:
*Enid’s for brunch, best huevos rancheros I ever had
*Northeast Kingdom
Agree, Rye is very pretty. I’m afraid to try it given my experience with Dressler. Don’t know who Diner hires but the Dumont group hires a lot of local artisans.
Anyone been to the Arepa bar on Grand? Any good?
A friend of mine has been talking about motorino. I will give it a go.
wine lover – do you know if motorino delivers?
Currently Fornino is my go to pizzaria but won’t deliver past Union Ave.
King – you must try motorino – graham @ devoe. it’s being written about nationally. i read about it in GQ actually. it’s terrific.
Wine Lover-
I loved Walter Foods. I have been twice. Both times really impressed! Great Drink and great food. I suppose I could consider that to be part of my short list.
Stopped into Rye the other night. didn’t eat, just wanted to scope the menu/interior and I had a great cocktail at the bar. the folks working were really nice and the menu looked great. Looking forward to giving it a try.
I have never had brunch at Dumont. Maybe I will give it a try this weekend. I love the backyard there. Also, I have walked by Oak several times and have been curious. Thanks for the recommendations!
you know, when it comes to pizza I can’t help but hop on the L, take it one stop and go to Luzzos on First Avenue. Nothing I have had is as good. I just love that place!
My Moon be da bomb! Ga go back.
***Bid half off peak comps***
here=hear
Heather, a lot of people were living in work-only spaces back then, hence NO KITCHENS. But I here you about the “movement”. It is more like a monopoly.
mopar, you described my impression of Dressler to the T.
In fact I’m surprised at how many new, potentially delicious restaurants have the salt problem.
One important aspect of Diner and their ilk is the decor/ambiance. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I understand that they don’t use outside help for design; they do everything themselves. I think this adds another level of originality and authority to their gastronomic mini-empire (diner, marlow, bonita).
I’ve mentioned this place before, but the one restaurant i really miss is Paloma’s, which was in Greenpoint and shut down due to a fire. They were as good as Marlow, and occasionally better/more daring. I hope, pray, wish they get their place back on track.