Wednesday Food & Drink Round Up

Coming Soon: Top Chef Comfort Food in Clinton Hill
“A few weekends ago, I ran into Josie Smith-Malave, one-time Top Chef contestant and Clinton Hill regular, standing outside the in-the-works restaurant opening in the former bodega space on Waverly and Greene. She told me the space was slated to serve ‘global comfort food,’ and was aiming to be ‘a real neighborhood place — one you’ll eat at three times a week.’ Since then, there’s been a lot of activity. The newspapers are off the windows now, and I spotted some stuff being moved in on Friday night” [Clinton Hill Blog]

Now Open: Blue Marble in Boerum Hill
420 Atlantic Avenue, between Bond and Nevins Streets, 718-858-1100
“When Cobble Hillbilly Alexis Miesen couldn’t find a decent local scoop, she paired with friend Jennifer Dundas to open this ice-cream parlor. Look for eco-friendly details like biodegradable cups and utensils, with socially conscious flavors—like mint fair-trade-chocolate chip—to match.” [Time Out New York]

Now Open: Viva in Red Hook
116A Sullivan St., near Van Brunt St.
“It’s at the same location as the much missed Huipil. It bills itself as Tex Mex food but seemed a lot more authentic than your self-styled Tex Mex joint. Anyway, a similar vibe as Huipil, laid back but friendly service. We had flautas de pollo and enchiladas de suiza. Both great. Well portioned, fresh, homey. Best of all, our menus advertised a free margarita with any entree, so we each had an unexpected and very delicious margarita for lunch today.” [Chowhound]

After the jump: Zaytoons opens a third location in Prospect Heights, the Gourmet Kitchen and Carniceria close, and Ditmas Park Blog samples some secret eats.

Now Open: A Third Zaytoons Location in Prospect Heights
594 Vanderbilt Ave at St. Marks Ave, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (718-230-3200)
“Zaytoons Owners Faried Assad and Ahmad Samhan expand their Middle Eastern chainlet to a third Brooklyn location this week. Look out for a custom-made copper bread oven and a backyard garden prime for hookah puffing.” [Time Out New York]

Clinton Hill’s Gourmet Kitchen to Close on September 30
402 Myrtle Avenue, between Vanderbilt Avenue & Clinton Avenue, 718-643-9423
“Thirty years on Myrtle Ave, and just a few days left. The original rumor was that a high-end grocery store would be moving in.” [Clinton Hill Blog]

Carniceria Seems to be Closed for Good
241 Smith Street, 718-237-9100
“What happened to Carniceria, the Latin American steak place in the cursed location on Smith St., Brooklyn? Called Wednesday night to make a reservation for Thursday. No problem. Showed up last night, and it was a locked-up ghost town. Tables were set but no menus in the windows. No lights on. Nearby restaurant owners had no clue what happened. So what happened?” [EaterWire Inbox]

Secret Momos in Ditmas Park
Asian Grocery, Inc., 01510 Cortelyou Road, between Marlborough Road and 16th Street, 718-282-3750
“Based on a tip in the comments section about ‘the momos you have to ask for’ at the Nepalese bodega by the subway station, we swung by yesterday around 6 p.m. and asked for some. We have to admit we didn’t actually know what momos are, but the man behind the counter, after a brief consultation with someone he referred to as the ‘momo master’ (seriously), told us they’d be ready in 15 minutes… The momo, it emerges, is a steamed dumpling popular in Nepal, Tibet, and the region. The skin is thick and holds together a bit like pelmeni’s.” [Ditmas Park Blog]