Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

Photo by dumbonyc

Now Open: Marrakesh Express
68 Jay Street, Dumbo, (866) 919-2775
Well, this is confusing. Despite the fact that its namesake city is in Morocco, the new Marrakesh Express restaurant in Dumbo is actually serving Indian and American fare. Their menu includes lamb tikka masala, a chicken cordon bleu sandwich, and saag paneer, but there aren’t any tagines or couscous dishes here. Is there another Marrakesh in India, or did they design the awning first and then change their mind about the cuisine they’d be serving? Whatever the case may be, one comment at Dumbo NYC describes their lunch buffet as “pretty yummy.”

Now Open: Red Deli
Clinton Street at Verandah Place, Cobble Hill; no phone yet
“This casual delicatessen from chef and restaurateur Charlie Statelman (Wombat, Patois) and partner Matthew Murphy opens next door to their recently revamped Café on Clinton. The mostly takeout spot, which thrived as a deli for the past 20 years under different ownership, will offer house-made charcuterie along with grab-and-go items like fried chicken.” [Time Out New York]

Closed: Cocotte
337 5th Avenue at 4th Street, Park Slope
“The French restaurant, while marginal on the grander scheme of New York dining, did seem to have a faithful brunch following and more than a few fans of its ‘farmhouse vibe.’ But nevertheless, place has closed for reasons undisclosed.” [Eater]

After the jump: Clinton Hill Blog wonders how Restaurant New Orleans stays open, out-of-borough wines wear Brooklyn labels, and Chowhounders discuss the best butchers in Brooklyn…

What’s Up With Restaurant New Orleans?
747 Fulton Street (between Elliott Place and Oxford Street); (718) 596-6333
Clinton Hill Blog reports on a mess of a meal at Restaurant New Orleans. During a recent weekend visit, the place out of most of their side dishes and a “problem with the shrimp” made it impossible to serve menu items like gumbo and shrimp cocktail: “How the place stays in business was the biggest question – its been there since we moved to the neighborhood I think. The food we did get was very good, but it just seemed like such a haphazard business that it was surprising that it was able to stay open.” Has anybody else had a similar experience there?

Brooklyn Labels on Non-Resident Wines
“Brooklyn Oenology sells a well-made merlot ($18) and a crisply fruity chardonnay ($15), made by Premium Wine of Long Island…At Brooklyn Wine, the Feliz white, mainly sauvignon blanc, is light ($11.95); the red is a hefty blend of zinfandel, barbera and syrah ($13.95). Grand Army Meritage, a mix of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc ($25.95), is more polished… But these wines aren’t true New Yorkers: they are made in California. Bridge Vineyards in Peconic, N.Y., has a line of red, white and rosé wines (each $12) whose bottles show the bridge.” [NY Times]

Got Meat?
Chowhounders are talking about the best butchers in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, as well as in Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill.