Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up
Trader Joe’s: Opening Next Friday? 130 Court Street (at Atlantic Avenue) Lost City snapped some photos of the newly installed signage at Trader Joe’s and describes the scene: “Burly men were busy loading in boxes through the front entrance. Progress has been made, but a lot more must be done in the next two weeks…
Trader Joe’s: Opening Next Friday?
130 Court Street (at Atlantic Avenue)
Lost City snapped some photos of the newly installed signage at Trader Joe’s and describes the scene: “Burly men were busy loading in boxes through the front entrance. Progress has been made, but a lot more must be done in the next two weeks if the store is to open at the end of September as promised.” The Brooklyn Paper says they’re set to open next Friday, September 26.
James Scores One Star
605 Carlton Avenue (St. Marks Avenue), Prospect Heights; (718) 942-4255
“[Chef Bryan] Calvert owns and manages it with his wife, Deborah Williamson. They live in the apartment smack above the space it inhabits, which used to belong to Restaurant Sorrel. When Sorrel went out of business they pounced, recognizing an easy commute when they saw one… It’s an example of how quietly sophisticated the food at restaurants fashioned as affordable neighborhood bistros has become. No bigger, brasher restaurant around town served me an heirloom tomato salad this summer that I enjoyed any more than one at James.” [NY Times]
The Village Voice “Bagel Smackdown!”
The Voice‘s Sarah DiGregorio and Robert Sistema sampled bagels from Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan in hopes of finding the best in the city. They weren’t so impressed with Bagel Boy, which has locations in Bay Ridge and Sheepshead Bay, but Park Slope’s Bagel Hole got high marks — and won the prize for Best Pumpernickel Bagel.
After the jump: More Praise for La Superior, a status report on the Brooklyn Heights Gristedes, early reviews of No. 7, Nigerian in East New York, and more…
More Praise for La Superior
295 Berry Street (near S. 2nd Street), Williamsburg; (718) 388-5988
“[The] highlight of the menu is the stellar selection of delectable corn-masa-based snacks that Mexicans call antojitos, often embellished with chopped onions and cilantro, drizzled with crema, and served with one of two superb house salsas—a lively tomatillo and a spicier chile de árbol… The half-moon-shaped ‘street style’ quesadillas are a world apart from the typical gringoized versions; the masa crescents are small but substantial, stuffed with things like stewed chicken or poblano peppers and cheese.” [New York magazine]
Quick Bites
The Brooklyn Paper reports that the Brooklyn Heights Gristedes, which was gutted by a fire in April with reopen in mid-October and “will carry more organic and healthier foods, and have a larger produce section — but prices will stay low.” … The local paper also shares their favorite brunch spots … Fort Greene newbie No. 7 is getting some love on Chowhound … And ‘Hounds are also discussing Nigerian eats in East New York … Time Out New York says that Heath Ledger’s restaurant, FiveLeaves, will feature “marble tables etched by Brooklyn tattoo artist Scott Campbell” and some Australian eats, like a grass-fed burger served with beets, pineapple and a fried egg.
lambretta76, the American Beer Distributing Company at 256 Court St, south of Trader Joe’s, has a very good beer selection. Have you been there?
As I stood in the unbelievably long “express” line at TJ’s in Manhattan on Sunday, I thought to myself, ‘what a crappy shopping experience this is’. I’m hoping the Cobble Hill store doesn’t generate similar crowds (it DOES look a lot smaller, so it might), but it’s only 2 blocks from my place, so I’m sure I’ll be there. And, done with the other TJ forever, I hope.
Yup – no wine, and their beer license is pending, though I’m hoping they have a very nice selection.
http://nyc.everyblock.com/liquor-licenses/by-date/2008/7/24/1509196/
On a side note, their Vintage Ale is made by Unibroue, the fantastic Quebecois brewery that makes La Fin du Monde and Blanche de Chambly, among others.
Dave, you are on a roll today. I was secretly wondering the same thing about Babs.
jimdisc, thanks for the insight.
Like an grocery store in NYC, Trader Joe’s is not allowed to sell wine. That is why the wine shop at the 14th Street location is in a separate storefront. Should be some nice beer deals though.
babs…there’s a real low end liquor store on Fulton St with the bullet proof windows…just around the corner from the big limestone that you bought on Stuyvesant Ave.
You are Babs Corcoran, correct???
Babs, sadly, it will not, according to the Gothamist. I was very bummed to read this:
Now, the Brooklyn Paper reports it will be opening in the landmark Independence Bank building as soon as next week! September 26th, to be exact. “The supermarket will open at 9 am and the festivities will feature giveaways, live music,” and of course, more Markowitz. But be warned winos, this location at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Court Street will not have Two-Buck Chuck, or any wine at all.
Will Trader Joe’s have a wine store? I want to get my Three Buck Chuck in Brooklyn!
Bagel Hole? I just don’t get the lure of this place.