Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up
Photo by Melissa Hom Now Open: Walter Foods 253 Grand Street, Williamsburg Grub Street takes a look inside this new Williamsburg spot, which officially opened yesterday: “The green leather banquettes, dark bar, and exposed beams are well suited to Danny Minch’s classic cocktail menu, but are the heavy tones more ‘midtown manly’ than ‘Williamsburg casual’?”…
Photo by Melissa Hom
Now Open: Walter Foods
253 Grand Street, Williamsburg
Grub Street takes a look inside this new Williamsburg spot, which officially opened yesterday: “The green leather banquettes, dark bar, and exposed beams are well suited to Danny Minch’s classic cocktail menu, but are the heavy tones more ‘midtown manly’ than ‘Williamsburg casual’?”
Char No. 4: An Early Review
196 Smith Street between Warren and Baltic
“We had some drinks at the bar and ordered a few dishes; sliced steak w/ potatoes (meh), a ham plate w. fig jam (tasty), and clams w corn & bacon (winner). They serve brunch, and from the looks of its menu, that’s the real draw. The place has a great decor, and the staff were very friendly. Only downside is that it literally smells like charred wood inside; to the point where I had to wash my clothes when I got home.” [Chowhound]
New Cheap Eats: Dawg Shack
252 4th Avenue at President Street; (718) 855-0757
“Prices are reasonable: $1.75 for a plain one, $2 for a sauerkrat and onion-topped New York dog, $3 for a onion, lettuce, tomato and pickle-topped Chicago dog, $3 for an onion, ketchup, mustard and jalepeno-topped California dog, $3 for a bacon, cheese, mushroom and barbecue sauce-topped Texas dog, and $2.50 for a chili dog, plus an extra .25 cents for cheese. There’s also burgers, Italian sausage, and basic breakfast and lunch sandwiches.” [A Brooklyn Life]
After the jump: A new bistro for Park Slope, a new look for an old diner, antojitos in Williamsburg, vegan eats in Remsen Village, reviews, and more…
Coming Soon: Bussaco
833 Union Street at Seventh Avenue, Park Slope; (718) 857-8828
The NY Times says it’s set to open on Friday, and Time Out New York offers some details: “Sommelier-turned-restaurateur Scott Carney (Gotham Bar & Grill) brings a bistro embellished with homegrown oak salvaged from Prospect Park to the Slope. Matthew Schaefer (Le Bernardin) is in the kitchen, turning out entrées including slow-roasted pork with hominy succotash.”
Re-Opening Soon: Kellogg’s Diner
518 Metropolitan Avenue at Union Avenue; (718) 782-4502
Eater says that the owner of Kellogg’s Diner was telling a NY Times reporter the “incredible” story “of how the owners decided to update the diner instead of giving into pressure from the developers building all around and above them,” while one of Eater’s special correspondents snapped some photos of the newly transformed interior: “As for the reno, the place looks cleaner, more inviting, has a bar next to the counter, will feature a menu from a new chef, and what we’ve all been waiting for…it will open its doors on October 6.”
Quick Bites
CHOW’s Outer Borough Digest hunts for antojitos in Williamsburg… Cuny Queen checks out Steve & Sons Bakery, a vegan Caribbean restaurant in Remsen Village… Eater shares reports on Five Leaves… Time Out New York hits up the Bubby’s Pie Social… And Eat It gives Bar Tabac a rave review.
The Dawg Shack is on 3rd Avenue and Union, not 4th Avenue. I haven’t tried it, either, not being a hot dog consumer, but it looks cute.
Being able to tolerate or enjoy the smell at Char No.4 is a matter of preference. I tend to have no tolerance for smoke, but this didn’t bother me, and was more like being near a nice wood-burning fire. It added to the coziness for me. The food and service were top-notch as well, so I found it worth it. I mean, they cure their own bacon – that’s enough for me! For photos, go to: http://eatbrooklynfood.blogspot.com/2008/09/char-no4.html
i went to Walter Foods to meet some people, so I didn’t eat there, but thought the placed looked great. also, really liked the music. I didn’t however care for the lighting or the music. It was far too bright, and they were playing intrusive out of date music that i found hard to ignore.
of those two negatives, the lighting was worse for me. Unless they dim the the lights, I can’t imagine actually going to eat there. i would consider going there to eat outside when they finish the backyard though.
Have walked past Char a few times and has been pretty crowded, so it must have something going for it besides a great decor.
I apologize then.
You should do PR for this place, then!
That was a rave, if I’ve ever heard one.
actually I have no connection. I live in williamsburg and have rated all the restaurants ever mentioned on this blog that are located there that I have eaten at. I was excited about my meal last night. That is why I left a good review. I think all four other people who were with me last night would agree with my review. We all really liked it. I don’t have the guts to own a restaurant.
Thanks for the recommendation king of the burg, I mean owner of Walter Foods!!!!
Lord, could you be any more transparent?!
Ate at Walter Foods last night. It is my new favorite place in the neighborhood. A simple menu, executed perfectly. Started with three different types of oysters. All were great. Got the steak and it was perfectly cooked, accented nicely with horseradish. I also had a lobster club sandwich. Good God I hope they are open for lunch. Service was very attentive and accommodating. Do not miss this place!
we walked into Char last weekend and had to walk right out, the smell was just too strong.