You can count on one hand the number of
inexpensive little diners – once called luncheonettes, then coffee
shops – left in Brooklyn neighborhoods. In Windsor Terrace, there
isn’t a single place near Fort Hamilton Parkway that fits that
description.
The Regan family – Joe, his sister Margaret and brother Bill
– are 30-year residents of Windsor Terrace who longed for a comfortable,
old-fashioned place where local families could sit down to a
good, inexpensive meal. In June, Margaret and Joe opened Windsor
House Cafe, and the 22-seat eatery has been receiving "great
word of mouth," says Joe.
Pull a chair up to a Formica table, and Joe will scramble some
eggs for you – not too dry with unbeatable, crusty-topped home
fries. And he pours a good, strong cup of coffee, too.
Want a burger? Eileen, Joe’s other sister, will serve you one
made from beef that Joe purchases at the United Meat Market –
a terrific butcher in the neighborhood – that will only cost
you $4. (A bacon and chedder burger is pictured at left.)
For dinner, Joe, who also owns Windsor Catering, serves specials
that really are special. There’s a pan-seared fish of the day;
a roasted pork loin or a roasted chicken with red skinned mashed
potatoes and fresh spinach sauteed with garlic.
Many of the desserts, like a toasted poundcake topped with ice
cream, are housemade.
The Regans don’t have a liquor license, but diners are encouraged
to bring their own bottles.
"We have nice crystal goblets for wine, and we don’t charge
a corkage fee," says Joe. "But we do ask that patrons
be nice to the waitresses."
Windsor House Cafe (3019 Fort Hamilton Parkway between East Second
and East Third streets) accepts American Express, Diners Club,
Discover, MasterCard and Visa. Entrees: $8-$13. The restaurant
serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday,
and closes at 5 pm on Sundays. Closed Mondays. For more information,
call (718) 972-3444.
