The first ever Bushwick Restaurant Week spotlighted 35 bars and restaurants in the quickly-gentrifying neighborhood where a new establishment seems to open every week.
The promotion — which ran from June 17 through 22 — was more informal than other restaurant weeks hosted around the city. Instead of a set prix fix meal, the deal was a standard 15 percent off the bill. However, many businesses signed up at the last minute and offered different deals. But that’s okay with Bob Murray, who organized the event.
“We wanted participation,” he said. “That was our main goal.”
Murray, the co-owner of Bushwick-based NFA Catering, decided the area needed an event after Bushwick spots were left off of Dine in Brooklyn, a borough-wide restaurant week in March promoted by Borough President Markowitz.
“I’ve lived here for six years and seen a lot of great changes in Bushwick,” said Murray. “It seems like that change has been overlooked.”
Evergreen, a new ice cream shop that opened on Evergreen Avenue in April, saw its best sales week yet.
“Normally, our busy times are weekends and evenings,” said Evergreen owner Francisco Garcia. “This week, we’d had consistent traffic all day.”
But other places did not feel much of an effect.
“Honestly, it’s been the usual crowd,” said Ian Cronin, co-owner of Skytown, a bar and restaurant that opened on Broadway last year. “I don’t think I’ve been present for anyone getting any of the deals.”
Reach reporter Danielle Furfaro at dfurfaro@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2511. Follow her at twitter.com/DanielleFurfaro.
