In this week’s gossip: Williamsburg’s lousy tippers are under fire, Bay Ridge gets bagels, and more French in Cobble Hill:
Celebrate this: One of our favorite summer traditions is to pack a picnic and smuggle a few bottles of wine into the annual Celebrate Brooklyn concerts at the Prospect Park Bandshell. This year, we might have to carry a little cash and grab some grub from the event’s newest vendor; the Farm on Adderly. Although no menu has been set, Chef Tom Kierney is sure to bring seasonal, carefully sourced fare to the series under the stars (although we’ll probably still smuggle in that wine).
Tres Jolie: After playing home to Banania, Carniceria, and most recently, Porchetta, 241 Smith St. is going Francais. Brownstoner got the inside scoop that Jolie, the popular Atlantic Avenue bistro, is relocating into the (some would say cursed) corner of Douglass Street.
A whole Lot sweeter: Lot 2 has scored a culinary coup. According to Grub Street, Jennifer Shelbo, a former pastry chef at Maialino and Per Se, is now offering up sweet counterparts to the South Slope restaurant’s rustic, family fare. Read: classy updates on kitschy faves like s’mores and bread pudding!
Taco-see ya: The old Taqueria Reis location on Fifth Avenue between Fifth and Sixth Streets is getting new life as a dumpling house, reports Here’s Park Slope. Dumplings and Things will offer steamed bun sandwiches, noodle soups, and of course, anything that can be stuffed into a wonton skin.
Oy vey ist schmear: Bagel Schmagel, the name of Bay Ridge’s new haven for morning commuters, may sound gimmicky, but it’s the kooky cream cheese that’s luring ’em in. Toppings like fresh berries, lox, cheddar and bacon or olive and pimiento are mixed in right before your eyes, Cold Stone Creamery-style. Schticky, yes, but only a schmendrick would kvetch.
The shame game: Time to pay up, Williamsburg! Gawker first spread the word of a new blog, 15percent.tumblr.com, that points the finger at lousy neighborhood tippers. “This is for all the people who have been handed $80 on a $78 order and told keep the change,” writes site administrator, and local deliveryman, Larry Fox. Bet you’ll think twice before calling in for pizza.
No ‘Fare’: The oft celebrated 20-course gastronomical “experience” that is the Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare is jacking up prices in order to slow demand, reports the blog thepricehike.com. Although any clamoring foodie committed enough to schedule a reservation months in advance and shell over $165 in the first place probably isn’t going to be deterred by an extra 20 spot. Perhaps said foodie will just have to write more articles to make up the difference.
