Better rev up that appetite — it’s been a tasty few weeks in the county of Kings. Here’s the best of the borough’s openings, closings, and of course, restaurant rumors:
• Yes, more beer gardens for Williamsburg: Finally, North Brooklyn’s newest biergarten, Loreley Williamsburg, has opened, bringing traditional German grub and imported German brews to the borough — thankfully without dirndls, cuckoo clocks or yodeling. Next up, a former financier plans to open a Polish-style beer hall on N. Fourth Street called The Old Rooster later this month.
• Two is a trend: It appears antique shopping with your morning latte is all the rage — a few months after antique/coffee shop Crop to Cup Café opened in Brooklyn Heights, new spot Black Gold brings Carroll Gardens a record store, coffee shop and antique shop rolled into one.The best part? Snacks are from SCRATCHbread.
• Restaurant makeover: Park Slope’s favorite French bistro Moutarde has finally reopened, with a facelift. The eatery has been rechristened Moutarde — Le Bistro de la Rue and sports a more casual look along with a more affordable menu.
• Out with the old, in with the new: In record speed, Williamsburg’s former Flying Pig space has already become Miller’s Tavern, less than a month after the Argentinean steakhouse shut. The new eatery is a joint venture from the folks behind Graham Avenue’s Variety and Sel de Mer. Expect American bistro classics such as burgers and tuna tartare, plus all the right keywords — everything is organic and locally produced.
• Mexican for Franklin: Franklin Avenue is in for a treat — employees at ridiculously amazing Prospect Height’s Mexican spot Chavella’s confirmed that the restaurant’s owners are planning an eater for the corner of Sterling Street. The eatery will not be a second outpost of Chavella’s, but odds are it will be delicious.
• Plastic at Prime Meats: Shortly after New York Times food critic Sam Sifton criticized Carroll Garden’s Prime Meats for not accepting credit cards, the restaurant announced it would make the switch. Well, sort of — Prime Meats will now accept American Express only.
• Summer eats: One more to add to your list of places to eat and drink this summer — Ditmas Park’s Sycamore has converted its patio into a makeshift beer garden of sorts. Owners will be inviting guest breweries to the space on Saturdays and on Sundays folks can reserve space in the barbecue pit and bring their own meat. Just like camping!
• Coffee avenue: The Prospect Heights stretch of Washington Avenue will get its third coffee shop of the year when Coffee Bites opens at St. Johns Place. The shop should open late this month, touting Italian style espresso, fair trade coffee, and freshly baked croissants. Owner of Prospect Heights’ The Pulp and The Bean (of $10 coffee fame) tells us he may be looking at a second location on Washington as well, making the street a regular java strip.
• A sad closing: We’re sad to say that owing to rent issues, Prospect Heights staple Tavern on Dean will be shutting for good at the end of the month. Say your goodbyes at the eatery’s farewell block party on June 26.
• Habana hooligans: From the weird news department, in an effort to control apparent hooligans at Habana Outpost, the eatery is now charging the male segment of society a $10 cover charge on Friday and Saturday nights. The $10 bucks, though, is redeemable for food and beverages.
• Girl power: On June 22, Dressler pastry chef Dalia Jurgensen, Melanie Campbell of Asiadog, and seven other female chefs and mixologists will join forces to throw a cocktail party at Huckleberry Bar in celebration of French aperitif Lillet’s special summer label. Thirty greenbacks will nab you four food tastings and four Lillet cocktails.
• Bushwick rising: Early next month, Bushwick earns yet another watering hole — the Pine Box Rock Shop, named for the space’s former life as a casket manufacturer and the salvaged shipping pallets covering the walls. The bar will stock 16 beers on tap, but don’t expect any fussy charcuterie — the owners are vegan.
