The grand opening of Morton’s the Steakhouse last Thursday night was a venerable who’s who of Brooklyn royalty — and even Mayor Bloomberg made a rare appearance in the borough, acknowledging that it would be a mis-steak not to “meat” the new neighbors.
Other local celebs included Borough President Markowitz; Councilmen David Yassky (D–Brooklyn Heights) and Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge); acting Administrative Judge of Brooklyn’s state Supreme Court, Abe Gerges; Brooklyn Bridge Development Corporation president Regina Myer; and Downtown Brooklyn Partnership President Joe Chan.
“I’ve always said that Brooklyn is in the house, but thanks to Morton’s, we’re also in the porterhouse!” Markowitz said. Questioned on his way out on whether he’d had enough to eat, the food-loving Beep said, “I did it all for Brooklyn!”
Gerges, spotting a Brooklyn Paper reporter, was in good enough spirits to chide the reporter for a recent story about how virtually all of Gerges’s judges drive foreign cars.
“I’m checking everyone’s underwear to see if it’s Made in China,” Gerges said, all in good fun.
The restaurant is the first Morton’s in Brooklyn and 80th outpost in the chain. More than 60 percent of its 120-person staff is from Brooklyn, the owners said. The Brooklyn Paper staff has been covering this story from every angle, as you can see in this video podcast.
Morton’s the Steakhouse [339 Adams St., between Willoughby Street and the Myrtle Avenue promenade in Downtown, (718) 596-2700]. Hours: Monday–Friday, 11:30 am–2:30 pm and 5–11 pm; Saturday, 5–11 pm; Sunday, 5–10 pm. Special “Power Hours” at Bar 12-21, Monday–Friday, 5–6:30 pm and 9:30–11 pm. All major credit cards.
