It’s been a yummy week. Here are our tastiest morsels of restaurant openings, closings and, of course, some really good gossip:
• Empire building: In the ever expanding empire that is Roberta’s, a full-scale bread bakery now joins a radio station and a greenhouse in the backyard of the Bushwick pizzeria. Once fully operational, the bakery, built in a shipping container, will churn out up to 1,000 loaves a day. Word is the pizzeria also has plans for banquet hall space next door.
• Beer and taco update: Park Slope’s former Cattyshack space on Fourth Avenue is getting a makeover. Last night, Michael Winsch of the Bowery Ballroom had a “friends and family” opening for Rock Shop, a quasi-sports bar that will eventually host live bands (and serve bar food!) as well. Meanwhile, Smith Street’s Oaxaca has stealthily opened a second location across the street, dishing tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and tortas ’til late in a small, 18-seat space. The menu is the same as Oaxaca senior, and lucky for us, so is the BYOB policy.
Open in Greenpoint: Milk & Roses Bistro has opened Manhattan Avenue, dishing up Italian café fare in a gorgeous, sun-splashed space. We’re guessing the sprawling garden and BYOB status (for now, anyway) will be a big hit.
• Vanderbilt on the rise: Prospect Heights is going country — owners of neighborhood staple Beast plan to open a new country-themed bar called the Branded Cattle Saloon at Bergen Street. The bar is slated to open sometime in the vaguely near future and, reportedly will dish out food, too.
• Out with the old: Court Street’s vacant Tea Lounge may be sorely missed, but Cobble Hill residents can soon move on when Karloff, a new eastern European cafe, opens shop in the space. The menu is slated to include latkas, pierogies and, for that authentic Brooklyn touch, a juice bar. We like the name Karloff for the way it inspires us to say, “Mwwwaaaaah!” like a vampire through the newsroom.
• For the love of blog: A Brooklyn Heights resident has launched a blog for broken hearted cooking enthusiasts. So if happen to be a recently single Cassanova of the kitchen, head to the Breakup Cookbook, and learn, “catharsis through cooking.”
• La Viva Mexican: Cinco de Mayo may be in the past, but who says the party is over? New Mexican eatery Vamos Al Tequila has moved onto Franking Avenue at Kent Street in Greenpoint and plans to open May 9. Shots all around!
• Panic in Park Slope: Park Slope beer haven The Gate has been closed for a few days now, but fret not craft beer lovers — the bar is merely closed for repairs.
• Papa Gino: Gino’s Pizzeria in Prospect Lefferts Garden has opened a sit-down Italian restaurant called Gino’s Trattoria Bar and Restaurant in the ’hood, but to mixed reviews. One downside? Apparently water comes in plastic water bottles and the service is a little lacking.