Received this email from a reader:
I thought you might like to know that Cafe Martino might not make it. I had dinner in there tonight and chatted with Martin who runs the restaurant and he mentioned another couple months and he may have to close up. After 2 years, it seems like they are still struggling to bring enough business in. It’s a shame, it’s one of my favorites in the neighborhood, good food and totally reasonably priced. There’s a new retail place opening up next door which could help, but without support from the locals I don’t think they’ll last. Maybe you could post something and encourage a visit.
I admit, I’ve never tried it myself! Now’s the time.
UPDATE: Sorry! Cafe Martino is located at 559 Myrtle bt Emerson and Classon!
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24 Comments
Where is this?
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve EVER been to a restaurant where the owners are nicer or warmer or more welcoming than Martino. From the first time I went there the owners introduced themselves and made an effort to get to know us.
I’ve heard Martin say that times have been tough for several months now, but I’d be heartbroken if they actually closed up shop. I complain bitterly about the lack of good and capable restaurants in this neighborhood, it’d be a shame if one that actually deserves to survive couldn’t pull it off.
Try their Cubano – it’s unlike any Cuban sandwich that I’ve ever had and it’s 500% more delicious! The missus loves their eggs and cheese on a crisp toasted baguette.
Save Martino!!!
I thought for sure they’d have no problems considering how close they are to Pratt. Where the heck do the students eat?
It really is great. Super-nice guy.
I have also really enjoyed the food at Cafe Martino on several occassions. But, I admit, I’ve heard Martin telling the same story almost every time I’ve been in over the past several months. I think that business could be better if they extended their hours a little bit. I’ve made the trek out that direction on several weekday mornings hoping for a nice, non-Connecticut Muffin red-eye only to find it closed well past the posted store opening hours and, I believe this is still the case, they close at 6 pm thus cutting off both breakfast and dinner patrons. It seems that they are trying to make the business work by only servicing those in the neighborhood who are out and around between 9-6. That said, the food and coffee are delicious…I just wish they’d stop complaining and step it up a bit!
I would encourage anyone in the neighborhood to check out Martino. It really is a cut above and good value too.
After reading this my husband and I went and had late lunch there which was good. They are super nice and hoping to go back to watch some Futbol Argentina.
Did Brown Betty Cafe go out of business? My comp was down so if this topic was covered I obviously missed it.
Does anyone know if the deliver?
Ugh. Just tried to post a comment and messed up. Anyways, the gist of it was that I really love this place and would be bummed if it goes. My husband and I were talking about what a nice atmosphere it is — good music, cute but not over-designed, relaxing, etc. We ate there this week and not only took advantage of happy hour ($3.50 beer/wine/’champagne until 8pm!) but I had the citrus roasted chicken which was roasted and then stewed with veggies and was incredibly delicious. I brought the leftovers for lunch to work today and co-workers were duly impressed with the tiny tastes I gave them. Plus, I had the ‘bagel ranchero’ the other weekend and it was oddly satisfying. Yum.
Cafe Martino rocks! He’s been trying to make it for a while and I am quite sure that if he could extend his hours without going deeper into the hole he would. But as you can see, the surrounding area is still pretty run down and those condos aren’t going to be finished for a while. But at least while he’s there, please give Cafe Martino a try! I love the waffles with fresh fruit.
Anyone know if they deliver?
I have never tried this place, the outside doesn’t appeal to me but maybe looks are decieving . Cant understand why it is not doing well since the raves on the blog are too incredible.
Sounds like it should be a goldmine considering it around the corner from Pratt and a few blocks away from Fort Greene prime. The Pillow Cafe & Castro’s seem to do a very good business & are only 1 1/2 blocks away
If the food is so great and the owner so welcoming then what is the problem? I know I’d walk an extra 2 blocks for food that was as incredible as everyone is saying
I will have to give it a try & report back
PS- I think Brown Betty’s is closed – tried the tel# and it is disconnected
no, they dont deliver.
before martino there was a small bar there, before that there was a cafe. both place (same space) was owned and runned by a french man, Alex. He didn’t make with either place. It was very hard for him to let go, but he had no choice after 4-5 yrs of trying. He sold it to TIno (Tino left Martino a few months ago) and Martin. They are having very similar issues. That block is just still not that busy. Pratt students go to Choice bc of the large selection or to Pillow and mike’s. Square Root opened on the corner from Martino, and now they have to split the little business thats on that block. Apparently Square Root is offering 2 (TWO) glasses of wine (FREE) with brunch which seems a bit desperate… although i think people try anything to stay in business or to promote it.
The guys there are great whenever I’ve stopped in. Very friendly, good coffee and they have football (aka soccer) on the telly.
We’ll go for dinner there tonight since we were planning on heading out anyway.
Square root only been opened 2-3 weeks ago so dont think that is the problem of months of bad business.
Also, I think the 2 glasses of wine has to do with their not having their wine license and not wanting to do BYOB- which is what I was told last weekend
Speaking of liquor licenses why doesnt Tamboril have theirs yet? I know it takes a few months but they have that beautiful bar and no liquore lincese for what 6-8 months?
It just tried to post & my computer went down
So if this post 2x >>>> sorry
I think the fact that the other owner Tino left a while ago – tells you the state of the business. You don’t walk away from an investment unless it’s only draining more money & time
Also the new place on the corner- Square Root- is only open like 2-3 weeks – so cant have that much impact , plus there is also Ruthie’s which is across the street and has been open for 1-2 years and Ruthie’s has 2 restaurants – take out & sit down
I think Square Root doesn’t have its wine license yet and they don’t want to do BYOB – so they have to give it away or at least that is what I was told last weekend when I went
Speaking of Liquor licenses , whats up with Tamboril, they have that beautiful long bar & loungy area and are still BYOB. I belive it takes a few months for licenses but isn’t it like 8-9 months now
I think the fact that the other owner Tino left a while ago – tells you the state of the business. You don’t walk away from an investment unless it’s only draining more money & time
Also the new place on the corner- Square Root- is only open like 2-3 weeks – so cant have that much impact , plus there is also Ruthie’s which is across the street and has been open for 1-2 years and Ruthie’s has 2 restaurants – take out & sit down
I think Square Root doesn’t have its wine license yet and they don’t want to do BYOB – so they have to give it away or at least that is what I was told last weekend when I went
Speaking of Liquor licenses , whats up with Tamboril, they have that beautiful long bar & loungy area and are still BYOB. I belive it takes a few months for licenses but isn’t it like 8-9 months now
Thank You
It just tried to post & my computer went down
So if this post 2x >>>> sorry
I think the fact that the other owner Tino left a while ago – tells you the state of the business. You don’t walk away from an investment unless it’s only draining more money & time
Also the new place on the corner- Square Root- is only open like 2-3 weeks – so cant have that much impact , plus there is also Ruthie’s which is across the street and has been open for 1-2 years and Ruthie’s has 2 restaurants – take out & sit down
I think Square Root doesn’t have its wine license yet and they don’t want to do BYOB – so they have to give it away or at least that is what I was told last weekend when I went
Speaking of Liquor licenses , whats up with Tamboril, they have that beautiful long bar & loungy area and are still BYOB. I belive it takes a few months for licenses but isn’t it like 8-9 months now
I’ve only been there twice but I loved it immediately. And it’s actually affordable! After the first dinner, I said, “Could we move closer?” I wanted to go there every day for happy hour. But I haven’t, because it is a bit of a hike from Clinton Ave., especially in the cold. If he moved into the old Cellars space, I’d never leave! But I’ll do my best to go there & bring people in the coming weeks.
Never been to this place but tried it today
Honestly food was ok but from all these posts was expecting Heaven on a stick. Owner was friendly but honestly food is about the same as the other places on Myrtle, Pillow, maggie browns, etc. But maybe his cooks have read this posting + their minds are on finding new jobs rather then cooking
I think that new place on the corner is offering free wine because they dont have their liquor license yet and cant sell it during the brunch
Speaking of not having a liquor license whats up with Tamboril they have a beautiful long bar with nice lounge but still BYOB. This is another place that is always empty/semi empty.
What the heck is happening with Cellars? What a waste of a good space!
So we did go for dinner last night and after the service we received I can understand why the place is struggling. Whomever owns the place should sack the server we had. He was clueless. C-l-u-e-l-e-s-s.
A room needs a dynamic personality, not a showman, but someone who makes you feel welcome and who gives you the impression that you will be taken care of.
Or at least a server who understand that when a customer says “No, I’m finished as I’m saving room for a brownie” that the customer is finished eating and would like some dessert.
After our dining experience last night we won’t be going back for dinner. That saddens me because the person who works during the day (I assume he’s the owner) is brilliant. Heck even if I haven’t been for a while to get coffee he’ll say “hello” when I walk by with the dogs.
However if he wants to survive he needs to replace his evening wait staff.
Please someone do something with Cellar’s!
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