A reader tipped me off to a new bar on Greene and Fulton, immediately behind the subway entrance. This corner has been boarded up for ages, and I would have never thought to look there (good eye, Maggie).
A peek inside revealed a long bar and what looked like a missing back wall leading to a giant outdoor space! I can’t imagine it’ll stay like this, but who knows.
This ends up being one of many examples where I’ve been clueless. And hey, with all the good stuff going on in CH these days, I don’t need to wander too deep into Fort Greene! (Hello, great Saturday night at Bar Olivino with neighbors last weekend!)
NY Mag had the scoop ages ago, followed by B’stoner (and who knows who else).
I smell potential.
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25 Comments
I walked by one evening and met the owner/chef who was very welcoming. This spot should do really well do the the subway and foot traffic in the area;expect a september grand opening!
In the immortal words of oneonetwotwoone on Brownstoner’s posting:
“there’s something about this place i don’t like already, and it smacks of smug, “upmarket” pretense.”
Perfectly said, no? I walked by with Cynthia a few weeks back, and we both were totally unimpressed. There was some sort of a gathering of who I assume were the owners/investors/designers/etc, and they seemed so darn proud of themselves, for bringing “sophistication” and “culture” to distant Brooklyn.
Anybody stop to think about all the vermin that will be gathering for a late-night, post-subway meal?
No, Christine Marinoni, I don’t think that was perfectly said. I find it judgmental and annoying. I am tired of reading postings on this blog from people complaining about restaurants before they are even open (and therefore are not expressing a thoughtful opinion based on the merits). In particular, I find your presumptive comments regarding the alleged “thoughts” on the minds of the individuals you observed at the private gathering (“they seemed so darn proud of themselves, for bringing “sophistication” and “culture” to distant Brooklyn”) patently offensive. Certainly no one is forcing you to frequent this establishment, so don’t. If you think you could do a better job then the existing owners, then put your money where your mouth is and open a restaurant yourself. Opinions being what they are on this blog, I bet there will be people who don’t like your restaurant, either.
Hear hear bec.
Good luck to this place. Judging from where the owner/chef worked before, it should hopefully be good.
Another bar, especially one with outdoor space, would be a great addition to the neighborhood. I hope they make a go of it. It seems that previous businesses have had a tough time in this spot, but a bar might draw people in more than other things have.
Oops… I wasn’t reading carefully enough. A bar/ restaurant, with hopefully good food, sounds even better.
This used to be a community church. I am glad that it is being put to good use now. Best of luck to the new restaurant!
Thaddeus, so when it was a community church it wasn’t being put to good use?
that block and others nearby are swarming with rats. g’luck chuck.
I agree with waiting until a joint opens up to critique it.
I don’t think this was a church. Next door, to the left was a storefront type church and has been boarded up for a few years now. For a period of time this was some sort of medical office I think, then vacant for a few years.
Oh, give me a flippin’ break! I don’t think there’s a single thing wrong with expressing an opinion about a vibe or attitude from the creative team behind a new restaurant before it opens.
(Sure, I do think there’s a problem with critiquing food before you’ve eaten it – that’s not giving them a fair, fightin’ chance. But to say that the attitude you got from the owners was that they thought they were saving all of us Brooklynites from our unsophisticated selves, or that the place looks pretentious and likely packed with vermin, given the location – that’s totally fair game.)
I gotta tell ya, Bec – I found your comment more judgmental and annoying. But maybe I’m just unaware of your title as Queen of All Things Thoughtful?
ahhh, making friends:)
Christine, bec was right. you should keep quiet and wait to judge until the place opens. get a full view and then spew your garbage.
Christine Marinoni, I may have been less annoyed with your “expressing an opinion about a vibe or attitude from the creative team behind a new restaurant before it opens” if I had thought your opinion hadn’t been both rash and unsubstantiated.
By your own admission, you did not have any interaction with the individuals inside the restaurant space. You “walked by” and “there was some sort of a gathering” of people inside that you “assume[d]” were “owners/investors/designers/etc” and made a judgment that you were “unimpressed” with the restaurant (that isn’t even finished yet, let alone open) as well as that you knew what the individuals inside were thinking.
The tone of your post smacked of negativity, which I found judgmental and annoying when it was based, admittedly, on so few bona fide facts. In contrast, my opinion and reaction to your post was a considered and thoughtful expression of my reaction to your behavior. It was critical, as I intended it to be.
Overall, you seemed to have missed the points of my original post (though other readers, based on their responses, seemed to have grasped them): (1) I find the persistent negativity and presumptive judgments about yet-to-open establishments expressed in the comments posted on this blog (of which you were one) annoying, (2) save the critiques (about both the restaurant as well as any owners/investors/designers, etc.) for when the restaurant opens and you are able to share an actual experience with us.
Thank you for complimenting my aptitude for thoughtfulness. I think thoughtfulness can often be overlooked or forgotten. It certainly couldn’t hurt if people exercised thoughtful behavior more often.
Christine Marinoni: did you ever think they were “so darned proud of themseleves” for opening a new restaurant? Did you actually converse with them or just judge from afar? I suppose the comment on Brownstoner was a friend of yours and you’d prefer to see a boarded up building.
Christine – get over it. I mean, what would you rather go in that space, or should it of been left boarded up? Since that helps everyone in the neighborhood. Should a dunkin donuts or a ben and jerry’s of gone in there?
I am so glad to see this neighborhood booming!!! Anyone check out the frozen yogurt place on Fulton yet?
somebody needs to tell ms marconi that ft. greene was lost to smug upmarket pretense some time ago.
Jimmy Legs & Christine: you both think Fort Greene is “smug upmarket”? What are you talking about and do you even know or bother to talk to those that you are so judgemental of?
Cant we all just get along???!!!
Agreeing with Bec and JD on this one! I think the place looks great and can’t wait for it to open. Anyone know when it opens???
I passed by a few days ago and it looked like they were interviewing for staff, so I’d guess it opens soon.
I went to the fro-yo joint on Friday night after squeezing into Habana for a few drinks. Twas OK; although I paid $4 for what amounted to a pretty paltry serving of blueberry yogurt. A bit sugary I thought, but maybe you should take that with a grain of salt since I was drunk.
Also, good that the joint was still open (and busy!) at 10:45.
walked past it tonight, this place looks sick! the back(yard?) looks really nice.
You mean “sick” as in “rad” and “awesome,” right?
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