Park Bagels: Six Months Out and Already a Neighborhood Staple

When Stefano Mannino came to Red Hook last winter to size up some for-sale kitchen equipment offered by the then going-out-of-business South Brooklyn Bagel Cafe at 75 Hamilton Avenue, he had no idea he was heading towards the resting place of his third Park Bagels branch. As soon as he saw the

incredible location and space left by the previous business, however, he signed on the dotted line and started to build.

And lucky for us: a little over six months after their opening day, the cafe is doing a roaring trade in fresh, made-to-order breakfast and lunch fare, provided by some of the friendliest people in the City.

The bagel cafe has become a go-to spot for the longshoreman who work the nearby Red Hook cargo docks (the only operational dock left in Brooklyn--all the rest are on the New Jersey side of the Hudson), locals and commuters on their way to and from work, moms, dads, caretakers and kids, as well as those of us who simply cannot resist a good bagel, sandwich or cup of coffee.

Stefano Mannino

Speaking of coffee, if you have already been here and you think their brew is something to rave about, you’re not the only one. “99% of people say our coffee is amazing”, says Stefano Mannino, owner, with the remaining 1% coming in on the “too strong” side of the tracks. Their sourcing team went through over 100 different brands before finding the perfect one, and have settled on a selection that will simply melt your soul. An easygoing $1.25 (plus tax = about $1.36) gets you a cup of regular coffee, and $2.00 will place a delicious, nutty, ka-powwwerlicious espresso into your hands.

All three Park Bagels locations were opened and are run by Mannino, with the help of his two brothers, Vinny and Frankie. Mannino opened his first cafe in 2004 on 86th Street in Brooklyn, and last May he cut the tape on a Staten Island location just a few steps from the Saint George Ferry Terminal.

Vinny Mannino

The Red Hook menu is still being finalized as they continue to take into account all the suggestions and requests being made by patrons, so keep an eye out for exciting new items. Recently added: french toast. They offer tofu cream cheese and soy milk for the dairy-averted, and are currently working on a couple of vegan dishes as well.

Plans are under way to revamp the two already well-used seating areas, and are projected to be ready for spring 2014. The aim, says Mannino, is to make the cafe and garden “more of a destination” with greenery, an inviting, open design, twinkling lights, and easy stroller access. Those with kids, take note!

Park Bagels

75 Hamilton Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11231

Hours:

M-F 6am-5pm

Sat 7am-3pm

Sun Closed

Informational Meeting about Rules and Regs for Bars and Restaurants

We love our local bars and restaurants, but living near a popular hangout can sometimes bring noise and other disturbances. Brooklyn Community Board 6 will host an informational meeting for Columbia Street Waterfront District residents on Monday night at the 76th Precinct. In an effort to better understand the rules and regulations governing restaurants and bars in our districts, representatives from the 76th Police Precinct will be on hand to answer any questions in respect to noise and other related issues. 

DATE: Monday, November 18, 2013
TIME: 7:00 pm
PLACE: 76th Police Precinct, 191 Union Street (between Henry and Hicks Streets)

"New" Bagel Spot on Hamilton Ave

The coming soon is here tomorrow! We welcome the "New" Park Bagels at 75 Hamilton Ave (between Summit Street & Van Brunt) - home of the former South Brooklyn Bagel Cafe. It has been a little while coming, but they open tomorrow. Congrats and welcome!

HOME/MADE Damaged in Fire

We were sorry to hear about last week's fire at HOME/MADE on Van Brunt Street. It's a lovely little place and it is run by nice folks who contribute a lot to the Red Hook community. Thankfully no one was hurt, the damage was minor and they think they will only be closed for a couple weeks while they repair the damage. Want to help out? The Red Hook Economic Development Corporation newsletter reported that we can make an online donation at http://redhookcsa.com/2012/03/20/fire-at-homemade/. If you have questions or want to make a cash or check donation email amy.haimerl@gmail.com.

We hope they are back in action soon as we can't go too long without that grilled bread they do at brunch. So, so good...

Cora Dance announces Spring Swing Benefit Bash

SHANNON HUMMEL/CORA DANCE
ANNOUNCES OUR SPRING SWING BENEFIT BASH AND SILENT AUCTION AND
LAUNCHES A $100,000 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN!

Benefit Date: Saturday, May 7 at 7pm

Cora, which includes the professional company, Shannon Hummel/Cora Dance, and the educational outgrowth of that company, Cora School for Dance will be kicking off a $100,000 capital campaign in support of our new spaces and expanded programs at SPRING SWING, Cora's 14th Annual Benefit Bash and Silent Auction. Spring Swing will take place on Saturday, May 7 at 7pm on the rooftop of Rocky Sullivan's Bar and Restaurant, 34 Van Dyke Street at the corner of Dwight Street in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The evening will feature catered food by Daniel Eardley/Knife for Hire (former head chef of Chestnut); neighborhood favorite The Good Fork (head chef, Sohui Kim); and many others. The night includes a silent auction, presentation for benefit honorees Donna Costello and Sara Coffey, and swinging french dance hall music by Primitivo.

Tickets for the Bash are sliding scale ($20-$100), and can be purchased at the door or in advance by visiting www.coradance.org. Those purchasing $100 tickets in advance are invited to a VIP champagne swing dance lesson at 6:30pm. Funds raised from the benefit go toward the recent expansion and relocation to 1500 square feet of studio and office spaces in Red Hook Brooklyn that will serve as home to the professional company Shannon Hummel/Cora Dance and the pay-what-you-can programs of the Cora School in Red Hook.

Valentine's Day at Lilla!

AMUSE BOUCHE

Blue Point Oysters

on the ½ shell w/ mignonette

SALAD CHOICE OF:

Kale Salad

w/ marsala raisins, toasted pecans, & pecorino in a warm balsamic vinaigrette

Blood Orange Salad w/ fennel, olives, & arugula

Roasted Cardoons

in baked gratin w/ kalamata olives, confit garlic, breadcrumbs, & feta

MIDCOURSE

Beet & Ricotta Ravioli

handmade pasta filled w/ roasted beets, ricotta cheese, & pine nut pesto

ENTRÉE CHOICE OF:

Skate Meuniere pan roasted w/ rice pilaf capers, & roasted carrots

Braised Beef Short Ribs w/ roasted brussel sprouts & mashed yukons

Cornish Hen w/cornbread & andouille stuffing w/ braised kale

DESSERT CHOICE OF:

Queen of Sheba frozen chocolate mousse cake with toasted pecans

Warm Bread Pudding w/ crème anglaise

Ricotta Cheesecake w/ hot caramel

Taking reservations for two seatings at 6:30 & 8:30

****Menu is subject to change****

45.00 per person

Lilla is located at 126 Union street

Call 718.855.5700 for reservation

Thanksgiving To-Go at Lilla Cafe

Not feeling up to the Thanksgiving food planning craziness? Well Lilla Cafe has come up with a perfect solution: Thanksgiving To-Go.
They will be accepting orders until Tuesday, November 23rd and you can pick-up Thanksgiving morning from 9 am to noon (delivery provided upon request).

Here is the menu:
Butternut squash soup
Bib lettuce, orange and fennel salad
Southern cornbread stuffing
Fresh citrus cranberry sauce
Fall vegetables including cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and turnips
Whipped Idaho potatoes with giblet gravy
Pumpkin, apple and sweet potato pie
Homemade rolls and cornbread

$30 per person (3 person minimum)

Lilla Cafe is located at 126 Union Street
718 855 5700

I love Bacon at Home/Made - Nov 9th - 6 to 8pm

Join Author Jayne Rockmill and participating chefs as they celebrate the release of the I Love Bacon book!

About the book: "In "I Love Bacon," Jayne Rockmill presents more than 50 bacon-themed recipes from some of America's hottest chefs--from Cat Cora to Rick Tramonto, Ming Tsai, Jasper White, Andy Husbands and Joe Yonan, Pichet Ong, Bradford Thompson, John Besh, and many others--along with mouthwatering photography.With instructions on how to make bacon from scratch and how to feature bacon in brunch dishes, small bites, soups, salads, sides, entrees, and even cocktails and desserts, this full-color cookbook proves that bacon isn't just for breakfast anymore."

Tantalizing recipes, including two from Monica are included in this tasty compilation of bacon exploration.

Proceeds from the sale of the book go to great causes: Food Bank for New York City and Share Our Strength.


Home/Made
293 Van Brunt St.
Brooklyn, NY 11231
347-223-3135

The Good Fork celebrates Added Value

The hail storm on October 11th devastated much of The Red Hook Community Farm/Added Value's harvest and damaged the green house. The Good Fork restaurant in Red Hook is serving a special 4-course menu on Wednesday, November 3 to help raise money to rebuild Added Value.

Please check out this video for more information.

Halloween Costume Benefit at Hope & Anchor for Falconworks

A costumed party for ADULTS and a good cause, right here in Red Hook!

when: Sunday, October 31. 9pm until...
where: Hope & Anchor
what: Halloween Costume party; music all night, juke box karaoke, best costume prizes, raffle prizes
how much: $20 cover charge (going directly to Falconworks)

Sugar Lounge offering early breakfast on weekdays!

STARTING TODAY
on Columbia Street
COFFEE BAR SUGAR LOUNGE
Will be open from 7 AM every morning on Weekdays

Get your coffee on the way to work or enjoy it at COFFEE BAR SUGAR lounge
with FREE WIFI

SPECIAL OFFER FOR OPENING WEEK
This week buy any pastry and get one regular coffee free!

The Sugar Lounge is at
147 A Columbia Street
between Kane and Degraw Street

Tel: 718-643 2880

Chef Alan Harding Dinner Party at Element - Saturday August 28th

Join Chef Alan Harding as he prepares a sumptuous 5 Course meal
for guests of the Element Dinner Party Series
on August 28th at 8pm!

Five course meal * $50 per person * Bring your own wine

MENU:

Amuse Bouche
pig in a blanket- Hoffman's of Syracuse Bratwurst
with Dijon Lentils & Frisee

1st Course
Greenmarket Gazpacho with Lemon Balm

2nd Course
Grilled Zucchini & Roasted Garlic Tian
with Warm Chevre and Basil Oil

3rd Course
Cured Morrocan Lemon marinated lamb with Fennel,
Cucumber & Cous Cous

Dessert
Vanilla & Star Anise poached peach with Local berries
and Sweet Cream Fraiche

Event Information:
Saturday, August 28th at 8:00pm
RSVP required by Thursday, August 26th

*Dinner to take place rain (indoors) or shine (outdoors)

Prepared by Chef Alan Harding

Element Natural Healing Arts
518 Henry Street @ Union St.
Brooklyn, NY 11231

Space is limited, call (718) 855-4850 to RSVP today!

Please note that there is no refund for cancellations made
with less than 5 days notice. All charges become final on
the evening of Monday, August 23rd."

Ice Cream Parlor to open at Lido location (plus a new American Bistro on Union!)

Ice Cream on Columbia!
We heard whispers a while back that the old Lido spot was to become an old fashioned ice cream parlor. Having never fully confirmed it or hearing nothing about it since, we never got around to posting it. Brownstoner decided to run with it however, posting about it yesterday with very little information. I guess we can assume at this point that it's true? Either way, we agree with Brownstoner's comment that they should hurry up and open before summer REALLY kicks in.

American Bistro on Union
While we're at it, those who read our twitter feed will also know about the American Bistro that will be opening up on Union in the old Korhogo space. Work has been happening in recent weeks, and we'll hopefully have some more updates about that soon.

Its always so exciting to have new businesses opening up!


Image above from Brownstoner.

Benefit for Truck Farm film at home/made 6/6

home/made and Wicked Delicate Films
present
"DRINK & THRIVE"

A spontaneous benefit for those who run
by the seat of their overalls! WHEN: Sunday, June 6 6pm until we sprout roots

WHERE: home/made
293 Van Brunt St. (between Pioneer & King St.)
Red Hook, Brooklyn 11231
347-223-4135

WHAT: Truck-Farm Screenings after dark in the garden
100% of special truck farm wines go toward the film completion!!

WHO: Everyone

WHY: Because this truck farm inspires and educates kids and adults alike.

TRUCK FARM - Episode 1 from Wicked Delicate Films on Vimeo.

---------------
More info about the truck farm project available at Wicked Delicate's site

A blog post with more pictures and video snippets is also available at Eat Me Daily

image above from Eat Me Daily

Coffee Den to change ownership!

The rumors have been confirmed! Jen, the current owner of the Coffee Den, has sold the business to the owner of the building and Neil from Petite Crevette. The plan is to keep it as a coffee shop in the daytime but to turn it into a wine bar at night.

This is definitely the end of an era. We've always enjoyed hanging out at the coffee shop with our sons, sipping coffee or tea while they play with the toys and books in the back. Jen has also been extremely supportive of community events, donating coffee ans snacks to numerous concerts and events at the Urban Meadow and Mother Cabrini Park.

We sincerely hope that the new owners are going to offer as much of a cozy feel as has been provided at the Coffee Den under the ownership of Jen and her family. We are also looking forward to the exciting news of nighttime hours and wine!

5 Burro Cafe coming to Pit Stop space

Alternate post title: Petanque exchanges pastis for margaritas as the drink of choice

A while back we reported that a Mexican restaurant would be moving into the Pit Stop space, which has now been confirmed by New York Magazine's Grub St. blog. NY Mag reports the good news that it won't be just any Mexican joint, but will in fact be a satellite location for 5 Burro Cafe, a very popular Mexican restaurant in Queens.

The article says that the 5 Burro owners plan to keep the petanque courts, possibly expand the outdoor space, and will offer many of the same items as the Queens location, as well as some items unique to the Brooklyn location.

TWOCS: Pit Stop to Become Mexican Restaurant
NY Mag: 5 Burro Cafe Coming to Red Hook?
NY Mag: Confirmed: 5 Burro Cafe Will Open Outdoor Margarita Spot in Red Hook

Image of Pit Stop backyard from NY Mag

Fultummys International Sandwich Cafe coming to Columbia St soon!

We heard from the owner of this space a while back that the new tenant would be offering some sort of Asian cuisine. In the months since, we've also heard murmurs of an "international sandwich cafe."

Well today, the new sign is up on what used to be the Piccolo Cafe space, and it reads Fultummys. A quick search on the internet brought us to their facebook page, which confirms the description of International Sandwich Cafe (see flyer/logos below). The facebook page also mentions that they've been working on entirely redoing the space (see image below) and that they hope to be open as early as this week!

We're hoping some Vietnamese Sandwiches will be among the options! Its also so exciting to see something new opening up in light of recent losses.

Remodeling and flyer images from the Fultummy's facebook page.

Anselmo's closes

Just less then a year ago, there was much excitement over the new coal oven pizza place on Van Brunt called Anselmo's. Now, after a very short time being open, the restaurant has closed due to reported issues with the landlord.

Brownstoner has some extra info, but the info posted directly to the Anselmo's website is the most telling. Check it out here.

Its sad to see another business close - and their pizza was quite good - but thankfully we still have the excellent and longstanding House of Pizza and Calzones further North on Union st.

Image from Brownstoner

Calexico needs a "Lil' Help"

Our favorite local Burrito joint Calexico needs a little help to win a competition. Please head over to the City Max Homepreneur's contest site here and for details and vote for Jesse Vendley and the Taco Bros @CityMax via twitter.

Red's Tapas Bar closed / Pit Stop to become Mexican Restaurant

Red's Tapas Bar closed
I spoke to Rishi, the owner of Red's Tapas bar, briefly tonight and he confirmed that the restaurant is now closed for good. He will continue to run his catering busines out of a kitchen on Commerce St. in Red Hook, so we will be posting details about that soon. This is another big loss for the neighborhood. Even though the restaurant was only open about a year and a half, it was great food, a great space, and an important piece in the diverse selection of food in the neighborhood. No word yet on what will become of the space

Pit Stop to become Mexican Restaurant
We received an email from Laurent, the former owner of Pit Stop, and he has confirmed that the new owner of the space will be opening a Mexican restaurant. It will probably take some time for this to open, as they plan to do a lot of renovations. This will be the third Mexican related restaurant directly in the Columbia St. waterfront, joining the likes of Alma and Calexico. It will be interesting to see what they bring to the table that differs from the others - and how they utilize that great backyard space.