Strongly Recommended: Prospect Heights Facebook Community Creates Their Own Virtual Restaurant Week

Ellie Plass -

Worried about the survival of their local restaurants, the Prospect Heights & Brooklyn Neighbors Facebook Group decided to take matters into their own hands. One of the members, Annette Oton, posted a “Virtual Restaurant Week” call last month, asking neighbors to first list their favorite dishes at local restaurants, and second commit to ordering something this weekend.

Oton, who owns Calabar Imports on Franklin Avenue, says that restaurants are important for the success of all businesses.

“If there are no restaurants, the businesses will suffer,” she said, adding that the neighborhood groups often don’t lead to any real action. “People talk about loving Main Street, loving their neighborhood. It’s a conversation, but there’s no follow up as to actively going out.”

Neighbors came out in droves to recommend their favorites, with many spots and specific dishes getting multiple shout-outs.

“I second this,” was a common response, as well as things like “Amazing! That’s my dinner sorted, thanks!”.

Oton now lives in Jersey City and supports local restaurants every chance she gets.

“I’ve been in business about 16 years. [Just] because I don’t live here doesn’t mean that I don’t take responsibility for the neighborhoods that I’d decided to place my businesses in,” she said.

Her favorite picks for the restaurant week? The Islands, on Washington Avenue, and Chavela’s.

Take a page from our Prospect Heights neighbors’ book and try one of their recommendations below, hand-picked by those who love and live in the neighborhood.

  • Queso fundido or mole enchiladas from Chavela’s, located at 736 Franklin Avenue, between Sterling and Park places.
  • Chicken dinner or broccoli sandwich from Lincoln Station, located at 409 Lincoln Place, between Washington and Classon avenues.
  • Nachos from Gueros, located at 605 Prospect Place, between Franklin and Classon avenues.
  • The gemelli pasta, lumache pasta, or little gem salad, (“and honestly everything else”) from Fausto, located at 348 Flatbush Avenue, between St. Johns and Sterling places.
  • Kale salad sandwich, or egg sandwich from R & D Foods, located at 602 Vanderbilt between St. Marks Avenue and Prospect Place.
  • Jerk chicken, calypso shrimp, or curry shrimp from The Islands, located at 671 Washington Avenue, between St. Marks Avenue and Prospect Place.
  • Tortilla soup, huevos ahogados con espinaca, fish tacos, or guacamole from Citrico, located at 681 Washington Avenue, between St. Marks Avenue and Prospect Place.
  • Breakfast Sandwiches, pistachio croissants, or spicy ricotta toast from Ciao, Gloria, located at 550 Vanderbilt Avenue, between Pacific and Dean streets.
  • Pretzels with mustard sauce or cocktails to-go from Bearded Lady, located at 686A Washington Avenue, between St. Marks Avenue and Prospect Place.
  • Mini omakase from Sushi Lin, located at 335 Flatbush Avenue, between Prospect and Park places.
  • Lamb burger, zucchini croquettes, or chicken souvlaki from Underhill, located at 760 Dean Street, between Vanderbilt and Washington avenues.
  • Plum chicken or lime beef stew from Sofreh, located at 75 St. Marks Avenue, between Flatbush and Carlton avenues.
  • Chicken tikka, samosa, or “pretty much everything” from Nimbooda, located at 664 Washington Avenue, between Bergen Street and St. Marks Avenue.
  • Spicy tuna cup from Silver Rice, located at 638 Park Place, between Franklin and Classon avenues.
  • Oven-roasted chicken, shawarma fries, spinach pie, falafel sandwich, or stuffed cabbage from Zaytoons, located at 594 Vanderbilt Avenue, between Bergen Street and St. Marks Avenue.
  • Yellowtail jalapeño cucumber from Geido, located at 331 Flatbush Avenue, between Prospect and Park places.
  • Burger and fries from James, located at 605 Carlton Avenue, between St. Marks Avenue and Prospect Place.
  • Pumpkin (“or any”) patty, or pepper steak dinner from Natural Blend, located at 769A Washington Avenue, between Sterling and St. Johns places.
  • Padang curry and roti from Udom Thai, located at 661 Washington Avenue, between St. Marks Avenue and Prospect Place.
  • Burger or chicken liver from Sunshine Co., located at 780 Washington Avenue, between Park and Sterling places.
  • Tom Kha soup, salmon wrap, Asian shrimp bowl, nature vs nurture salad, scrambled egg sandwich, or pad see ew from Nourish, located at 637A Vanderbilt Avenue, between St. Marks Avenue and Prospect Place.
  • Gumbo, oysters, crawfish etouffee, or shrimp po’boys from Lowerline, located at 794 Washington Avenue, between Sterling and St. Johns Places.
  • Crispy Chicken sandwich, “the entire breakfast menu,” pancakes with berries, cheddar cheeseburger, or the Steve or Sophia sandwiches from Cheryl’s Global Soul, located at 236 Underhill Avenue, between St. Johns Place and N. Service Road.
  • Fried chicken sandwich from Sweet Chick, located at 341 Flatbush Avenue, between Prospect and Park places.
  • Calamari, spaghetti with meat sauce, and house salad from Cataldos, located at 554 Vanderbilt Avenue, between Dean and Bergen streets.
  • Korean fried chicken or kimchi griddle cake from Kimchi Grill, located at 766 Washington Avenue, between Park and Sterling places.
  • Super burrito with ranchero steak, black beans and Spanish rice (no lettuce) with a side of chipotle salsa and jalapeno peppers, the California burrito, or the naked burrito from Maya Taqueria, located at 637 Vanderbilt Avenue, between St. Marks Avenue and Prospect Place.
  • Brisket, queso, or bacon mac and cheese from Morgan’s Brooklyn BBQ, located at 267 Flatbush Avenue, between Bergen Street and St. Marks Avenue. Note: Morgan’s is temporarily closed due to a fire.
  • Kana moo grob or guay tiago yum from Look by Plant Love House, located at 622 Washington Avenue, between Pacific and Dean streets.
  • Carbonara pizza from Ogliastro, located at 784 Washington Avenue, between Sterling and St. Johns Place.
  • The deluxe falafel from Chick P, located at 490 Bergen Street, between 6th and Carlton avenues.
  • Lobster mac and cheese, kale crab rangoon, squash rings, carrot and clam crepe, baguettes (warm), or frozen yogurt from Olmstead, located at 659 Vanderbilt Avenue, between Prospect and Park places.
  • Tostadas or tortas from Mi Tierra, located at 732 Classon Avenue, between Prospect and Park places.
  • Banh Mi from Banh Mi Place, “the best banh mi in the city!”, located at 824 Washington Avenue, between St. Johns and Lincoln places.
  • Brunch, or chicken and waffles from Shane’s Brooklyn, located at 794 Washington Avenue, between Sterling and St. Johns places.
  • Burgers and draft beers from 99Rogers, located at 99 Rogers Avenue, between Prospect and Park places.
  • “All things Cajun” from Catfish, located at 1422 Bedford Avenue, between Prospect and Park places.
  • Coffee and books from Cafe con Libros, located at 724 Prospect Place, between Rogers and Nostrand avenues.
  • Steak tacos and margaritas from Alta Calidad, located at 552 Vanderbilt Avenue, between Dean and Bergen streets.
  • Chicken tikka masala, veggie samosas from Mumbai Place, located at 655 Vanderbilt Avenue #3829, between Prospect and Park places.
  • Bibimbap and a Southie, or sesame gnocchi and a White Tiger cocktail from White Tiger, located at 601 Vanderbilt Avenue, between Dean and Bergen streets.
  • Housemade “fish” sandwich and waffle fries from American Vegan, located at 612 Vanderbilt Avenue, between St. Marks Avenue and Prospect Place.
  • Breakfast burritos from Oxalis, located at 791 Washington Avenue, between St. Johns and Lincoln places.
  • Fish tacos from Nacho Macho Taco, located at 417 Prospect Place, between St. Marks Avenue and Prospect Place.
  • Drinks from BierWax, located at 556 Vanderbilt Avenue, between Dean and Bergen streets.
  • Olive bread from Leland Eating and Drinking House, located at 755 Dean Street, between Underhill and Vanderbilt avenues.
  • Carnitas Tacos or quesadillas from Mexicocina, located at 708 Washington Avenue, between St Marks Avenue and Prospect Place.
  • No-rush rum punch from Ode to Babel, located at 772 Dean St, between Underhill and Washington avenues.
  • Ramen, wings, or kale salad from Chuko, located at 565 Vanderbilt Avenue, between Pacific and Dean streets.
  • Drunken noodles from MISC, located at 758 Franklin Avenue, between Sterling and St. Johns places.
  • Pancakes, banana waffles, or tuna melt from Tom’s, located at 782 Washington Avenue, between Sterling and St. Johns places.
  • Cubano, yucca fries, or empanadas from Puerto Viejo, located at 838 Dean Street, between Grand and Washington avenues.
  • Diavola pie, carbonara pie, or $5 focaccia from Amorina Cucina Rustica, located at 624 Vanderbilt Avenue, between Prospect and Park places.
  • Salads from Milk Bar, located at 620 Vanderbilt Avenue, between St. Marks Avenue and Prospect Place.
  • Jerk chicken patties from Little Miss Muffin n Her Stuffin, located at 768 Washington Avenue, between Park and Sterling places.
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies from The Bakery on Bergen, located at 740 Bergen Street, between Washington and Underhill avenues.