Crown Heights/PLG: Openings

CROWN HEIGHTS/PROSPECT HEIGHTS/PLG – It’s restaurant season and here’s what’s opening in Crown Heights, Prospect Heights and PLG.

GRUIT GARDEN & BEER

After seven years, Gruit Garden & Eatery replaces the old Toomey’s Diner at 252 Empire Blvd. at Rogers Ave. Toomey’s, a neighborhood favorite closed its doors in 2013 after serving Brooklyn residents for more than 40 years.

The full-kosher menu boasts a host of beer options, matched with stuffed cabbage, breaded Wienerschnitzel and hoisin brick steak.  The restaurant seats 75 inside with booth seating (like the Toomey’s) and a seven-seat bar. Another 100 can sit in the adjacent patio closed off from a vacant lot with horizontal wood panels.

LA NAPA

In February, Bklyner told you about the new tapas restaurant coming to Crown Heights. Well, it’s here. La Napa opened in May. This is Chef Francisco Anton’s second Brooklyn restaurant, the other in Bedford Stuyvesant. Check out the Venezuelan-style eatery at 656 Nostrand Avenue where Francisco is serving up Latin fusion bites including croquettes manchego and sticky pork ribs.

the BENJAMIN

It used to be the old Dudley’s Hair Salon. Now a new Southern eatery from a Jean-Georges alum has opened at 698 Nostrand Ave. between St. Marks Avenue & Prospect Place.  Expect fried chicken. Choose from an assortment of 15 wines in the roughly 50-seat eatery. This is a fine dining experience. Patrons are allowed to bring their own wine for a $25 corkage fee.

HYPE’S KITCHEN AND JUICE BAR

Social media celebrity turned standup comedian Majah Hype is now the co-owner of Hype’s Kitchen and Juice Bar, a Carribean eatery in the heart of PLG.  A month ago, droves of hungry fans came out to the May 4 grand opening at 589 Flatbush Avenue, including rappers Busta Rhymes and Safaree Samuels. Patrons who dine in are big fans of the Hennessey wings and chicken and waffles. Rasta pasta, oxtails, and jerk chicken top the list as popular take-out options.