Openings & Closings: No Names to New Names Edition
Welcome to the latest installment in openings, coming soon’s and closings across the borough. Check out spots form Sheepshead and Dyker Heights to Fort Greene, Park Slope, Crown Heights and beyond in no particular order.
Openings:
Zatar
On the corner of 8th Avenue and 12th Street
This new Park Slope spot is already becoming a hit amongst neighbors. Their menu features classic mezze like baba ganoush and hummus, as well as falafel, kebabs, and shawarma. This spot, open for two weeks, is the restaurant’s second location, as they are also stationed in Bushwick on Myrtle Avenue. Affecte Lounge
1715 Emmons Avenue (between Sheepshead Bay road and E 16th)
This Sheepshead Bay hookah lounge and restaurant opened on May 3rd, according to a spokesperson. They offer an extensive hookah program, as well as traditional bites like kebabs. According to their website, they “proudly make each and every dish on the menu from scratch”. Their Instagram showcases bellydancers, parties, and flaming dishes.
Zest Sushi Bar
176 Smith St (between Wycoff and Warren Street)
This new sushi spot is serving traditional rolls, noodles, and sashimi to the Cobble Hill community. They opened to the public on May 24th. Their website shows beautiful photos of mochi, fried shrimp, and avocado rolls. Las Chelitas
1712 13th Avenue (between 73rd and 74th Streets)
This Dyker Heights spot, open since May, is serving up Mexican fare like tacos, tres leches, and tostadas. A spokesperson for the restaurant described the food as “‘Mexican Urban Cuisine’ – because whenever possible their vendors are local businesses and farms that practice ‘environmentally sound agriculture and sustainable farming’”. You can find them and their colorful dishes on Instagram, @laschelitasbrooklyn.
Wise Bar and Grill
35 Neptune Avenue (between East 12th and East 14th)
This Sheepshead Bay spot, open since May 14th, has craft cocktails, food, and hookah. Their interior is decorated with graffiti art, plush booths, and moody lighting.
La Napa
656 Nostrand Avenue (between Bergen Street and St Marks Avenue)
This new spot, self-described as a “globally inspired tapas bar” has been serving members of the Crown Heights community since May. Their Insta (@la_napa_bk) shows clean, artful looking dishes in a sunny setting. The menu is alright with us – plenty to share and try, perfect for a night out with friends. You can read more about Chef Francisco Anton and his vision for the restaurant here.
View this post on Instagram
Endswell Bar and Bistro
773 Fulton Street, (between S Portland Ave and S Oxford St)
This new bar opened on May 2nd, according to their Insta, bringing new cocktails and a curated menu to Fort Greene. Their dinner menu features ambitious dishes such as Coquille St. Jacques, duck rillette, and pate. Endswell is also serving brunch. Their interior is a big perk- perfect for any Instagram feed.
Tony Lukes
6 Flatbush Avenue (between Nevins and Hanover streets)
The New York outpost of Philly’s famous Tony Lukes arrived in late March of this year. They are serving the traditional cheesesteak, as well as other sandwiches including an Italian hoagie and a chicken cheesesteak. The Juiice Box
852 Bushwick Ave (between Kossuth Pl & Stanhope St)
This Bushwick spot, open since May, is serving up custom and special recipe juices, smoothies, acai bowls, and salads. The sign on their small storefront reads “Made with Love”.Coming Soon:
Casa Azul
369 7th Avenue (corner of 11th street)
This forthcoming Park Slope spot is taking the former space of the famed Talde, which closed in 2019 after almost seven years. Their windows promise “modern Oaxacan cuisine”, but no update on when we will be able to try it. According to the liquor license application, discussed at the June 3 Community Board meeting, it will have 19 tables and a bar, much like Talde did. MADRE
214 Franklin Street (between Green and Huron Street)
No name yet
1715 Foster Avenue off of East 17th street.
the BENJAMIN the Ryerson
698 Nostrand Ave. (between St. Marks Avenue & Prospect Place)
It used to be the old Dudley’s Hair Salon. Then a new Southern eatery from a Jean-Georges alum the Benjamin was expected at 698 Nostrand Ave. between St. Marks Avenue & Prospect Place, offering fried chicken and fine dining in the roughly 50-seat eatery. Then a sudden name change. Opening this Friday. More to come.
Closing:
Mugs Alehouse
125 Bedford Ave (between N 10th and 11th)
Neighborhood classic, Mugs Alehouse, is
closing after over 26 years of serving up craft brews. Co-owner Ed Berestecki cited a changing Williamsburg and lack of time for the closing, saying “[The] neighborhood has changed, it’s just a bunch of different things that have just happened and it’s gotten to the point where I think we just don’t have enough in us to keep going, to make it better, and to keep going with it. It’s just become tough for us.” As of now, there are no plans for the relocation of Mugs Alehouse.