The Brooklyn Paper has been doing some excellent sleuthing on our area recently! Click here for the real story on what happened to Liquors. I still miss Bodegas the most. Yes, the staff was snail-like, but they made a mean burger. Looks like something's actually going on inside Liquor's right now:
I hope whatever it becomes, it will involve Bloody Marys in that gorgeous back yard.
April 2007 Events at Tillie’s Open Mic
4/12 4/26
Music
Friday, April 6th 8:30 p.m. The Fort Greene Trio Janis Russell, vocals Jeff Van Nostrand, keyboards Mike Weatherly, bass Cover: $5
A soulful sonic stew of musical influences that draws on jazz, blues, pop, gospel, early Americana and even nursery rhymes. Director of the Lafayette Inspirational Ensemble at Fort Greene’s Lafayette Presbyterian Church, Janis Russell has performed with Barry Harris, Clark Terry, and Taj Mahal. Jeff Van Nostrand’s career has ranged from playing banjo with the Rochester Philharmonic for composing for “As the World Turns.” Mike Weatherly is an in-demand bassist who plays everything from big band to Cajun to gypsy jazz.
Friday, April 20th 7:30 p.m. “Who Killed the Electric Car?”
Film screening sponsored by Common Sense Projects
An acclaimed exposé that chronicles the life and mysterious death of the GM EV1, this is a whodunnit about cars, the people who love them, the companies that build them and fuel them up, the governments that regulate them, and the fight for our future. The film has screened at this year's Sundance, San Francisco International, Tribeca, Seattle, and Los Angeles Film Festivals. Interviews include actors Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson, Alexandra Paul, Peter Horton, Phyllis Diller, Collette Divine, and J. Karen Thomas, as well as automakers, political leaders from the right and left, and writers, activists, engineers, inventors, and everyday people who what happened to the electric car. Nominated for the 2007 Documentary Screenplay Award by the Writers Guild of America.
No cover.
Friday, April 27th ElastiCity festival
7 p.m. Michael Maher, trumpet, with Zach Brock on violin and tuba
8:15 p.m. Brinsk, from Boston Noah Preminger, tenor Aaron Kruziki, alto Leftherios Kordis, keys Thor Thorvaldson, drums Aryeh Kobrinsky, bass
9:30 Josh Hinton’s Holus Bolus Jeremy Udden and Josh Sinton, saxophone Peter Bitenc, bass Mike Pride, drums
Cover: $5
For more information, see myspace.com/elasticity
Art
Boxes, Collages and Drawings
Diana Leidel
April 2nd – May 12th 2007
Diana Leidel, a Fort Greene resident, is an artist who has also been a longtime creative director in magazine publishing. She has been the recipient of numerous design awards for her work with Pointe magazine, Pilates Style magazine, and Dance Magazine, and has been a contributor to Graphic Design USA. She holds a BFA from The Cooper Union and an MA from New York University, where she also taught graphic design. Exhibitions include: Small Works 2006, Brooklyn Artists' Gym; A.I.R. Gallery Postcard Show 2006; Women's Studio Center 2006; International Signage Exhibition, The Art Directors Club of Chicago, 1978; Small Works, Washington Square East Galleries, New York University, 1977, 1978; Brooklyn Artists, The Brooklyn Museum, 1978; A.I.R. Gallery, New York; and Art Without Walls Gallery, Newark, New Jersey, 1977.
Diana describes the work in this exhibition as Non-Fiction Art, where the fictional world of the artist's mind meets the news of the real world. She combines words and statements from news stories with painting, collage and found containers to make wall-piece boxes. The pencil drawings are portraits of newsmakers, from chickens to health workers.
Reception 4/6/07 from 7 – 9 p.m.
It's that time of year again -- the perfect excuse to check out some of the many awesome restaurants in the area. Go back to your favorite place, or try something new. The price is $21.12 per person (not including drinks, tax and tip) Here's a list of all the establishments participating in our area:L = lunch D = dinner Chez Lola (D) 387 Myrtle Avenue 718-858-1484
Chez Oskar (D) 211 DeKalb Avenue 718-852-6250
Five Spot (D) 459 Myrtle Avenue 718-852-0202
iCi (L/D) 246 Dekalb Avenue 718-789-2778
June Restaurant (D) 229 Dekalb Avenue 718-222-1510
Junior's Restaurant (D) 386 Flatbush Avenue Extension 718-852-5257
Le Grand - Dakar Restaurant (L/D) 285 Grand Avenue 718-398-8900
Los Pollitos III (L/D) 499 Myrtle Avenue 718-636-6125
Loulou Restaurant (D) 222 DeKalb Avenue 718-246-0633
Luz Restaurant (D) 177 Vanderbilt Avenue 718-246-4000
Madiba Restaurant (L/D) 195 Dekalb Avenue 718-855-9190
Maggie Brown Restaurant (D) 455 Myrtle Avenue 718-643-7001
Mojito Cuban Cuisine (L/D) 82 Washington Avenue 718-797-3100
Mullanes (D) 71 Lafayette Avenue 718-797-7606
Olea Mediterranean Taverna (D) 171 Lafayette Avenue 718-643-7003
Scopello Ristorante Bar (D) 63 Lafayette Avenue 718-852-1100
Soule Restaurant (D) 920 Fulton Street 718-399-7200
Thomas Beisl (L) 25 Lafayette Avenue 718-222-5800
Veliis 773 Fulton Street 718-596-9070
...and 2 for $21.12 at:
RICE (2 for 1 L/D) 166 Dekalb Avenue 718-858-2700
The Smoke Joint (2 for 1 L/D) 87 South Elliot Place 718-797-1011
(The full list of participating Brooklyn restaurants is here.)
Some photos from Tillie's 10th Anniversary Party!
That cake looks amazing.
(Tillie's, DeKalb at Vanderbilt)
Blue Bass Vintage received a shout out in this week's Time Out NY, though it's listed under "Recently Opened." They actually opened six months ago! Also, isn't the G to Classon closer than Clinton-Washington?
Still, props for the listing.
Open Mic Thursday 3/1 3/15 3/29
Sign-up 8:30 p.m Performances 9:00 p.m. Host: Conquest Cover: $2
Salon Series
Wednesday, March 21st 7:30 p.m. Writing Aloud Reading Series Sponsored by the Fort Greene-based New York Writer’s Coalition In honor of Women’s History Month
Albyn Hall, author of THE RHYTHM OF THE ROAD, a novel Erica Simone Turnsipseed, author of A LOVE NOIRE, a novel Clarissa Cummings, host/curator
No cover
Music
Friday, March 16th Randal 8 p.m. Roland Fidezius, bass Peter Van Huffel, saxophone Jostein Gulbrandsen, guit Fred Kennedy, drums Composer and double bassist Fidezius, from Berlin, Germany, plays highly expressive, rhymically complex avant-jazz that “sound fresh despite its indebtedness to the downtown New York scene.” Time Out New York Cover: $5 Friday, March 23rd 8 p.m. Alex Heitlinger Group Jazz composer and trombonist whose debut DC “Green Light” featured pianist Art Lande and trumpeter Greg Gisbert with music described as both “melodic and sonorous, full of appealing hooks and rich harmonies.” In addition to working with his own band, Heitlinger also performs with many Cuban musicians. Cover: $5
Friday, March 30th ElastiCity festival Chamber Jazz Night
7 p.m. French horn player Dan Shaud and ensemble 8:15 p.m. Lily Maase Quartet Lily Maase, guitar Adam Kinner, saxophone Miles Perkins, bass Liam O’Neil, drums 9:30 p.m. Todd Sickafoose’s Blood Orange Cover: $5
Gowanus Lounge informed us that the new NYC Subway free condoms are completely unavailable in some Brooklyn zip codes! So, I've compiled a list of where to get your own in our nabe. I am pleased to find they are available in all three area zip codes!
11238:
Aphrika Hair Braiding 1259 Fulton St (bt Bedford and Nostrand)
Dominican Style Hair Salon 914-A Fulton St (bt Washington and St. James)
Kings/Queens Unisex Parlor 920 Fulton St (bt Washington and St. James)
Mega Dry Cleaners 916 Fulton St (bt Washington and St. James)
Respect for Life 932 Fulton St (bt Waverly and Washington)
11205:
Five Spot Soul Food 459 Myrtle Ave (at Washington)
Floyd 131 Atlantic Ave (near Henry St)
Luigi Pizzeria 326 DeKalb Ave (at Mary Pinkett Ave)
Mojito 275 Park Ave (on Washington bt Park and Flushing)
Pena 505 DeKalb Ave (bt Skillman and Franklin)
Reign 46 Washington Ave (bt Park and Flushing)
Sputnik 262 Taaffe Pl (bt DeKaln and Willoughby)
Tillie's 248 DeKalb Ave (at Vanderbilt)
11217:
Brawta Cafe 347 Atlantic Ave (at Hoyt)
Changing Faces Barber Salon 692 Fulton St (bt S Portland and S Oxford)
Greene Community Pharmacy 702 Fulton St (bt S Portland and S Oxford)
Moe's 80 Lafayette Ave (at S Portland)
Moshood African Clothing 698 Fulton St (bt S Portland and S Oxford)
New Directions Alcoholism and Substance Abuse 202-206 Flatbush Ave (bt Bergen and Dean)
Stonehome Wine Bar 87 Lafayette Ave (at S Portland)
11238 def wins the Weirdest Condom Venues Award -- a bunch of salons, something that sounds like a Pro-Life church and a dry cleaner.
Back in September, Jay and I attempted to try out a new cafe in Bed-Stuy called Head Over Heels Cafe. When we arrived at the alleged location, we couldn't find it. Now five months later, we found ourselves wandering one morning and decided to see if it was actually there. This is what we saw:
This "cafe" is allegedly located where that gate is pulled down and there is NO SIGN. The website's still up, and claims that they open at 10am. This photo was taken around 11:30 am on a Sunday morning.
Seriously, this is SO unprofessional! Even opening 10 minutes late isn't cool. That was my second attempt to check them out. NOT good business practice.
(Allegedly located at 525 DeKalb Ave.)
YES! Jay texted me Saturday morning to let me know BW was open for business, so we made plans to check it out first thing Sunday morning.
We arrived around 10am, so it was fairly quiet (with regular flow of patrons in and out). First impressions: good layout (register near the back, avoiding weird line congestion a la Bergen Bagel). Also, good selection of cream cheeses.
The guy in charge told us to check out the heated outdoor-ish back room, so we did.
Cool! Ample seating, and out of the way of other people in line and ordering.
Another bonus: TONS of pastries and cookies, in case you're not up for a bagel or sandwich.
Our order: I had a toasted sesame with olive cream cheese, and Jay had a toasted everything with regular cc.
Jay felt that Bagel World's (BW) bagels are better than Bergen Bagel (BB), but I myself prefer Bergen taste-wise (and I think Bergen has better olive cc). BW's bagels were very crispy and ARE made on-site (bonus). The guys working at BW also seemed far more cordial than those at BB. The main guy behind the counter (manager? owner?) was exceptionally friendly and eager to serve. Let's hope that's the standard and not just opening @sskissing.
BW is localed on DeKalb Ave between Clermont and Adelphi.
FROM BROOKLYNJAY:
Bagel World. Stupid name, good bagels.
The first thing I noticed was how well stocked, neat and organized this place was which, I guess it's to be expected since this is their second location. The staff really had thier act together too. Attentive, pleasant and there when you needed them but not in a pushy sort of way.
I ordered my favorite - an everything bagel, toasted, with regular cream cheese and a small coffee, light and sweet.
Mmmm...good bagel.
First thing I noticed is how well the bagel was topped and how it did indeed have a little bit of everything. The bagel was crunchy from the toasting on the outside and still soft and chewy on the inside - just perfect. The cream cheese was good too with just the right amount to perfectly compliment the bagel's coating. You can taste a little bit of everything but the salt was the most predominant flavor - not that I'm complaining as I like salt. (But a salt bagel on it's own always makes me feel like my blood pressure's just increased by 300%.)
Mmmm...good bagel.
The coffee was eh but I wasn't expecting it to be amazing - just passable enough to go with my bagel in the morning which it is.
Overall I'd have to say Bagel World has a slightly better bagel than Bergen, which is my local, and Le Bagel Delight and I would rank them currently in that order.
Patricia Mulcahy opened Tillie's on DeKalb Avenue on February 25, 1997. A true pioneer on the now thriving DeKalb strip, Tillie's was one of the first locales in the neighborhood to cater to the neighborhood's thriving arts scene. These days, Tillie's still hosts open mic nights and art installations.
I just received the following press release, detailing the coffee shop's inception and listing a number of special events to celebrate this BIG anniversary:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TILLIE’S OF BROOKLYN CELEBRATES ITS TENTH ANNIVERSARY, 2/07 On February 25th, 1997, editor and publisher Patricia Mulcahy opened Tillie’s of Brooklyn on what was then a forlorn strip of DeKalb Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The new coffee house was a turning point for the neighborhood. Ten years later, with Fort Greene considered one of the most vibrant areas in New York City and the controversial Atlantic Yards project certain to transform the neighborhood even further, Tillie’s is celebrating its anniversary with a month-long calendar of events showcasing Brooklyn-based music, art, and writing.
“Tillie's is my favorite watering hole,” says City Councilwoman Letitia James, “A place where everyone knows my name, and everyone else's as well. A place where artists, writers, students, politicians, seniors and children of every persuasion gather to get the local gossip. But it is a place in a neighborhood that is being threatened by economic forces and chain stores. It is the reason that I raise my voice so loudly against development and luxury coops. We must all do what we can to preserve the character, diversity and soul of this community. I salute Tillie's, and raise my coffee cup in its honor.”
Housed in an 1888 landmark building in what was formerly an antiques store, Tillie’s was named to honor Tillie Asnis, whose family for decades ran businesses on the site and lived above the store. Mulcahy, former editor in chief of Doubleday and executive editor of Hyperion, designed Tillie’s to function as both a contemporary update on the corner hangout and an arts and community-oriented coffee house in the Greenwich Village tradition. In addition to art shows, Open Mic nights, and music and spoken word events, Tillie’s features a well-used community bulletin board and a rack of free publications—from The Onion and The Village Voice to The Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Courier.
“The most rewarding thing about being in business for ten years,” says Mulcahy, “is seeing the neighborhood realize its potential. It has always had amazing people—and beautiful architecture, too—but economically, it took a while for Fort Greene-Clinton Hill’s diversity and artistic flavor to be recognized and celebrated citywide. Now we are struggling to hold on to these features as change swirls around us.”
Once a lonely outpost, Tillie’s has been joined by a raft of new stores and restaurants on DeKalb Avenue as the street develops into an increasingly lively commercial strip in a burgeoning neighborhood. Over the years, Tillie’s offerings have branched out from typical coffee shop fare to include a full range of sandwiches, salads, and other light meals.
Carl Hancock Rux, poet, playwright, novelist and performer, is a longtime Fort Greene resident and Tillie’s regular. “The soup of a neighborhood is in the stock of its watering holes,” says Rux, whose Talk was labeled “a dazzling play” by The New York Times. “At Tillie’s,” he continues, “African drumming circles drown out polite business conversations; would-be iconoclasts plan their mercurial rise to fame; post-emancipation vegan hip-hopsters mingle freely with expatriate bohemes, their toddlers and their terriers. New York hasn’t seen anything like this in a looooong time.”
Tillie’s is located at 248 DeKalb Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. For directions see “Getting Here” at www.tilliesofbrooklyn.com. For more information, see Calendar of Events, below, or contact Patricia Mulcahy at (718) 783-6140 or mail@tilliesofbrooklyn.com.
Calendar of Events at Tillie’s, Tenth Anniversary 2/07
(Please note: there is no cover charge for events unless specifically noted.)
1/16/07 – 2/17/07 Prints and Paintings by Richard Lebenson A professional illustrator for over 30 years, Lebenson shows his moody, atmospheric etchings, drawings, and paintings.
Thurs. 2/1 Open Mic night 8:30 sign-up 9:00 performances Cover: $2 Host: Conquest
Fri. 2/2 8:00 p.m. theSuiteUnraveling Lily Maase, guitar Evan Smith, sax Peter Van Huffel, sax Matt Wigton, bass Fred Kennedy, drums Cover: $5
“Add modern technology, experimental compositional approaches, killer technique and a fearless sense of fun, and you’ve got some seriously remarkable new music.” – The Weekly Alibi
Tues. 2/6 7:30 p.m. A Night of Noir A reading from the popular anthology Brooklyn Noir, published by Brooklyn-based Akashic Books. Editor Tim McLoughlin, plus Nicole Blackman and Arthur Nersesian, will read original crime stories that take place in Brooklyn neighborhoods. “A stellar collection.” Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
Thurs. 2/8 8 p.m. An Evening of Comedy Organized by Julie Miller, who graduated from Pratt with a degree in Writing for Performance and now works at Spike TV. With Sara Alloco, Brandy Barber (“Mortified,” The Kissing Booth”), Jordan Carlos (“Live at Gotham,” Montreal Comedy Festival), Andrew Condell (“The Tunafish Sandwich Story”), Matthew Guzzardo (“The Sizzle Twins”), Julie Miller, and Lindsay Nouis. Based on the weekly comedy writing workshop held in Miller’s apartment (conveniently located directly above Tillie’s).
Fri. 2/9 8 p.m. Pam Fleming and Fearless Dreamer Pam Fleming, trumpet and flugelhorn Allen Won, sax and flute Adam Klipple, keyboards Paul Frazier, bass Todd Isler, drums Cover: $5
Pam is well known for her work with Nathalie Merchant, the Indigo Girls, and Toots and the Maytals. She has recorded two CDS of her own compositions. More info here.
Sat. 2/10 8 p.m. Arthur Kell Quartet Dave Binney, also sax Gerald Cleaver, drums Arthur Kell, bass Brad Shepik, guitar Cover: $5
“Kell’s compositions are filled with melodic arrangements, spontaneous interaction, and vibrant individual performances.” All About Jazz
Tues. 2/13 7p.m. “Kick the Winter Blues” with Felicia Desrosiers, Holistic Health Counselor How to make the most out of winter – simple recipes and post-holiday detox tips Felicia was featured recently in a Village Voice cover story about breaking addictions to sugar.
Thurs. 2/15 Open Mic night 8:30 p.m. sign-up 9:00 performance Host: Conquest Cover: $2
Sat. 2/17 8 p.m. Tim Kuhl Group Tim Kuhl, drums and marimba Aggressive but melodic music from a young drummer and composer originally from Baltimore who now lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Kuhl studied drums and composition at Towson State in Maryland and performs not just jazz but also rock in a band called the Izzys, which has toured the U.S. and U.K. extensively. He cites Wayne Shorter as a particular influence.
Tues. 2/20 7 p.m. Behind the Scenes with Ted and Betsy Lewin The award winning children’s book illustrators present a special evening for both adults and school-age children in which they will show slides of their work and demonstrate elements of the writing/illustrating process.
Fri. 2/23 elastiCity Festival First 07 weekend of Brooklyn’s only ongoing new music festival, a monthly series showcasing performers and composers with a common vision and a sense of reaching out for something new. Curated by Lily Maase. 7 p.m. Nate Renner and special guests 8:30 Gerald Cleaver’s NiMbNI Jean Carla Rodea, voice Ryan Macstaller, guitar Todd Neufeld, guitar Josh Myers, bass Gerald Cleaver, drums $5 cover
Sat. 2/24 8 p.m. Tenth Anniversary party and opening for staff art show, “We Do More Than Serve Coffee,” 2/18/07 – 3/31/07 Organized by Jessie Lied, fiber artist With Bjorn Akerbloom, illustration Lani Bouwer, photographs Katie Deacon, drawings and paintings Maya Edelman, illustration and animation David Nix, photographs Sefu Solace, print Tara Stark, drawings
I'll be honest. I never once went into Cellars, the dive-ish bar on DeKalb across from Tillie's. Yet all of a sudden, I've noticed it's closed!
I'm pretty sure the place has some interesting history, at least among neighborhood locals. In fact, my neighbor met his (now ex-) wife here for the first time, back in the day. (I wanted to insert a photo of them on the night they met, but the neighbor still hasn't given it to me to scan.) Anyone know what's to become of this place?
More signage up! I hope the bagels are better than the logo (blech).
A peek inside:
How soon?
(DeKalb between Vanderbilt and Clermont)
Up to 60% off! (In case it's time to do some shopping for yourself...) Tessan Boutique 280 Dekalb Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11205 Tel: 718-230-8586 www.Tessanboutique.com
I can't even remember what used to be in this retail space:
But it's about to become a bagel shop! Maybe it'll give Tillie's some welcome competition?
A reader thinks it might be called "Bagel World."
Looks like that "reopening in the spring!" sign was finally taken down. So was the restaurant sign above the door. 
Now, there's a phone number hanging for rental inquiries.
The plot thickens.
CH is now home to a teeny shop filled with affordable treasures- Tessan Boutique! I can't believe I just discovered this place on Friday! It's so close to my apartment, yet without the sidewalk sign one could easily breeze past as the shop is located on the garden level of a corner mansion/brownstone.
Inside, the space is tiny -- just one small room. Yet somehow shop owner Aissatou has filled it with an astounding amount of merchandise: clothing (for men and women), jewelry (necklaces, earrings, broaches, etc), children's knits, cosmetics and soaps. Best of all, several items for sale in the shop have been made by local residents (make sure to check out the basket of exquisite scarves-wow!). Take the time to scour every shelf.
Aissatou has lived in the neighborhood for eight years and named the shop for her mother's village in Senegal. I'll do an interview soon -- lots of good stories behind this place, I'm sure. In the meantime, check it out:
Tessan Boutique 280 Dekalb Avenue (Corner of Clinton Av) Brooklyn, NY 11205 www.Tessanboutique.com 718-230-8586
So I walked by Liquors tonight and noticed that all the appliances were out in the street being moved. Looks like something's finally going on in that space. Good thing too because that's a really nice space with a beautiful garden. Also noticed that the wine store next to Urban Spring, the corner of Dekalb and Carlton, has been busy. It was brightly light with some empty wine racks lining the wall. Looks very close to being opened for business. I'd say in about week or so?
Last but not least...The Smoked Joint now delivers! Unfortunately it's only available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and only if you're fairly close by. Lucky for me I'm in the delivery range!
If anyone's got any additional information on what's going on in the Liquors space or the wine store let us know.
Ah, it feels good to have Bonita in the hood. We have been anxiously awaiting its opening, so it makes sense that Mike, me and fellow CHBers Lesterhead and Hey Mama would eat there as soon as they would have us (Lesterhead's friend Marina was also in attendance). Since I don't want to judge the food or service on opening night (or perhaps until the smell of fresh paint disappears) I'm really only going to comment on the decor/difference between Bonita I and II. Two words: full bar. Co-owner Mark Firth, who was tending bar, filled us in on why Bonita I doesn't have a full liquor license: midway through building, they noticed a church next door. So, only beer and wine for them, but they stuck the grill behind the bar, and made the cooks the main attraction. We'll miss watching our carnitas sizzling on the griddle before us, but the full menu of tequillas (there must be at least 20) is a sweet consolation. The house margarita was smooth and frothy, and mike's harbanero-infused sauza tequilla had a great kick. Now, I guess we'll just have to wait until they open a second Diner and Marlow + Sons. Apparently they love this hood. The feeling is mutual.
Lesterhead's Review + Photos:
Clintoncentric is right -- you can still smell the fresh paint inside, and the joint is already packed! Welcome to the 'hood.
Jay was not able to join us, so I'll do my best to do a BrooklynJay-style review.
First: I reeallly like the inside. Love the subway tiles and the mosaics. It was a lot smaller than I'd hoped though, but I suppose it's better for them to have a packed house than a lot of empty tables.
I had one gripe straightaway. I requested a table for five to three different employees, and then ended up at a table for a MAX of four. The Clintoncentric team was stuck at the bar until I weasled my way into two small tables pushed together near the back bench seating, with (barely) enough room for all of us. Thankfully, my crankiness was soothed as I already had a tasty margherita in-hand.
I've (lesterhead) actually been the only one at CHB who knows everyone else, so hey mama and Clintoncentric met one another in person for the first time last night!
Of course, we started with the guac and chips. (duh) My first taste was a little disappointing, but once I dug deeper, I could taste the fresh cilantro and citrus - tasty! Still, I think Los Pollitos has one up on the overall superiority of the guacamole.
We all ordered something different, so we could taste and compare.
All of the food took awhile to come out, but mine took really long. Like 20 minutes or so after everyone else received their dinners.
Thankfully I was on my second margherita and wasn't too concerned about it.
Plus, I tasted some of Marina's chicken enchilada and one of Mike's pork tacos while I waited. Both fresh and delicious. The side order of plantains was crusted in garlic (yum), but also seemed a tad dry. A little sauce might have done wonders.
The waitress swung by to let us know all the food would be 30% off due to the kinks of opening night. Points regained after the severe delay of my dinner for acknowledging the problem early on.
I had the fish tacos, which were soooo worth the wait. The fried fish was piping hot, and the sauce, whatever it was, was the perfect compliment. Plus, it was LOADED with fresh cilantro, my most-favorite herb ever. I seem to remembering having ordered this at the Wmsbg location, but I don't remember them being THIS GOOD.
We ordered one of each of the three desserts: rice pudding, tres leches and flan.
My personal favorite was the rice pudding, but I don't think the table shared my opinion. The problem with having all three desserts was the competing flavors. I happened to try the rice pudding first, which was cinnamon-y and mild, but it did taste kind of funny after preceding with a bite of the supersweet tres leches.
Yes, there were some major-ish service glitches, but the staff seemed to be all over it, and making sure they were attentive to at least most of the diners. Plus, for opening night, the place was packed. The food is superfresh, and it was a great night in the hood with good friends. Plus, the clientele was really mixed -- families, young people, old people. I have confidence that they'll iron out the kinks.
When we left around 9pm, there was a crowd waiting outside just to get in! I'd say the excitement rivaled the TomKat wedding/sightings of their automaton infant!
hey mama adds....
i thought about ordering a margarita too, but went with the sangria instead (am just creeping back into the world of alcohol after 3 years of pregnancy/breastfeeding, and not sure if i'm ready for tequila yet....). it was good, not outstanding. i thought the guac was excellent, really fresh and light with just the right amount of heat. and the plantains, though definitely dry, were delicious—they could even be saved by just putting a lime on the plate to squeeze on top....
i went with the chiles rellenos, which were stuffed with mild cheese and sat in a pool of tomato broth with some big chunks of potato in it. it all come together really well, letting the heat of the chiles be present but not overwhelming. yum.
oh and the three homemade salsas were great: the chipotle was smoky and rich, the tomatillo was fruity and tangy, and the supposedly "really hot" green chile wasn't mouth-searing but hot enough and with good flavor.
my favorite dessert was also the rice pudding, though it was tough to appreciate the subtlety of it after the sweeeeet tres leches cake. the flan was....eh. just eh.
i also loved the look of the space: the mosaics, the park-bench-esque banquettes, the subway tiles. just lovely. they were smart to keep the decor so simple in the small space. i also dug that they were able to create three distinct seating areas (four if you count the bar) in the small space.
can't wait to go back for a harbenero margarita when i'm back up to full speed...
Sorry, guys. It looks like Bonita was only open to friends + family tonight. CRAP. I hear the "real" opening is Friday. Sorry to lead you astray.
A few notes unrelated to this:
Clinton Hill Blog published from 2006 - 2010. Please enjoy these archives - a love letter to the neighborhood.
