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Gothamist thought that Brooklyn Heights had suffered enough of a foodie blow with the closing of the neighborhood's D'Agostino supermarket. Now, two independently owned restaurants have bitten the dust as well: Thai 101 and Annie's Blue Moon.
Annie's isn't much of a loss gourmet vittles-wise. However, it was one of the few pubs left on Montague. In comparison, Thai 101's fare was definitely a notch above the other Asian spots on the area - and its atmosphere was much more sophisticated than most. There are still a myriad of Asian options in the Heights, but none quite so lovely.
Gothamist is holding out hope that the locations aren't replaced by TGI Fridays, Applebees or - heaven forbid - another mega-drugstore.
What would you like to see by way of restaurants or bars in the area?
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According to this message, a CVS is going into the little red brick building where D'Agostino was.
Thai 101 got points for ambition, but my two meals there were both disappointing. Still, I was hoping it would survive based on the interior design alone. Annie's was a decent place to grab a beer and play Golden Tee, but it sure had an odd mix of people (off-duty cops and drag-queen karaoke MCs?). What the neighborhood needs is for three or four of Smith Street's places to relocate to Montague. Maybe a quirky clothing boutique, a modern home furnishings store and a restaurant like Banania or Chestnut. ANYTHING to break the current hegemony of bland diners, drug stores and real estate offices.
It's amazing what a wasteland Montague has become. I agree with the Vamp, the Asian take-out joints were abysmal and will now be abysmal again (the only decent alternative is Faan, which is on Smith Street but seems to deliver far and wide). If it wasn't for the Fish's Eddy, there would be nothing there. How long before Armando's and Grand Canyon fall by the wayside.
BTW, word on the street is, yes, a CVS is going into the old Dags. It's also rumored that a CVS is going into Thai and I think the Blue Moon is going to be, I think, a CVS, which will be good, because it will save the quarter-block walk to the next CVS when in dire need of condoms and smokes and such. (Hey, anybody ever wonder why drug stores sell cigarettes?)
The problem with the quality of the restaurants on Montague Street lies solely in the constant stream of lawyers and other on jury duty, who care little about the quaality of the food. The result is that a number of mediocre places have stayed in business for many years. A good French bistro would be welcome, as would any decent Asian, Italian, or Indian restaurant, as well as
butcher, baker, Whole Foods, shoe repair, barbershop, magazine store (Brooklyn has no magazines available other than at the newsstand),
hardware store...the list goes on and on.
how about a mcdonalds? have you had their big mac and fries? delicious!!
One more reason to close the courts (kidding!!!).
There is a real good butcher on Clark St and a Mickey-D's on Court, BTW.
Wow, a Whole Foods would kick butt! And court personel could probably use a barbershop and shoe place. Then again, they could probably use a Whole Foods as well, judging by the look of them.
I wouldn't mind having a CVS in the old D'Agastino's. I love Brooklyn Heights but each time I want a good decent meal, I end up leaving the neighborhood. In the short time I've lived there, Montague has definitely gone downhill. And it just creeps me out that a new real estate co. is moving into the old Waldenbooks space.
Quirky clothing boutique? Please take one from my block in Park Slope, please.
There is a shoe repair shop, on Montague between Henry and Hicks, right next door to Connecticut Muffin. The guy there can be a little gruff sometimes (he admonished me for kicking the crap out of a pair of Sigerson Morrison flats I brought in last week), but he does a great job. For the record, there's also a "hardware" store right on Montague too, though it's hardly ever open and has a limited selection. When I want a real hardware store, though, Bruno's is right on Court Street, and Sid's is within walking distance on Jay Street.
What the neighborhood needs is a few decent Smith Street-caliber restaurants. The locals can't be bothered to eat on Montague (I know I don't, with the exception of the occasional breakfast at Grand Canyon), and no one comes to eat at the restaurants that are there because they're uncool and overpriced for their mediocre (at best) food. The moral of the story is, if you build it, they will come. Smith Street is a perfect example of this. The reality is that rents on Montague are simply too high to attract cool, independent restaurants.
i know it's popular to blame lawyers for stuff... but for the bad food on montague? that's a bit much. lawyers like good food too.
THINGS I LIKE>
The shoe guy on Montague is genius. He does shoes for the Met.
The used book store is great.
The drycleaners are very good too.
BUT AS FOR ANYTHING EDIBLE>
I hate brooklyn heights food. The key food is sad. The quasi gourmet cheese shop L and Hennings sucks royally. The restaurants are so bad.
Soon it will be all starbucks, red lobsters and subways. I am so glad that I moved to New York to get a taste of suburban mediocrity.
SAD>
What the neighborhood needs is a decent bakery, a good cup of coffee and a comfortable place to sit and consume them, (other than at home). Like the Tea Lounge in Park Slope. We recently moved from Seattle, and I have to say, that the Montague store should win the award for the worst Starbucks in the entire chain. The staff doesn't seem to know what a cappuccino is, and the bathrooms are beyond disgusting. It's embarrassing. No wonder Starbucks gets such a bad rap in NY. The best restaurants are on Henry Street and Montague continues to decline. I saw a help wanted ad on craigslist for staff for a new Ben & Jerry's. Just what we need...more ice cream. I was extremely distressed about D'ags. Has anyone else noticed that the prices at Garden seem to have gone up the moment D'ags closed? It's amazing the changes in the neighborhood in the year and a half since we started apartment shopping here. Very sad, indeed.
Martha, don't bother with Starbucks. Go to Connecticut Muffin. It's cheaper, they make a hell of an espresso drink (I seriously don't think I've found a better latte this side of the Atlantic), and the guys there are friendly.. they know my name and have my order ready before I even say it. Starbucks is crap.
with all due respect, i can't believe you all are mourning that horrible d'ags. the fruit was rock-hard and tasteless; the prices were high; selection was poor; the cashiers had to be the slowest in all nyc.
the lines were always long; the store design made it hard to get into and out of; the manager wasn't friendly or helpful.
i never went there, despite living at the end of love lane. and i was surprised that the ny times article treated the place as if it were beloved: because it wasn't!
i personally mark the months on my calendar until fairway opens in red hook.
as for montague street, the rental structure there is unrealistic, which is why we get this bizarre, almost useless, mix of stores. parts of montague st. have been vacant for nearly 8 years now.
how can that be in the hot new york real estate market? the present landlords just have to finally go bankrupt and sell their buildings before we get owners who understand the needs of the nabe.
amanda, the coffee used at conneticut muffin comes from gillies coffee in brooklyn.
gillies is famous for don schoenholt, who is internationally acknowledged to be the most talented and knowledgeable coffee personality in the entire u.s.a.
that's one main reason the coffee's better there! if you like that espresso blend, you know you can order it fresh from don himself at http://www.gilliescoffee.com
that court st mcdonald's is horrible (as far as mcdonald's go). i've said it's the worst mcdonald's ever and would never say that it should be an option for anyone.
Frelkins... thanks for mentioning Gillies! My mechanic is on that block (18th St)and despite it being right next to the Gowanus Expressway and among a bevy of auto shops, that block smells amazing. They are having a hard time of it there so anything that can support them is good.
The CT Muffin is cool, and amazingly, it is kid-friendly at the same time it is quiet and a great place to read or get work done. As for the Starbucks, guys, that long pole with the sponge on the end of it? It's for the floor, dude! Use it once in a while.
As far as the D'ags, many of your points are well-taken, but all things are relative. Have you been to the Gristede's on Henry and Clark? OY! What a mess. The Key Food has improved marginally since we've been there (9 yrs now) and the Garden of Eden, after a promising start, has attitude problems (and yeah, the prices went up). Looks like it's Fresh Direct and their traffic-blocking trucks for the next few months.
Tien - not only are the people at the Court St McD's slow and dumb and rude, but the food is abysmal, even for McD's. Finding gobs of fatty tissue and gristle in my McNuggets was not only disgusting but an acute reminder of what was going on in my arteries. Best avoid it.
This comes second hand, but I heard that a real estate agency will be replacing Annie's. Useful...
I live there and I liked the D'ags.
Hate all the stupid real estate companies that are moving in. Why does Corcoran need 2 offices on Montague for God's sake. There used to be a really good pizza place on the corner there.
Oh yeah and my building just got bought by the sleaziest management company on the face of the earth. One of my neighbors went to their office and said that they all sit behind bullet proof glass. Already got through a highly questionable MCI. We fought it but think they paid someone in the DC?HR off.
I would love to see an EJ's Luncheonette there. Their three Manhattan locations are extremely popular and have always been top-notch in my experience. How about a bookstore (not a chain), an old fashioned ice cream parlor, a tea lounge, a decent Thai place (I didn't really like Thai 101 but liked the idea of it and that Thai place on Henry near Clark has the worst Pad Thai I've ever tasted). Agreed about the Starbucks--very dirty and disspiriting in there.
While we're submitting suggestions to any prospective entrepreneur, how about any of the following:
Any store, to be successful on Montague St., has to please the weekday crowd (court staff, juror, etc.) and the weekend promenade visitors. It's a tough line to walk, and I think that, in conjunction with the sky-high rents, is why you see little good along the Street.
There used to be an Ozzie's (same outfit that's in the Slope) on the south side of the street between Clinton and Henry. Man, I miss that place.
if you're willing to walk (just a little farther than mcdonald's), there's a great pizza place called my little pizzeria. ignore the horrible website.
I put in one vote for a children's clothing/shoe store (notice I didn't say the dreaded "Baby G-P." Goodness knows there are enough young families to support one. I second the emotion on a decent bookstore - How about BookCourt Jr.?
Brooklyn Heights Realators should wise up and realize that their utterly useless offices are changing the complexion of the very neighborhood they are trying to sell! Oh yes, and a really good card/party goods/wrapping paper shop....Ever since the shooting the Hallmark store is less than useless and the Rite Aid is meagre pickings.
Sorry. Don't mean to whine....
Sooz, there's a REALLY cute little gift shop called Overtures on Hicks Street between Montague and Remsen. I go there to buy lots of birthday cards and have gotten to know the owners; they're really nice people.
The space where the Gap and "Montague Mews" used to be is now going to be home to an Ann Taylor LOFT. *shrug* At least it's not another realty agency.
CT Muffin is gross.
If you walk about the same distance in the other direction on Henry there's Fascati's. Better pizza and cool guys.
Point is, if you want good food, get to Montague and then walk someplace else.
I've lived in the Heights for two years now. When did a shooting take place at Hallmark? I agree that Montague is terribly mediocre. Slim pickings for food of any kind--I think the Italian (Centro, Armando's, Caffe Buon Gusto) is abysmal, especially when you consider that Queen is right down the block on Court. Andy's is pretty decent Chinese though. But nothing ever seems to stick--hard to believe. It's a commuter neighborhood though.
Brooklyn Heights (where I work) and/or Cobble Hill (where I live) desperately need a Korean restaurant. Even a bad one.
The Iron Chef House (sushi) on Clark is the best restaurant in the neighborhood, with the Chipotle probably being the best source of lunchtime food on Montague Street. Which obviously isn't saying much.
Has anyone else noticed that the Garden of Eden will overcharge you any chance they get? Whenever I buy anything marked as a "special" (say, some olive oil) I always note the price on the sign, because it's hardly ever what you end up getting charged...
I think Brooklyn in general needs a Korean restaurant, but particularly one around the Slope/Hill/Heights area. I'm tired of hauling ass to 32nd street.
Annie's Beer was nasty (strangely the quiche was good).
Thai 101 had great food but some of the wait staff had an attitude problem.... such as *demanding* a large tip even though service sucked.
I grew up in Brooklyn and now live in the Heights and I agree with everyone that Montague street is pathetic (that starbucks is GROSS). Don't blame it on the lawyers, blame it on all the old (wealthy) people that don't understand good food in a nice atmosphere. I would be thrilled if any restaurant on par with Robin Des Bois or Joya or fill-in-Smith-St-restaurant here opened. We need another real estate place like we all need a hole in the head, but they seem to be the only companies that can afford the rent. And I wish that a decent restaurant would open were Chez Henry is. I liked Isobels but nothing seems to succeed there, and i am hoping Chez Henry doesn't either.
I agree with the comments re: the D'ags - I thought it was better than the crazy key food, but it was super overpriced. The only good part about it was the beer section. I also agree re: the # of real estate places - it's ridiculous. an EJ's would be incredible! Many of the restaurants currently on montague are not great. As neighborhood people, why not campaign to the local commercial real estate places (which, where are THOSE?) as to what we want to see go in on montague.
-Thai 101 used to be great, now the food is inedible. BTW it is still open, and still nasty.
-Iron Chef is outstanding, have anything except the chicken teriyaki.
-CT Muffin coffee is tasty and the service is extra-friendly. The breakfast danishes etc. are good, as is the tuna salad sandwhich and the carved turkey.
-For consistent reasonable pastas and italian, la traviatta is good.
-Centro is very overpriced.
-The starbuck's is disgusting, so people should stop going and give the business to CT Muffin, better and cheaper.
-Key food hours are good, but Dag's freshmarket was much better.
-Tried Chez Henry for the first time today, will never go back. Bugs, no butter for toast, no sugar for coffee, nasty syrup for french toast.
-Noodle Pudding on Henry Street is delicious, a little pricey (for brooklyn) but great for a celebration. (note: closed on monday's)
-Plymouth Cafe, also on Henry, has good breakfast sandwiches, as does L&H on mantague (which also owns court order and Monty-Qs).
As for what we want to see, in two words: good food. We completely agree with previous posters that if you build it, they will come.
Also, heights cafe is overpriced and theresa's is not great either.
Just moved to BH and can't tell you how disappointed i am. Restaurants are terrible, there are no decent stores (for anything) and with the rise of park slope, dumbo and williamsberg, BH doesn't stand a chance.
Am already counting the days before i can sell and get back accross the river.