Un-Chained Changes

Gothamist can recall a time before Smith Street's hip eateries - a time when Carroll Gardens was home to a myriad of "red gravy" dining establishments, with nary a stylish Thai restaurant in sight. Happily, some of the nabe's old world Italian mainstays remain, but changes are still afoot.

Case in point: the corner of Union and Henry Streets, home to the decidedly traditional Nino's Pizzeria and the classic Italian-American Mazzola Bakery.

Not long ago, the corner also used to be home to a lovingly jam-packed Italiano deli, Amici, which produced awesome sandwiches and offered a staggering array of foodstuffs from the old country. Today, the storefront is being converted into a bagel cafe.

And, a while back, there used to be a family-style Nino's restaurant, adjacent to the namesake pizzeria. The pizza place survives, but following the restaurant's demise, several other spots tried to take over the location - with little luck. Today, the space is occupied by Royal's Downtown, a newly opened, upscale New American dining establishment, which boasts a kitchen helmed by Chef Alex McWilliams, a veteran of Zoë and Craft in Manhattan.

These two new spots might be wonderful. But, Gothamist is grateful that some of the old-timers are still hanging on too. And, we're just as grateful that these new Carroll Garden neighbors are privately-owned. Goes to show that change isn't always a bad thing.

That said, we're pretty sure that restaurant chains will eventually make their way into the area - but it's a pretty safe bet that you can fuggedabout a Carroll Garden's branch of the Olive Garden.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By VittlesVamp in Food on September 15, 2005 11:01 AM

Comments [rss]

Carroll Gardens Now

I just wanted to say "Thank Goodness" for the steady "OLD TIME" places that are still in Carroll Gardens. I've lived in Carroll Gardens for 5 years (but visited long before that) and am happy to see 1 or 2 of the REGULAR spots still there.

Places like Pita Grill change hands 2,3 or even 4 times and the food goes from "good" to "Ok" "to not so hot" to "OMG I feel sick" in a matter of 12 to 18 months.

Give me the RED ROSE on Smith & President(or even Casa Rosa) any day of the week.

New places open & pretend they belong there WITHOUT earning their clients respect. There's even a new wine shop on Smith that claims to be "The 1st Wine Shop in Carroll Gardens" and they try to entice you by having a $10.00 table. What nerve! You can't even drink 1/2 the stuff they sell PLUS they use force to get you to buy cheese from the shop they own next door.

I can go into Vinatge Cellars (on Smith & Union who have been there for over 10 years) and get a good bottle of red for $8.99 that's fine for me & my g/f and I know that when I have company the owners will steer me towards a VERY Good bottle without picking my pocket.

Forget Smith & Vine, forget Dunkin Donuts, forget the Smith Union Cafe (talk about getting sick from the food).

Go to Casa Rosa, go to The Red Rose, go to Giridella's Pizza (Smith & 3rd place)and really enjoy Carroll Gardens.

Mary

According to an article in the Brooklyn Papers (August 27th) Leonardo's will shut and new owners will open the space as a Dunkin Donuts. The shop will also include a Baskin Robbins.

Dan

BUT THERE IS A MORE IMPORTANT QUESTION... the Dunkin Donuts is opening where the cafe for Leonardo's Pizzeria is. Does that mean Leonardo's is gone, or just part of it?

dalton

A Dunkin Donuts!? On Court St, where you can get great coffee at any one of the many cafes and coffee shops? That's ridiculous and sad.

Brooklyn Bread will still get my money. Dunkin Donuts is g-h-e-t-t-o.

Mary

Restaurant chains are already on their way to Carroll Gardens - there's a Dunkin Donuts coming to the corner of Court and 1st - next to the Citibank.