Winter in the city can be bleak, if not downright paralyzing, with those godforsaken frigid temperatures and icy wind gusts urging us to retreat back indoors. After the New Year, aren’t we all just waiting for the sidewalk cafes and outdoor markets to reopen? Don’t be fooled by the barren landscape—winter has brought a bumper crop of new businesses to Park Slope and the surrounding areas.
What does this latest wave of newcomers tell us about our neighborhood? The new merchants and restaurateurs are coming out of their shells—they’re exploring new corners of Brooklyn, adding more locations, and ditching their nine-to-fives in pursuit of their dreams of joining the bourgeoning ranks of our borough’s mercantile class. This growing economy of “makers” is set on doing it right; most are sourcing their products and ingredients from local purveyors, and some are even giving back to the community. While many of us are at home researching ways to self-induce hibernation, the movers and shakers of Brooklyn are stepping out of their comfort zones and making their dreams happen.
Now, if all this talk of blue-collar ambition and breaking out didn’t inspire you, here are several new reasons to explore the ‘hood this winter:
Mayfield
688 Franklin Ave | 347.318.3644 | mayfieldbk.com
Mayfield is a labor of love ten years in the making by Lev Gewirtzman and Jacques Belanger on Franklin Avenue—a long-awaited treat for the Prospect Heights and Crown Heights folk. Mayfield serves seasonal American Bistro fare with a touch of soul (as the name would hint) winning hearts with their spoon bread and collards. Mayfield covers all of the bases—looking to grab a bite and a cheap beer while you watch the Nets game? Order a Cuban sandwich ($14), LaBatt Blue ($4), and park yourself at the bar. Have a date to impress? The caliber and diversity of the menu lends itself well to a four-course meal—from oysters to dessert—complimented by a spirit-heavy craft cocktail list. Check out their $1 oyster happy hour every day from 5-6:30 p.m. and their drink happy hour (5-6:30 p.m. & 10-close) for discounted drinks.
Terroir
284 5th Ave | 718.832.WINE |wineisterroir.com
A wine habit can be a hard thing to support in this town if you’re on a modest budget like me. Marco Canora and Paul Grieco came to the rescue by expanding their bacchanalian empire to Park Slope, complete with their notorious happy hour—discounted glasses of wine all day until 7 p.m. and cheap eats from 5-7 p.m. What makes this incarnation fitting for Park Slope? Aside from the wine (ahem..see Brooklyn Central Pizza), they’ve incorporated some family-friendly features including wall-mounted stroller caddies. Don’t be shy about asking for a taste if you get lost in the encyclopedic selection; the knowledgeable and friendly staff will gladly offer a sample of something you can really sink your nose in to. Try the bonarda ($6) whose earthy, menthol notes pair dreamily with the deep fried lamb sausage and yogurt mint sauce ($4). Did I mention they are pouring FREE sherry during happy hour?!
Hiho Batik
184 5th Ave | 718.622.4446 | hihobatik.com
Hiho Batik transplanted from Miami to Brooklyn when founder Julia Silver Gordon partnered up with Robyn Stylman, a local mother of three and Park Slope native. Stylman left her career in publishing and social media to join Gordon in developing the new flagship location. This kid-centered boutique and workshop is business in the front, party in the back—literally. Shop the retail section where you can browse ready-made garments or head back to the art space and make your own (starting at $40). With its orgins traced to Indonesia, the process of batik uses wax and dies to produce a brightly colored, tie-dyed-esque look. Both kids and adults will have a blast flexing their creative muscles and getting messy. Feel free to drop in on an afternoon with the tots, or call ahead to arrange a private make-your-own party.
Bhoomki
158 5th Ave | 718.857.5245 | bhoomki.com
Sweatshops are out, eco-chic is in at Bhoomki, Fifth Avenue’s newest fair trade clothing boutique by Swati Argade. Bhoomki’s merchandise is ethically and sustainably sourced from international artisan collectives and local designers. While the shop caters mostly to a female clientele, there is a growing section of men’s apparel to keep the mister occupied while the missus gets her shop on.
Brooklyn Central Pizza
289 5th Ave | 347.725.4891 | brooklyncentralpizza.com
With the price of a slice averaging around $4 in these parts, why not bring a friend and enjoy a fresh wood-fired margherita ($11) lovingly prepared by the locivores at Brooklyn Central Pizza? (Though for the record, I made it through three-quarters of a pie by my lonesome.) Having opened in late October, the staff admits they’ve suffered the consequences of not having a liquor license for the first two months. What can we say…momma wants her wine! Luckily, by the time this article goes to press, you can all rest assured there will be beer and wine on tap (also locally-sourced), so you can have something to wash down the generous, unctuous globs of fresh mozzarella dripping from each fire-kissed slice.
Banhmigos
178 Lincoln Pl | 718.399.3812
Introducing your friendly neighborhood banh mi shop! Because everyone knows you have to nail the bread to make a killer Vietnamese sandwich, Banhmigos has entrusted its secret bread recipe into the hands of a local bakery. The extra effort has not gone unappreciated. Purists will love Da B ($6.50) the traditional combo of ham, liver pâté, and ground pork, but be sure to try some of their specialty inventions like Da Pam ($6.50), a chicken flavor-infused tofu option for vegetarians. Head over soon, because for a brief window of time they are offering $1 off all sandwiches and $0.50 off bubble teas and spring rolls. Cash only.
The Pines
284 3rd Ave | 718.596.6560 | thepinesbrooklyn.com
The newest project from Aaron Lefkove and Andy Curtin of Littleneck, The Pines is bringing inventive, unapologetic, and expertly executed cuisine to Gowanus. The menu updates regularly, but guests can expect to see dishes featuring specialty ingredients like the wagyu coulotte steak with celtuce, smoked tomato and abalone mushrooms ($32) and nose-to-tail offerings such as the pici with pork trotter, tomato, and pecorino ($19). The shabby-chic décor and off-the-beaten-path setting on Third Avenue makes this a great place to slip away for a special dining experience in a charming setting. After dinner, dip out to the back patio with your honey and roast some s’mores over the fire pit.
Belleville
330-332 5th St | 718.832.9777 | bellevillebistro.com
Belleville is the newest restaurant you didn’t know opened — except maybe if you the saw large “Under New Management” sign. Misleading, actually, because while the manager is in fact the same, the new owners, Sonia and Dan Gicquels, moved directly from Paris to Park Slope to breathe new life into this once ho-hum French bistro on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Fifth Street. The couple had a long-time dream of opening their own restaurant, and according to Sonia, our humble little neck of the woods made them feel immediately at home. As they are about to be new parents, the Gicquels have a special interest in making this new incarnation kid friendly. Families will feel at ease in a non-fussy atmosphere, and francophiles will enjoy the authentic French bistro classics. And while most of the new menu features locally sourced ingredients, they make an unabashed exception for their croissants, which are flown in from France. Have you tasted a REAL French croissant? It’s kind of totally worth the massive carbon footprint.
Norman & Jules Toy Shop
158 7th Ave | 347.987.3323
Park Slope natives Courtney Ebner and Avi Kravitz have traded in their marketing and design careers to pursue their collective dream of opening a toy store. The concept of Norman & Jules was created when the couple had their first child and wanted better options than the usual department store findings. Here you’ll find plenty of well-designed, made-to-last children’s toys. Not only are most of toys educational, but they are also ethically and sustainably manufactured, with a percentage of the shop’s sales donated to the March of Dimes.
Landhaus
808 Union St | 917.679.7842 | thelandhaus.com
If eating seasonally means artisan popsicles in the summer and maple bacon sticks in the winter, sign me up! These regulars on the summer outdoor market circuit have migrated south for the winter in the People’s Pops space on Union Street. Their “farm to sandwich” fare will have you licking your fingers and fighting over that last bite of their grass-fed short rib sandwich ($8). Get it while it lasts, though, because with spring will come the changing of the guard.
ALSO NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
HAMILTON’S
2826 Fort Hamilton Pkwy | 718 .438.0488
Windsor Terrace/Kensington residents rejoice with the opening of this new neighborhood restaurant serving small plates and 18 beers on tap.
POPPY
217 5th Ave | poppynyc.com
With the opening of her second location of the Nolita boutique, native Park Sloper Leslie McKeown brings it back to her home turf with an inventory curated to the more grown-up yet equally fashion-conscious tastes of her new clientele.
DAVID’S TEA
234 7th Ave | 718.788.2495 | davidstea.com
Put down the co ee and check out the selection of artisan teas at the latest branch of this Canadian franchise.
LA CASA ARTESANAL
512 5th Ave | 718.369.2009
South American home goods, cra s, jewelry, and imports by Roberto Lopez of El Milagro
BROOKLYN ROCK
454 Dean St.
Handmade, witty Brooklyn T-shirts.
BEYGL
291 5th Ave | 718.788.1741 | beyglparkslope.com
This new bagel joint stays true to the old method of handrolling and water-boiling, using only the nest, locally sourced ingredients resulting in chewy, hot-out-of-the-oven goodness t for toasters and non-toasters alike.
JAI DEE
420 7th Ave | 718.832.1611 | jaideeny.com
No longer Wantana Siam, Jai Dee is also serving up a comparable version of ai. What’s the verdict, folks?
CRESPELLA CAFFE
1658 8th Ave | crespellabk.com
Second location serving salad, panini, yadda, yadda…Stumptown and crêpes! Stumptown and crêpes!
YOGURT: In case you haven’t noticed, Park Slope has become the preferred breeding ground for the froyo species. Here’s this season’s newest spawn:
YOGURTLAND 207 7th Ave
PEARL GATE FROYO 482 5th Ave
RED MANGO 276 Flatbush Ave
Have you opened a new business or spotted a new face in the Park Slope, South Slope, or Prospect Heights area? Send your tip to office@psreader.com