Neighborhood: July 2006 Archives

Happened upon the new Bocca Lupo (the phrase is meant to convey good luck but literally means "in the mouth of the wolf") at the corner of Warren and Henry streets. It's serving mostly Italian-leaning dishes, tapas style--a multitude of bruschettas, many panini, little "finger" sandwiches called tramezzini and those small plates like roasted artichoke, seared baby lamb, slow-roasted pork, seared scallops, and a risotto and pasta of the day. The best part about the restaurant is the truly affordable wine list--we had a cheap but good bottle of Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva for $26. The neighborhood's procreators will be glad to know that there's a kids menu. While there are some menu kinks to be worked out, for now, the cheap wine and fab cheese plate can't be beat. Plus the wait staff is superbly friendly.

A reader poses the question:

Any intel on what the cinderblock monstrosity that went up at the corner of Bergen & Smith (where the Rent-A-Center was) is all about? Has to be some type of MTA facility, no? Like a giant bunker in a prime location…

ABL is thinking that it's headquarters for a Brooklyn Masons branch, but someone else out there may have a more intelligent answer.

P.S. The finger monster photo has nothing to do with this question. I just really like my new finger monster--probably one of the best things about my trip to Fire Island, .75 cent finger monsters!!!

ABL finally got to the outdoor space sandwiched between Gravy and Pacifico, known as Trout. There's already a semi-amusing thread at Brooklyn Record about the outdoor drink haven run by the same dude who owns half of Smith Street, but on a Monday night, ABL found it to be pleasant.  Besides a misguided purchase of a beer whose name I forget but I did not like (whitestone ale?), all was well.

Yep, the space that formerly was Tuk Tuk Thai is poised to become Ghang Thai Kitchen, which will, in case you were wondering, be serving Thai food. In other Smith Street restaurant news, we'd like to solicit some commentary for restaurants that are semi-newly opened that ABL hasn't been to yet, they include ...

Dunkin' Donuts (just kidding!)
Ki Sushi 122 Smith Street
Coco Roco 139 Smith Street
Pane e Vino 174 Smith Street

I know, everyone has already jumped on the Stinky Brooklyn bandwagon (including me), but I wanted to make sure everyone was aware of the dedication these people are bringing to the neighborhood culinary scene. When we stopped by a few weekends ago, they had a whole cured (smoked, I think?) pig leg on display, and they were giving free samples to all.  We also picked up some pickled green tomatoes--very interesting! Stinky is at 261 Smith and run by the Smith and Vine wine people.