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There's three storefronts being renovated between Franklin and Sterling right now. The pizza place, the grilled cheese place, and the mystery store next to Golden Chopstick.
Anyone know what it is?
Brooklynian » Forum » Crown Heights and Prospect Lefferts Gardens »
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If you are talking about the place that used to be Fatima (the African restaurant that had few customers, then closed), it is supposed to become a casual american sit down place.
To me, it sounds like a diner. ...but no one likes to describe their new restaurant as a diner, so don't quote me.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
I think I am less than excited about this Docklands place than the grilled cheese place, not on the basis of food, but instead, because it didn't replace a something (I.E. A long standing drug mart) many worked hard to close.
Meanwhile, Fatima slowly lost business as the neighborhood changed, and then (perhaps as a result) quietly closed. It is being replaced by Docklands, which (to me) is sounding like a "West Brooklyn version of TGI Fridays".
You know: A little bit of everything, organically sourced, with beer.
I'm sure it will do well. I might even like it.
...but I doubt it will taste better than a simple, over priced grilled cheese sandwich: http://brooklynian.com/forum/crown-heights-and-prospect-lefferts-gardens/a-grilled-cheese-restaurant-for-lincoln-and-franklin
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
I was super excited when Crown Inn opened and later, 739 bar. It was great to have some bars open up on Franklin where I could get a good craft brew. I love the growth on Franklin, but honestly I'm getting bored now of new bars on the strip between Eastern and Atlantic. I'd like for a bit more variety.
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Franklin has certainly passed what I call the "starving and scared" phase.
In this phase, a new group of people migrates into a neighborhood and then publicly wishes it was more like a neighborhood they wanted to live in, but (often due to economics...) couldn't.
Often, it takes a few years for the business community, NYPD and neighborhood busy bodies to fulfill these desires.
Then, another wave of change comes. Some people love the new wave, some people hate it, and my favorite people love to hate it.
Like much of life, happiness depends on one's ability to come to peace with how much (and how little) power and control one has over their surroundings.
...personally, I am looking forward to Lincoln Station, because I hope it will have good sandwiches and fancy cheese: http://brooklynian.com/forum/crown-heights-and-prospect-lefferts-gardens/introducing-bar-corvo-the-best-new-american-spot-in-ph
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
I feared that this meant the end of Fatima. I had meant to get a lunch from there sometime, but now I have missed my chance.
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And "Docklands," huh. Hopefully, the food will be better than at the actual Docklands
but if they get some real bitter on tap, I'll definitely stop in.
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I must admit, I am starting to become attached to my West Brooklyn Version of TGI Friday's analogy for Docklands.
This is due, in part, because I am confident our peers will not patronize them if they make their servers wear buttons:
But I digress.
I ate at Fatima a few times. They provided a very affordable meal, in a florescent lit, formica setting. It is too bad that Fatima was unable to adapt to the formula the new places are using, with success:
1. Beer
2. Slightly upscale food
3. Lightly finished wood tables
4. Lots of money spent on interior lightingFor better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
The Voice's Robert Siestema thought Fatima was one of the best West African restaurants in the city: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/2010/04/west_african_bu.php
I'm no expert, but the food was goooood. I'll miss it.
With respect to Docklands, the new owner (very friendly guy, often out in front of the site) suggested that Putnam's in Clinton Hill was something fairly similar to what he has in mind: http://putnamspub.com/
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Putnam pub appears to follow the formula:
1. Beer
2. Slightly upscale food
3. Lightly finished wood tables
4. Lots of money spent on interior lightingSo if he builds something like it, he will likely do just fine.
Fatima was good, but always empty.... If you are going to serve affordable food in Western Brooklyn, you have to always be full to pay the rent.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
I've been to Putnams and it's very nice. Good food, quick service, brunch, dinner, booze...If Docklands is anything like that, we're in for a treat.
It seems that Franklin is changing faster than Vanderbilt did. Remembering how Franklin was 20 years ago, this change still seems unreal to me.
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During my 36 years in Park Slope, and especially in the last 10-15 years, 5th Avenue changed from a shooting gallery (in both senses of the phrase...guns and drugs) to the heart and soul of this neighborhood. I wouldn't have believed anyone who predicted such extreme change. For that matter, the Slope itself changed from a funky, run-down place you couldn't persuade a taxi to take you to, day or night, to what it is today.
Why shouldn't the same thing be possible for Crown Heights?
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