How do these PS businesses stay open?

christina

I like Drama Cafe, the location and the place itself. However everytime I go there something's not right. The slowest service ever. You can be the only person in the place and they forget about you. Most items on the menu are not available when you want them. Sometimes they serve coffee, sometimes they don't - depending on who you ask. You always feel a little like you're intruding their living room and they just tolerate you. Actually my last visit there was definitely my absolute last one...

caseopele

I know the woman who runs the Drama Cafe, she's a psycho. She used to own a realty place on 7th Avenue and owns a few buildings. I've personally had run-ins with her where she flips out, screaming and cursing. I've also heard horror stories from some of her tenants about the way she runs her buildings. I'm not surprised that the Drama Cafe is not that popular. She's also running a realty business out of the cafe's office, I know she doesn't have a realtor's license so I'm not sure how she gets away with it.

eatshoplocal

The computer cafe has helped me multiple times when my computer was on the outs - always friendly, always helpful and since i dont have a printer i can print boarding passes there yay! i wish them all the best!

eggcream

Subject: Re: Tonio's?

We've eaten at Tonio's a couple of times, not recently. The place is really nice, especially the back room. The people are very friendly. The last time we went they had a roach problem. Now I know all restaurants have their "problems" but these guys were crawling on the wall behind us. 3 at one time. We looked around and saw white powder along the base of the wall. We just happened to bring relatives from out of state with us that night. Can't go back.

My son had a small bug floating in his soup at Tutta Pasta a few years ago.
We used to go all the time with the kids. We did go back, without our son, and had a tiny roach crawl out from under the pepper shaker. Can't go back there either.

Flexichick wrote: [quote=kwk][quote=Kid_Baco]One place that always looks dead is Tonio's Italian restaurant on 7th ave, between 7th and 8th st.
I've never been, so I don't have an opinion, but I have no idea how they stay open. It sfresheem so uninviting.

I'm chock-full of their take-out right now. I've never been in, but my husband and I get delivery from 'em fairly often. It's fast, fresh, and flavorful. If something on the menu isn't at its prime that night (i.e. a vegetable), they'll let you know.

Betcha delivery makes up a solid percentage of their business.

I've always wondered about Tonio's as well. Seems so outdated compared to the other local places, and I don't think I know a single person who has eaten there before

eggcream

Not food, but what about Otto's? Right off 7th ave & 10th street. Small store. She sells jewelry, lingerie a few kids items, pillows. I hardly ever see anyone in there. She must own the building.

brooklynpotter

eggcream wrote: Not food, but what about Otto's? Right off 7th ave & 10th street. Small store. She sells jewelry, lingerie a few kids items, pillows. I hardly ever see anyone in there. She must own the building.

it's lovely in there and they have some lingerie, as i recall.

as for the roach situation, that pretty much killed my love of master wok. i'd literally order 4 orders of shrimp and spinach dumplings at a time. then there was the roach. no more.

restless native

What about that Indian place that finally just closed on 7th between 7th and 8th Streets? My friend went in there and they were overtly hostile and didn't want to wait on her. I never saw anyone in there in over 10 years. Did anyone ever eat there?

If you're talking about India House, they did decent business for awhile from what I know. I went to school with the sons of the owner, and for lunch sometimes we used to go there and the father would hook us up with all sorts of stuff. Very nice family, the mother and aunts wore Saris all the time. Haven't spoken to them in years but I wouldn't doubt that like me he wasn't too thrilled about the way the neighborhood was changing. [-(

doldrums

re: India House, the reason it closed is because it did no business as the food was incredibly poor.

rose

The food was horrible. When my husband and I moved to PS in '93, we were desperate for Indian food, and that was the only Indian restaurant anywhere around. We ate there twice, and never again. Horrible and disgusting. The food was so bad that I was sure it was a front for something. They closed about a month after another Indian restaurant finally opened in the neighborhood.

jennitrixie

eggcream wrote: Not food, but what about Otto's? Right off 7th ave & 10th street. Small store. She sells jewelry, lingerie a few kids items, pillows. I hardly ever see anyone in there. She must own the building.

Ah, that's the kind of place I call a Daddy, Buy Me a Boutique! boutique.

brooklynpotter

she's obviously doing something right because she just moved her store down to 7th ave near the tea lounge

idlewild

doldrums wrote: re: India House, the reason it closed is because it did no business as the food was incredibly poor.

Maybe I'm crazy. I thought India House was pretty good. Granted the decor had a lot to be desired but I thought their curry, vindaloo and roti dishes were pretty good. Java on the other hand, the darling of a lot of posters here, is just plain awful. Like other "ethnic" places throughout the City (5 boroughs) they Americanize their dishes so that they're overly sweet or salty. I mean nothing could beat the tray of hot sauces India House put out, whether it was homemade or not.

southslopesuit

Another vote for the defunct India House here!

It was a miserable looking place, deliveries were a sodden mess of paper cups and tiny portions, but... the food was good - certainly better than what's available these days (except for Kinara, which is good too).

Speaking of Kinara - what's up with the thimble of Cucumber Raita they serve? (India House used to give you a full cup of the stuff!)

8thandprez

brooklynpotter wrote: she's obviously doing something right because she just moved her store down to 7th ave near the tea lounge

Are you referring to the shop next to Oshima on 7th + Lincoln? I think it's called "Aum Sweet Aum" <gag>. Looks like a shop owned by the love child of Stevie Nicks and a wiccan.

reader

No, Otto moved next to the Tea Lounge on 10th Street and 7th.

8thandprez

Oh, well add Aum Sweet Aum to the list then.

germfree!

Restless Native wrote: What about that Indian place that finally just closed on 7th between 7th and 8th Streets? My friend went in there and they were overtly hostile and didn't want to wait on her. I never saw anyone in there in over 10 years. Did anyone ever eat there?

If you're talking about India House, they did decent business for awhile from what I know. I went to school with the sons of the owner, and for lunch sometimes we used to go there and the father would hook us up with all sorts of stuff. Very nice family, the mother and aunts wore Saris all the time. Haven't spoken to them in years but I wouldn't doubt that like me he wasn't too thrilled about the way the neighborhood was changing. [-(

Right. They were upset at the way the neighbourhood was changing so they decided to protest by making revolting food. Brilliant.

che

The Chipster wrote: Yes! At Perch everything is MEDIOCRE!!

I may well be mediocre, but I think their mac & cheese in a little dish, and their veggie ruben, are worth going back for. Solid--not in the chewy sense--and reasonably priced.

If there's anything mediocre it's that I had to listen to some stand-up comedy while eating there recently, but there was plenty of space for us to be talking up front, so it wasn't a huge drag.

restless native

germfree! wrote: Right. They were upset at the way the neighbourhood was changing so they decided to protest by making revolting food. Brilliant.

I know such talking down of us 'townies' intellect probably gets sure-fire guffaws at your tiki-torch red wine backyard parties, but actually I was talking about the service, not the food. As far as I recall the food was fine.

Rather, they didn't cater to the self-entitled pretentious yuppie attitude now commonplace on 7th Ave which as we all know is a death sentence. [-o<

tigerlily86

Subject: Re: How do these PS businesses stay open?

Flexichick wrote: Am I missing any hidden charms here? Everytime I see these places they look empty....

Java - an Indonesian restaurant on 7th Ave. at 16th Street

Computer Cafe - 7th Ave near 15th Street

I'm sure there are others, but I just passed these 2 a few minutes ago.

lol, i was about to ask the same question. I passed by belleville last night(Around 9pm) it was open but pretty empty..there was atleast one person.. I thought since it was a thursday night , it'd be more crowded..i dont know.. :?

erikka

eh.

veets

I have to vote for Perch as mediocre. From time to time some great musicians play in the back of the place and there was a particular singer I wanted to hear.. This is definitely not a "dinner" place but I was hungry and ordered a sandwich... Turkey Sandwich.. well the meat was that repressed, reformed turkey whose imminent rancidity is being covered up with salt.. feh.. didn't eat it..Did breakfast there one weekend not long ago. It was a weekend where we went to brunch sat and sun. Sat was Perch.. Sun was Daisy's diner.. Need I say more.. Sat at Perch was uninteresting and expensive. Sunday at daisy... Perfectly prepared 3 egg omlet (those chickens paid some big ass eggs!!), beautiful fries, a nice english muffin and typical diner coffee... which was no better or worse than the coffee at Perch. Service at Perch.. That.. "I am doing this now but I really am a cute actress" approach. Service at Daisy.."I have been doing this for 20 years and I know this job well and still dig it.. "What can I get youse?"

nubnu

Does anyone watch Weeds?
Remember when she had a "BAKERY" as a front for her marijuana business?
I think that maybe a lot of these places are fronts to launder money?

germfree!

Restless Native wrote: [quote=germfree!]Right. They were upset at the way the neighbourhood was changing so they decided to protest by making revolting food. Brilliant.

I know such talking down of us 'townies' intellect probably gets sure-fire guffaws at your tiki-torch red wine backyard parties, but actually I was talking about the service, not the food. As far as I recall the food was fine.

Rather, they didn't cater to the self-entitled pretentious yuppie attitude now commonplace on 7th Ave which as we all know is a death sentence. [-o<

Um, hello! They're tiki-torch rose soirees. OK? :roll:

veets

Ah Java!! This place existed before the outburst of Park Slope Restaurants.. I haven't eaten there in at least 4 years because there are just so many new places to try and then adopt for your regular return list.... BUT....I have great memories of this place.. kind of in a ZEN way.. the perfect place to take a boyfriend or husband when you want to tell them what has been bothering you in the relationship. The vibe of the place and the food is so calming.. whatever the message you have will be gently received.. The perfect place to have a quiet meal with BF or hubbie if you feel comfortable not talking a lot and just enjoying lovely food. Now if you can do that then it means your relationship is in a gooooood place!!!

The more I type the more inclined I am to go to Java... This is not the place to take a group who want to talk it up and catch up on old times.. It really is not a date place but a place to go to with someone you feel comfortable with because the Restaurant has that feel and perhaps that is exactly why it is still in business.

brooke lynn knight

Perch IS mediocre, but it's very welcome and very successful because it's focused on parents and children. It's great to take your child to a place where you know you're both welcome. Besides, the food is fine and so is the service. Just... a little mediocre, as you say. But I enjoy going there anyway, and will continue to patronize the place. Anyway, better middle-of-the-road than pretentious and overambitious, like so many local "bistros." I can't tell you how many times I've eaten at a new joint and thought afterwards, "I've had far better meals, far cheaper, at Grand Canyon or 5th Ave Coffee Shop." I've never thought that at Perch.

Nubnu, I agree. I see lots of places I wonder about... I'm almost sure some of them are fronts (though a place can be a front for lots of money-laundering operations or tax shenanigans, not just drug dealing).

And Veets -- I love Java! They used to be on Broome St in Manhattan (this was about 20 years ago) with a different name, and I loved them then. I was overjoyed to find them here when I moved to the Slope. The food is good (not great, but enjoyable and prepared with care) and I love the people that run it. You're right, they are quiet and kind and the place has a grounded vibe. It's a family-run place, and I think everyone who works there is a member of the family. I suspect they own the building, or they couldn't afford to stay in business.

Anyway, thanks for reminding me of the place. I'm overdue for a visit.

garfunky

8thandPrez wrote: [quote=brooklynpotter]she's obviously doing something right because she just moved her store down to 7th ave near the tea lounge

Are you referring to the shop next to Oshima on 7th + Lincoln? I think it's called "Aum Sweet Aum" <gag>. Looks like a shop owned by the love child of Stevie Nicks and a wiccan.


:shock: - i happen to like her but truly enjoy your description. =D>

Although i may have selected "Charo" instead of Stevie Nicks .

jennitrixie

Restless Native wrote: [quote=germfree!]Right. They were upset at the way the neighbourhood was changing so they decided to protest by making revolting food. Brilliant.

I know such talking down of us 'townies' intellect probably gets sure-fire guffaws at your tiki-torch red wine backyard parties, but actually I was talking about the service, not the food. As far as I recall the food was fine.

Rather, they didn't cater to the self-entitled pretentious yuppie attitude now commonplace on 7th Ave which as we all know is a death sentence. [-o<

I don't think they catered to anyone, and that was their problem. The food was pretty bad, and the waiters seemed put out to have customers to wait on (either that or it had been so long since they'd had customers they'd forgotten what it's like, or maybe they wondered why anyone would come in for their gloppy food). I remember it being a major disappointment: from "Oh cool, there's an Indian restaurant nearby!" to "Man, that was not good." in less than an hour. (Hey, we rushed, 'cause they started vacuuming next to our table at like 8:30!)

veets

OK folks let's not have a nasty Food Fight but no kidding.. the owners might have been nice people but India House was really a dreadful eatery in my opinion.

nubnu

Zilli on 5th street, Im 100% sure is a marijuana dealing operation.
Its not a real restaurant.