708 Washington Ave (formerly Mason and Mug) is becoming Mexican

ehgee

pheightsresident said:

As I mentioned before, this place is definitely good, but I won't be a regular here due to the relatively high prices; seriously, I'm not paying $10 for a quesadilla. Granted, the tacos are cheap, but probably not too filling. 

As to the move (while I'm not complaining as it means opening another great eatery in the area), I question whether the rent hike in the BX was more than the ultimate rent that she's paying in Prospect Heights. It may very well be the case, which would make the BX landlord the ultimate fool as he thought he had some kind of leverage, but I just find it hard to believe. Even if the rent hike didn't surpass what she's paying for rent now, I guess, as a matter of principle (the Gothamist article states that the BX landlord increased the rent dramatically because the place was popular with food critics), I'd probably do the same thing and get the heck out of that building. Then again, maybe she feels that the potential increased revenue (even when considering high PH rents) from new and old customers would make the move worth it. 

The quesadilla was pricey buy good. But the tortas for $1 more are enormous and look highly delicious.

And, yes, I'm pretty sure the talented chef is also taking the opportunity to move upmarket with the help of some more experienced partners.

whynot_31

Ms. Whynot and I ate there tonight.    The sandwiches are indeed huge;  I had one and struggled to finish it.

She had two tacos, both of which were $4 a piece, but one was much larger than the other. 

As a result of having table service and similar price points, Citrico has direct competition.    I suspect one of them will be gone by 2017.

whynot_31

Press: http://ny.eater.com/maps/best-new-brooklyn-restaurants-heatmap

whynot_31

More press

BTW, Citrico appears to be losing this battle.

tacologic

I was worried that the "magic" that the place in the Bronx had wouldn't carry over to Brooklyn, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The food is great and the atmosphere is fun. Hopefully the full liquor license will come through soon.

whynot_31

press:

http://gothamist.com/2016/05/03/el_atorradero_nachos_ftw.php#photo-1

whynot_31

more press:  http://ny.eater.com/2016/6/2/11827976/el-altoradero-review-brooklyn-mexican

whynot_31

They have now acquired the adjacent storefront and opened a bar:  http://www.grubstreet.com/2017/02/madre-mezcaleria-opens-in-nyc.html

whynot_31

And, continue to get good press:

 http://ny.eater.com/2016/3/5/11160686/el-atoradero-brunch-brooklyn

Vanderbilly

Their Mezcal bar is a pretty big thing for the neighborhood.  Of the few Mez only bars in the city, it has the largest selection.  That's very bold for washington avenue.  If you, or any one you know likes mezcal you know how obsessive mezcal people can be.  It's a bar full of obsessives, some who travel far to get there and ask endless questions about what to try next, often paying $20 for the opportunity. In that sense, its a love it or hate it kind of place. But its definitely more interesting than your average bar.  It's a fun place.  I wish it were cheaper to drink there.