Belleville.. for the last time

Yup, that's it. It's on the to-do list and I haven't heard anything bad yet.

LongTimeSloper wrote: [quote=Jamzer][quote=LongTimeSloper][quote=Old Time Brooklyn]If I recall, AOC problem was service-related, not food-related right? Service can get better. The quality of food usually doesn't.

yes, big time service related issues. made me very angry. I usually will give a place a 2nd chance with stuff like that, but, this was just outrageous IMO (and a friend of ours was there the same day going through the same thing) that i don't even want to go near them again. I guess I am just stubborn that way

I've eaten there a couple of times and had a pretty good experience each time. Not perfect, but I thought they tried. You should give them another try.


Well, Jamzer-how could I say no to you? I am convinced, we shall try again.

Great, but a favor please - don't blame me if things don't go well!

Their croque monsieur at brunch is the only passable thing on that menu. I've been to many Paris bistros that might have rude waiters but their service was still a thousand times better than Belleville's. They may be brusque in France but that's because they have the food to back it up...Belleville doesn't. It's a shame because of all the actual spaces in PS for French bistros this place had the most charm in terms of atmosphere. We need Gordon Ramsey to come in and shape them up!

Belleville will be around for many many years to come. The original owner signed a 30 year lease!!!! This was back in the day when store rents in the area where very cheap.

I had no idea that the place has changed managment. Hopefully they will turn around for the better or sell it to someone else who would. The place used to be really good and the location is top notch.

I may be wrong, but although the "management" has changed, the owners have not. In fact, since its inception, Belleville has had at least six managers...

I remember when Fabrice was the manager and he really made it a great place to be...even though an American named Joe was doing all the cooking. Both of them really captured a neighborhood bistro vibe.

I haven't been recently (in the last 2 years) because I grew weary of the ownership trying to change managers every 9 months or so...and service/food suffering for it.

veets wrote: [quote=besus]I may be wrong, but although the "management" has changed, the owners have not. In fact, since its inception, Belleville has had at least six managers...

I remember when Fabrice was the manager and he really made it a great place to be...even though an American named Joe was doing all the cooking. Both of them really captured a neighborhood bistro vibe.

I haven't been recently (in the last 2 years) because I grew weary of the ownership trying to change managers every 9 months or so...and service/food suffering for it.

Well.. If you haven't been there in 2 years... try it and let us know what you think.

My point is that with every change in management my enjoyment decreased. That being said, the ownership has been, to my knowledge, constant.

Until I hear someone give a good review of Belleville, I have no reason to or interest in trying it again.

Yikes I just made a reservation there for this Saturday night. Should I go to perch instead? The location is so perfect. Damn those Cocette people for closing shop!

The following is a recent cut/paste from park slope parents. Has anyone been to Belleville since the Fall? Is the food there good again?

-blue


> Hello,
>
> this past fall, a friend of mine took over Belleville, the French
> bistro on 5th avenue and 5th street. He has completely redone the
> menu, put in a new kitchen, hired a fantastic chef, designed a new
> kids' menu (complete with a little Eiffel Tower and crayons for kids
> to use while waiting for their food) and, just last week, opened a new
> lounge behind the restaurant that you enter on 5th street several
> doors down.
>
> The lounge is a great, completely renovated space with a very cool
> skylight that is open (the lounge, not the skylight) in the evenings
> for drinking and lounging and eating, and is also available for
> private parties.
>
> They also have a 5-course, prix fix menu for $30, which I find
> absurdly inexpensive for what you get. Last night, it included risotto
> w/ asparagus, open ravioli, tiny little beef burgers, skate cooked
> with capers, and a three dessert-platter.
>
> Paul is possibly the nicest person I've ever met, and he wants more
> than anything to turn Belleville into a family-friendly, wonderful
> Park Slope restaurant. I think he's done it, but since Belleville was
> a bit down-on-its-luck prior to fairly recently, I'm afraid many Park
> Slopers may not know about its latest incarnation.
>
> This is not a paid advertisement in any way-- it's just a note to the
> families of Park Slope that there is another locally-owned place out
> there very eager to welcome you, with or without your children. And,
> they still have some reservations left for Valentines Day!
>
> Thanks so much,
> Delina
>

My bf and I have had dinner there several times in the past few months and each time it was excellent - fantastic food and great service. We were just saddened by the paucity of other diners in the place, because we'd really like to see it do well. So check it out!

This is one of those PS spots I just never got around to, only visiting once for brunch. I thought the service was pretty bad as well, but their burger wasn't too bad. Not a place I'd go out of my way for but, if someone else I was with wanted to go, I wouldn't put up a fight. How's that for a half-assed endorsement?

veets wrote: J0518,, Just wondering if you had this brunch under new owner and chef?

jesus.....it was, maybe, a year and a half ago? that would be a "no."

Subject: Bonjour from Belleville!

Wow everyone!

I'd like to introduce myself... my name is Paul and I am the managing partner of Belleville. My partner and I took over Belleville in mid/late 2008 and the transition took quite a few months, to say the least.

This site was introduced to me by a (now) regular customer, who was... like most, reluctant to visit us again. She recommended I take a look at how my fellow Park Slope neighbors are slowly re-embracing Belleville. In reading through your threads, I realize that you are all aware of the challenges we faced in turning this restaurant around.

I want to sincerely thank all of the people that have supported us during this transition! I'd also like extend an invitation to try us again if you were one of those who gave up on Belleville years ago. Running a restaurant isn't easy, and I can't promise there won't be human errors. What I can promise is that we will do our best in bringing Belleville back to it's original standing as a Park Slope anchor.

Please don't hesitate to say hi next time you are in!

-Paul and the Belleville family

I've noticed improvement but I don't go often enough to be sure. I'll have to remedy that. By the way...love the lounge!