Bristen's is now... Island Thyme

Yeah, I saw the awning change the other day and wondered what was up...

So, they don't do dumplings anymore? Is it Caribbean now? I thought she had a pretty good thing when it was Bristen's. Now it just seems like she can't find her place in the world.

I'm a 'fan'/'friend' on FB- she was always posting but would never respond to questions (ie- where can we find a menu online?). It was frustrating so we never bothered to try it.

Also, I heard the dumplings weren't very good. Yelp had plenty of no-so-good reviews.

i liked the dumplings/soup/noodles

i went there at least once a week

The portions are pretty big at the new restaurant. I just had a second order of the "small" Ital stew this week, and it was spicy and delicious. The cabbage side was again good too. Now I must try the curry goat. Hmmmm

Did pick up today. Disappointing. The roti was fried stiff, and rather skimpily filled. Jerk chicken was actually sliced breast of jerk chicken, with the result of being inadequately jerky and somewhat dessicated. If you're going to have breast meat, it should be juicy. I actually didn't finish it, which is practically unheard of. The rice and (single piece of) cabbage the dishes came with were boring and dry. The oxtail was good, but it's hard to screw that up.

With The Islands so close by, I see no reason to ever order from here again. Their rice and cabbage alone is better than the whole dish from Thyme. It's a shame -- I really want them to succeed, but this doesn't bode well.

Oh, I forgot to mention we ordered the "fresh carrot juice". I've had carrot juice before, and it's absolutely not what we were given. It was more like carrot-flavored soy milk.

wr said:

I hope they can remain consistent. During the first few weeks this will be super important for it to catch on. Ill try the Ital again, maybe next weekend......I really want to see them succeed too !

Also the lighting in there isnt ideal. The need a bit more indirect light and there is one hanging light that is a strong white glare. Very off putting from the street and lighting is so key if you want to attract people from the outside, in.....

Sadly, consistency was the exact issue this location had as both Bristens and Bristens Noodle Shop.

wait just got an update from them! I'm right up the block so just have to check this out again. I had the fritters and curry:) It's a few cool spots opening up and I have a feeling the summer might be awesome on Franklin.

Brooklyn, NY, March 28, 2011—ISLAND THYME CAFÉ ANNOUNCES GRAND OPENING. Vibrant and eclectic West Indian restaurant awakens Franklin Ave Brooklyn, NY giving it a burst of flavor with an Island vibe.

Island Thyme’s festive and decorative dishes will entice all those in quest of scrumptious and exotic cuisine. The Café is located within walking distance from the Brooklyn Public Library, Botanical Gardens and the Brooklyn Museum, not to mention convenient access to the Franklin Ave/Botanical Gardens subway station and shuttle.

Owner and Head-Chef, Carlene Haughton, a native Jamaican, fuses dishes from the entire Caribbean in hopes of giving guests the opportunity to explore the culinary diversity of the West Indies. Ms. Haughton is a graduate from the Institute of Culinary Education. Her dishes are inspired by her grandmothers’ cooking, “she taught me the importance of using real herbs when seasoning”. Chef Paul from Bunny Chow also operates island Thyme’s kitchen adding his spin on things.

The menu is filled with authentic West Indian dishes from jerk chicken to curried goat. Island Thyme features a Red Stripe Pan Seared Chicken, pan-fried chicken slowly cooked with Jamaican Red Stripe Beer. The entrees range from $5-$15 with appetizers ranging from $3-$9. Non-meat eaters will love the vegetarian menu, ranging from $5-14, which includes a delicious Rasta Pasta meal. The Rasta Pasta is made up of tri-colored spiral pasta with broccoli, carrots and a house spicy sauce.

The restaurant also has an extensive Seafood menu from Jamaican classics such Ackee & Codish and Steamed Red Snapper Fillet to a Trinidadian inspired Shrimp Roti. The owner’s favorite dish is the Mussels and Prawn topped with a house coconut crème sauce. Guests can sip on beer and wine, or savory their entrees with made-to-order Carrot Juice, limeade, Sorrel, or ginger pineapple juice.

Island Thyme, located at 751 Franklin Avenue, will host a GRAND OPENING on Monday, March 28th, 2011, featuring a live band, complimentary appetizers and wine. Reserved seating will be available for bloggers & journalists for menu taste testing from 5pm-8pm.

The restaurant will be opened Tuesday through Sunday 9am-10pm. Brunch specials are held on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-3pm. Lunch Specials are $5-$6 everyday from 11:30-4:30.

For press inquires contact Carlene Haughton at [email protected] or 917.940.6713

Haha. Reserved seating "for bloggers and journalists"?

OK. So after a few great experiences at Island Thyme, and one bad experience with the ital veggie stew posted above, we tried again. Had curried goat, the ital and cabbage dish and they were fantastic. My husband said "delicious." The ital even had some greens in it and was spicy and had lots of flavour. It was sooo yummy. The curried goat was so soft it fell off of the bone. Yum. We will definitely order from them again soon. Portions are enormous. Enjoy !

wr said:

OK. So after a few great experiences at Island Thyme, and one bad experience with the ital veggie stew posted above, we tried again. Had curried goat, the ital and cabbage dish and they were fantastic. My husband said "delicious." The ital even had some greens in it and was spicy and had lots of flavour. It was sooo yummy. The curried goat was so soft it fell off of the bone. Yum. We will definitely order from them again soon. Portions are enormous. Enjoy !

Yes, this newest version may survive.

Whenever I walk by, I find it has far more customers than when it was a hamburger or dumpling place.

It has only been open for about 1 month, but the community seems to be patronizing it. The owner may have found her nitch.

photogirl said:

The owner was extremely nice and accommodating and told us that he is planning to have events outdoors in the summer.

He??? I could have sworn the owner was a woman.

I think the original owner may now have a partner who is a man. I'm not 100% sure, but I do believe this to be the case.

Anyway, I'm very happy Island Thyme has found their nitch. I totally enjoy their lunch specials and brunch - I'm not a big eater and prefer small portions.

And I CAN NOT wait till they have the live musicians in the Summer! I love diverse, reasonably priced, quality options in a community of many.

The Islands sets the bar quite high.

...but service can be slow. The trick is to ask "what is ready" and then order accordingly.

I agree with Mr. Met. I've never understood it -- all fat and bone for me.