Hinsch’s Saved [For Now]!

By on February 1, 2013  Featured story, Food & Drink
Feb 012013
 
Image source: emilydickinsonridesabmx via Flickr

Image source: emilydickinsonridesabmx via Flickr.

American humorist Mark Twain once wrote, “the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”

And then he died.

According to Brooklyn Paper’s Will Bredderman, neighborhood institution Hinsch’s [8518 5th Ave], which was expected to close March 1, has dodged the figurative bullet – and will in fact remain on 5th Avenue for the foreseeable future.

Hinsch’s partner Roger Desmond, who helped save the circa 1948 soda fountain and luncheonette in 2011, told Bredderman that a deal he had been negotiating with a “national burger chain” to take over the space’s 10 year lease recently fell through.

And with the iconic ice cream parlor back on the market, Desmond says that in the meantime he’ll do whatever he can to put it back on the path to success – Including having the soda shop moonlight as a romantic rendezvous.

“I want to make it work. I always wanted to make it work. So while I’m here, I’m going to continue to try to make it work,” said Desmond.

Expected to begin sometime in the next week, Hinsch’s will remain open “at least two hours” later than normal. The eatery’s extended evening version will include candlelit tables, jazz, and a new nighttime menu set to feature hamburgers made with beef from renowned meat purveyor Pat LaFrieda.

Alchohol consumption at the re-birthed bop spot will be BYOB, giving you an excuse to dig out that flask you got for Christmas. Classy!

Dine In Southwest Brooklyn Runs Through August 26

By on August 14, 2012  Food & Drink
Aug 142012
 

While the relatively new and trendy restaurants in Northern Brooklyn have gotten much of the mainstream media’s attention in recent years, many of our borough’s best and most established restaurants remain south of the hipster demarcation line.

In fact, even many of the newer additions to our food scene have recently reaped the fruits of their labor with some worthy critical acclaim. Just ask the Village Voice.

So in the spirit of other successful restaurant promotions such as NYC Restaurant Week, and Dine In Brooklyn, over the next two weeks local newspapers Home Reporter and Brooklyn Spectator will be sponsoring Dine In Southwest Brooklyn.

The event, which includes 15 participating eateries, is meant to “encourage local residents and those from beyond the neighborhood to explore the fabulously diverse culinary options in Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights and Sunset Park,” according to an announcement in Home Reporter. “The papers are launching their own Restaurant Week, which will run for two weeks, from August 13 through August 26.”

Restaurants on the list run the gamut from upscale seafood and down home American to Italian and Indian cuisine.

Here in “real Brooklyn,” a more homegrown type of culinary diversity is readily apparent – Unlike in Brooklyn’s trendier quarters, where the umpteenth New American menu strains to seem fresh and new when it’s simply not.

From taverns and soda fountains to white table cloths and exotic spices, there seems to be a table for everyone’s taste – and price range.

All restaurants will either be offering prix fixe menus or other special deals. Please call for details.

As per Home Reporter, here’s a list of participating restaurants, along with their phone numbers, after the jump: Continue reading »