Monday, November 22nd, 2010—Bar 316
Day 316—Sunday, November 21st, 2010
The Brooklyneer
Okay, so some people opened up a Brooklyn-styled bar in Manhattan. Basically the idea was to sell some food and drink that are somewhat unique to Brooklyn. And part of the bar is constructed using wood made from Coney Island’s boardwalk. I like that, especially since the nimrods in charge out there are going to rip it up and replace it with cement. So this didn’t seem like a big deal to me when I read about it on Grub Street. But then I read a comment someone left that said: “This is extremely ridiculous. If people want products from Brooklyn why can't they take the subway there?” I didn’t really understand that train of thought, no pun intended. It’s like saying, “If you want to eat Chinese food, why don’t you take a plane ride to China.”
Well since then, there’s been all kinds of things written about the Brooklyneer. Most of it is nicely summed up at this post at Grub Street: Brooklyneer at Grub Street. Most of the comments (mine included) didn’t really understand what the uproar is all about. I mean it’s locally owned and they’re serving food and drink from Brooklyn vendors in Manhattan. Is that so horrible? It’s a hell of a lot better than a T.G.I. Friday’s moving in to that space. The owner chimed in with a comment on Grub Street and I think it speaks volumes, here’s the part of his comment I like the best: “It's a bar people. Let's not over think this one.”
My comment is right below and I wrote: “I like pickles, I like beer, I like hot dogs, I'm going to go check it out and give it a chance.” So that’s exactly what I’m going to do right now.
I think this is the place, but there's no sign outside.
Okay, this gives it away, let's go have a look inside.
Wow, very nice inside, let's snag a seat at the bar.
They have Little Kings in here! I haven't had one of these since high school. I ordered two so bartender Dylan wouldn't have to keep running to get me another one so often.
A double-dose of Little Kings. Cheers!
The bottles are lit up behind the bar.
Lamps hang over the bar and illuminate it. Notice the wooden ceiling, I think this is the first bar I've been to that's had a wooden ceiling.
Billy, one of the owners of the bar came up to say hello. He said the opening's been going great.
And here's Aron, another owner of the Brooklyneer.
A shot of the bar from my perch.
There's a candle lit wooden railing and stools up front with a nice view of Houston Street.
There's a painting of the Brooklyn Bridge on the wall opposite the bar.
There's a woodsy nook in the back with tables and a seating area. Even the wallpaper is imported from Brooklyn. It's from Flavor Paper.
A shot from the other end of the bar.
The wood used to build the bar is from the Coney Island boardwalk.
And here's the man responsible for all the wood in the bar, Brian. He built a good chunk of this place and you can check out his company here: Gotham Forest Products.
Dylan is busy back at the bar.
This couple just came in and sat down, let's go say hi.
It's Kevin and Mirabel, really nice people and they were very supportive of the 365 bar crawl idea. Okay, at this point I was starvin' like Marvin, but sadly for now, The Brooklyneer's kitchen is closed on Sunday. But luckily...
There's a King Wok right around the corner.
And look, I'm welcome here. Hot damn.
Obligatory shot of me waiting for my food in a Chinese restaurant mirror.
Chicken wings and an egg roll doused in hot sauce. An almost perfect Sunday dinner, but sadly they don't serve beer here.
Burp. Goodnight, everybody!
Review
The Brooklyneer brings a taste of Brooklyn to Manhattan. The bar is dark and candle lit and the emphasis is on wood in here. In fact the long, wooden bar is made from wood from the Coney Island boardwalk, which is a nice touch. The bartenders and cliental are friendly and it’s a nice, cozy place to sit and enjoy some Brooklyn beers and food.
There’s a full bar available and plenty of local brews available. Some of the drafts include: Brookyn Lager, Brooklyn East India Pale Ale, Coney Island Lager and The Brooklyneer Lager. They also have a good selection of bottles as well some of them offered are: Little Kings Cream Ale, Session Premium Lager, Abita Turbo Dog and Victory Hop Devil.
The menu isn’t huge, but what they offer looks mighty tasty. Some items offered include: Ovenly Old Bay Peanuts, Ovenly Bacon Carmel Corn, a pulled pork slider, a pastrami style portobello slider and The Brooklyneer Dog, which is made from bacon-cheeseburger sausage from Brooklyn butcher, The Meat Hook and topped with DPCC’s sweet tomato chutney, My Friends jalapeno IPA mustard, organic bacon and shredded lettuce on a potato roll. They also offer deviled eggs and three styles of pickle platters. (Just remember, that for now, the kitchen is open six days a week and closed on Sundays.)
If the idea of a Brooklyn bar in Manhattan disgusts you, there’s one simple solution, it’s called the subway. As one of the owners said, “It’s a bar people. Let’s not over think this one.”
The Brooklyneer
220 W. Houston St. (Between Sixth Ave. and Varick)
646-692-4916
33 Comments
Reader Comments (33)
I didn't know Brooklyn had a taste. Some communities, like some countries aren't really renowned for their cuisine...like Scotland for instance. I've never in my life seen or heard of a Scottish restaurant. How long would a restaurant featuring haggis as its signature dish be able to remain in buisiness?
@Jaws: I'm going to try and find a Scottish bar, although if I find one, I think I'll pass on the haggis!
http://www.standrewsnyc.com/tradition.html
Actually ... there is a Scottish restaurant on 46th & 7th. The BBC has been here. Good food, great beer, highly recommended. but ... I know Marty doesn't like kilts ... so he can't go here :(
I didn't know a "Brooklyn" bar could cause such a reaction ? Is every Irish bar supposed to be thrown out of the city ? ... anything ethnic supposed to leave because you can just fly/walk/drive to the real thing ? Silly ! I'll go to the Brooklyneer just to spite the complainers !
I have to say that haggis is the worst thing I've ever had in my life. I was in Scottland and the hotel had a breakfast buffet...thought the haggis was corned beef hash and took a big helping.
I would also go to this bar just to silence the nay-sayers. Christ people, live and let live.
Already looking forward to your Illinois visit Marty!
@GENE: Thanks for the tip! I forgot about this place and kilts or no kilts, I will check it out!
@groovyrick: I look forward to seeing you in about a month!
I don't get what all the hubub is about either. Looks like a nice bar and the food sounds great, too bad the kitchen was closed. But at least you got Chinese and didn't have to fly to China to get it. What a concept!
Several things:
1. Looks like a cute place and I'll give it go sometime soon.
2. Little Kings! Love 'em and haven't seen 'em since college when my roommate used to road trip down to Ohio for cases of the stuff. Ahh, nostalgia.
3. Scottish food is fantastic if you're in Scotland and go to a decent place, and to the haggis haters, you are simply WRONG. Haggis is just a freakin' sausage and if you can't handle that, then go eat your tofu. Some of the best game and shellfish I ever ate was in Scotland
4. The Scottish bar on 46th is St.Andrews http://www.standrewsnyc.com/index.html and it is a great place. Grade "A" Fancy adjourned there after our farewell to the Rum House do (Hi, Lexi!) Their beer and Scotch selection is awesome. Each January they celebrate Robert Burns birthday with a banquet which features recitations and the ceremonial piping in of the haggis. That is the real deal my friends.
Okay, rant over, we return you now to your regularly scheduled programming.
I vaguely remember a skit on the original Saturday Night Live where Dan Aykroyd played the proprietor of a Scottish restaurant..,offering his customers an appetizer of boiled thistles or something like that...
Looks like a great little place. Little King beer and King Wok Chinese restaurant afterwards--sounds like a "King-y" day! Oh, and Brooklyn is in Kings County. Coincidence? I don't think so...
Little Kings also makes 12 oz bottles but a real L.K. is the small ones and I love em but as usual cant find it down here. The wood plank ceiling is very genuine as is the bar top. To the two owners of this joint,,,a little advice,,,Smile when a picture is taken= you guys look miserable.
The one taste that really IS universally associated with Scotland is the taste of Scotch whiskey...they invented whiskey by the way...drink enough of that shit and a little pink Oompa Loompa wearing a kilt and tricked out like Braveheart comes out and shoves a Claymore sword up your butt...
@Jaws: you are right about Scotch,,haven't seen little pink oompa's but that won't stop me from drinking the stuff,,,Macallan 12 single malt,,,my fav. Time for Marty to hit a Scottish joint.
I personally dont eat Haggis..But I dont think its bad i dont like the texture...
But then again my mom told me kidney was a bean when i was a kid...
now as a grown up I find kidney too salty.. which is probaly why i dont eat haggis. BUT
and big BUT
I do eat black pud
blood sausage.. one of the best scottish foods ever....
and fish from aberdeen is to die for...
the Scots have wonderful food.
Scotch eggs... wow.. toadin a hole... two of my faves back when i ate eggs...
Scotland is not all about the fucking haggis...
then again i am Welsh and our specialty is rarebit.. fucking cheese..
basically cheese on toast seasoned with a good ale and hot mustard...
so scots have much better food.
go to a highland game.. trust me.. lift some kilts and drink some beer.. then everything tastes good.
as for Brooklyn.. I have had some of the best hotdogs and pizza in my life there.. so if i can get all that in Manhatten more power to it...
I dont think it's any different then getting a regional pizza out of the region.. like getting a chicago style in indiana.. or a vienna hot dog elsewhere.. seriously...
my two cents
@Gidget: I've never had a scotch egg, but I'm dying to try one. Thanks for your two cents, but can you leave a quarter tomorrow? Times are tough!
@ 365: I can't believe you didn't get a plane ticket to China for you chinese food or didn't go to Houston
to see Houston street (....yeah, I know, it's HOWston street). You'd love Scotched eggs. What more could you ask for other than a boiled egg wrapped in beef mince, crumbed and deep fried. And ther woden roof is a winner.
I like this place and agree with the owners.
How was Gumby feeling after his big night out?
Marty can you break a twenty?
@Clacky: I need to find a scotch egg on this bar crawl! Gumby hasn't surfaced from his cup since Sunday. He can't handle his booze, that shit is ruff!
@Gidget: I can't break a twenty, but I can tear it in half if you want 10 bucks back. It's an old carney trick. Art Carney, that is.
@Clacky... close.. its actually sausage meat...then breaded then fried.. bangers...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_egg
pain in the ass to make but yummy as fuck..
Marty
googled for you
here is a place you can get them..I actually looked at a few places.. this one looks the most authentic for them...
i am fucking picky from working in a pub and tea shop all those fucking years...
sue me LOL
Clacky wanna meet us there?
http://www.thelandmarktavern.org/
@Gidget: Thanks for the Googling, but I've been there already! I'll have to go there when the bar crawl is over.
@Gidget: Sausage meat! You're right. I haven't had one in very, very long time.
I wish you guys would stop inviting me to New York pubs!!! It's driving me crazy not being able to hang out in New York. That's one expensive night out for me. You know I'd be there.
The Landmark Tavern looks great. Scotched Egg looks to be of a high quality standard. Perfect with a few beers....I'm not a big Haggis fan either. I had to serve 100 people at a Burn's Supper party a while back. It's an annual Scottish celebration with Bagpipes, poetry and Haggis. I did try it but it stunk out the whole club...needless to say that my dog loved it when I took home some left overs! I don't mind Black Pudding either....Welsh Rarebit. Love it.
@Ned Sparks: True about the Haggis but there's always good and bad sausages, good and bad Haggis....I tried a little bit of both....(we didn't make it ourselves because none of us had ever needed to in the past). We found a specialty butcher in Sydney to make them for us....I think we ended up with about 20 Haggis all up and they all tasted different. This party that we catered for didn't just eat it, they had a full ritual with poetry, song and scotch before they destroyed it. It almost seemed like a full religious ceremony. And so concludes my Haggis story.
@Ned Sparks: Somehow I missed your comment. Okay, I'll try St. Andrews for sure, let me know if you want to join me there sometime. I'll even try haggis!
Marty.. thought it looked familiar...
remember real blonde, big tits.. things go over my head...
crawl will be over soon.
Clacky come to Chicago then...
"New York's alright if you like saxaphones"
I have no time or patience to visit New York.