For the Avenue that wears its age with grace and not a lot of show, I give the prize to Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn, from Boerum Hill on down through Park Slope to Windsor Terrace.
There are very old bars on this strip that do not get a lot of play in the papers—places like O'Connor's, Smith's, Jackie's Fifth Amendment and Smolen Bar & Grill. Likewise, you'll find a lot of retail stores and diners which are quietly marking their decades, such as Eagle Provisions.
Here are a couple of long-serving slice joints which sit a few blocks from each other: Luigi's (since 21st), which was founded in 1973; and Lenny's (near 17th), which dates back from the 1950s. You can see what Lenny looked like it you walk on to the back. There's an oil portrait of the man in a suit, complete with boutonniere.
YES! I love Luigi's and Lenny's both. But you bring up an interesting point: Smollen! This is a daily source of speculation for my husband and me. We have often wished among ourselves that you would do a "Who Eats Here?" column about it, though most of those seem to be about Manhattan spots...
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Smolen wouldn't be a good fit for "Who Goes There?" as it does not serve food. Only booze. Don't be afraid of the place, tho. It's easy going. Pool, darts, good beer on tap.
ReplyDeleteIf you have any restaurant suggestions in your neighborhood for "Who Goes There?", please pass them on. I don't do just Manhattan. I've covered three restaurants in Brooklyn, and one in Queens. Very soon, the Bronx will make its debut.
You should do my fave restaurant in DUMBO, "Hecho en Dumbo". They have amazing food - plus - what I think is the best is that they truly integrate a modern Mexican culture into everything about the place. Music, Art shows, poetry, everything you can imagine. It would be a great review!
ReplyDeleteMy "who goes there" suggestion is Canaletto (I might be getting the spelling wrong) on East 60th Street just east of 3rd Avenue. You've already covered two nearby restaurants, Isle of Capri and Les Sansculottes. Canaletto clearly falls in the same category, though the food is actually pretty good.
ReplyDeleteFifth Avenue passes through Windsor Terrace?
ReplyDeleteHuh?
Fifth Avenue does not pass through Windsor Terrace.
Depends who you ask. One realtor's South Slope is another's Windsor Terrace. Anyway, some listings categorize Fifth Avenue businesses in the 20s as being in Windsor Terrace. If you want to say South Slope, I have no problem with that.
ReplyDeleteOK 5th, Ave is not part of Windsor Terrace. Real Estate Agents and all!
ReplyDeleteIt's part of a Glacier up, Up, by the Park.