food and drink update
1) Key Food Offering Delivery: In addition to a marked increase in hours, they are now offering delivery, for a $4 charge. That would make it well worth your time if you did not have a car. They are also trying to offer more prepared meals. I know some people have issues with Key Food, but I still find it a more satisfactory shopping experience than the Garden or anywhere else.
2) The Black Rabbit: I saw this establishment listed on a recent Greenpoint map, and didn't notice it in real time until tonight, driving the boyfriend back from Woodside. The listing I saw said indicated it was also a restaurant, but research has proved that it has food but is essentially a bar. I don't want to say, "Just what we need, another bar," but that's exactly what I'm thinking right now. We.do.not.need.another.bar. I do not want Greenpoint turning into the Lower East Side, where people come from outside of the neighborhood and take over the neighborhood with inconsiderate noise and thoughtlessness every night.
3) On that note, the bar across the street from us on Franklin St. is now open. I don't know what it's called; the sign just has a picture of a diamond on it. We keep meaning to go in, and at some point will actually get around to it.
4) Brooklyn Label has umbrellas for its outside seating now. However, the liquor license has not shown up yet. We have gotten over our need to eat there every weekend as well as once or twice during the week, especially when the prices went up, the weekday menu got stripped down, and the food quality dropped a bit. Don't get me wrong, I am still thrilled they are in my neighborhood, and still have a love affair with the Chili Colorado - I just think that on some level they are not quite hitting the target for every other day in the week that is not Saturday or Sunday brunch. For example, for a while they were offering Steak Frites for about $13 or $14, and it was *excellent*. That's the kind of thing I'd like to see on a regular basis, at a price I believe is reasonable for that item.
On some level, I appreciate that the weekday menu items are cheaper than the same items on the weekend, but since I live here and know this, it kind of irks me that I am paying more for the same thing when I am there for brunch. What I would appreciate is more selection during the week at a more reasonable price. One final tip: if you are ever there during the week and are attracted to the specials, be sure to ask what the price is BEFORE you order it.
I did not mean to turn this into the Brooklyn Label blog entry.
5) Cafecito is going to start offering an arepa menu next week! There's a press reception next Friday I am unable to attend, but it sounds super-yummy and might eliminate fruitless trips out to Jackson Heights in search of the Arepa Lady.