About a month ago, my friend David tipped me off to the fact that Robin Des Bois at 195 Smith Street was going to close. Today came confirmation from Reader W, who writes:
"It looks like Robin des Bois, which I believe was one of the pioneers of Smith Street French bistrodom, may have bitten the dust. The contents, including all its previous-incarnation. quirky antique-store items, were being hauled out this afternoon, along with cases of wine and so forth. Though the area no longer lacks for steak-frites-and-beaujolais kinds of places, Robin (a/k/a "zapatos para todos") was kind of special -- plenty of fondly remembered brunches in their garden and oysters in the darkened front room and world cup matches at the bar, tricolors waving. Always saddening to see places like that go."
Sad indeed. Robin Des Bois has been on Smith Street for quite a number of years. Most of all, I'll miss the Michelin Bibendum that was always standing up front and sometimes held up the rolling gate.. Glad I took a photo of it a few years back.
Sad indeed. Robin Des Bois has been on Smith Street for quite a number of years. Most of all, I'll miss the Michelin Bibendum that was always standing up front and sometimes held up the rolling gate.. Glad I took a photo of it a few years back.
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15 comments:
yeah, i heard about this a few weeks ago as well.
sad that they are leaving, as i quite loved the place, especially their garden. the café was one of the reasons that we first fell in love with carroll gardens when we first visited in 2003.
ironically, the food had improved considerably over the last year. though the staff remained the same, they had gotten better at their craft.
mostly, i'll miss the garden and the sense of oasis that the space offered... as well as the lychee martinis!
I will miss this place...I had several memorable birthdays out in their back garden. Always loved the funky atmosphere there, no one else on Smith had anything like it. Restaurants come and go on Smith Street but I'm a little sad about this one.
Lisanne, I remember you and I met up with your friend Joyce there a few years back.
Another place that I will have missed *sigh* We should be allowed to live several lifes :-)
Grüße, Katia... et joyeux Noël!
Hallo Ferran,
Da hast Du recht. Ich hab auch immer das Gefühl mir rennt das Leben davon.
Frohe Weihnachten auch aus Brooklyn.
I noticed it was closed as I passed by on Friday night. Sad to see this one go, too -- will miss the fireplace and the casual, shabby-chic, "Framerican" vibe. As a renter from even before the Robin days, it makes me worry that it's only a matter of time before I'm priced out, too. Such is the nature of gentrification, but I wish there were a middle ground!
That's too bad. I only ate there once but they were a staple of Smith St and I sort of figured they'd always be there. I wonder what the reason for leaving was? There seems to be a lot of vacant store fronts on Smith St.
There's always something sad when a business, and for some reason especially a restaurant, goes under.
It is interesting, though, to see ghosts of previous businesses through the remnants of their signs.
They closed because their landlord wouldn't make improvements to the electrical, plumbing and wanted to raise their rent to an astronomical level. I believe they are looking for a new space. Same landlord as the lovely Cafe Perks next door. This guy is the worst.
Sad!!!! That yard! And it wasn't too high priced...
Hi Georgia,
How is the new job?
very sad news. I've had many amazing brunches there.
greasy/filthy sidewalk in front because their garbage bags always broke open. businesses like this cause the rat problem in the neighborhood.
RIP. LOVED this place! The backyard, drinks, and steak sandwich.
I moved out of the area about 2 years ago and came back to eat at my fav place in the friggin US and no RDB. I feel like I lost a family member. This sucks!
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