Nature's Grill Café To Open In Former Zaytoon's Space On Smith Street

The former Zaytoons at corner of Smith Street and Sackett Street 

Nature's Grill Café on Court Street near Atlantic Avenue

Many people in Carroll Gardens were deeply saddened when Middle Eastern eatery Zaytoons closed its doors in November 2018 after over 20 years at 283 Smith Street. Many said they would miss the reasonably priced, heathy food options and the warm, casual atmosphere.
Shortly after the closing, it was rumored that Nature's Grill Café, an eatery and juice bar offering all natural and organic soups, salads, paninis and burgers.  Nature's Grill, which already operates a location a few blocks away at 138 Court Street near Trader Joe's, also has outposts in Bay Ridge and Staten Island.
Perhaps Nature's Grill can't quite replace Zaytoon's, but we can imagine that it will do quite well here, despite the proximity of a sister location nearby.
What do you think? Have you ever eaten at Nature's Grill Café on Court Street? Are you glad they are taking over the former Zaytoons, or still missing that lentil soup and the chicken kebab sandwich?

Here is a photo from 1928 of 283 Smith Street, when it appears to have been a fish store.

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More 'Men In Black 3' Filming On Court Street

The second evening of filming 'Men In Black 3' in Carroll Gardens was basically a repeat of the night before. Multiple takes of the same scene involving vintage cars were shot on Court Street. It seemed as though many in the neighborhood had come out to watch the goings-on.

Reader Joseph sent along a great clip of a car crash scene that was taken on Court between Union and President.

Thanks for sending it my way, Joseph.

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Note To Out-Of-Town Driver: Court Street Is NOT A Two-Way Street

Thankfully, Sunday morning traffic on Court Street is lighter than during the week, otherwise the bizarre and downright dangerous maneuver performed by the driver of this black sedan with Florida license plate could have ended in a serious accident. 

The car was driving with the one-way traffic flow on Court Street, came to a complete stop between Union Street and President Street and proceeded to made a U-turn. The driver then accelerated down Court Street towards Atlantic Avenue against traffic, narrowly avoiding a white van and a small silver car. Luckily, someone sitting in a parked vehicle on the next block was able to get the driver's attention by honking.  Again, the driver stopped in the middle of the road, performed a U-turn and sped off, this time in the right direction.

Granted, the out-of-state driver could easily have been disoriented or lost.  But even in Florida, there are one-way streets.  Besides, the brazen U-turns and the speed were more indications of a reckless  driver than of a confused tourist.

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'Home Court' Furniture Store On Court Street Closing

Just about two weeks ago, 'Home Court' Furniture' at # 286 Court Street had a sign in the window stating that they were remodeling. Now, it seems that the store is closing its doors for good. A new sign announces that the store is for lease.

Though I have never really bought anything there, Home Court was the only furniture store in the immediate area for years, until of course, Ikea came to Red Hook. Home Court offered basic pieces, mostly geared toward the apartment dweller, but the prices certainly were much higher than the Swedish superstore's.

Over the week-end, the store was selling out its stock, including a stuffed deer.

So, pardon me for asking, dear Reader, but will you miss the place? Did you shop there? What would you like to see in the space now?

And of course, for you Carroll Gardens old timers, what stores were there before?

My own memory is fuzzy as I only remember it being an annex to the paint store across the street at 285 Court Street, which has since closed as well and still stands empty.

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Photo Of The Day: Fresh Steaming Bread

The bread must have just come out of the oven
at Caputo's on Court Street,
because it was steaming up the windows
and its deliciousness was
beckoning me inside.

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Cheers! Brooklyn Wine Exchange Now Open On Court Street

Now, you can do your food shopping at Trader Joe's and then stop right next door to buy your wine.
The Brooklyn Wine Exchange at 138 Court Street just opened its doors a few days ago.
The wine store is the new venture of Patrick Watson, who already owns Smith & Vine, the cheese shop Stinky as well as the wine bar Jake Walk.
I have come to love Smith & Vine and am looking forward to browsing the selection at this new store.

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A Moment In Time: Three Friends, Talking And Laughing

Three friends, soaking up the last rays of sun,
in front of Book Court
on an afternoon in November.
They were having a wonderful time,
talking and laughing.

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This Morning! Red Hook Raiders On Court And Prez

Photo credit: Sara Behunek

Carroll Gardens friend and fellow blogger Sara Behunek sent me the photo above, which she took this morning. She writes:

"Corner of Court and Prez. no one seems to know why...I get an F in journalism today but an A in spotting the hot firemen!"


No, no, Sara. No F's here.
But how about it, Readers! Does anyone know why there were two firetrucks at that corner this morning?



Thanks for sending the photo, Sara!

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Months After Partial Collapse, 217 Court Street Seeing Some Action

Back in early May, part of the roof and the back wall of the four story building at 217 Court Street collapsed down to the second story after a particularly rainy period. A full vacate order was posted immediately, and ever since, the building, surrounded by protective sidewalk shed, has seen no major action. Until now, that is.

A construction crew is busy filling a dumpster with rubble. The NYC Department Of Buildings issued a permit in June for " temporary shoring for the cellar, in order to clean out construction decrees." ( debris, maybe???)

That may indicate that the damage to the existing building can be repaired and that it does not need to be demolished.
As I mentioned back in May, the building is certainly not one of the nicest in our brownstone neighborhood, but that side of Court Street is in Boerum Hill, which is not landmarked or down-zoned, which would open the door to new out-of-scale, out-of-context construction.

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After Many Years On Court Street, India House Closes Its Doors

"Are you closing your restaurant?" I asked the owner of the India House restaurant at 139 Court Street back in February, when I saw that his place of business was being advertised by Smith Hanten Real Estate. He seemed bemused and assured me that, no, he was not going anywhere. But he added:
" The owner of the building has tried to rent it out for a long time. I don't have a lease anymore. He wants too much money."

Well, obviously, something happened, because India House is closed now. It has been at that location for as long as I have lived in the neighborhood (25 years.) I am kind of sorry to see it gone, though I have to admit that I only set foot into the restaurant once.

The storefront is for rent for $7,000.

On Smith Hanten's Web site

Court St in Cobble Hill

- Very busy intersection
- Across the street from a new "Trader Joe's"
- Three (3) blocks to Express trains @ Boro Hall
- Basement Included
- Sorry - no food or Liquor allowed

Related reading:

Space Occupied By Indi(a) House For Rent, But Restaurant Owner Not Worried

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"Nature's Grill" To Open On Court Street

I spotted this new sign at 138 Court Street on my walk on Sunday. A new café, juice bar and grill called "Nature's Grill" is opening this summer, right next door to Trader Joe's. Modeled after the original "Nature's Grill" which is located in Bay Ridge, the menu will most probably offer the same healthy choices: Judging by the comments left on Citysearch, this will be a great addition to the neighborhood.


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