Savelli Restaurant And Bar Coming, Ichiba Is Now Izakaya And Other Smith Street Restaurant News

We have heard great things about Purepecha

Ichiba, a Thai restaurant which opened in the spring of 2019 seems to now be called Izakaya, or is it Gatsu Gatsu?

Finally, some action at 195 Smith Street, which has been standing empty for a couple of years now.

We love when people reach out to PMFA with news of the neighborhood. With so many openings and closings on Court Street and Smith Street, we sometimes miss a new restaurant or bar, so we are glad for any tips from local residents.
Recently,  a 30-year neighborhood resident (who prefers to stay anonymous.) contacted us to make us aware of changes to three establishments on two blocks on Smith Street.

Below are his observations on these new establishments.
Thanks for your contribution, N.

Hi Katia,

Of neighborhood interest are three new restaurants on Smith Street within two blocks of each other (between Warren and Butler) that each come with a backstory. 

Purepecha (213 Smith)

This new Mexican occupying what would seem to be a cursed space (formerly Broccollino, formerly Hunter’s, Ossobuco, El Pitayo, Athena, a Japanese joint...) appears  to be defying the odds judging by the number of diners I have seen in there as of the past month or so. Perhaps a very good review in Eater NY in late November had something to do with it?

Ichiba (196 Smith)

I mean Woori. I mean Ichiba. As PMFA noted, this Japanese-Korean opened in the spring as Ichiba. Closed suddenly and mysteriously. Opened again as Woori in the fall. Closed suddenly and mysteriously. Now marked as Ichiba again with a sign that says opening soon. Guess we’ll see…and eat..maybe.

Savelli’s (195 Smith)

Speaking of mystery… There are (again) signs of life in the Mystery Pizza place in the old Robin Des Bois space. Signage for “Savelli’s” coal oven pizza have been up for the past month and lights have occasionally illuminated the brown paper covered windows and front door. Perhaps that take-out order I placed in 2012 is finally ready? 

Bonus: Has Chance (223 Smith) been renamed “Seized?” Black humor, I know. 

Bonus x2: Zest (176 Smith) has closed. To be replaced by a taco joint according to signage. Not black humor.

Read more

Coming To Smith Street Soon: Ichiba Kitchen

Ichiba Kitchen, a Japanese and Korean eatery, has been in the works for a while at 196 Smith Street in Boerum Hill.  Ichiba means 'market' in Japanese, so one can imagine fresh, tasty dishes. The storefront has been clad in wood recently and by the looks of things, a grand opening is not too far away.
Most recently, this location was home to Phil And Anne's Good Time Lounge, the short-lived collaboration between celebrity chef Anne Burrell and renowned bar owner Phil Casaceli, which closed in the spring of 2018.
Before that, the storefront was occupied for seven years by beloved barbecue restaurant/ whiskey bar Char No.5, which closed in 2015.

Do you think Ichiba Kitchen will be a nice addition to Smith Street?

Read more

'Phil and Anne's Good Time Lounge' To Open In Former Char No.4 Space On Smith Street

Anne Burrell

Photo Credit: Foodnetwork.com

Since the sudden closing of Char No. 4 in July 2015, the storefront at 196 Smith Street in Boerum Hill has sat empty. However, the space once occupied by everyone' favorite neighborhood whiskey bar will open later this month as "Phil and Anne's Good Time Lounge". The Lounge is a joint venture of TV Chef Anne Burrell and Phil Casaceli of Daddy-O's in the West Village.

According to NY Eater, the Goodtime Lounge will serve "Italian-influenced Mediterranean food."
Burrell describes the new place as “funky, cool and homey.”

Anne Burrell is the second TV chef to open a restaurant in the immediate vicinity in recent months. Carla Hall of ABC's The Chew has been serving soul food (to mixed reviews) at her "Southern Kitchen" on Columbia for the past few months.

What do you think? Will the Good Time Lounge be a worthy replacement for Char?

Read more

Rite Aid Or CVS? Here In Carroll Gardens, They Both Suck

Whether Eckerd or Rite Aid, let me just say, dear reader, that I have hated the drug store at the corner of Smith Street and President Street since it opened. Sure it is convenient, or so I tell myself on those rare occasions when I walk in. But within minutes, I remember why I avoid shopping there. Either the aisles are blocked by boxes on the floor, or they do not have what I am looking for. Just the other day I was in there to buy a birthday card, but most of them were out of stock, only empty envelopes in their place. I should have walked out of the store then and there, but intead I made do with one of the left over cards.
Waiting in line to pay is yet another rather unpleasant experience at Rite Aid. I have yet to come across a cashier who even attempts to be friendly or professional. The experience always leaves me wondering why I am even giving such a badly run store any of my money. And as I step out onto Smith Street, I mostly make a mental note never to enter it again and to walk the few extra blocks to CVS.

But is CVS on Court any better? I still get lost in the store, which may in all honesty have something to do with the fact that my unconscious still remembers the old lay-out of the Key Food that formerly occupied the space and where I shopped for 20 years of my life before fancier supermarkets came along. This CVS is a dark uninviting store and normally, I go in and out of it as quickly as I can.
Yes, Rite Aid and CVS are convenient, but they can't even come close to the friendly and personalized service of the local pharmacies like Renaissance, which they displaced.

Now of course that is only my opinion. What is yours?





For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking Read more

Smith Street Officially Turning Into Bourbon Street

After sitting empty for a long time, the store front at 196 Smith Street is about to become a whiskey and B.B.Q. Joint. Char 4 will open on September 15th. The establishment is supposedly going to offer about 150 types of whiskey.
Oh, great! More booze on Smith Street.
Pardon me for asking, but am I the only one who is fed up with the proliferation of drinking establishments in the neighborhood. Someone should take a survey of how many liquor licenses have been issued on the little strip between Atlantic Avenue to Carroll Street in the last few years.
Don't get me wrong, I truly appreciate the fact that Smith Street has undergone a revival, but at the same time, I am resentful that there seems to be such an emphasis on drinking establishments. Beer gardens, cocktail lounges, whiskey bars.... Smith Street is becoming Bourbon Street.
[where: 196 Smith Street, Char 4]

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking Read more