"The Watershed": A New Bar Opens On South End Of Court Street

A reader alerted us to the fact that a new bar called "The Watershed" just opened on what he calls the "forgotten side of Court Street",  near the Brooklyn Queens Express Overpass.
The new business opened at 517 Court Street in the space that was formerly occupied by Teafee, a local tea and coffee spot that closed its doors this past April after only three years in business.
There is not much information about The Watershed on its web site, nor on its Facebook page, except for the fact that it will be hosting trivia nights.

The on-premises liquor license application was submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Bayne Capital, Inc. Community Board 6's Permits and Licenses Committee recommended the approval of the license in July 2016.

The applicant mentioned to the committee that the new establishment will serve snacks, but will not have a kitchen.
(It is interesting to note, according to CB6's meeting minutes, that the applicant claimed that Teafee had kept the same hours as the new bar proposed. I cannot imagine that Teafee was open till 4 am on a Saturday? Also, the applicant apparently told members of the committee that the previous business was "a coffee place with a liquor license." Did Teafee ever serve liquor? I don't remember.)

Have you visited The Watershed yet?

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Teafee Suddenly Closes On Court Street And More Neighborhood Closures

PMFA received several emails in the past few days reporting that Teafee at 517 Court Street has closed its doors. Started by brothers Meno and David Fernandez in April 2013, the place offered 'the best of both brews' in any variation from steamed to iced. The prices were reasonable and Teafee served a stretch of Court Street that still is a bit underserved.

Dan, a reader, wrote in to say:
"I'm sad to report that it looks like Teafee on Court/9th has shut down for good -- there was a goodbye note posted on the front door as of last night.
It's a shame as I went there all the time to read or write, and they had a very friendly vibe, and there are few other casual hangout spots that are not full-time restaurants/bars nearby.
That block seems cursed! Same thing happened to Treats Truck last year…"

An anonymous reader had this to say about the closure:
"I was just informed that Teaffee is also suddenly out of business. It was always crowded and seemed to be the only prosperous store on the corner of the Smith/9th area. The owners are so nice and friendly, so it's a big loss to our neighborhood. It also looks like they went out with a bang, as the inside is littered with empty bottles of booze and scattered cups."

Teafee is not the only coffee place on Court Street that shuttered recently.  Ana and Sophie's, a small breakfast, lunch and coffee spot had only opened at 194 Court Street in June 2015.

On Smith Street, the closings continues at an alarming rate.  Bruiser, a juice bar which opened in March 2015 at 251 Smith Street, has now called it quits on restaurant row. Even OMG Taco has been closed every time I walked past in the last few weeks.

Baluchi's, an outpost of the Indian restaurant chain which had just recently taken over Ramna/ Bombay Dreams at 257 Smith Street, has also just bid farewell. Incidentally, this location was the chain's second attempt on Smith Street. About ten years ago,  owner Rakesh Aggarwal once operated another Baluchi's just a few doors down at 263 Smith Street, where Provence en Boîte currently resides.

Ravioli Wine Bar,  which took over the two storefronts once occupied by Italian Eatery Savoia at 277 and 279 Smith Street back in September 2015, is already giving up its private event space at #279.
The restaurant is, however, still very much open next door, though its web site  at www. ravioliwinebar.com at seems to be currently suspended.

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Teafee On Court Street Now Open To Serve "The Best Of Both Brews"

Brothers Meno and David Fernandez opened Teafee at 517 Court Street just two weeks ago and things have been going very well.  As the name suggests, the place offers 'the best of both brews' in any variation from steamed to iced and the reasonable prices make the additional walk to the corner of 9th Street quite worth it.
Aside from Ceylon, China Green and Jasmine,  the selection of teas includes a wide assortment of other herbal and fruit teas.  Or try a cup of the visual appealing blooming tea, which is steeping on the counter.
The coffee bar serves up french pressed, espresso, cappuccino and lattés from beans supplied by Dallis Brothers.    And for those with a sweet tooth,   the place offers backed goods as well.  For  those who prefer to brew at home,  a display in the back is stocked with various brewing machines and tea pots.
Iced tea flavors will change daily and the special drink of the place is the 'teafee', a blend of tea and coffee concentrate.  It's actually quite good.

Teafee will be hosting a grand opening celebration on Saturday, April 13th and Sunday, April 14th. Make sure to stop by.


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