Les Enfants Terribles: A Stylish Boerum Hill Haircut Bar "For Everyone"

Les Enfants Terribles, owners Matthew Previtera and Benoit Peyrouse

Les Enfants Terribles, a small stylish haircut bar at 85 Bergen Street opened in Boerum Hill this past July but has already settled quite nicely into the community.  On a recent Thursday morning, as I was meeting owners Matthew Previtera and Benoit Peyrouse for the first time, a steady stream of clients stopped by to make appointments and neighbors waved 'hello' while passing by.

This is exactly the kind of feel Previtera and Peyrouse were hoping to achieve: a  classy, old-time neighborhood barber shop where one can get a great haircut in an unpretentious, relaxed atmosphere.
Previtera and Peyrouse, the 'incorrigible children', who both previously worked at Persons Of Interest, had been looking for a commercial space in the neighborhood for a while, when they came across the small space next to Van Leeuwen's on Bergen Street. Previously occupied by a dry cleaner, the two spent weeks renovating and reconfiguring the storefront. The transformation is quite successful. The level of detail and the welcoming atmosphere is what makes Les Enfants Terrible a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.

The hair bar is open 7 days a week. You can make an appointment by calling 347 763 2124, or by visiting its web site lesenfantsterriblesbk.com.

*In case you were wondering, the two enfants terribles, were both born in 1982, hence the "since" reference.

85 Bergen Street before it became Les Enfants Terribles

(photo credit: Benoit Peyrouse)

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"O. J. Cleanse" Opens On Bergen Street

OJ CLEANSE, INC., just opened at 85 Bergen Street in the space once occupied by Hanco, before the Vietnamese sandwich shop moved over to Smith Street.

Besides fresh squeezed orange juice for those trying to detox, OJ Cleanse offers other organic fresh juices, smoothies, coffee, teas and salads. 

To celebrate its grand opening, OJ Cleanse is currently offering a 10% discount on gift cards. You can follow this new neighborhood business here.

I am not so sure about the name. What do you think?

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Hanco's Moves From Bergen Street To New Location On Smith Street

The old Hanco's on Bergen Stree

and the new Hanco's on Smith Street

When the first Hanco's opened its doors at 85 Bergen Street in 2005, it was the first Vietnamese sandwich and bubble tea shop in the neighborhood.  The small hole-in-the-wall eatery quickly became a favorite not only because of its prices, but because of its consistently fresh, delicious food.
The success of this first store lead owner Tang Hanco, who came to the United States from Vietnam and settled in Carroll Gardens in 1980, to open two additional shops, one in Brooklyn Heights and one in Park Slope.  Though the new sister shops are more upscale and offer a wider menu, they somehow lack the simple charm of the first Hanco's.  Many still preferred the slightly run down crammed spot on Bergen Street and claimed that the sandwiches were best at this location.
What might be considered bad news for all those who liked the original Hanco's, the mini-Bánh mì chainlet has closed down its original Bergen Street location about two weeks ago and will be relocating around the corner to Smith Street.  Work on the new space at 136 Smith Street near Dean Street has begun and the storefront already sports a new shiny sign.
And judging from the sign, the new interior will be very much in line with the Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope shops.

Personally, I will miss the old eatery.  Yes, it was crammed. Yes, it had only a few tables for eating in, but it had charm.  The new Hanco's are just a wee bit too generic looking.
What do you think?

Below, the interior of the Brooklyn Heights Hanco's

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