Favorite Restaurants Exuding Neighborhoodiness
ABrooklynLife had dinner last night at Aroma in the East Village (menu here), and was struck by the intimacy the owners develop and maintain with their patrons. At first, it seemed that owners Alexandra Degiorgio and Vito Polosa simply had a lot of repeat customers and knew how to treat them well, and in many senses this is true. But towards the end of our superb meal, a couple sat down who had obviously not eaten at the restaurant before. Within minutes of their arrival, both owners and the waitress had been over to the table to talk about the menu, the wine list, the space itself; and by the end of the late-night meal, everyone was chatting like old friends. While we ate, at least 15 people walked by the outside of the restaurant and simply sent a friendly wave to those inside. The neighborhoodiness of this restaurant--clearly influenced by Vito and Alexandra--was so overwhelmingly warm and inviting that you have to wish this inventive Italian restaurant masquerading as a wine bar the best of luck and add it to your list of places in the E. Village to visit more often. But it got me thinking, Are there any restaurants in Brooklyn--specifically the Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill triangle--that have this kind of vibe, one so heavily influenced by such fiercely passionate owners?
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Fragole on certain days is like that. Basso Este in the LES is like that.
Cafe on Clinton is the perfect neighborhood restaurant. We're always greeted by name (even on our 2nd visit!), everyone's friendly, the food is well executed, and it's a bargain.
Now that Barry also owns South, the friendliness continues across the street.
While it's not quite a traditional "restaurant", Sample has passionate owners who are always going out of their way to make you feel comfortable. Sit at the bar for the full experience.
Oh, and not quite the same, but we love hanging out with Louie at Sam's on Court. He's a lunatic, but makes a great pizza.
The Grocery - but it'll cost you your savings to become a regular there.
I second Cafe on Clinton! Also they have this fish dish that is amazing. I'm sorry I can't remember the name. It may have involved snapper.
I totally second fragole; the guy in there always remembers me and talks to me about what's going on. I've frequently gotten free wine from him, just cos he's happy to see me again. Definitely a chill joint.
The time we went to Fragole, we really enjoyed it. I don't know why we haven't been back since.
I love Fragole! It's a nice date place but comfortable enough to take visiting friends or family. The wine selection is great, too--last time they had my date and I sample from a few bottles before we decided what to order.
Fragole is decent and friendly, Barry also owned Blue Star and the Latin Grill before that and is a nice guy. The grocery is way overrated and don't go there hungry. However, whats spoken about here sounds like a family owned place and nice people. Copper was great for personal treatment in recent history. Your comment about Louie is funny.
...and Sam's is still the best Pie around by far.
The best Pizza by the slice in this neighborhood was House of Pizza where John made pies for 50 years. The new owners started with lots of enthusiasm but the product doesnt come close.
The guys at Savoia treat me great but I'm Sicilian also; have no idea how they treat the mac-n-cheese/wonderbread crowd.
Cafe Viola on Smith. One of our favorites (even despite that regrettable menu change last summer), we're always greeted and oftentimes have discussions w/ the owner or chef about whatever... Good, simple, affordable italian food... We used to be regulars before moving to Bed Stuy, but we still return on the G to eat there from time to time.
Out to dinner in Cobble Hill tonight, my fiancée and I were mulling over your question regarding restaurants "Exuding Neighborhoodiness". What we came up with, though, is that the most common element of "Neighborhoodiness" in this neck of the woods is that no place takes credit cards. Whad-up with that? It's really annoying! . . . does anybody have any idea about why there's such a Brooklyn rebellion against plastic?
Places that take plastic have to give a cut to Visa and MC, also the taxman gets to see how many dinners your doing a night.
Well, WHATEVER the reason, it's ANNOYING. I can't imagine that the "cut" they have to give the credit card companies is SUCH a big deal when I'm paying $85 for dinner. "Puh-lease, Judge!" And if what they're getting into is essentially tax evasion, that's JUST as messed up. . . . I've started a list of places that think it's reasonable to send their well-paying customers out into the cold in search of an ATM machine--feel free to visit and comment, or add to the list.