The Bahche: A Visit To The New Turkish Café In Gowanus

Perhaps The Bahche at 191 7th Street is a bit out of the way, but next time you want to take a break from work in the middle of the day, walk or bike over to this new Turkish Café in Gowanus and have lunch.  That's what I did one sunny day last week with some friends.

Bahche, which means 'garden' in Turkish does indeed have a charming patio area with lots of comfortable seating for outdoor eating.
Now that the weather is getting colder, step into the spacious industrial indoor dining area, and make yourself comfortable on one of the couches and stay awhile.  If you brought the kids, you may want to send them to the play area, where they can have fun while you enjoy a quiet meal.

Bahche is less of a restaurant than a café serving coffee, tea, pastries and an eclectic menu of sandwiches, paninis and burgers. The eatery offers Mediterranean appetizers like Humus, Labne, Tabbouleh, a classic tomato and cucumber Sheppard's salad, and filo dough pies, but sadly no Turkish main dishes. That's too bad and I hope the owners will rectify this in the future.

Bahche is perfect for breakfast and lunch. It is also a go-to place late at night when heading to the Bell House, which is just a few doors down.  The eatery does not have a liquor license yet, but the owners are planning on applying for one very soon.

The Bahche

191 7th Street (between Second and Third Avenue)

Gowanus

Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Sat: 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

Sun: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

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Checking Out Hunter's On Smith Street

If you haven't yet checked out Hunter's on Smith Street in Boerum Hill,  you should definitely stop by the next time you are looking for a casual place to dine.
The seasonal American restaurant and bar opened late last year, but in just a few short months, Hunter's has become a favorite spot in the neighborhood and has found its place amidst Smith Street's culinary scene.
Co-owners Fernando Camberos and Angelo Schifilliti, two childhood friends, and their partner Michael Nee have transformed the space that was previously occupied by a Greek restaurant into a cosy 'lodge', complete with framed wildlife prints. The theme extends to the bar, which offers cocktails named "The Smoking Gun" and "Wile E. Coyote" and "Handsome Hound". (The restaurant's muse is Schifilliti's beagle, Hunter.)

The menu is created by Schifilliti, the former Executive Chef at Landmarc Tribeca and Nee. Many of the ingredients are sourced locally. The cheese, for example, comes from Stinky's next door.
Some of the must-haves are the Grilled Kale, served with roasted squash, puffed chickpeas and egg.  Also try the fresh house-made pastas.  The Papardelle is served with boar ragu and wild mushroom. And according to Peter Shelsky of Shelsky's,  the Bourbon mustard served with some of the appetizers is simply amazing.
Pair your meal with wines from the Finger Lakes or with one of the many local craft beers on the drink menu.

Hunter's is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday through Sunday. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays.

And if you need a coffee fix, Hunter's now serves Blue Bottle 'pour over' coffee that you can order to go.  (One word: amazing!)

Hunter's is really a welcomed addition to the neighborhood. Stop by and try it soon.

Hunter's 

213 Smith Street

(between Douglass and Butler Streets)

Brooklyn, NY 11201

(718) 246-2221

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Poppy's Catering Coming To DeGraw Street Space Formerly Occupied By Sadie's Kitchen

Over the week-end, I received two separate emails from PMFA readers Abigail and Ariane letting me know that after months of inactivity,  there seemed to be some movement at the former Sadie's Kitchen.
The cute 1950's style diner at 243 DeGraw Street between Clinton and Court Street closed its doors back in April 2012 for a 'spring remodel', but never re-opened. (Before that, it was the home of Chicory.)
I walked by the place yesterday and saw that the windows have been papered over.  I almost missed a tiny little embossed label taped to one window, indication a web address:  www.poppyscatering.com.

From Poppy's Catering & Events website:

"Jamie Schmones Erickson opened Poppy's in 2012 after working as City Bakery's Catering + Events manager. Over the last several years, Jamie has produced and catered for companies such as J.Crew, Gilt, Vanity Fair, and Coach, as well as numerous other corporate + private clients.
Poppy's Catering + Events believes in using the top quality, seasonal ingredients, local purveyors, and working with knowledgeable, reliable staff. Keeping things simple, rustic and delicious is our mission.
As a fourth generation New Yorker, Jamie named Poppy's after her Grandfather, Leo, who was a well known counterman at NYC's infamous B+H Dairy. Food and hospitality has always been in her blood and with Poppy's Jamie hopes to continue his legacy.
Poppy's is available for drop off catering in your home, office, or on set, as well as full service catering for corporate events, weddings, showers, etc. handling all details from the staffing to the decor."

The space on DeGraw Street seems ideal for a catering business.  There is no indication yet on whether there will be food service to the general public in addition to catering.  If not, that would be a real pity.  The food offering looks great.

***UPDATE***
Poppy just left a comment with the following great news:
"This is Poppy's reporting that we hope to open by Spring to the public and have a rotating daily menu of prepared foods to-go. We also plan to have a farm table available for private dinner parties. Thrilled to be a part of the neighborhood community!"

Love it.  Welcome to the neighborhood!

Pacifico Is No More In Boerum Hill

It would appear that Pacifico, the Mexican bar and restaurant in Boerum Hill has closed its doors.
Yesterday, I received an email from Reader Lara, who shared this bit of news about the eatery:

Your readers might be interested to know that long time nabe staple Pacifico is no more.We went last night and were told they closed on Dec 9th for good as they had a dispute with the landlord over the lease (which was up) and the amount the landlord wanted to charge them for the space.

Pacifico, which opened in 2003, was one in a chain of eateries opened by 'pioneer' restaurateurs Brooklyn Alan Harding–Jim Mamary.
Pacifico at 269 Pacific Street was actually more of an outdoor venue on an empty lot that connected to a small storefront on Smith Street
In 2009, it was reported that the restaurant's manager, Richard Kraus, was going to take it over.

Just recently, construction began on the big empty lot right next to Pacifico. That may also have had something to do with the eatery finally calling it quits.