Heights History: The Story Behind Some of the North Heights’ Restaurants And A Look At Them From 47 Years Ago

By on August 15, 2014 4:28 pm in Architecture, Brooklyn History, Food, History, Landmark Preservation

Ever wondered what the story was behind your favorite restaurant? Well, it might be about more than food or even one man’s dream. Here is an exploration of how some Brooklyn Heights restaurants came to be and what their owners say best exemplifies their spirit. Plus, you will get to see what they looked like back in 1967!

First up, Henry’s End (44 Henry Street – website) and Brooklyn Heights Wine Bar (50 Henry Street – website).

Henry’s End. Photo: Evan Bindelglass

Buildings Department records show 44 Henry Street was used as a restaurant as far back as 1939. It was a bar called Al’s before it was Henry’s End.

50-44 Henry Street, 1967. Photo courtesy New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

It has been Henry’s End since 1973, when a man named Donald Bleekman, who owned the building until 2012, operated it. In 1979, he sold it to Gary Pomponio. In 1980, Mark Lahm was hired as a dishwasher. He had no particular interest in food at the time, but worked a number of jobs at the restaurant, made friends with Pomponio, and took a course at the Culinary Institute of America.

 

Mark Lahm sits at the bar inside Brooklyn Heights Wine Bar. Photo: Evan Bindelglass

After graduating in 1986, Lahm bought Henry’s End. He’s proud of their Wine Spectator award-wining all-American wine list and annual wild game festival. If you’re wondering, it’s called Henry’s End because it’s not far from the end of Henry Street.

What The Owner Says To Order:
Appetizer: West Indian Bar-b-q Shrimp
Entrée: Chicken Lemonese or Duck with wild mushroom and lingonberry
Dessert: Mud Pie or Apple Cobbler

ARCHIVE DOCUMENT: 1939 Certificate of Occupancy (PDF)

READ MORE

Pages: 1 2 3 4

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  • Muskrat

    When Henry’s End first opened it was like a little earthquake in the nabe – such an appealing vibe and so different from everything else. It was hip as in “hippy” – not hipster! We especially loved the Mobil gas Pegasus sign. It’s nothing short of amazing that the restaurant is still there and thriving.

  • Kit

    I fail to understand how your history of 60 Henry does not include mention of longtime resident, Soo Soo’s Yum Yum Restaurant.

  • BrooklynBugle

    Noted.

  • Mini

    Yes, Su-Su’s was great. Miss it. Isn’t Bevacco in that space now? Sad. Never tried Becacco because the menu doesn’t entice me and it seems always empty.

  • GHB

    Maybe if you gave it a try, it wouldn’t look so empty!

  • MPV

    No, not sad. Bevacco is a wonderful space with excellent food and charming, authentic cocktails. The menu is two full pages including apps, salads, pizza, pasta, burgers, panini, and entrees. The bar has hundreds of bottles on the shelf. There has to be something for you. Give it a try before you knock it.

  • suzanne goss

    They meant Su-Su’s.

  • suzanne goss

    The produce place referred to at 50 Henry was Norman’s. Yes, flies, and babies crawling around on the floor (their’s.) Amazing produce and cheese and breads. Every day something new. wow how they would fit in now, in today’s farm-to-table, artisanal, world…

  • suzanne goss

    Noodle pudding as originally McGr*ths? No?

  • Bornhere

    I think McGrath’s was on Fulton Street (before it was Cadman Plaza Something).
    And you’re right about Norman’s — where they didn’t need “artisanal” to sell their exceptional goods.

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    Who is Evan Bindleglass? Never saw the name before but appreciate the effort and quality job on this story. (photo’s included) With Evan and Michael Randazzo joining Claude Scales, the professionalism is getting mighty impressive. Nice job Evan and hope to see more posts in the future.

  • BrooklynBugle

    Evan is a freelance writer who has also contributed to Curbed NY and other well known sites. We’re amped that he’s agreed to work with us. Coupled with the BHB regulars, the imminent return of Heather “86 Mets” Quinlan and new kid Mike “Randazzle” Randazzo we’re bigger and better than ever. Like what you see? Contribute to our editorial fund and keep BHB, CHB and the Bugle one of the very FEW remaining INDEPENDENT blogs in Brooklyn — https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/brooklyn-bugle-editorial-fund-2015/x/7880010

  • college kid

    The correct name of the original owner of Henry’s End is Donald Beckerman. instead of Henry’s End, we used to call the restaurant, Hank’s Rump.

  • MonroeOrange

    you can see their truck in the picture….

  • mary anne killeen

    McGrath’s was indeed where Noodle Pudding is now located. As teens, we would go there to drink cheap beer and watch the Yankees win (it was the 70’s). There was a window in the back room, where the kitchen is now, which opened into the alley next to the firehouse. There was a bell hung inside the window, with the cord hanging out he window into the alley. At night, the bell would ring, someone at the bar would go to the refrigerator, lift out a couple of six packs, open the window and hand them out the window to a waiting firefighter. Simpler times!

  • Bornhere

    What a neat memory!

    My recollection went back to this (which I vaguely recall, although it was well before I was old enough to even see over a bar). http://tinyurl.com/kcfyr9m

  • suzanne goss

    was the “A” still on the sign at that time?

  • grewuphere

    Great produce, also cheap. I miss Norman’s (and its crazy, awesome owner, and his traffic hazard of cat) dearly :/