Don’t forget: Tonight, February 9, The Brooklyn Bugle/Brooklyn Heights Blog is presenting a special preview of BHB contributor/filmmaker Heather Quinlan’s If These Knishes Could Talk, “The Story of the New York Accent,” at the Brooklyn Heights Cinema from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m. Knishes and egg creams will be served. (buy tickets here).

Quinlan will host a Q&A before the screening of this special 25-minute version of her work-in-progress. All ticket sale proceeds will go to the completion of the full-length film.

The soon-to-be Le Pain Quotidien “bakery and communal table” at 121 Montague Street in the long-deserted former location of Jennifer Convertibles, is moving along faster than you can knead a loaf of bread. As of Tuesday, February 7, framing for new front windows was in the works.

To quote McBrooklyn, Le Pain Quotidien’s menu is filled with pastries (croissants and pain au chocolat); open-faced sandwiches (“Rustic Tuna, Hummus & White Bean with diced tomatoes and basil pesto”); sharing platters; and salads (“Grilled Chicken Cobb with organic mesclun, avocado, bacon and Fourme d’Ambert”).

Check out the chain’s full menu here.

Morton’s The Steakhouse at 339 Adams Street (next to the Brooklyn Marriott) has shuttered, due to “shifting demographics.” The national steakhouse chain was purchased by hospitality company Landry’s Feb. 1; hours later, the company closed down the high-end eatery and stripped off its signage.

The Real Deal reports that Landry’s is also closing the Morton’s in West Palm Beach, for similar reasons. Perhaps also explaining the Brooklyn eatery’s demise, Landry’s VP of marketing Kris Guthrie said, “Over time, demographics shift, and so do the areas in which businesses thrive. It’s because of this that we must close the Morton’s location in Palm Beach.”

Landry’s also owns steakhouse chain McCormick & Schmick’s. Perhaps they were intimidated by the new Shake Shack that opened steps away on Fulton Street?

Thanks to “Nancy,” who tipped BHB in last Wednesday’s Open Thread.

(Photo: The Real Deal)

Stepping outside the borders of Brooklyn Heights in search of a wickedly delicious heap of Sliders & fries—and most important, free soda refills—has led me more than once to the dirty, decadent, painfully slow-moving White Castle at 29 Willoughby Street (between Pearl and Jay streets just off Fulton Mall). Well, no more: Sadly, the joint has shuttered.

Within a block, construction continues on the oddball Willoughby urban park, to the left of the new Shake Shack, which may explain why the Castle has been dethroned. And yet the check-cashing biz remains next door. Oh, sigh.

NY Daily News

New York Daily News: Sometimes less is more, and such is the case at Teresa’s in Brooklyn Heights. The eatery has become famous in its own right, mostly for its well-executed, simple breakfast meals, like eggs any style ($4.95) or their steak and eggs with a side of Polish kielbasa for $7.95. The ambience is diner-like, the service, very friendly, and the prices — just right.

In anticipation of the Indian chain Baluchi’s opening today in the former Seasons spot on Henry between Cranberry and Middagh, Karl took his cam to the store on Warren Street in lower Manhattan. Was it DEE-licious? Give it a look.

This Saturday, February 4, Grace Church, 254 Hicks Street (corner of Hicks and Grace Court) will hold its annual Winterfair. From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., you may shop for children’s clothes and toys, men’s and women’s clothing, books and CDs, sporting equipment, plants and flowers, furniture, housewares and tchatchkes. From 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the cafe will serve delicious hot luncheon entrees. Starting at 6:30 p.m., there will be a gala cocktail reception and silent auction; the theme of this year’s gala is “Russian Rhapsody.” (Disclosure: your correspondent’s wife is in charge of the auction.) Among the prizes available at auction will be goods and gift certificates from local merchants and restaurants, tickets to cultural and sporting events, antiques and art works. Admission to the Fair is free; tickets for the gala are $25 if purchased in advance from the parish office (718-624-1850), and will be available at the Fair for $30.

If you have items you would like to donate for sale at the Fair, please take them to the Church during the day today through Thursday. Books, CDs, children’s toys and clothing should be left on the stage in the downstairs gym; fleas, clothing, sports equipment, and the like should be put in the back side pews on the left of the Church. If you have items for the silent auction, please contact Martha Foley at 718-624-4306 or foley.martha@gmail.com

BHB reader “Jesse” sent us this photo of architectural plans clearly for a Le Pain Quotidien at 121 Montague Street.  Our earlier report on the former Jennifer Convertibles space included an observation from another reader who also spied the plans.

And that makes three. Baluchi’s Indian restaurant is preparing to open its 10th NYC location, in Brooklyn Heights, at the north end of Henry Street near Cranberry Street.

McBrooklyn shares that it joins Gandhi Palace on Montague (which replaced Amin) and Curry Heights on Remsen.

There are nine Baluchi’s throughout New York City, including Soho, the Financial District, East Village and Park Avenue. This is its second Brooklyn location, joining 310 Fifth Avenue in Park Slope.

The discussion is already hopping on today’s Open Thread Wednesday here. (Photo: McBrooklyn)

Table with some tools, a bottle of coke and a set of architectural drawings in the westmost vitrine. Title block legible enough to make out Le Pain Quotidien.

The popular French Belgian style boulangerie offers, along with bread and pastries: breakfasts featuring fruit and granola; lunch and snack items including soups, tartines (open faced sandwiches), quiches, cheeses, and salads; a variety of desserts; and beverages.

Karl Junkersfeld checks out the new location of Grimaldi’s at 1 Front Street in his latest video.

Grimaldi’s needed to move from its former location next door after it was announced that the original pizza man himself, Patsy Grimaldi, would be opening his own pizzeria called Juliana’s there.

Watch the video after the jump.

Cobble Hill Blog’s EJ confirms the veracity of commenter “Steve R” who posted:

Just thought I’d use this old thread as an opportunity to say goodbye to my local hangout, as Jose closed the place this past Sunday. I’ll miss the sardines, the tripe and the company (not necessarily in that order). And the Atlantic Antic will not be the same.

Prompted by EJ, Mr. R spilled the beans about the next eatery to open in that space:

The lease is being taken over by a young (in his 30s?) guy who plans to open a French bistro there in about 3 months. Met him the other day while he was inside cleaning the place.

Oh and Mr. J gets the scoop that an Indian restaurant is reportedly moving into the space at 46 Henry Street. Watch the video after the jump.

I make no bones about my love of Shake Shack—yes, the lines are long, but I will happily endure for their burgers. I even missed the first pitch thrown at Citi Field because I was waiting for a Shake Shack Burger. And I’d do it again. Especially because what have the Mets done for me lately?

Having said that, I completely forgot about Opening Day of Downtown Brooklyn’s Shake Shack until I saw Councilman Stephen Levin’s pics of the Burger Summit on his Facebook page. I was out of my apartment faster than you can say, “But what about the blotter, Heather?”

My friend Colleen (aka @grrlgenius) came with me. Pics after the jump.

Here’s the Burger Summit I was telling you about. (Photo courtesy Stephen Levin.)

This action shot is of Colleen opting for a healthier alternative to a burger—custard. At least, I think it’s a custard. It’s called a Concrete, and this one is named “Borough Precedent” after guess who? (I’ll give you one guess.) It has fruit in it so that’s healthy. Also granola. Because what says Marty Markowitz more than fruit and nuts? (oops, I just gave away the answer.)

I went for the classic Shack Burger—burger, lettuce, ShackSauce, and good ol’ American cheese. But hold the tomatoes because I hate those things. Also had fries and a yummy Black & White shake. I highly recommend pairing fries with a shake.

But aside from the great food (and quick wait—you get one of those vibrating things that alert you when your order is ready. Like in Olive Garden! Without the guilt of going to Olive Garden!) the service was terrific. I feel like the dining experience in New York leaves a lot to be desired, and one tends to expect even less at a fast food joint. But the employees were friendly, and after Colleen and I were finished, one offered to take our tray and asked how we liked everything. And seemed like she actually cared!

Who knows if the glory will last but for one brief shining moment, here in Downtown Brooklyn, there was … well, not Camelot. More like Fun Land. Which is even better.

Good-bye, Fun Land! Until tomorrow!

Some more pics:

People find love at Shake Shack.

I, however, love that stainless steel.

The interior is almost unrecognizable from the way it was as Tony’s Pizza.

And here’s your change. So long!

[They posted the menu outside, but there was too much glare, so I've posted the menu from their site. Shake Shack Menu]

Shake Shack [409 Fulton Street] has arrived and not a moment too soon for this writer. Before locating on Fulton and Adams, I had to trek to Battery Park City to get my Double Burger with French Fries (100% free of artificial trans-fats and made from Yukon Gold potatoes, 25% less fat than average fries) and chocolate Hand-Spun shake eaten with a spoon. Yes, these shakes are thick enough to be eaten with a spoon and every spoonful is delectable. Shake Shake doesn’t come cheap though. A burger, fries and shake will cost close to $20 but it is worth every penny.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Mayor Mike Bloomberg and others were on hand for today’s opening. Video after the jump.

Check out Shake Shack calorie counts here [PDF] (via @MaryHartleyRD)

Shake Shake will soon be followed by Panera Bread (coffee shop/café) in March, Sugar and Plumm (restaurant ice cream parlor), and American BBQ and Beer Company in Fall 2012.

All these new restaurants will be in close proximity on Adams Street on the western entrance to the Fulton Mall. These restaurants have two things in common, 1) they all represent quality and 2) they all are guaranteed to add to your calorie count with burgers, quality breads, desserts, beer and BBQ.

In conclusion, though not formally in the confines Brooklyn Heights, they are all close enough for all to enjoy.

Added note, considering your potential caloric intake after visiting these scrumptious eateries, the additional walk may prove advantageous.

Enjoy, I know I will.

And while we’re very excited to see Shake Shake and the others come to Downtown Brooklyn, we’ve lost Seasons in the North Heights this week.

BHB reader “Anna” writes:

Looks like the Shake Shack on Fulton Mall opening is imminent. Just walked by a little while ago — the “art project wall” is down and the menu is up. Peaked through a tear in the brown paper covering the glass windows and it looks all shiny and 95% read to go – plus quite a few people scurrying around looking very busy. Per an article in the NY Post, they are slated to open on Tuesday, but there is no announcement on the Shake Shack site.

That NY Post piece by Rich Calder bangs the drum about Downtown Brooklyn becoming a foodie heaven. Now before you scoff, gufaw or chuckle behold this passage:

NY Post: Also on deck is The Marrow, a new German/Italian restaurant by chef Harold Dieterle of “Top Chef” fame, slated to open in March at 231 Duffield Street, in a new hotel aptly called Hotel 718.

Check out the full list of eateries coming to Downtown Brooklyn (DoBro anyone?) here.

The Promenade Gardeners will have another of their popular bake sales at the Montague Street entrance to the Promenade this Saturday, December 10, from 10:30 a.m. until everything is sold (rain date Sunday the 11th). Your correspondent can attest to the quality of the goods offered at past sales, and the proceeds go to Promenade Partnership, a cooperative venture between the Brooklyn Heights Association and the City Parks and Recreation Department, which uses the funds for upkeep of the beautiful gardens adjoining the Promenade. Update: Hot cider will also be available.

DUMBONYC: Grimaldi’s move to 1 Front Street is delayed due to an untimely death in the family and the Department of Buildings has issued a stop-work order at the 1 Front Street location. According to the BOD website, the stop work order issued on 11/28/2011 is for “illegally installed coal burning oven @ 1st floor done w/o propper approvals & presents a potential danger to patrons”.

Russell Ciolli, son of Frank Ciolli, both owners of Grimaldi’s Pizza, died last Wednesday at 39. Our condolences go out to the Ciolli family.

Addendum: It’s a busy weekend for fairs in the neighborhood. See AnnOfOrange’s comment to this post for a list.

Any idea what’s up at Tutt Cafe? Walking my dog last evening I noticed that it was stripped almost bare!

We vowed to check it out but BHB super-commenter Andrew Porter beat us to the punch with an investigation of his own, telling us:

Tutt Cafe, 47 Hicks Street, is renovating; they were working there today, Saturday. New drywall and other stuff inside. Workman could/would not say whether or not the outside will change.

Guess I have a new job, because I can now report Fortune House on Henry is officially in the running for worst Chinese restaurant in NYC.

Heights native Sifton did wax nostalgic about China Chilli a defunct Montague Street restaurant earlier this year in the Times. This is also not the first time Fortune House has had a food writer ponder its existence. Eater asked in 2009 – “Who Eats at Fortune House?”

The Henry Street eatery recently reopened after an issue over worker’s pay, a remodeling and adding a new co-owner.

Is Sifton off target or is he just tellin’ like it is?

Which pizza pie will remain supreme?

NY Post: The pizza-slinger switcheroo came about after landlord Mark Waxman decided not to renew Ciolli’s lease for 19 Old Fulton St. The move came a year after Waxman tried to evict Ciolli for being delinquent in rent.

“A year after I sold Grimaldi’s, I was very sorry,” Grimaldi told The Post. “So when Mr. Waxman called me and asked if I wanted to come back, I thought I was dreaming. I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough.”
Grimaldi, who plans to open in March, said he’s spent the past 13 years traveling with Carol, his wife of 40 years.

Dear Friends: In a last minute appeal, we hope that you will consider making (or buying) a pie for the Thanksgiving Dinner served to elderly citizens at Grace Church. It is organized by Heights and Hills, a provider of supportive services to community dwelling older adults in Brooklyn.

The dinner is open to senior citizens, regardless of their economic status. It is an annual Brooklyn Heights tradition, held at Grace Church at NOON on Thanksgiving Day. A full dinner (cooked and donated by the Cobble Hill Health Center) will be served at the church to 250 people, and 75 meals will be delivered to frail, homebound elderly. They need more pies!

If you can either bake or buy a pie (apple, pumpkin, pecan, etc.) and deliver it to Grace Church before noon on Thursday, it will be warmly appreciated.

The Danish Seamen’s Church will hold its annual Christmas Fair this Saturday, November 19, from 11a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Church, 102 Willow Street (just south of Clark Street) and at Plymouth Church, Orange Street between Henry and Hicks, and on Sunday, November 20 from 11:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. at the Danish Seamen’s Church on Willow only. A description of last year’s festivities, which were held on Friday and Saturday instead of Saturday and Sunday, is here. Thanks to reader Monty for alerting us.

To be clear, Five Acre Farms is not a farm at all. There is no pastoral landscape where cows graze, no ever-present smell of manure percolating the air. There is no big red barn, no silo, no wooden sign on an oak tree announcing that Five Acre Farms is two miles down the road to the left. That’s because Dan Horan, the President and CEO of Five Acre Farms, lives on Montague Terrace, right here in Brooklyn Heights.

Around 15 years ago, Horan, who for more than a decade ran Papaya King and for more than two decades has owned Waldingfield Farm in Connecticut, started thinking about a company that would “bring the farmer’s market to the supermarket,” as he puts it, by making available to consumers the farm-fresh foods grown in their region at a reasonable price, 365 days of the year. In the Northeast, that includes items like apples, milk, eggs, and some vegetables. But Horan, who has an MBA, struggled with which of those would be the most marketable.

“It’s very hard to brand lettuce or eggplant,” Horan, whose own farm produces organic vegetables, told me recently after finishing lunch at Teresa’s on Montague Street. “There’s a lot of milk in the Northeast, and milk also economically presented a good option, because the farmers are in such distress.”

And so Horan, armed with an idea, years of experience in the food service industry (he was also a general manager at Gourmet Garage), and lots of agricultural know-how, started talking to dairy farmers located within 275 miles of New York City. He explained to them his idea, and promised that while Five Acre Farms would be the brand, their name and story would be front and center, too.

“We put the name of the farmer, who we bought it from, right there, so you know—it’s Seth and Don,” he said, fingering the tag attached to the top of the chic bottle indicating that this batch of Five Acre Farms milk, like all others, was produced by Seth and Don at Battenkill Valley Creamery in Salem, NY.

Obviously, Horan is interested in more than being Facebook for farmers. He is a businessman, after all, and one who is keenly aware that paying $3.99 for a half gallon of organic milk is offensive to many people. The milk offered by Five Acre Farms is not organic, but still costs $2.79 for a half gallon, around 80 cents higher than the average price for non-organic milk.

“There are a lot of farmers who aren’t organic, but do a lot of good things, and right now they don’t get any reward in the market,” Horan said, and highlighted the importance of knowing where things are from. “You can say you want fresh food, but that means you actually have to pay the farmer.”

He spent a lot of time meeting farmers and learning about their practices before deciding on Battenkill, whose milk, people tell him, “tastes like home.” It’s Grade A, pasteurized and homogenized, with no artificial or added hormones or antibiotics. Farmer Seth and Farmer Don grow all of their own feed, and last year won Cornell University’s top prize for milk in New York State. Regardless, convincing marketers that it’s worth shelling out the extra dough is an uphill battle.

“We want, when possible, for people to understand the impact they can have on buying local food,” he said, noting that Five Acre Farms milk, while not organic, is going from the farm to your fridge in just 36 hours. “But you can’t just be local for the sake of being local,” he stipulated. “It has to be vetted.”

Horan is willing to do the vetting, but for any skeptics out there, the story of Battenkill Valley Creamery, its farming practices, and why it’s not organic but still progressive is available on the Five Acre Farms website. So are answers to the questions “Why is your milk so inexpensive?” and “Why is your milk so expensive?”

“Transparency is something we talk about everyday,” Horan said, admitting he’s banking on it trumping all else. “We aren’t going to be perfect, and we may not satisfy somebody’s questions, and you have to be able to live with that.”

At present, Five Acre Farms offers milk in five forms: regular; reduced fat; fat free; half and half; and heavy cream. It’s available in more than 30 stores in the tri-state area (including the Key Foods on Montague Street and Union Market on Court Street), and Horan hopes to expand his line of goods soon to include eggs and apple juice from other local farms. Eventually, he believes his approach of taking products piecemeal from regional farms will be successful in other parts of the country too.

In his part of the country, which for the last 12 years has been Brooklyn Heights, Horan enjoys buying provisions at local favorite Sahadi’s, on Atlantic Avenue. “I love—I love—Sahadi’s,” he told me, adding that the raisins at the Oriental Pastry & Grocery across the street are “like olives.” On second thought, “They’re like golf balls.”

Who am I to argue with a professional opinion?

Mrs. Fink, Baby Fink and I enjoyed a great meal yesterday afternoon. Uova pizza, Bevacco burger and meatballs were super-fantastic!

And with breakfast service coming soon, Bevacco should wash away memories of 60 Henry’s “bad old days.”

No doubt that Hanco’s [147 Montague Street] is a super-fantastic addition to Brooklyn Heights. Nothing beats their classic Vietnamese sandwich or, if you’re so inclined, the Bubble Tea. But we’ve noticed something there that seems oddly out of place, the huge mural facing the counter. Now, we don’t know nothin’ ’bout fancy art but the “80′s dorm room soft porn” tableau of a comely lady and her white stallion seems a bit racy for a sammich joint. Now, we hate to drop an “N” word but is that a nipple we see? Holy cow!

This all seems a little too Equus for us. How ’bout you?