… but a clogged basement?
Kings Highway, near the corner of Ocean Avenue.
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A Kingsborough Culinary Arts student at work
If you’ve ever watched Hell’s Kitchen or Top Chef and said to yourself, “I wish that was me” – this is your chance to develop some real culinary skills for free!
It goes without saying that our economy is in a difficult time. With so many qualified applicants flooding the job market, younger and less experienced job applicants can find the search daunting. If you’re not currently employed or a full-time student, then the CUNY Young Adult Program has a wonderful opportunity for you to add to your skill set and open up a career path. The program is providing free Food Service/Culinary Arts training to eligible people at KBCC. The program is being advertised via Facebook and Craigslist in an apparent bid to appeal directly to 18- to 24-year-olds.
We told you about Kingsborough’s newly-launched Culinary Arts major back in May. The new kitchens, expert faculty and innovative program make this a bargain for young adults.
We’ve been watching this location at 2424 Coney Island Avenue for months, and what was previously a rundown nightclub is now Grand Bazaar. Although everything seemed ready to go back in January, when the owner said they’d have a soft opening in February, it finally opened this week. Their small parking lot looks like it can fit about eight cars with room for two to load groceries if no truck is offloading. There is even a small sitting area outside, but its lack of shade isn’t so appealing in this weather.
Back when we first reported on Grand Bazaar, the owner told us there would be a grand opening about a month after its soft opening. And with a soft spot for celebrations with free food, we’re hoping that’s true. Stay tuned!
Photo by Arthur Borko
Looks like there’s some new competition for Sheepshead Bay staple Vinnie’s and last year’s newcomer Kastattoo. The gas-station-turned-shopping-plaza on Harkness Avenue and Knapp Street is filling up its real estate vacancies. The latest entry is Inkheart, a tattoo and piercing shop. Given the other business occupying the corner, one can have a helluva night on that little corner. Get drunk, have a sandwich, get a tattoo and then cry about it all when you sober up with some coffee… all before the catching the latest 3-D movie around the corner! Any guesses as to what will fill the final spot? My guess is an OTB outlet; though a headshop would be nice.
A major accident occurred on Avenue V and Ocean Parkway on the northbound side. It appears that a turning vehicle may have collided with other traffic. We could not obtain more information as police were preventing vehicles from stoping nearby. It was not obvious if anyone was injured as no ambulance was at the scene, but it may have simply left already. The northbound lane of Ocean Parkway between Ave V and W was temporarily closed, with traffic diverted to the service road or Avenue W, but is now fully open.
We spotted this car on East 28th Street between Avenue Y and Avenue Z. Not only were all four tires missing, but the rims, brakes and even the axle was gone! We’re wondering if this car is a victim of theft and vandalism, or is it simply a “do it yourself” project? Considering the extent of the damage (the front bumper was in the back seat) we’re hoping it’s the latter.
The infamous Brighton Beach show, whose existence we originally uncovered back in February, is extending their casting deadline and updated some rules, according to their Facebook Page.
The “Russian Jersey Shore” is apparently delving deep into its pool of candidates to find very special toolbags like this guy. But it seems the delays are starting to shake the faiths of its fickle fans. Above is just a small sample of reader comments who are now questioning whether the show will be made. Others can’t quite figure out why there’s a shortage of over-the-top characters to choose from, and at least one offers a suggestion of where to look:
they want russians that act like retarded guidos and are havin trouble finding them?…..strange…I see em in El Greco all the time ….
But we were told back in February that any deal with broadcasters would be contingent on the cast, so it may just be the producer’s high and noble idea of putting together a diverse and culturally revealing cast has been shot down. As some commenters suggested on past articles, the channels could be pressuring the producers to get stereotype-enforcing loudmouths.
Did you send in a submission? Tell us about it!
A handful of models were frolicking in Coney Island last week, there for a Gloss Magazine photo shoot at Nathan’s. We even caught one eating!
Courtesy of Grub Street
After so many years of watching diners close all over the city, the trend may finally be reversing as a new 24-hour diner has opened in the area. You may remember the Retro 50′s diner which closed back in 2007 on Cropsey Avenue. Well, thankfully it was never torn down because Mike Siderakis (of Howard Beach’s Cross Bay Diner) has reopened it as the Parkview Diner. Grub Street (which only scooped us because I’m one lazy cabbie) reports that the menu will go above and beyond the standard diner fare with surf and turf, and pasta choices. If you’re not gonna visit to check out the food then take a gander at this awesome Coney Island glass etching. Let’s hope this puts an end to those nasty rumors about Kings Plaza Diner closing.
Those passing by Pizzeria Del Corso on Avenue U and Batchelder Street last weekend may have noticed the restaurant shuttered and a Department of Health notice in the window.
According to owner Nino Coniglio, DOH bungling of his permit, mixed with harassment from an anonymous “tipster,” has cost them around $16,000 in lost business and fines.
Nino explained that for the past few months some dubious parties have called in false 311 complaints. The complaints ranged from smoking while making pizza, spitting within the restaurant’s food preparation areas, and handling money and then touching the food with bare hands. The Health Department investigated three times in the last few months, first on March 6 and then March 11. No violation points were issued on those two visits, but an expired restaurant permit prompted inspectors to issue a warning.
According to Nino, the restaurant was supposed to receive a new permit earlier this year. But he was required to show for a hearing that fell on the same day as February’s snowstorm. Though the city’s offices were open, they cancelled the hearing and told Nino to wait for a rescheduling. The appointment never came, but eventually he received a fine for nearly $3,000 for failing to show for his hearing. This, of course, isn’t the first time we’ve heard of DOH screwiness costing a local restaurant money.
Del Corso’s reopening was further slowed by the insurance company dragging their feet with some required information. Del Corso was not able to renew the expired document in a timely manner and, on April 13, when the DOH returned to investigate another fake complaint they finally shut down the pizzeria.
After getting a new insurance company over the weekend and passing another required inspection on April 20, which found zero violations, Del Corso is now reopened.
Nino said that in the five days he was closed they lost about $13,000 in business, plus the cost of fines and paperwork. As for the harassing tipster, Nino said he has an idea of who it is, but doesn’t intend to point fingers in public.
