SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

Photo by Ray Johnson

Meet Layne Mosler, a “food pilgrim” and blogger over at Taxi Gourmet. Mosler is on a never-ending journey to seek out the city’s top cuisine, as dictated by those who know New York the best: taxi drivers.

In an article for the food culture newsletter Tasting Table, Mosler rounded up what she and taxi drivers consider the yummiest bowls of soup. On the list? Sheepshead Bay’s Cherry Hill Restaurant and Gourmet Market at the old Lundy’s building (1901 Emmons Avenue).

She writes:

The borscht and the fish soup–with big chunks of salmon, leeks, carrots and scallions–are worth a sit-down at this Russian super-deli in Brighton Beach. If you want to skip the upstairs café, takeout highlights include potato-battered chicken stuffed with mushrooms, stewed cabbage and ‘Caucasian’ salad with roasted eggplant, tomato and cilantro.

That’s right, Sheepshead Bay is apparently now an extension of Brighton Beach. We’ll give her a pass… this time.

Construction inside the planned Starbucks location has been stalled for months

Bad news for those salivating in anticipation of the new drive-through Starbucks on Nostrand Avenue: their planned opening date has been pushed back by several months.

We reported back in July that the 3454 Nostrand Avenue (corner of Gravesend Neck Road) location would open this month. Unfortunately, Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials have slammed the brakes on the project over concerns of the location of the drive-through curb cut, according to Howard Weiss, an attorney for the property owner.

Weiss said that after the Board of Standards and Appeals granted a variance giving permission to construct a drive-through in May, construction kicked off and all seemed good. But he said the MTA renovated the B36 and B44 bus shelter there, moving it closer to the corner several feet.

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Sure, it’s no Phu King Restaurant, but the new Ka Ka Bakery at 1505 Avenue U gets high marks for unintentional humor. We’re not sure exactly why the establishment, formerly Kingsley Bakery, decided to denigrate itself, but it provided a few good laughs on a recent stroll. That being said, they serve a decent pork bun and were friendly enough on a recent visit.

So… how many puns can we make from this photo?

Last week we set you off on a guessing game of which Sheepshead Bay restaurant was selling its business on Craigslist. Was it sushi? El Greco? A strip club?!

Nope.

Reader “Local Broker” had to go off and spoil the fun with his early – and accurate – answer: “East 14th and Z near the library.” He was, of course, talking about Cafe L’Azur at 2612 East 14th Street. So when we have our eventual meetup, Local Broker will get his reward: a hug… or something.

While the number attached to the Craiglist post did indeed go to L’Azur, an owner named Dimitry denied the whole thing. It’s possible that’s because, minutes before, we were in the restaurant asking him face to face. He denied it then, too, and had no knowledge of any Craigslist post. But when we talked over the phone, he admitted he did know about the post, but didn’t know who put it up or why, and that the business was not for sale.

“We’ve only been open for a year. We’re not selling it,” were his words.

But one reader who is interested in buying the business told us that he called and spoke to an owner as well. Not only did they tell him the business was for sale, but they’ve asked him to come in and take a look around. Curiouser and curiouser…

Whatever the situation, it’s definitely weird. Cafe L’Azur did open about a year ago, replacing a florist who had been there for at least a decade. They renovated the spot inside and out. But – perhaps because of poor media relations – they’re now closing. Maybe. Who knows.

Confused yet? Me too.

We always tried being optimistic about Cappuccino on the Bay. We hyped its reopening. We reviewed its new digs. We stopped by as often as we could stand to drink espresso. But in the end, Cappuccino on the Bay’s five-month existence at Avenue Z and East 17th Street passed like a numbing epilogue at the tail of a story many decades in the telling.

Cappuccino on the Bay shut down abruptly over the weekend. On Monday, the windows were covered in paper and a new tenant was already doing minor work inside. We can’t say whether or not the owner is looking for a third storefront in a little over a year – maybe some place with better foot traffic – but it’s unlikely. Our visits over the past few months saw the owner increasingly forlorn (or so it seemed), and our guess is he finally threw in the towel. A financial investment firm is moving into the location.

Cappuccino on the Bay moved to Avenue Z in July, after being forced out of it’s Emmons Avenue location when the property was sold a few months before. It sat on Emmons for generations, serving many bay residents their first espresso drinks. Fare thee well, Cap on the Bay. You’ll be missed.

Related articles:
Cappuccino On The Bay: A Slice of American Apple Pie and Italian Tiramisu, Too!
Coming Soon: Cappuccino On Avenue Z
Cappuccino Not on the Bay
Best Western Buys the Block
Best Western Real Estate Klusterfuck

We’ve all been wondering if we would see a return of the Emmons Avenue Dunkin’ Donuts after it closed more than a year ago. Initial reports said it was being renovated. Well – it isn’t and we won’t. Signs have been stripped from the building, signaling that  the waterside Dunkin’ Donuts has closed for good. Fret not, though: they launched two new locations just a few blocks away on Knapp Street.

But hot-damn, that’s not all! We’re hearing whispers that the landlord yanked D-n-D’s 99-year lease and is close to signing a contract with neighboring Liman. It would make sense; the Turkish seafood restaurant has been getting rave reviews in the city’s press and may be looking to grow its business. But that doesn’t mean Liman’s expanding – management declined to comment, but hinted that the new property wouldn’t be part of the existing restaurant. Hmm… maybe they read our list of businesses that Sheepshead Bay needs?

Anyway, we’re more curious what the neighborhood’s new-car-owning Russian high school kids are going to do without that parking lot to bum around in. Poor kids. Poor, poor kids. Daddy’s Maxima will never to come rest again…

Neighbors, local politicians, and Hollywood celebrities packed into the landmarked Lundy’s building as its latest tenant, Cherry Hill Gourmet Market, celebrated its grand opening on Thursday. Cherry Hill management catered to a crowd of nearly a thousand with mountains of food prepared in its own kitchen.

In attendance was Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, a martial arts star who has appeared in movies including Mortal Kombat and Memoirs of a Geisha, and is currently working on Tekken. Two other martial arts stars accompanied him, circulating amongst Sheepshead Bay residents while nibbling food and posing for photos.

“What I like most about [Cherry Hill Gourmet Market] is how much attention they made to making it a classy environment,” said Tagawa. “It makes you feel at home and makes you feel you want to come here and hangout.”

Tagawa said he’s visited Sheepshead Bay’s waterfront before and likes the neighborhood. “Especially in the summer, with all the girls,” he noted. “It’s hard for American women to compete with Russian women. Russians are beautiful with ease, and American women have to work at it.”

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz stopped by before the crowds to strike a pose with management and employees. He quickly expired his Russian vocabulary, repeating “da-da” and “spociba” between photos. Other politicians showed up, including Republican contender for the 46th City Council district, Gene Berardelli, and would-be City Council candidate Simon Belsky, among others.

The event pulled in hundreds of people, ciphoning street traffic with an outdoor buffet and an additional one indoors. Residents overall seeemed eager at the prospect of free food, devouring tray after tray of assorted rices, meats, finger foods (including cocktail shrimp and even lobster), and salads. David Isaev, owner, and his right-hand man, Moisha, seemed satisfied with the turnout, but asked that we don’t quote them and instead “Talk to the people.”

Russian and non-Russian residents alike seemed to enjoy the all-out event.

“Everything’s perfect,” swooned Eugena Dokhno. She and her husband Alex came to Cherry Hill to shop, but saw the event and put their baskets down.

“It’s beautiful,” said Alex. “It’s a very good kitchen” with excellent food, he added.

The controversy over Cherry Hill’s alleged zoning violations didn’t temper praise for their food. Judd Fischler, president of the 60th Precinct Community Council, reminisced about the grandeur of  the old Lundy’s restaurant, which he patronized in earlier years. He noted that though zoning ordinances ought to be followed, the owners of Cherry Hill had put together an impressive market and cafe.

“As far as this is concerned, it’s definitely a magificent place. It’s out of the ordinary,” said Fischler. “You couldn’t get back the spirit of the old place, but it’s still Lundy’s. I’m not going to tell you it’s not good because there’s a violation.”

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There’s a lot of hustle-and-bustle going on at the landmarked Lundy’s building, as Cherry Hill workers prepare for their grand opening event. Sure, it’s coming more than four months after their actual opening, but the gourmet market has been embroiled in controversy and was keeping a low profile.

Well, say goodbye to those days. Though still squabbling with the Department of Buildings over a stop work order that continues to keep the restaurant portion shut, the owners have decided to shed the meekness and are preparing for quite the launch tonight. We saw workers stocking shelves, preparing tasting tables, and tying balloons all about. But in addition to free food and a come-one-come-all invite to the neighbors, tonight’s seating area will sport a VIP section, complete with a secret celebrity guest. David Isaev, Cherry Hill’s owner, was tight-lipped about who it was, but did note, “He’s coming all the way from Hollywood.” We’re hoping it’s Shawne Merriman, so we can thank him for doing what we’ve all wanted to do to the icon of L.A.’s talentless hackery.

When: 6 p.m. tonight
Where: Lundy’s, duh! — 1901 Emmons Avenue (corner of Ocean Avenue)
Free food and seating for all.

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(Courtesy of Village Voice)

Who doesn’t love the rich, savory smell of exotic Middle Eastern spices? Village Voice’s Robert Sietsema does, and his taste buds led him all the way to Sheepshead Bay. He checked out Liman Restaurant (2710 Emmons Avenue), which boasts a variety of traditional Turkish eats. He even took pictures! But this restaurant critic isn’t the only one talking about Liman. Let’s hear what the Yelp crowd has to say.

After returning from a trip to Turkey, Gary D. and co. wanted to relive their “epicurean” experience, which they met with some unexpected results. While the “anchovies were delicious” and “the mussel dolmas had good flavor,” it wasn’t exactly what Gary had hoped for. “All in all [the food] was pretty tasty, somewhat overpriced and neither of us felt particularly good after dinner (if you know what I mean.)” Oh yes, we know what you mean.

While Gary “would probably try a different place” the next time he’s jones-ing for a Turkish meal, Stan Z. had a different take. Stan lists “the salad, the fried liver cubes, the jajik, calamari…” as a must. For those of you strapped for cash, be warned that “prices are moderate to expensive but the portions for appetizers are pretty large.” On Friday and Saturday nights, Stan recommends you come before 9 p.m. to avoid the “weird, funky and show off crowds with their expensive cars and swagger.”

And then there’s the rest:

Bagel Stop & Deli (1424 Sheepshead Bay Road) got five stars from bob s. for their “always fresh” bagels.

For some “very decent” lunch prices, Max S. thinks Vanka Café (3810 Nostrand Ave) offers a good variety of food selections, “including lamb testicles – yummo!”

And Russian night club Paradise Gardens LLC (2814 Emmons Avenue) gets praise for their night club experience but a thumbs down on the food, which eugenek describes as “subpar.”

Local baristas: start shaking in your cups. Big, bad corporate coffee is on its way to Sheepshead Bay.

Sure, we’ve known since last November that a Starbucks is moving in on Sheepshead Bay territory, but it wasn’t clear when. Well, the Seattle-based chain will be pushing its brand of coffee and pastries at Nostrand Avenue and Gravesend Neck Road sometime in December. The little building now under construction, pictured above, will only be part Starbucks. The java-brewer will take up the space on the far side from the corner, while the corner space will be another retail unit still to be decided.

We got up close and took a peek at the construction, and in the back of the building we can see what clearly is a drive-through lane (image at left). No word yet on whether you will also be able to walk in and order, but there doesn’t seem to be space for parking or seating. But hey, you’ll be so jazzed up on caffeine after getting your drink that it won’t matter!

If you think this is good news, then check out the coupon we’re telling people about on Facebook that gets Starbucks customers a free pastry with any coffee over $3.00. Sadly, it’s only good until 10:30 a.m. today, so be sure to Facebook us and print yours!