Welcome back to The Bite, Sheepshead Bites’ weekly column where we explore the foodstuffs of Sheepshead Bay. Each week we’ll check out a different offering from one of the many restaurants, delis, food carts, bakeries, butchers, fish mongers, or grocers in our neighborhood. If it’s edible, we’ll take a bite.
Usually, we here at The Bite try to avoid controversy, but it seems to find us anyway. So this week I decided to embrace the controversial, and headed out to Cherry Hill Market to throw myself in the midsts of one of the neighborhood’s biggest, most heated controversies.
And by that, I mean I picked up one of the more contentious dishes in Russian/Ukrainian cuisine: Chicken Kiev. Oh, what controversy did you think I was talking about?!
Read our take on Cherry Hill’s Chicken Kiev, and a bit of the conflicting histories behind the dish.
One of the best Sheepshead Bay restaurants you’ve never been to has closed.
Chert Poberi Cafe, which occupied 1664 Sheepshead Bay Road for several years, is finished. The woman bringing down the gate, who did not own the business, said that it hadn’t gotten the popularity needed to keep it going.
I went to Chert Poberi once for lunch, and discovered one of the better meal deals in the neighborhood. For $8.00 you received three courses, plus a glass of compote. It was good food (I believe I had the schnitzel, with roasted, dill-slathered potatoes), and the only thing that stopped me from returning was the time investment involved in three courses. I regret that.
I also wanted to try the summer BBQ that they’ve been advertising, and I just checked their website, which advertises. “With guest speakers such as musicians, writers, artists and celebrities, Ch. P. Nights aims to expand the café’s appeal, by giving South Brooklyn what it needs: a place for recreation.”
I don’t think that was ever true – and if it was it was so poorly advertised that one can begin to understand why they closed.
If we had it all to do over again, we’d patronize Chert Poberi Cafe more often. Best of luck to the former owners.
The Sheepshead Bay outpost of hit Ukrainian eatery Cafe Glechik looks like it’s almost ready to open its doors. Decor is up on the walls and the dining area looks complete. When we stopped by last week the owner was there, who confirmed they were preparing to throw a grand opening celebration, but couldn’t say when.
The 1655 Sheepshead Bay Road storefront is the second location for Cafe Glechik. The original Brighton Beach establishment at 3159 Coney Island Avenue was featured on Anthony Bourdain’s Travel Channel show.
According to Grub Street, the owner flew to the Ukraine to cull decor. From what can be seen from the street, the two-level cafe looks tasteful, clean, and cozy. We’re looking forward to ordering a bowl of pelmeni when opening day rolls around.
Well, the mystery is over regarding Sheepshead Bay Road’s latest restaurant – it ain’t a sushi joint. Or at least we think it’s not a sushi joint.
Signs went up at 1794 Sheepshead Bay Road late last week reading Royal Bay Restaurant, ending a lot of “hmms” and “huhs” over who would occupy the flashy, windowless façade. Still, other than a love of coat d’arms, we don’t have much more information than that.
If you know who owns it, when it opens, or what they serve – shoot us an email!
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.
Management at the NetCost Market said that everyone’s invited to the Kids’ Carnival, tomorrow, but they didn’t have a flyer to share with us. So, we had to take a picture of the poster in the window.
The windows, at the front of the Sheepshead Bay branch (2257 East 16th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11229) of what must be the largest Russian food market chain store, were almost as busy as the store itself. With so little space for this poster, it had to be placed at the bottom window — just the right height for the kids to see.
Here are the details:
Netcost Market in partnership with with
Shorefront Y Youth Services presents
Netcost Kids’ Carnival
May 17, 2009 from 2 p.m to 4 p.m.
Shorefront Y Playground
3300 Coney Island Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Free Admission
Music; Fun; Gifts; Carnival Stations; Balloons; Candy; Game Zone; Surprises
Prize Giveaways; Kids’ Drawing Contest
Representatives from the Shorefront Y Summer Day Camp by the Ocean will be on hand to speak with you about their programs or reach them at (718) 646-7444 ext. 335.
This carnival sounds like it’s going to be lots of fun. If you and the kids get out to the event located in Brighton Beach, make sure to send us some photos.
This Sunday, instead of getting your mom the usual framed picture of yourself for Mother’s Day — why not spend some quality time with her by taking a hike? A city shore hike, that is.
There will be a hike that starts at Coney Island, goes along the boardwalk to Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach, and to our very own picturesque Sheepshead Bay. This tour is organized by the Outdoors Club & Shorewalkers and Urban Trail Conference, Inc.
Here are the official details:
Brighton Beach & Beyond
We’ll walk the boardwalk, savor an exhilarating international community, enjoy a Russian lunch, & then explore Manhattan Beach & areas of Sheepshead Bay (including its Holocaust Memorial) before heading home. MEET: 10:30AM in front of Nathan’s. Bring water & snack. Take the D/F or Q to Coney Island-Stillwell Ave. (exit the front side of the station & you will spot Nathan’s to the right across the street).
Leader: Devra Zetlan (917)526-3908. Rain cancels.
Here is the listing with further details as listed in yesterday’s NY Times Spare Times section:
URBAN TRAIL CONFERENCE
Sunday at 10:30 a.m., “Brighton Beach and Beyond,” a walk along the boardwalk and to nearby Manhattan Beach and Sheepshead Bay, with a stop for lunch; meeting in front of Nathan’s at Stillwell and Surf Avenues, Brooklyn. Also sponsored by the Outdoors Club and Shorewalkers; (212) 662-8922 or (917) 526-3908.(212) 924-7486, urbantrail.org; $3; food is additional.
