It’s opening day for Am Thai Bistro, the new restaurant on Church Avenue at Stratford, and if you’re not there right now, you should head over. What began this morning with a blessing from three monks from a monastery in Queens continues this evening, and the women behind the operation–Boonnum “Num” Thongngoen and Karnchana “Amy” Sasook–hope you will all stop by tonight to meet them, and taste samples from the menu.
“We’re doing more traditional Thai dishes here,” said Num, explaining that Am Thai Kitchen on McDonald Avenue in Kensington will continue to focus on a more Americanized Thai menu. Though there is an extensive menu already printed (see it HERE and HERE), she told us that they’ll continue to work on it for the first few months, to see what works and adjust what doesn’t.
Amy explained they’ll also have daily specials, such as the curried lobster that was one of many dishes shared this morning during a ceremony that not only involved monks blessing the restaurant, but also a wedding ceremony.
“Two for one,” as one of the monks happily explained.
Somsak Sakdanuphap, a chef at Am Thai Kitchen, and Hathaichanok Chamnarnkong had a twin crown called a “mongkhon faet” placed on their heads for good luck, with a thread connecting the two. The monks led several rituals and chants, and the ceremony, which Num explained would bring luck to the couple and to the restaurant, ended with a monk splashing holy water on all the guests and the restaurant, inside and out.
If there’s luck to be had, then really we’re the lucky ones. What they’ve done with the space, which was formerly the roti place In Between, is really nice, and this should give a good boost to an otherwise quiet stretch of Church Ave. Welcome to the neighborhood!
Church Avenue’s new Thai restaurant, Am Thai Bistro, is having its grand opening celebration this Friday, January 27. Stop by 1003 Church Ave near East 10th Street to give alms to the monks at 10:30am, and then head back between 6pm and midnight for an evening celebration.
If you’ve passed by the space recently, you can see how fast it’s coming along, as you can see in the photo to the left that neighbor Meema took over the weekend. You can also sneak a peek at the interior in a series of photos on their Facebook page.
As you know, this is the second location from the same people at Am Thai Kitchen on McDonald Ave in Kensington, so you can expect much of the same menu, though the Bistro will feature some Caribbean fusion dishes, such as “roti massaman,” or grilled roti served with chicken in massasman curry.
Nummy and Amy from Am Thai (pictured to the right with me and Melissa Skolnick from the Church Ave BID) have been popping up everywhere to announce the opening, so if you haven’t met them yet, you will soon. Most recently they visited the Uncover Church Avenue art show opening at the Flatbush Library (the show, by the way, runs through February 24), supplying guests with a spread of appetizers. They’re very excited to be a part of the community, so be sure to stop by and give them a warm welcome.
The rumors of a second Am Thai location moving into our area have been confirmed, and we’re excited to hear they expect to be open soon. Owner Boonnum Thongngoen tells us that Am Thai Bistro, to be located in the old In Between space on Church Ave near the corner of East 10th Street, will be ready to open toward the end of January.
Am Thai Kitchen, located on McDonald Ave near Albemarle, has long been a favorite of Kensington residents, the Village Voice, and those in our neighborhood lucky enough to live in their delivery area. Portions of the Bistro’s menu have already been posted to their website, and it looks mostly the same, with some intriguing additions–perhaps a nod to their new Caribbean neighbors, they include appetizers like the Roti Massaman and something called Rock and Roll Duck, in which crispy duck, a favorite at Am Thai, is rolled up in roti.
They’ve also got what appear to be mock-ups of the space on the site–looks like it will be cozy, but still it’s way bigger than the space that Kitchen has. It will be a great addition to the neighborhood, one that should lively up a currently quiet block of Church.
If you’d like to be added to their email list, just ask next time you’re at the Kitchen, or email amthaibistro@yahoo.com.
After ten months of waiting, the Plaza Gourmet Deli on Newkirk Plaza is finally open in the space that used to be Newkirk Florist. Though the owners, who also run the bodega next door, had hoped for seating, you’re going to have to take food to go. But there are a lot of options.
They have a full deli with Boar’s Head meats and cheeses for sandwiches (and a grill for hot ones), a choose-your-toppings salad bar, and a hot food section that will have regular items like rice and oxtail stew and rotating ones like pastas and chicken, plus different soups each day.
The refrigerated section has a wide range of milks and cheeses, plus one or two unexpected things, like Carvel ice cream cakes. Speaking of ice cream and cake, they’ve got soft serve available, and a big variety of cakes by the slice next to the register.
Thanks to reader Lisa for noticing they had opened today! Anyone try the food yet? Again, with this cold snap, the soup looked really good.
A new restaurant popped up practically overnight on Cortelyou Road, just west of Coney Island Avenue. Bistro 915 opened on Friday, and the little spot (which used to be a coffee shop) is already doing a pretty steady business made up largely of deliveries. There is space to dine in as well, but just a couple of tables.
The small menu is made up mostly of soups, sandwiches, and pasta, and it’s pretty creative–and affordable, with an $8 burger that comes with a large portion of garlic and herb fries.
I tried a steak panini, which came mushrooms, caramelized onions, mozzarella, and a port wine sauce, and it was very tasty. Maybe it’s not technically a panini, but it’s a very good sandwich that I’m looking forward to having again. And the fries are killer.
Free delivery with a $10 minimum, and they say they’ll deliver to a large area, between McDonald and Flatbush, Caton to Avenue H (but ask ahead to make sure they’ll come to your area).
A big thanks to reader Jill for noticing it had opened! Has anyone else tried it yet?
Bistro 915
915 Cortelyou Road, near CIA
347-915-0377
Hours: 11am to 11pm
But then on page 2 you’ll find the important piece of news about shopping on Church Ave:
Jan Rosenberg, the president of Brooklyn Hearth Realty, expects new tenants soon: a coffee shop, and a new branch of a popular nearby Thai restaurant called Am-Thai Kitchen.
The coffee shop is in the works, with more details to come. And an Am-Thai outpost is just as exciting–if you haven’t tried the restaurant on McDonald Ave near Albemarle, you are in for a treat, it’s some of the best Thai around.
No word on opening dates for either, but we’ll keep you posted.
The commercial space on the ground floor of 1600 Beverley Road, at E 16th St, has been vacant for a while, but upon walking by, it seemed to have been rented.
Augustus Moy of Real Impact Real Estate confirmed that it had. He said that it’s been rented by “a collective of 3 or 4 doctors” but that it’s still being built out.
We’ll post any further information about the practice moving in or when they’re expecting to open, but it’s great to see that there will be a business there now.
In happier local news, Cafe Madeline on Cortelyou between East 16th and East 17th is set to open tomorrow with an amazingly renovated space, and promises of good coffee and friendly service.
We’ve been through so many possible opening dates with Catskill Bagels, that we have to issue a “don’t hold your breath” warning on this one – “the bagel place is stocking its shelves and say if they can, they will try to open tomorrow, if not then next week”, a neighbor who poked his head in earlier today tells us.
Cafe Madeline is also slated to open next week. It is starting to look much more like their TONY Review.
After extensive renovations, the Vanderbilt Street Playground will welcome kids and grownups alike tomorrow, October 2.
Please feel free to contact Eric Landau, Director of Government and Community Affairs atelandau@prospectpark.org or (718) 965-8953 with any questions or concerns.
By Public Transportation: (MTA map) • F Train to Fort Hamilton Parkway station (@ Prospect Ave.). • B-68 Bus along Coney Island Ave./Prospect Park Southwest.
By Car: • From BQE: Take BQE to Prospect Expressway, 10th Ave. exit. Make left on 11th Ave. Make right on Prospect Park Southwest to Vanderbilt St.
Stopped by last night and had some spinach pies, and a beer, and chatted with David Pitula, chef and owner of Ox Cart Tavern. Food was delicious, and generous. Atmosphere – pleasant. Go really hungry if you plan on ordering the burgers – it is a LOT of food.
They currently open at 5, kitchen at 6 and stay open till about midnight, and until 2am Thursdays through Saturdays. The full liquor should be there soon, making the place less about food and more about drink, though in my opinion David is just too good a cook for food to ever take the back seat.
They have free wi-fi, and the place is totally chill – equally welcoming to someone wanting to read a book, work on the computer, or drink with friends and plot Park(ing) Days. No offense will be taken if you do not order food at all, though it may be hard to resist the temptation, given the menus are on each table.
Coming soon – delivery, and lunch! They also rent the place out for private parties.
Ox Cart Tavern, 1301 Newkirk, Corner of Argyle 718.284.0005
The latest addition to Cortelyou, Qathra, an Egyptian coffee shop and soon to be restaurant will open at 6am tomorrow (Wednesday). It is an awesome space, serving great coffee, so check them out.
If you are passing by tonight, they are open (soft opening) and would love to treat you to some coffee and cookies.
Cortelyou between Westminster and Stratford, between Sycamore and The Farm in Adderley. 6am till whenever.
Cafe Madeline (1603 Cortelyou) it seems will open before the Catskill Bagel – a well sourced neighbor reports September 27 has been set as a tentative opening date (and we know just how long it can take to get that final inspection around here, so fingers crossed): “Alas, no backyard, but a little carved out bench space in the front for those of us who like a little direct sunlight ”.
Ox Cart Tavern, occupying the old Pomme de Terre space on the corner of Newkirk and Argyle, will open this Friday.
Owner and chef David Pitula emails that the bar opens at 5:00 p.m. and the kitchen at 6:00. The full liquor license, he says, is “slightly delayed,” but they’ll have beer and wine — and the menu is very beer-friendly.
Despite News12 attempts to connect their story to opposition to the planned Islamic Center near Ground Zero — neither they nor Helen Klein seem to have found a single person to quote who has any reservation at all to a Muslim center on the border of what is, after all, a heavily Muslim neighborhood. News 12 twisting this story to fan the flames under anti-Muslim sentiments surrounding the project near Ground Zero is simply appalling.
People on the block do have understandable concerns about how the proposed structure — which nobody has seen, and which will fill what’s now an empty lot between detached houses — will fit into the streetscape. But the building doesn’t seem to have been designed yet, they’re still raising money for it, and an official from the Islamic Circle of North America appears quite ready to listen to those practical concerns:
“We are trying our best to have it not look so awkward,” [Azeem Khan, the Islamic Circle of North America’s assistant secretary general] said, noting that residents’ worries about traffic and appearance were “Totally understandable.” Soundproofing will be included, he noted, stressing, “We really want to build something that meets our needs and at the same time doesn’t cause any frustration for the neighbors.”
Before construction begins, Khan added, the group plans to “bring stakeholders in, to see if they understand our vision, and see if they have suggestions so we can incorporate ideas from people in the community.”
And the center sounds like it’ll meet a really important need:
The center is urgently needed, Khan said. The location was chosen because the neighborhood has “a high Muslim population and also a high-needs population. The poverty level is very high, women’s needs are highly neglected among the existing Muslim institutions, and the needs of children and youth are also neglected. There are no recreational facilities available for young Muslim people, especially those from an immigrant background, whose parents send them to school and tell them to come home right away. They don’t have positive outlets. They need mentoring, and to be among their peers, and to have a safe place to ask the questions they don’t ask their own parents.”
One open question:
Khan said it was “too early to say” whether the center would be open to the entire community. He did say, however, that the group “would like to make as many programs as possible open.”
In somewhat more cheerful Cortelyou news, we spotted into Jim Mamary in the nicely built out, long-awaited Catskill Bagel today, and he told us that they’ve finally got all their permits in place and are cleared to open.
Mark your calendars! Owner & Chef of Ox Cart Tavern David Pitula emails that they finally have everything needed to open (as in – a full liquor license) and have set the date for Tuesday, September 7. Here is the starting menu, and there will also be daily specials:
And lastly – there will be more posts on public spaces in Kensington, in fact we are working on a series (Walgreen plaza, anyone?). Dome Playground is the largest open public space we have, and it is going to be renovated! So please take a minute to fill out our survey about Dome Playground here. We’d greatly appreciate!
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After extensive renovations, the Vanderbilt Street Playground will welcome kids and grownups alike tomorrow, October 2.
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