Cocoa Bar is a coffee/chocolate shop featuring treats, snacks and drinks. It has a full selection of coffees and teas, and all its chocolates are purchased from local chocolatiers. The house specialty is a dark hot chocolate, made by melting a square of chocolate in steamed milk. Prices are slightly higher than those of an average coffee shop due to the insistence on quality ingredients. Wine is also served, with occasional tastings, and the back porch is open during pleasant weather. Free WiFi is available.
Istanbul Park is a Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant serving shish kabab, gyros, falafel, salads and juice. Istanbul Park has a full bar and a small outdoor seating area, as well as free delivery. Catering is also available for orders with a minimum of 10 people.
This local wine shop, in business since 2000, seeks to enhance customers' experiences with each wine tasting by hosting it in the comfortable outdoor deck at the back of the store. In addition to wines, the shop also offers liquors. The owner values this town because it's a "warm, open, community-oriented neighborhood with people who are culturally curious."
Sotto Voce, in Brooklyn's cozy Park Slope neighborhood, offers Italian cuisine in a romantic atmosphere. The restaurant, which has been open for more than 10 years, offers a variety of Italian dishes, including penne pomodoro, salmone ai ferri, rigatoni siciliana, fettuccine gamberetti, pollo portobello, lonza di maiale and more. There is also an extensive Italian wine list. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available.
Brooklyn Social is a bar and cocktail lounge in the heart of Carroll Gardens and pays homage to the neighborhood's past while pouring classy drinks for a new generation of residents.
The bar's plain black facade may have an air of understated exclusivity, but the propped open door clearly states, "Non-Members Welcome." This is a play on the fact that the space was formerly inhabited by Societa Riposta, a Sicilian members-only social club.
Opening the doors to the public in 2004, Brooklyn Social maintains a retro look and feel. Many of the interior fixtures are original, other elements have been restored or placed to look original. Old photographs of Societa Riposta members line the warmly-lit walls.
In addition to being a full-service bar, Brooklyn Social offers a menu of nine specialty cocktails, as well as three types of paninis made with all local ingredients.
Tarzian West for Housewares has more than everything you need for the kitchen. The store is stocked from ceiling to floor with pots and pans, cutlery, dishes and kitchen gadgets you probably don't know exist. Give yourself time to explore the store: it can be enjoyably challenging to take everything in within one visit. A friendly and knowledgeable staff is there to help.
Putnam's Pub and Cooker is a neighborhood bar and grill with late-night operating hours. It serves cheese and meat boards, soups, sandwiches, small plates such as roasted marrow bones, curried mussels and macoroni and cheese, along with roasted cornish hens, braised short ribs and other entrees.
This falafel and pizza spot does a brisk take-out business and offers some seating in its simple, uncluttered dining room. The falafel sandwich, vegetarian combination platter and baklava are popular items, and there are lunch specials Monday through Friday. Damas also serves pizza pies in 10" or 16" sizes.
Cataldo's is a family-owned Italian restaurant known for its flavorful, outrageously generous portions and down-home style. A full range of pasta dishes are offered, as well as bountiful sandwiches and brick oven pizzas. Beer and wine is available, and genuinely friendly service makes visiting this casual Prospect Heights restaurant a real pleasure.
Since 1993, Johnny Mack's has stayed true to its local patrons, who in turn have returned the favor with their repeat business. Visit this pub and chances are you'll meet someone who's been going there for 10-odd years. With a no-nonsense décor, patio seating during the warmer months, plenty of seating and standing room, a pool table and a separate dining area, Johnny's is a great choice if you want to enjoy a relaxing night out alone or with friends. The menu includes pub grub favorites like wings and pulled pork sandwiches, but the burgers come especially recommended by regulars.
