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Want to get more people in you're restaurant. Reach them here!!
Dekalb Avenue to get Crepes and Pastries Shop   Fort Greene will soon have a place to buy homemade ice cream, pastries, crepes, and expresso. Bitter Sweet, the newly named shop, is projected to open its doors mid June. It will be located on Dekalb Avenue between Carlton and Cumberland. There is no shop that currently offers freshly made ice cream along that strip. Clinton Hill had a store offering ice cream and cakes, Peaches and Cream, but soon closed its doors after a year in business. The ice cream was great and made on premisis, but it was never busy. In its place now is Karen's Body Beautifull. I hope Bitter Sweet makes it. Offering expresso, crepes, and ice cream sounds like a great combo. I'll be at the opening for sure. Order me a strawberry crepe with french vanilla ice cream, a dash of powdered sugar and whipped cream on top. Umm, can't wait. HB
The Smoke Joint-Expansion in the Works? So after much begging and my best coercive tactics, the store employees didn't want to give up the goods on what the space on the corner will be. Of course, they admitted to renovating it, but the use is much under wraps like the windows are in the photo to the left. There actually is a standing sign outside The Smoke Joint that answers to the expansion question. It sounds like there won't be any walls torn down between the store fronts. They make an anecdote of when you were a child waiting for your Christmas Present, pestering your parents on what it was. The restaurant (parents), know best and don't want to spoil the surprise. No idea of when it will be completed. But HB will keep you informed. Thanks for reading.
I-Shebeen Madiba closed by Department of Health-Updated below Well, walking through the neighborhood, I noticed the scene at Madiba looking much different than any normal Saturday. Taking a closer look at the closed gate, there was a sign in white (below) saying the restaurant was closed for a few days due to a leak. Next to it in yellow was a City of NY Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene notice. I can't see a leak would lead to an order by the commissioner to close the place down. What kind of leak is that? Humm. Let's see if they re-open the restaurant by Monday. I'll follow up. HB Update After a call was placed this afternoon, HB learns that Madiba is up and running, open for business. A representative said that there were some repairs made to the floors and other parts of the restaurant that caused them to be closed. No mention of the Health Department notice.  
L'epicerie- A Fine French Grocery 
L'epicerie has been serving the Clinton Hill community for years. L'Épicerie (prononced lepisri) comes from the word "épice" (meaning spice). Originally a "comptoir" (counter) where one could find and buy "épices" it became a generic name for a store where to buy everyday ingredients along with spices. This is still the term used throughout France to designate a grocery or general store. Les "épiceries" varied widly as to what customers can find on the shelves, from the simple neighborhood épicerie to the fanciest and very specialized such as Hédiard, Fauchon, or La Grande Epicerie in Paris. This place seems to battle with service issues after checking the archives of Brownstoner.com. I have gone several times to buy fresh baguettes and herbs. They have always been friendly and courteous to me. I recently went in to this store and was able to find some hard to find spices, and fresh herbs (missed the farmer's market on Saturday). They are my go to store when in a hurry and you're looking for specialty foods in the area. When looking for good cheese, fresh artisan breads, herbs, meats and now fish, or imported French goods, check this store out. Serves my needs and may be a good last minute option for many of you. HB
Mother's Day Brunch at ICI 
ICI Restaurant is located at 246 Dekalb Avenue off of Vanderbilt. Being that my wife loves this place, I thought it would be a good option for brunch in the neighborhood, and it was. As expected on Mother's Day, it was crowded, with guests waiting to be seated and food orders being delayed. Service wasn't the best as our waitress didn't pay much attention to our table. We ended up receiving our food from another waitress who was kind enough to check on us after waiting for over 25 mins for our order. Not even a cocktail showed after our order was placed. Not my first choice to have brunch, but I didn't want to pass judgement until I ate the food. And the food would have to far outweigh the poor service to make it worth the experience. We ordered the special which included a coctail, main dish, side, and hot beverage for $25 per person. When our order arrived it was excellent. We had steak (cooked medium) and eggs, pork hash with scrambled eggs, and French toast with cooked pears and apples. Our side dish was the spicy collard greens. The food didn't skip a beat from my memory. The dishes were worth the wait. The steak was tender, hash was full of flavor, and that French Toast- Huge slices of Challah bread, a story in itself. If they could make the service as consistent, they would earn my patronage. Great food, not so good service, in a traditional brownstone decor. Try this place on a slow day and you may have better luck. If you end up with my waitress, just keep your eye on the prize, you're only 30 mins from heaven.
It's Not Another "Ray's Pizzeria"-Brooklyn store reinvents common pizza shop name and wins 
One thing's for certain, it's "Not Ray's Pizza". The most common pizza shop name in all of New York City. It is located on the corner of Fulton and South Portland streets in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. There was a surge of Ray's Pizza shops during the 1980's, with over 40 shops bearing the name or some derivation as of 2006. Most of those stores are independently owned and operated, although they appear to be franchises. Many share the same logo and have nearly identical menus. 
Well enough of the history lesson, how's the pizza? They make a pretty decent slice considering how everyone's taste is so different when it comes to pizza. Some like thin crust vs. deep-dish, others like crispy crust vs. soft and doughy. They are able to make a traditional, thin crust pizza that seems to walk the median. Maybe, Not Ray's has found the sweet spot in pizza preparation. It's location keeps the food fresh and constantly moving as it shares a corner with the A and C trains. Several bus lines stop right in front of it's large wall of glass. How can you pass up a slice, when you are bar hopping from Moe's to Night of the Cooker's? Plus, there is no competition for blocks. 
Not Ray's Pizzeria is a shop that does a good job of keeping it's loyal customers happy. When I went in to take the photos, the place was packed with people eating their slice, taking a break from the hurried pace along Ft. Greene's most travelled block. Good Pizza, Great Location, and they deliver. A combo that has worked for many Ray's Pizzerias in NY for decades. If you stop by, pick me up a patty with mozzeralla and tell them HistoricBrooklyn.com sent you.
Cake Man Raven Update 
Well, we finally got a hard date of Monday May 14th. The store will re-open with a grand celebration at 6pm. There will be a VIP reception immediately following the unveiling. You can RSVP at cakemanraven.com or call 718-694-CAKE. 
It's being pitched as a Mother's Day after party. Let's just hope there is enough of the Red Velvet to go around. Hope to see you there.
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