Our overview of new restaurants, bars, and bakeries that opened in December includes Morimoto’s first hand roll bar in Time Out Market, L&B Spumoni’s long-awaited opening in DUMBO, a new Chinese spot in Cobble Hill, a Mediterranean restaurant in Prospect Heights, and the revival of a historic seafood restaurant in Red Hook.
But first, Brooklyn saw another slew of closings this month: Naidre’s Cafe in South Slope (December 10), Floyd Bar in Brooklyn Heights (December 22), Ugly Baby in Carroll Gardens (December 22), Grounded Cafe in Park Slope (December 22), Buttermilk Channel in Carroll Gardens (December 31), Gran Electrica in DUMBO (December 31), LaLou in Prospect Heights (December 31), Faun in Prospect Heights (December 31), and Miso in DUMBO (end of January). New Year’s Eve will be the last opportunity to celebrate at many of these neighborhood restaurants.
Stay tuned for more openings coming in the new year, including the arrival of a Swedish bakery with East and North African influences in Brooklyn Heights.
Mori Mori | DUMBO
Japanese chef Masaharu Morimoto has opened a new hand roll bar in Time Out Market. James Beard nominee Morimoto is most famous for appearances for Iron Chef and Iron Chef America. Called Mori Mori, this is Morimoto’s first-ever hand roll restaurant. Customers grab a seat at the counter and enjoy rolls straight from the chefs’ hands. There are traditional flavors like spicy tuna and yellowtail, premium rolls including toro, lobster, and scallop, plus a cheesteak roll and a New York style hot dog roll. There are also vegetarian options, with fillings like ume (plum), kinpira gobo (burdock root) and Korean gimbap.
L&B Spumoni Gardens Pizzeria | DUMBO
The DUMBO location of this iconic Brooklyn pizza place has opened up on Old Fulton Street. They are open from 11 am to 10 pm during the week and 11 am to 11 pm on weekends. The restaurant features 22 tables for indoor dining, the menu includes mussels, roasted artichokes, chicken parmigiana, spaghetti with meatballs and more. They have a separate entrance to order take-out slices – cheese pizza slices (round or square) cost $4.35. No delivery yet but it is in the makes.
Lea’s Fromages | Cobble Hill
Cobble Hill’s newest cheese shop, Lea’s Fromages makes cheese and charcuterie boards, plus gift baskets. Open Tuesday-Friday 10am-8pm and weekends 10am-7pm.
Sal Tang’s | Cobble Hill
From the team behind family-favorite Cafe Spaghetti and Swoony’s, both in Carroll Gardens, comes a new Chinese food establishment called Sal Tang’s. The new spot has opened in the space formerly occupied by Vekslers. Sal Tang’s is a collaboration with Wilson Tang, who of Nom Wah in Chinatown. They serve dim sum, as well as dishes like crispy orange beer, General Tso’s sesame chicken, and shrimp lo main.
F&F Restaurant and Bar | Carroll Gardens
Franks Wine Bar in Carroll Gardens has closed, but a new restaurant has opened in its place at 465 Court Street. “The Franks” (Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli), best known for Frankies 457 Spuntino, have opened the new F&F Restaurant and Bar. This new spot expands upon the success of the F&F pizza slice shop, offering a sit-down alternative. As part of its debut, the restaurant will have a special New Year’s Eve celebration for $110/person, complete with a midnight toast. Reserve here!
Lundy’s | Red Hook
A historic seafood restaurant in Sheepshead Bay dating to 1920, Lundy’s has a new home on Beard Street in Red Hook. “A reincarnation of a Brooklyn institution,” the restaurant continues to serve the famed “Shore Dinner,” a decadent prix fixe with a seafood appetizer and a choice of lobster, fish, or chicken, plus a butterscotch sundae for dessert. The menu features selections from the raw bar, seafood, steak, and more classics from the original Lundy’s. In the warmer months, diners will be treated to waterfront views. They are launching their live music program this month, and will also serve a New Year’s Eve prix fixe with champagne toast; learn more and reserve here.
Wayward Fare | Prospect Heights
The owner of the Mexican restaurant Alta Calidad on Vanderbilt Avenue has launched a new space directly next door, serving Mediterranean food. Wayward Fare’s menu includes wood-fired bread and mezze, grilled prawns, lamb merguez dumplings, and mains like swordfish with chickpeas, roasted chicken, and steak. They serve wine, cocktails, and mocktails, and are are open on weekdays from 5-10pm (closed Tuesdays), and weekends 5-11pm.
Toyo Ramen Bar | Park Slope
A new ramen bar has opened at 349 7th Avenue in Park Slope. Open daily (Monday-Friday 11:30am-9:30pm and weekends 11:30am-10pm), they serve rice bowls, Tonkotsu broth ramen, chicken broth Ramen, vegan broth ramen, and even a kid’s menu.
Emack & Bolio’s | Park Slope
The ice cream chain will be opening a new location soon on the border of Park Slope and Windsor Terrace, on Prospect Avenue near Prospect Park West.
Java Andina | Park Slope
This Columbian bakery and cafe has opened in Park Slope, on 5th Avenue between Warren and St. Marks. The cafe is located in the former location of Miss American Pie bakery.
Barbaco Tio | Park Slope
Park Slope has a new taqueria at 339 2nd Street. They serve Mexico City style barbacoa, and you can order by the kilo, including sides and fixings, and assemble the tacos the way you like.
Entre Nous | Clinton Hill
Entre Nous is a new French wine bar in Fort Greene. They also have a food menu with selections from the raw bar, cheese and charcuterie, and more French-inspired small plates. The bar is a sister establishment to the Fort Greene bistro Fradei. Open at 5pm on weeknights and 3pm on weekends.
Welcome Home Bakery | Bed Stuy
Alumni of L’Appartement 4F in Brooklyn Heights have opened a new bakery in Bed Stuy. they will be open Thursday-Monday from 8am-4pm. Breads and pastries will include a variety of breads including their “Billy baguette” with olives and herbs, croissants, cookies, and Stumptown coffee. They plan to expand their menu to include sandwiches and salads.
Rude Mouth | Williamsburg
This new wine bar has opened in Williamsburg, in the former space of Spuyten Duyvil, the longstanding craft beer bar. Previously a pop-up, this will be Rude Mouth’s first permanent home. They will serve small bites alongside their wine menu.
The Residence of Mr. Moto | Williamsburg
This sophisticated cocktail spot is a sister bar to the The Office of Mr. Moto in the East Village. Both locations are themed around a fictional Mr. Moto, with decor that includes artifacts from his travels, his art collection, even his favorite clothing and accessories. Guests are meant to feel that they’re sipping cocktails in his personal residence. Alongside drinks, the menu features upscale Japanese cuisine.
Bagel Joint | Greenpoint
This Jewish bakery, founded by husband and wife team, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Greenpoint. Previously, Bagel Joint could be found selling bagels and pastries at local farmers markets. This new spot celebrated their soft opening on December 21.
These new spots are coming soon to our neighborhoods!
Ferrane Bakery | Brooklyn Heights
A new Swedish bakery is coming to 57 Clark Street in Brooklyn Heights. Inspired by the owners’ heritages, Ferrane Bakery will serve Scandinavian pastries and bread that are also inspired by East African and North African flavors (“ferrane” means “oven” in Moroccan Arabic). Stay tuned for more updates from the bakery, which is currently under construction!
Cafe by the Girls | Park Slope
This Columbian coffee shop based in Chelsea will open a new location at 203 7th Avenue in Park Slope, in the former space of Blue Bottle Coffee.
Blank Street Coffee | Downtown Brooklyn | Opening date TBA
The Brooklyn-based chain will be opening up a new location at 1 Boerum Place, on the corner of Boerum Place and Red Hook Lane. Blank Street serves coffee, matcha, and breakfast all day.
Updated: December 23, 2024. Main Image: L&B Spumoni Gardens Pizzeria in DUMBO.
