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beer garden

THE FINDS: SUMMER IN THE SLOPE… The Heat is On Your Plate

July 19, 2016 By Beth Kaiserman Filed Under: Eat Local Tagged With: beer, beer garden, Brooklyn, cocktail, eating out, Prospect Heights, South Slope, summer, taco

Summer’s here and let’s face it, you’ve got about an hour of walking around before you need to unwind in an air-conditioned restaurant. Cool down and eat up at these fun local spots.  By Beth Kaiserman / Pics by Beth Kaiserman

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Steak tar tare with pickled ramps and quail egg at Freek’s Mill

Freek’s Mill

285 Nevins Street

The actual Freek’s Mill was located on the corner of Union Street and Nevins Street in 1784. The 2016 menu aims to highlight the area’s industrial past – when everyone knew where their food was made. Fresh, seasonal and local all shined through on my visit, from crunchy julienned snap peas, candied almonds and mint with stracciatella cheese on my plate to the purveyor delivering a small container of scallops for Chef Chad Shaner. “You know what these are,” he assured Shaner. The chef, formerly of Union Square Cafe, BLT Prime and Le Zie, recommends 2-3 plates per person, and the dishes rotate often. Watch the magic happen in a beautiful, airy open kitchen in the back.


 

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Plenty of room both inside and in their spacious backyard at Threes Brewing

Threes Brewing

333 Douglass Street

If you can manage to tear yourself away from Freek’s Mill, one of my favorite places to unwind during any season is Threes Brewing. The beer menu is super solid, with mostly housemade brews and a handful of other carefully curated picks. There’s always a new beer to try, but you can’t go wrong with any of their refreshing saisons. Though it gets busy, there’s plenty of room both inside and in their spacious backyard. It’s an easy place to waste some time and catch up with pals. There’s a pop-up eatery that changes every few months, and the current one is Tortilleria Nixtamal from Corona, Queens, running through July 10.


 

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Shrimp, al pastor and barbacoa tacos at El Atoradero

El Atoradero

708 Washington Avenue

Over in Prospect Heights, we’re lucky enough to have another great taco spot that hails from the South Bronx. Chef Lina Chavez and her crew have been trying new dishes to suit Prospect Heights, while sticking mostly to the original menu from the Mott Haven days, partner Noah Arenstein said. They serve up daily specials, weekend brunch and will soon have a full liquor license, he said. Arenstein recommends the chicken tinga and chorizo tacos and mole poblano. On my visit, the barbacoa was so soft and tender it was like it didn’t even happen. Don’t forget the nachos and flautas de queso when you need a summertime snack.


 

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The River of Smoke Cocktail: Ascendent Distilling Ghost Chili Vodka, Denizen Dark Rum, Lemongrass Lime and Pineapple at Iron Station.

Iron Station

683 5th Avenue

In one of my favorite neighborhoods for hanging out lies—you guessed it—the perfect place to hang out. Iron Station opened last June in South Slope and started out serving southern plates. They instead became more revered for their cocktail list, and a recent menu revamp has them creating dishes to pair with their libations, which utilize small liquor brands. The friendly atmosphere and jolly owners encourage chatting among guests. “I hate cliquey bars where you’re the outsider,” owner Alex Haskell said. Their large backyard is great for fresh summer mingling.

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Mural at Iron Station

Filed Under: Eat Local Tagged With: beer, beer garden, Brooklyn, cocktail, eating out, Prospect Heights, South Slope, summer, taco

Park Slope’s New Businesses – Week of August 7th

August 7, 2015 By Jacqueline Sheppard Leave a Comment Filed Under: New Wave Tagged With: bar, bavarian, beer garden, drinks, new wave, southern

Photo courtesy of the official Iron Station website
Photo courtesy of the official Iron Station website

Iron Station

683 5th Avenue | (347) 223 – 4229 | Ironstationbk.com
Perhaps it’s due to the Yankee way of life here in New York, but it’s hard to find good Southern food here! Luckily, the owners of Iron Station are from South Carolina, and their bar feels reminiscent of their home state. In addition to plentiful beer selections and colorful cocktails like the Mother of Pearl (which features peach-infused gin and lime) and the Iron Station Old Fashion (which blends orange and vanilla with rye whiskey), the Iron Station serves appetizers as well. You can get Southern classics like pulled pork sliders, cornbread, and pigs in a blanket. In fact, I’m not normally a fan of deviled eggs, but the Iron Station’s are delicious with the bacon bits sprinkled on top. While they may not serve entrees, you can buy multiple appetizers. So, fill up on food and drink! The kitchen is open until the bar closes.

Photo courtesy of the official Brooklyn Bavarian Biergarten Facebook
Photo courtesy of the official Brooklyn Bavarian Biergarten Facebook

Brooklyn Bavarian Biergarten

263 Prospect Avenue | (718) 788-0400 | Brooklynbavarianbiergarten.com

If you’ve walked past the Grand Prospect Hall, you’ve probably noticed that it looks a little different these days. The historic building uses its splendor to host a beer garden – ah, sorry, ‘biergarten.’ This is an establishment that takes its German ties very seriously.

As expected, the decor is phenomenal. When you’re seated at your table, you feel like you’ve left Brooklyn and escaped to a tropical resort. Gorgeous trees, small waterways, and the lighting make the place feel like a cozy place to go on a date. Speaking of which, there’s no need to purchase a pitcher for two. A single liter of beer will be large enough!

The place opened a few weeks ago, so it’s still finding its footing. It’s always good to be patient and enjoy the atmosphere of Grand Prospect Hall. It will likely become more organized within a few more weeks once the construction is finished and the servers are more accustomed to layout.

Filed Under: New Wave Tagged With: bar, bavarian, beer garden, drinks, new wave, southern

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