In a basement down the stairs

June 13, 2005

Gothamist reports on the latest closings of restaurants on Montague St. in Brooklyn Heights: Montague Death Knell: "Gothamist thought that Brooklyn Heights had suffered enough of a foodie blow with the closing of the neighborhood's D'Agostino supermarket. Now, two independently owned restaurants have bitten the dust as well: Thai 101 and Annie's Blue Moon."

Neither of these restaurants are such a great loss, but are another indication of how the Brooklyn Heights commercial district, in particular the commercial strip on Montague St, becomes more and more useless. Before long, the neighborhood will be no more than real estate brokers (at two of four corners at the intersection of Henry and Montague), chain retailers, cell phone stores, and subpar restaurants. Pretty much the only useful stores left on Montague St. are the bagel store, Key Food, the banks and Chipotle (to which I have become unfortunately addicted.) Compared with the vibrant retail and restaurant scene on Smith St. a 10 minute walk away, the Montague St. corridor in the Heights looks simply pathetic.

The Brooklyn Heights Association is concerned about the state of Montague St., noting that it is over-served by "optical, quick-service food, drug stores, dry cleaners, banks, beauty salons / spas, telephone / wireless service outlets."

As far as restaurants, the most useful area in the north Heights is probably along Henry St. Fascati pizza, Heights Falafel, Iron Chef House, Henry St. Ale House, Noodle Pudding and Henry's End (the best restaurant in the 'hood) are not only good, but far superior to anything on Montague St. Atlantic Ave. is developing more as a scene, too.

Small Town Brooklyn lists all the businesses in the 'hood in handy map form.

Title ref: Bob Dylan, Tangled Up in Blue