Buschenschank Brooklyn

This recently opened restaurant seems to be doing well. We haven't yet stepped inside but have seen people going in and out of the joint. We last reported that this would be more of a tavern serving German and Italian snacks. While it may still have a tavern feel to it, as you can see in the picture above their are lots of windows but they're all frosted so you can't see in or out and the entrance is a little cave-like, they do serve more than just snacks. They have a pretty hearty menu actually, with steaks, burgers, roasted chicken and pizzas as some of the main entrees. They do have sausages, fondues, and an array of other little tidbits to snack on while enjoying a pint of German beer, as promised, but there's more as well. Has anyone tried this place yet? We really want to stop by. Any input would be great!

Battersby coming to Smith Street

Walker Stern and Joseph Ogrodnek taken from Zagat.com

Two great chefs, Joseph Ogrodnek, who has been a sous-chef at Gramercy Tavern and Jean-Georges Vongerichten's The Mark, and Walker Stern, former chef of The Vanderbilt and sous-chef at Eighty One, are opening a restaurant on Smith street next month! They will be taking over the space that used to be Patois at 255 Smith Street. Not only are these chefs very experienced and amazing, they are also friends! So, please show your support and hit their new restaurant, Battersby, which will have a contemporary American menu. Here's a blurb from Zagat to entice you further.

Ogrodnek says they're aiming for a "tightly focused, constantly changing" contemporary American menu with the same quality you'd find at Manhattan's best, but "more approachable" and served in a more modest setting. Upping the ante, he and Stern will be the only two people cooking. "You wouldn't believe how rare that is in the restaurant world," he says, adding "The chef behind the menu is rarely in the kitchen during service, let alone actually cooking and plating the food."

New Diner on Columbia.

We've got a scoop about the goings on at 214 Columbia street. This case has been dead for a while now but the tipster, our very own Mary Gaglio, told us that the spot has finally been leased after years and years of being on and off the market. The new tenants will be opening a diner that will be called Ricky's. The space, which was previously known as Waterfront Family Restaurant, has needed a lot of work. So, we don't expect the new tenants to open so soon because they'll have their hands full with renovations and whatnot. We are thrilled that there will be new life at this spot and a diner will be a great addition to the Columbia Waterfront District!

Kosher Restaurant on Atlantic

Pardes, at 497 Atlantic Avenue, has been opened for about several months now and, in the restaurant world, that's not exactly new. We have yet to get over there, though, and would love any input from anyone who'd like to share their experience.

According to Wikipedia, Pardes refers to a legend of a sacred orchard or the four forms of Biblical exposition. As we're talking food here, I'm going to assume the owners named the restaurant with the first definition in mind. It's a kosher restaurant with very interesting menu items such as Bronzino tartare with carmelized butternut squash, licorice gastrique, lemon confit, and hazelnut oil or duck breast, with vanilla barley, charred corn, carob, and tarragon. And, of course they have to have pizza on the menu but this za has roasted tomato (pretty standard) fresh basil (okay) and beef cheek (wha?!?).

So any comments would be welcome. Has anyone tried that beef cheek pizza?