Local Establishments to Check Out in Bath Beach , Brooklyn- PART 1
My maternal great-grandparents settled in the Bath Beach area in the late 1920s after coming over from Sicily through Ellis Island. My grandfather (and F. Juliano Real Estate founder) Florie Juliano would tell me stories of his youth: buying Entenmann’s off of a truck, taking the trolley car to Coney Island to dance at the bandstand, getting locked out of the house by my his grandmother (my great-great-grandmother) when he’d come home late from a day at Luna Park and the Coney Island Beach, and a variety of other stories.
Similarly, my paternal grandfather came to the United States from Sicily. Though originally settling in the Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn due to its proximity to the waterfront (he was a longshoreman), he eventually moved the family to Bath Beach in order to have a larger home. Every so often my father, when he’s feeling nostalgic, tells me stories of growing up. How my grandmother used to shop for fruits and vegetables at the small grocers’ shops under the EL on 86th Street near 23rd Avenue, how my Uncle Michael used to live where the post office is on 19th avenue, how he and his friends all worked at the Colonial Mansion (now the Muslim American Society) across from our office on Bath Avenue, having dinner at Villa Borghese on Bath Avenue and 20th Avenue, playing baseball at the fields at Lafayette High School, and countless other stories. I can go on and on.
Like all other parts of Brooklyn, the neighborhood has changed. What was once an Italian-American enclave is now an incredibly diverse neighborhood. This Bath Beach is my Bath Beach and I’m proud to call it my home.
Here are some of my favorite spots in Bath Beach:
1932 Bath Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11214
Cairo Rx Cafe & Pharmacy is our neighbor and among the best places to grab a cup of coffee in the neighborhood. Mohammed, one of the owners, has a standard of excellence that he brings to each and every offering at Cairo Rx. In addition to being a pillar of the community, he is truly a wonderful human being and strives to make a positive impact on the neighborhood. The meticulously made lattes, superb mint lemonade made with blended lemons, and a chicken salad sandwich that’s beyond foods are just some of the offerings that make this establishment so great. Not to mention, Mina, the other owner and pharmacist, is the quickest, most responsive and efficient pharmacist I’ve come across. I left my ENT’s office and 15 minutes later, right when I was parking, he called to tell me that my prescription was ready for pick-up. This place is fantastic.
Recommendation: Toasted Bagel with Chicken Salad and an Iced Coffee
Crepe Factory
1934 Bath Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11214
Crepe Factory, known to many in the Bay Ridge area, has another location right here in Bath Beach. Like its neighbor Cairo Rx, Crepe Factory is among the best places to grab a cup of coffee in the neighborhood. What’s wonderful about their brew, however, is that it is Illy, the well-known Italian coffee brand. The staff and the owners are friendly and engaging. If I go inside and the owner, Naza, is there, we can easily talk for a half hour or more. They are the only crepe place in the area and it’s clear that that’s because the crepes are amazing. They offer a vast selection of sweet and savory crepe options as well as a selection of desserts. They are open late, so swing by when you’re craving for crepes.
Recommendation: Ferrero Rocher Crepe and an Iced Cappuccino
1928 Bath Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11214
La Chacra, a Peruvian restaurant known to many who frequent the Bushwick area, has a location right here in Bath Beach. Not only is it one of the best restaurants in the Bath Beach area, but it is definitely in the running for best Peruvian restaurant in Brooklyn. If you enjoy ceviche, roasted chicken, chaufa, yucca, and a pisco sour that’ll become your new favorite drink. The owner Ricky is also a great guy, always with a smile on his face, and the staff is great and super responsive. Sit-in or order out but don’t miss this place.
Recommendation: Ceviche de Pescado and a Pisco Sour
Kung Fu Chinese and Japanese Restaurant
1950 Bath Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11214
There are many places in the neighborhood to grab American-style Chinese food, but Kung Fu Chinese and Japanese Restaurant is the most consistent, on-time, and tasty in the area. It also doesn’t hurt that the workers here are absolutely lovely people. The menu is vast with all of the traditional American-style Chinese favorites, as well as a large selection of sushi, sashimi, and teriyaki.
Recommendation: Sauteed Chinese Broccoli with Garlic & Oil
1869 Bath Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11214
This place was highly recommended to me by two longtime Asian residents of Bath Beach who have known me since I was a child. Here’s my assessment: there’s no need to travel to Manhattan or Flushing for excellent soup dumplings because we have a great place right here in Bath Beach. Check this place out! You won’t be disappointed.
Recommendation: Pork Soup Dumplings; Scallion Pancake
1464 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11228
The zip code says Dyker Heights but to me it’s on the border, so I’m going to include it. A great traditional Italian restaurant of the type that was once prevalent but is now becoming increasingly hard to find. It’s a neighborhood mainstay and a great spot for a family dinner or date night.
Recommendation: Tagliatelle Genovese; Spiedini alla Siciliana
Cafe Gossip
1977 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11214
Cafe Gossip is part diner, part trendy luncheonette. The food is fresh, made well, and tasty. The lentil soup is a standout when they have it, as is the Gossip Special Burger and their french fries. They also have these really awesome, well designed takeout bags.
Recommendation: Gossip Special Burger
8222 17th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11214
Full confession - I order from Panino Rustico often. Why? Because the paninis are great, the delivery is fast, and it’s consistently top-notch. They offer a variety of paninis, as well as all-day breakfast, wraps, bruschetta, crepes, pizza, desserts, and a vast drink selection. A great breakfast or lunch spot!
Recommendation: Ocean’s 11 Panini- Italian Tuna, Avocado, Roasted Peppers, Arugula, and Olive Oil
1705 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11214
Hands down the best bagels in all of Bath Beach and Bensonhurst, the best cream cheese selection in all of Bath Beach and Bensonhurst, and a real Brooklyn staff who takes the time to talk to you while making you a sandwich. A great place! Cash only.
Recommendation: Sesame Bagel with Lox, Cream Cheese, Tomato, and Onion
1969 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11214
Lenny’s Pizzeria is iconic. Featured in the 1977 classic Saturday Night Fever, Lenny’s Pizzeria is still around and still great. While I’m partial to a plain round slice, the grandma sicilian is also fantastic, as are all of their rolls. Heck!! Everything is good. If you want a traditional New York Style pizza, this is your place.
Recommendation: Two Round Slices (eat them one over the other like Tony Manero)
2202 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11214
Located in a prime location right on the corner of Bay Parkway and 86th Street, Istanbul Restaurant is the place to go for Turkish cuisine in Bath Beach. Crispy falafels, kebabs, gyros, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, kofte, piyaz, Lahmacun and Meat pie, and other Turkish favorites are all on the menu. This place is one of my favorites.
Recommendation: Salmon Kebab; 9 Piece Falafel Plate
2270 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11214
There’s a great story that as God divided land among the tribes of Israel that the tribe in the present-day country of Georgia were feasting and missed the distribution. When God came down to ask why the Georgians were not present, they replied because we are feasting. At first God was angry, but after being invited to feast with the Georgians God was so delighted by the food that he gave them the land of Georgia. When you eat Georgian food, you will understand why. It is fantastic and certainly fit for a higher power. Of the increasing number of Georgian food establishments popping up, this place is my favorite. Everything is good and you will keep coming back.
Recommendation: Spinach with Walnuts; Lobiani
2169 Bath Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11214
A long time client of our office asked me one day if I liked eclairs. I said, “Who doesn’t?” Then she asked, “Have you tried the Algerian French bakery on Bay Parkway?” I said, “No.” She replied, “John, you have to go.” I took her advice and went. The eclairs blew me away and the coffee is quite good as well. You have to go!
Recommendation: Eclair
1702 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11214
I went through a Banh Mi phase a couple of years ago and I’m convinced I tried most of the places in Brooklyn. Em Vietnamese Kitchen, perhaps known to those of you who frequent the DUMBO section of Brooklyn, has a location in Bath Beach and it’s my absolute favorite Vietnamese spot. They have a good selection of Banh Mi, Hu Tieu, and Pho, as well as a couple of rice entrees, smoothies, and appetizers. This place is no frills and has excellent food. Highly recommended!
Recommendation: Banh Mi Bo; Salted Vietnamese Limeade
If I missed your favorite spot, don’t worry it may be on my next blog “Local Bath Beach Establishments to Check Out- PART 2”.
Your Friend,
John
