As Greenpoint gets hotter (figuratively, not literally), the celebrity chefs have been starting to roll in. One of the first ones in was Top Chef alum Sam Talbot and his fried chicken/Southern/gluten-free/sometimes vegan restaurant, Pretty Southern (14 Bedford Ave). The spot opened late last year and appeared to be taking a little while to hit its stride. On October 30th, they posted on Instagram about closing for renovations, but as of this week, they have yet to reopen. The allergy-mindful approach was inspired by Talbot’s own struggle with Type 1 diabetes. As of yet, there is no news about who will take over the space. [Eater]
These past few weeks also marked the closing of Greenpoint’s other sit-down fried chicken/Southern, Golden Brown’s in the Brooklyn Bazaar. An offshoot of Brooklyn Star, it was one of the neighborhood’s hidden gems, especially if you like classic fried chicken. That chicken is still available during weekend brunch at the original restaurant (593 Lorimer St). In its place is Super Burrito featuring California-style Mexican.
But this isn’t the end of good fried chicken north of Bedford Avenue. The former Yummy Taco space at 941 Manhattan Avenue will be the fourth New York City location of the Korean fried chicken chain, Pelicana. Also available in Sunnyside, Koreatown, and Flushing, Pelicana has been slowly expanding in the United States over the past few years. No word on when it will be officially opening and whether the menu will also include hot pot and/or dumplings.
In other food news, chef Lee Desrosiers has exited stage left from Achilles Heel (180 West St). Taking over is chef Desiree Tuttle who has been learning the ropes at Achilles for well over a year. This makes Andrew Tarlow’s North Brooklyn restaurant empire one of the most female-friendly as Reynard in the Wythe Hotel (80 Wythe Ave) is also currently helmed by chef Christine Lecki. Achilles Heel will be the final Tarlow establishment to go gratuity-free later this year.
After a year in Williamsburg, Oregon-based vegan/vegetarian pizza chain Sizzle Pie shuttered both of its locations last week.
The DOH made the rounds in mid-December, temporarily shutting both Chinese Musician and Baoburg.