An owner from the Dumbo restaurant Celestine will open an Italian spot in Greenpoint, Crain’s New York Business reports.
Carina will open at The Riverie (18 India St.), the new apartment complex completely powered by geothermal energy (and apparently, not so much by union labor).
“The menu at Carina, which means ‘cute’ in Italian, will include house-made focaccia and pastas, salads, crudo and more,” says Crain’s. “It is expected to open in June 2027, said owner Julian Brizzi.”
Brizzi also owns Rucola in Boerum Hill and bar Grand Army in Downtown Brooklyn.
Like Celestine, a hallmark part of Carina’s business will be weddings (which could be much needed, if that 67 West sale goes through, and with it, the Greenpoint Loft).
“Celestine has such a demand for the event and wedding business that we turn away a dozen people for every date in June, and we would like to capture that business as much as possible,” Brizzi said, noting that the space’s waterfront location makes it an attractive site for events.
It will be interesting to see how Carina stacks up against Greenpointers’ staff pick for our favorite Italian spot, Naked Dog (47 Java St.), which is just kitty-corner from 18 India Street.
Naked Dog is good but overpriced, well isn’t everything. Casanova has very good food at cheaper prices.
What’s your go-to order at Naked Dog? What’s an amazing must-have there? Great location and chill inside, but food seems baseline..
I usually get The Hornet cocktail, short-rib ravioli, and olive oil cake for dessert. I agree that it’s a little pricy (as Paul said, most things here are), but I feel like the quality and the portions are worth it for an occasional visit!
I checked the menu at this place in DUMBO and it looks more mediterranean not Italian and pricey. Casanova, really truly only red sauce restaurant in Greenpoint has very good food at “inexpensive” prices. Linguini in white clam sauce $19, pretty good. Their basic meatballs and pasta are some of the highest quality in NYC for only $19. Scallini (sp?) is an American Italian restaurant on Manhattan ave that has great lunch specials for like $17. Great penne and sausage in garlic and oil and a killer endive salad with cheese.