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Marco Polo Ristorante’s 25th Anniversary Gala
Jess Levey | June 12, 2008
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The other day, my boyfriend Josh and I were talking about how we need to make a visit to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx to partake in some good ol’ school Italian eating. But, after Tuesday night’s festivities and chow down at Marco Polo Ristorante on the corner of Court and Union Streets, I was reminded that I happen to live in the sister neighborhood to this Italian Gem.
It’s strange that I had forgotten this fact considering that I was born and raised in Brooklyn, and have a very fond memory of spending, what must have been, my 10th birthday eating and celebrating at Marco Polo. I can still vividly picture a huge mud pie (My all time favorite dessert which was only made perfectly by Snookies in Park Slope) which was carried out to me by 6 or 7 large Italian men in tuxedos whose vibrato shook the forks on the table. They were accompanied by a stellar piano player, and I was very happy to see the same piano resting in the same exact place that I had remembered.
Actually, not much has changed in Marco Polo since my visit 22 years ago, three years after they had opened! Everything from the Venetian gondola ice sculpture filled with decorative clams (which Josh deemed unfair in their inedibility) to the gaudy chandeliers and the exposed brick set with Murals of An Adonis Marco Polo in picturesque Venice seemed just about exactly how I had remembered it. I was taken back to the days sitting at my Nana’s home in Bensonhurst – wait a second, that never happened, I am Jewish, not Italian – but a common fantasy amongst us Jews as Marty Markowitz reminded the crowd in his warm and humorous speech during the meal. Markowitz’s speech was full of Brooklyn chutzpa complete with a true NY accent and full of love for his Borough and for Joe Chirico, the Owner of Marco Polo, and dear friend of Markowitz’s.
Josh and I truly felt that we were intruding on an intimate family gathering. As the night went on, we were left alone at a table set for 8. When one of the publicist’s decided to join us, we welcomed the company, but all I really wanted to do was to sit with my hometown peeps, though none of them seemed to share the sentiment.
Marco Polo opened their doors in 1983, at a time when most people were scared to even walk to the Cobble Hill Theater (I being one of these people). Joe was one of the first big restaurants to take the risk and open up in a neighborhood that seemed far off from becoming what it is today. However, rather than ignore the changing faces of Carroll Gardens, Joe announced during the evening that the restaurant will undergo a complete renovation and Marco Polo will be handed down to his son, who is currently in culinary school. The renovation will modernize the restaurant, open it up, make it slicker, more minimalist, and chic.
I cannot say that I am happy about this change. Recently, I had the opportunity to eat at Sammy’s Romanian in the LES, and during the evening at Marco Polo, I kept thinking that this could be a destination place like Sammy’s, a place where one can be reminded of a culture like their own, or exposed to a culture vastly different. A place whose lure is in the countless nights that people have gathered together by the piano on the same dark carpets, and within the same brick walls. This kind of energy only exists within a place that remains true to its form. Maybe I am just a sucker for nostalgia, but it’s hard not to be when you live in a city (oops, I mean a borough) that is constantly renovating what I believe should just remain the same. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it, the saying goes, and for Marco Polo, and for Brooklyn, if you want to open something chic, maybe it is best to leave that up to the real “city” folk across the river. For now, I like my Brooklyn like it always was – diverse, friendly, unpretentious, full of character, chutzpa, uniqueness, and damn good cookin – from whatever home you may have come from.
Marco Polo Ristorante celebrates 25 years in the neighborhood!!
Josh Guttman | June 4, 2008
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Marco Polo Ristorante, a name that is as synonymous to Carroll Gardens as “the stroller” is to Park Slope, celebrated it’s 25th anniversary last night. While Marty Markowitz slurped linguini with Bergen Carroll’s very own, Jess Levey, Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination on the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery….what a confluence of events:) Needless to say, it was a big night for the ristorante. We’ll hear more from Jess soon on what the 25th anniversary gala entailed, but in the meantime, Marco Polo is offering a special menu in honor their milestone. Details below….
Marco Polo Ristorante’s 25th anniversary special prix fixe menus: three-courses at lunch for $19.83 – 1983 was the year Marco Polo opened its doors in what was then a run-down area – and $25.00 at dinner – for the number of years the restaurant has been open. In addition, 25 wines will be offered at $25 per bottle, most of them Italian, featuring producers such as Planeta from Sicily, Anselmi and Bertani from the Veneto, and Banfi, among others. The menus and wines will be available from June 4th until June 30th.
Dedicated to quality ingredients, the restaurant is known for its house-made mozzarella, sausages and pastas, as well as gelato and sorbets. The anniversary prix fixe menu features dishes such as house-made pasta with spicy cured anduja sausage and guanciale; house-made mozzarella with basil and tomato; grilled octopus; cod with olives and capers; prosciutto and mozzarella stuffed pork chop; grilled house-made sausages with potatoes and mushrooms and a nod to the restaurant’s namesake’s native Venice – the classic Fegato alla Veneziana, calf liver sautéed with onions and & black pepper over polenta. For dessert, gelato with fresh cherries and aged balsamic and Charlotte di Venezia (delicate sponge cake filled with torrone gelato and hot chocolate) will be offered, along with Marco Polo’s traditional Italian cheesecake. (The a la carte menu will be available as well, showcasing such signature dishes as Fettuccine al Vino Rosso finished tableside in a wheel of parmigiano-reggiano.)
Gowanus Studio Grand Opening + Kelso Beer
Josh Guttman | May 16, 2008
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Got an email about this event coming up on Friday. Looks interesting….
The Gowanus Studio Space will show installations by Rose Nestler, Ben Cohen, Tom Watson, Emily Elsen, Wennie Huang and Kate Elliot at Kelso of Brooklyn’s 5000 square-foot brewing space! Come for the art, stay for the beer.
Opening Reception and Kelso Beer Tasting
Friday, May 16th 6pm
FREE and open to the publicKelso’s Annual BBQ
Sunday, May 18th 2pm-6pm
FOOD by Brooklyn’s own Fette Sau and Heartland Brewery of NYC – $10 suggested donation to The Gowanus Studio Space
MUSIC and Kelso BEER – free
ART by Gowanus Studio Space Artists
invitation only – please rsvp to angela [at] gowanusstudio [dot] orgKelso Brewery
529 Waverly Avenue in Brooklyn
Between Atlantic and Fulton
take the G, A or C to Clinton Washington
Chicory, our beloved lunch spot, says goodbye
Josh Guttman | May 13, 2008
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It’s a sad week in Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens. Chicory Brooklyn has officially closed its doors. Chicory is the unofficial 2007 winner of Bergen Carroll’s Best Sandwich and I’m heart-broken to see them go. A few years ago, I wandered in and met Gavin, an aspiring young restaurateur and the chef behind Chicory. I was immediately impressed by the creative sandwich combos, which included chicken under a brick (bricken), homemade brisket and bbq-like mixtures of sour kraut, fried onions and bbq sauce. As a vegetarian, I struggled with the beef, pork, chicken possibilities on the sandwices so suggested that they add a vegetarian option like seitan. My suggestion was met with giggles and later dismissed as Gavin told me he was a meat-eater and Chicory was a meat place. I continued my pleas over the next few months though, and eventually, they relented adding seitan to the menu. It later became a best seller. I’ve eaten an average of 1-2 sandwiches per week at Chicory for the past 18 months. My favorite became the Das Kraut, followed by the Dixie, both with seitan on seven grain. Chicory also boasted the best fries in the neighborhood, complete with mayonaise and vinegar. Gavin captured the essence of the neighborhood’s personality and put together a menu that catered to it. The restaurant is now for sale, and I know I join many other neighborhood residents in hoping the new owner recognizes the value of the menu they’ll inherit. As for me, I’ll be in mourning for the rest of the week.
Gowanus Yacht Club Opens!!
Josh Guttman | April 20, 2008
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As Gothamist reported Thurdsay, our favorite summer neighborhood bar, Gowanus Yacht Club is now open!! While today isn’t necessarily a day for GYC, there’s plenty of summer left for PBRs, hot dogs and hamburgers. I’m glad to see this place is still around. As you might recall, there was talk of closing it last year after some irritable neighbors complained.
Brooklyn Cheap Eats Week – Neighborhood Participatants
Julia Lipkins | March 21, 2008
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Dine In Brooklyn is a less fussy version of Manhattan’s Restaurant Week. From March 24th – 31st, more than 175 Brooklyn restaurants will offer three-course, prix-fixe menus for $23.
The following restaurants are located in the Bergen Carroll vicinity and will give you a good bang for your $23 bucks:
Lunetta (d), 116 Smith Street, (718) 488-6269
Alma Restaurant (d), 187 Columbia Street, (718) 643-5400
Chestnut (d), 271 Smith Street, (718) 243-0049
Crave (d), 570 Henry Street, (718) 643-0361
Bocca Lupo (l/d), 391 Henry Street, (718) 243-2522
Miriam (d), 229 Court Street, (718) 522-2220
Quercy Restaurant (d), 242 Court Street, (718) 243-2151
Mazzat (d), 208 Columbia Street, (718) 852-1652
Lucali, Red Hook Ball Fields top Yelp neighborhood listings
Josh Guttman | March 15, 2008
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I just fired up Yelp to check something and noticed that Lucali and Red Hook Ballfields are ranked one and two respectively for all of Brooklyn. That’s impressive. I’ve been to both and consistently enjoy my experiences. While the Red Hook Ballfields isn’t technically a restaurant, it has plenty of food offerings and certainly provides a unique experience. Lucali is a newcomer to the neighborhood, but ran away with “best pizza in the ‘hood” last year.
Bergen Carroll needs writers!!
Josh Guttman | February 7, 2008
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You might have noticed the recent slow-down in articles on Bergen Carroll. It’s because nearly all our writers parlayed the exposure they received from Bergen Carroll and were lured away by bigger NYC publishers. If you live in Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Red Hook or Boerum Hill, have a pulse on what’s happening in the ‘hood and like to put pen to paper (or words to website), please get in touch about joining the sexiest local blog in New York City. We’re at josh [at] bergencarroll [dot] com.
New Poll: You, the customers, create the Red Deli’s new menu
Josh Guttman | December 18, 2007
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Renovations of the Red Deli on Cobble Hill Park are nearly complete and the new owners are putting together the menu now. This is your chance to speak up and let them know what you liked most about the previous deli – your favorite dishes and treats – and perhaps, what you didn’t like so much. Personally, I was a big fan of the salmon, seaweed and cole slaw sandwich on ciabatta roll, but that’s just me. I was also a big fan of the homemade hot chocolate in the winter. From what I understand, new management is still undecided on whether to serve espresso drinks or just plain coffee? Let them know what you think by casting a vote in the new poll. You can select two.
** I forgot something? Tell me in the comment area and I’ll add the most popular items to the possible answers.
Book Court to expand adding sun-drenched coffee lounge
Josh Guttman | December 13, 2007
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Brownstoner got a sneak peak at Book Court’s coming expansion. Apparently, they’re going deeper behind the existing store, and adding a coffee lounge beneath a large skylight. As we’ve learned from recent activity on Bergen Carroll, our readers care deeply about our neighborhood coffee joints. I can only believe this will be enthusiastically received by the neighborhood. And I wholeheartedly agree with Brownstoner’s sentiments….it’s nice to see independent book stores and coffee houses enjoying prosperity. Book Court is a gem of the neighborhood.
