Here’s a note from Catherine Bohne, one of the organizers of the Seventh Avenue Restaurant Tour, which was a great night in the Slope. She is urging everyone to hang onto their maps and to continue to patronize the places you liked. "Of all the food businesses around 7th Avenue these are the ones who were happy to sign on to give you free treats—so do stop in, eat their food, drink their drinks, say than you nicely and show ’em the love. We’re all in it together!" Bohne wrote on the beautifully designed map. Can’t wait for next year.
Hi Everyone —
INCREDIBLE turn out, a party in the hood! Thank you so much for
coming and enjoying! It was an amazing night, the like of which I’ve
never seen. The Park Slope Chamber of Commerce (sponsor of the event!)
welcomes your input and suggestions for next year (write to buyinbrooklyn@ gmail.com), but in the interim, could I humbly personally
suggest that you express you gratitude by supporting all the businesses
who participated, but particularly and within the next week or so:
Nono Kitchen (who got swamped, which is a good sign of how good they
are, but who I think ended up . . . swamped), Tonio’s, which is a
hidden gem I didn’t even know about, and which is so sweet that they
just put out a buffet, and were not only amazed when it was all eaten
in 45 minutes, but (good Italians that they are) invited everyone back
next week, and Moim, who I think, judging by the lines I saw all night,
must have handed out hundreds of dollars worth of food. Oh. Also La
Taqueria absolutely wins for their Margaritas — I saw litereally 100’s
of people clutching their wax paper cups, but it must have cost the
Taqueria a penny. On the other end, Rancho Alegre is a winner — how
many of us have ignored them for years, assuming their longevity is a
sign of paucity? Not at all — they are lovely, and threw themselves
into this with enthusaism. And I have it on good recommendation that
their mole is without compare.In any case, dear neighbors, I trust you to hang on to your maps,
and remember all the businesses who turned out to give you a great
night. The truth is that ALL micro businesses in the neighborhood are always
struggling. We’ve been told not to admit this, but I think that’s
dumb. We struggle! Most of us do what we do NOT because it makes us
money, but because we love being here, being part of a wonderful
community, and doing what we do (FACT: Most shops are bankrolled by a
gainfully employed romantic partner. You don’t know this, do you? It’s
true.). We’ll stay, and keep being part of the neighborhood that you love, but your support is invaluable. So,
on behalf of my fellow merchants, and everyone who agreed to be
prepared to serve 150, but served 500, I’ll ask you to make a special
effort with the restaurant tour places for the next couple of weeks.Lots of love,Catherine.
I’m glad the event was a success and hope that the restaurant owners see this as an opportunity to retain the people who found places they liked. Because there are reasons–poor service and food which is often just so-so–why many PS residents who live closer to 7th Avenue go to Fifth Avenue, Smith Street, and even Manhattan rather than eating in the ‘hood.