Jerry is the quintessential old time Park Sloper. He’s been here like forever. Like me. But he bought his own house and did all the work himself. He’s smart, funny, discriminating about local restaurants and very in the know about what’s new in the nabe.

"Hey let’s take Jerry’s block," Diaper Diva said the other day and we walked to Belleville, where we were meeting our cousin before the Louis and Capathia show at the Old Stone House. And what do you know. We ran into Jerry and his wife.

"Belleville is under new ownership," he said ominously. "The old cook left."

"We were there recently," Jerry’s wife chimed in. "It was so so."

One or other of them added that Cocotte got it’s old chef back and it’s been really good lately. Jerry said that Cocotte had gone down hill for a while ("We wouldn’t eat there," Jerry’s Wife added. "But now it’s good.")

Seems that Belleville and Cocotte just did a switcheroo in terms of public opinion according to Jerry.

I asked him about Mura, the new Japanese place on Fifth Avenue.  Jerry made a face. I too have heard mixed.

"The only place we eat sushi is Blue Ribbon Sushi." Jerry’s Wife said.

Our dinner at Belleville was pleasant as always. The Steak Frites was delicious, as was the Salade Nicoise. My only caveat is that they’re using  canned tuna instead of fresh. But it’s a good Italian canned tuna I’m guessing.

I love the decor, the ambiance at Belleville. If the food stays the same we’re still gonna be the occasional regulars that we are.