Dumbo NYC

Notes from the DUMBO, Brooklyn NY neighborhood


Freemans Chef to Open Restaurant in Vinegar Hill

September 3rd, 2008

Vinegar Hill

Brownstoner reported yesterday that the former Freeman’s Alley chef Jean Adamson is opening a restaurant at 72 Hudson Avenue in Vinegar Hill. According to the BIS permit, the building is being converted “from store to eating and drinking establishment”. This is great news for the historic neighborhood that seems untouched by time. Will this be the first of a few others to come to VH?


(Photo courtesy of Josh Derr)

{Freeman’s Butcher Shop Never Really a Butcher Shop!, 03Sept2008, Brownstoner}
{New Restaurant Coming to Vinegar Hill, 02Sept2008, Brownstoner}

Filed in Dumbo Food, Hudson Avenue, Vinegar Hill at 2:35 pm
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  • VH4Ever
    I have lived in the area for over 30 years. Grew up here. I do not want this in my neighborhood. We are already getting rif-raf walking about since the opening. We spent the 70's, 80's and 90s dealing with crack-heads and prostitutes. Finally got the neighborhood clean, and now a bar has opened up which will attract the same rif raf because yuppies don't know how to say "no" when they ask for money. Nice place, however, the unwanted foot traffic will stay in DUMBO when the novelty wears off.
  • Al, Vinegar Hill House is now open.

    http://dumbonyc.com/2008/11/17/vinegar-hill-hou...

    If you go, let us know what you thought.
  • Al
    Anyone know when the restaurant is set to open? Has it already?
    As a long time resident of the area, I'm very excited about it. :)
  • water90
    ...and fyi, that bakery corner at water st and gold st is where they dug up under the street to put in some storm flush plug to the east river. if that thing backs up - oooh yuck.
  • water90
    dear neighbor @ 8:32 - wakeup! you so too can smell the treatment plant at the most god awful times (around dinner for instance) and smell the coffee again - the fuel smell comes from the chinese truck parking lot across from the bakery. it's an open air trucking chop-shop. they weld and run generators ALL THE TIME over there. lot itself is mob owned - so it ain't going anytime soon.
  • hudson square
    let the muggins begin. the criminals in the farragut projects will no longer leave little vinegar hill to itself as the demise of dumbo and front street seep ever closer to the water treatment plant on the other side of Hudson ave. the click clack of wasted young dates looking for cabs and parties spilling outside are too easy not to prey on. the animals will hear the soiree and wine glasses clinking sounding like the clang of money. yo free atm.
  • neighbor
    There are no sewage or fuel oil smells in Vinegar Hill. But you can smell the pita bread bakery when they're open and it's nice. The projects are unfortunately just as much of a problem for the residents of Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo and Fort Greene as they are for Vinegar Hill folks.

    It's a shame to see the state of some of the buildings on Hudson. Some are now so far gone that they're going to need a ton of time and money to bring them back to their original state. This shouldn't have happened in such a lovely, historic neighborhood with so few of its original buildings left standing.
  • mod squad
    Vinegar Hill's real problem is Dumbo. It is surrounded by Farragut on one side, the Navy yard on another (with a horrible sewage smell) and Con Ed with it's #4 fuel oil wafting over the north flank. If that restaurant is successful people who own those empty stores will realize there is money to be made on Dumbocons starving for authenticity and quaintness.
  • Gold
    For those who are against the eartery openning. What is the ideal (bohemi) plan for VH? More politcal posters in the "Storefront" windows? Or should the "storefronts" continue to decay?
  • resident
    Just curious, CB1...where does your daughter live? Front St? Gold St.? Little St? Condo owner?

    It seems that you aren't a community member. It's always the case for an outsider to stir the pot.
  • mod squad
    You VHers can't have it both ways. If you want to suckle the Dumbo teat you'd better realize that it will follow you home someday and before you know it you'll have your own J Condo. Either that or Con Ed will sell that antique electrical generating plant. It's only used in emergencies now anyway. Once that land is developed Vinegar Hill will be nothing more than a dingleberry! The only thing that's protecting you now is the projects.
  • Anon
    I'll admit I shouldn't have used the word back at you. I was making a point. That was the wrong way to do it, I'll admit. I don't usually use such disgusting words. I apologize.

    By the way, I have never bought into the argument that you can insult the statement without insulting the person who makes it. That is a really lame excuse for your choice of words. You can disagree with someone without being a jerk. I personally thought your disgusting choice of words was unnecessary. Especially towards someone who has devoted so much time and effort on this great blog. That's it. Only my opinion. I am the thought police or moral monitor nor would I want to be.

    Let me rephrase that: In TODAY's world, it is unrealistic to think that this area will go unchanged forever. Did you really think the migration of people from Manhattan to Brooklyn was not going to affect this prime area? I never said that being unchanged is a bad thing, just unrealistic.

    Clearly, you are the one who needs to grow up. That couldn't be more obvious.
  • cb1
    "I like the quiet as much as the next person, but I am realistic enough to realize that no neighborhood this close to the hub of one of the biggest cities in the world is going to stay crowd free for long."

    Vinegar Hill has been crowd free for 30-40 years.
    Maybe longer. So much for your argument.
  • cb1
    ANON- "point out the immature way in which it was presented"

    ANON-"Dumbonyc- don’t worry about it. You’re not the one who is the douchebag here."

    You used the same word here on this webpage.
    In addition, it shows that you didnt read my comments as I wasnt calling DumboNYC a douchebag, I was describing the statement.
    Who appointed you to be the thought police or the moral monitor? Put on your big girl boots Anon, its time to grow up. Its amazing to me how you could make a big deal out of absolutely positively nothing while missing the bigger point of this entire conversation about Vinegar Hill.
  • Anon
    CB1- There is nothing wrong with having a little class and calling out others when they show a lack of it. I did read all of what you wrote. You are entitled to your opinion and my point was not to dispute it, but to point out the immature way in which it was presented.

    I did not disagree with you on what Dumbo has become, all I stated is that it is a great neighborhood. It might not by your cup of tea, but that doesn't make it bad tea.

    I like the quiet as much as the next person, but I am realistic enough to realize that no neighborhood this close to the hub of one of the biggest cities in the world is going to stay crowd free for long.

    The fact that you have gone on and on about my "type" even though you know virtually nothing about me shows everyone what a narrow-minded, thoughtless person you are. So thank you for that.
  • cb1
    I think the old military truck is cool not crazy.
    It adds character to the area. I think your missing the whole point/essence of what Vinegar Hill is really all about.
  • cb1
    How can a property owner be “squatting” on their own land. Can you please explain this statement. Squatting is usually defined as the practice of occupying someone elses property without their permission.
  • neighbor
    I don't think Vinegar Hill is a slum. I love it, in fact. The streets are clean (aside from some dog poop and the odd pile of broken glass). But a good number of the buildings have not been properly maintained. And some of the property owners are stubbornly "squatting" on their land by allowing the few empty lots to become hugely overgrown with weeds amongst a charming but pretty crazy old Military truck.

    cb1, you are within your rights to love the neighborhood as it stands, and if you were amongst the early VH group who got this neighborhood landmarked (before Dumbo got it together to do this for itself), then kudos to you. However, if your online persona is anything like your real life persona, I hope to never meet you in our small neighborhood.

    VH -- Vinegar Hill does not need a deli! There are several places for a deli sandwich just a block or two away in Dumbo. A deli would be out of business before the paint even dried (or before you could try to get it shuttered by the DOH). The Hudson Street restaurant to be will be a tremendous boon to the neighborhood. And if you've ever been to Freeman's, you can have an amazing lunch there for pretty reasonably. Most lunch entrees are the same price as a questionable burrito from Pedro's.
  • cb1
    Buz3- "Some of those shuttered-up buildings will be worth a fortune." VG is not a slum. You obviously down come from these parts.The buildings are not shuttered, the storefronts are shuttered. They are not truly shuttered. They are just closed up, but do have some people working in them. The buildings are already worth a fortune. Many worth millions of dollars at the height of the real estate boom. People have paid 500,000 plus to live in the newest building on Hudson, which is actually a few years old. Its spectacular views including its view of the mansion are a huge asset.
  • cb1
    ANON- Oh, forgive me, Ive offended you with the use of a word. You and DumboNYC need to grow up
    and grow up fast. Grown people are not offended by words. Im certainly not. You need to put on your big girl/boy boots or go home. The fact that you would focus on one word instead of reading all of what I said and presenting a counterargument doesnt surprise me. Ive seen your "type" before. DumboNYC has a done a great service, no one has ever disputed that.

    Dumbo has become exactly what I have said and there many people that agree with me. It is a shadow of what it used to be.

    There are many quiet crowd free areas that are a stones throw from Manhattan. Vinegar Hill is one of them and I hope that we can work together to stop people like you, your "type" from changing that.
  • Anon
    CB1- it wasn't the fact that you disagreed with Dumbonyc that is offensive, it was the fact that you used a word only a 12 year old should be immature enough to use. There was really no need for that sort of response. I personally think Dumbonyc is doing a great service to this neighborhood and should be treated with respect, whether you agree with his opinion or not.

    There is nothing wrong with what Dumbo has become. It's a lovely place to live and work. It may not be your kind of neighborhood, but it is a great one.

    Like it or not, if you want to live somewhere "free from crowds and noise" don't move a stones throw from Manhattan.
  • VH
    Every building on Hudson Avenue is already worth a fortune. Our neighborhood needs a deli, not a high-end eatery where the food prices are sky high. FYI, I took a look into the space where its going, and its not even being built to code. And those a/c units in the back wall, good luck if you think that they will keep the space cool with the food prep right there.
    My guess, on opening day the Dept of Health is going to close it down because its not even being build out the correct way.
  • buz3
    "most of the storefronts are shuttered"
    "some of the homes could use some basic maintenance"
    "The neighborhhood has a slightly unkempt feel about it"

    So is it a slum? If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck..

    In a very short time this is going to be a beautiful neighborhood that will almost rival Dumbo. Some of those shuttered-up buildings will be worth a fortune. But right now its a mess. This new restaurant is a valuable step towards that gentrification.
  • cb1
    Revitalize what? There is no need for revitalization.
    Where is the disrepair? All of the buildings are reasonably well painted and cared for. Just look at the photo. Does it look like a slum to you? While most of the storefronts are shuttered, they are closed up nicely with ornamentation and many are occupied by people living and working in them. The streets are clean. Th houses are charming. Its quiet and free from crowds and noise. We have a good quality of life. Crime is a problem, but its a sporadic issue as it is in almost every part of Brooklyn. Yes, some of the homes could use some basic maintenance, but you make it sound like VH is a slum. A good chunk of VH is already landmarked. The neighborhhood has a slightly unkempt feel about it. This is precisely what so many people love about it. We also love the quiet and dont want more foot traffic. What you see as liabilities, I see as huge assets for the area. Why does have to be gleaming, filled with people with loads of restaurants and shops to be considered appealing.
    DUMBO fell into that trap and look at what its become. It was once a haven for artists and the avant garde. It is now nothing more than rich yuppy wannabe artist haven where nobody making under 100 grand a year can afford to live comfortably.
  • VH
    Hey 'Neighbor',
    Are you saying that Jean Adamson, is married to Michael Gallagher?
  • neighbor
    This is great news. And as far as I've heard, most of the residents in Vinegar Hill are excited about this restaurant -- including many of the people who lived here for years.

    Vinegar Hill needs this place. And it's not like it's being opened by people with no connection to the neighborhood who will come in and plop a restaurant down on Hudson Street that makes absolutely no sense. This couple owns the building the restaurant will occupy -- it's their home. And the chef is amazing. We are so lucky to have them here.

    I won't argue with the quaintness of Hudson Street. It's beautiful and it's special. But I will argue with some of the long standing residents love for this neighborhood and its beautiful buildings -- many of which, especially along Hudson -- have been allowed to slide into disrepair. This leads me to wonder sometimes, where is the love?

    We need this restaurant. We need more foot traffic through Vinegar Hill. It will help revitalize this neighborhood and make it safer. And we need to applaud those who are willing to make an investment here -- particularly an architecturally respectful one.
  • cb2
    cb2 I agree with you. We don't need funky new restaurants when the area is still lacking in basic services. Opening a Chase bank and ATM somewhere in VH would be far more beneficial to the area. It would also give douchebags like Smokey, Crackey and cb1 another place to withdraw cash to spend on 'Drug Dealer' t-shirts and hydroponics.

    Are we also forgetting the impact of competition on the region's restaurants? The Chinese restaurant just of Bridge St (the one with the bulletproof glass and the tiny opening to collect your food) will surely suffer. Who needs fancy food when we already have Chicken Chow Mein followed by a healthy sprint back through the projects?
  • cb1
    Why are so offended? I wasnt insulting you personally, I was insulting the arrogant and know it all assumptions of your original statement. The fact is, youve spoken to some residents of Vinegar Hill, not the majority.
    Youve also failed to make any mention of those who oppose the restaurant.
    Hill is an area that is NOT in need of gentrification at all. I can tell you that walking the desolate streets of VH on a cool crisp refreshing Fall morning is one of the great joys in life. I love VH and always will.
    There are people like me who enjoy the neighborhood feel EXACTLY the way it is. We dont "need" to turn Hudson into a mini Front street. Unfortunately, thats exactly what will happen here, there will be a domino effect and all of the VH character will be lost.
  • WaterSt.
    Perhaps even more than other business owners, restauranteurs take tremendous risk opening in an undeveloped neighborhood. I am very happy to have this in my neighborhood.

    We're lucky to have a small, independent restaurant with a talented chef - one that has potential to fit the neighborhood's vibe - instead of a boring corporate chain.

    On behalf of positive-minded, rational Dumbo residents, I extend a welcome. My friends and I are looking forward to coming in for a drink.
  • bklynmcg
    I walked by today and the storefront has already been cleaned up compared to what was in the picture. But there were a few racks of clothing in there. Looked more like a boutique was going in. Personally, I'm hoping for the restaurant!
  • Anon
    Dumbonyc- don't worry about it. You're not the one who is the douchebag here. What a nasty, immature word to use.
  • cb1, that wasn't a very nice thing to say. I love the old world feeling as much as any resident. However, since you asked, I have considered that VH residents want it to remain untouched. That statement was based on discussions with residents, who are excited about the restaurant.
  • huh
    What kind of mom with a daughter old enough to live on her own uses the word douchebag?

    Sad...and pathetic.
  • cb1
    "This is great news for the historic neighborhood that seems untouched by time"

    What is so great about it? Have you ever considered that the people who actually live in Vinegar Hill want it to REMAIN untouched by time.
    What a douchebag statement.The people who live in Vinegar Hill love the solitude and the quiet streets. They love the old world feeling. My daughter lives there and she wouldnt change a thing. They dont want commercialization and yuppification of their quaint neighborhood.
  • mod squad
    It's time that Vinegar Hill bellied up and helped with the gentrification of this neighborhood. They've had pretty much a free ride except for that aquarium at 99 Gold.
  • VH
    Sucks for the people who will live around it. More smell, more garbage trucks, more rats, and more noise.
    Anyone know what the menu will be?
  • paul
    awesome
  • HungryBelly
    What fantastic news, Can't wait!
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