The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission has a few calendar items related to buildings in Dumbo:

• 81 Front Street (June 5, 2012): hearing is for an application to replace storefront infill and install signage.
• 185 Plymouth Street (May 22, 2012): application is to construct additions, modify window and ground floor openings, alter sidewalk, install storefront infill, a canopy, and signage.

Brownstoner posted about 185 Plymouth Street last week. The developers of 192 Water Street will be renovating 185 Plymouth into “a similar treatment of the existing warehouse building”. Brownstoner writes:

“Some differences at 185 are that most units will have outdoor space, and there’s an interior courtyard that all units will have views to. 185 also has 13-14 foot ceiling heights which are a couple of feet taller than 192 Water. Half of the units also have water views.” Earlier this week the CB2 Landuse Committee approved facade changes, including a rooftop addition for two penthouse units. Here are a few more cool facts from the architect: since there’s no real sidewalk on Plymouth (it’s mostly cobblestone), they plan to continue the cobblestone into the lobby to create the feeling of a continuing street. And the building, previously a brillo pad factory, had a bridge opening across to 205 Water Street, also part of the factory.”

There have been several tenant rumors about 81 Front Street, but nothing official has been released yet. Anyone know?

Gran/Electrica opened on March 26, 2012 in Dumbo Brooklyn. The folks over at Brooklyn Heights restaurant Colonie have opened one of their two new restaurants in the Dumbo area, this one in Fulton Ferry and the other in Dumbo. Chefs Sam Richman (Jean Georges, The Fat Duck) and Brad McDonald (Noma, Per Se) will be brining dishes such as Oaxacan garnachas, chili-blackened pork spare ribs, tortita de huauzontle, tacos, flautas, quesadillas. We sat down with Chef Brad last week, who told us that they’re going to focus on authentic Mexican street snacks they experienced during their visits to Mexico, and will use local and sustainable ingredients wherever possible. They will be making their own tortillas and seasonal drinks with small mezcal distilleries.

If that doesn’t whet your apetite for Mexican, check out Thrillist’s description of their gorditas (“flash fried in pork fat, cut in half & filled with chicharrones”).

If you love Taco Thursdays at 7 Stars Deli, Gran Electrica gives us another great option. After Hecho en Dumbo left the neighborhood in October 2009, Pedro’s Restaurant was the last all Mexican place in Dumbo. The other restaurant from the Colonie crew at 1 Main Street (that address will officially be 15 Main Street) is being planned for a late Spring opening.

[n.b. 3/27/2012: At this time, dinner service only. Lunch to follow in the near future. ]

Gran Electrica (granelectrica.com)
5 Front Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
(between Old Fulton and Dock Streets (718-852-2789)

(Photo credits: Daily Candy (top left), Thrillist (top right), Grub Street (bottom left and right))

There’s a new commercial building offering office space at 231 Front Street (between Bridge and Gold Streets). A 70,000 square feet office property, 231 Front Street is an Early 20th Century commercial style factory building, designed by William B. Tubby, and built in 1908.

At this point, the first floor is built out with 25 office spaces with rents ranging $950-1,300 per month. These are single room offices (no food or retail) similar to GreenDesk in Dumbo. Two larger spaces, for $2,200 and $2,500 have already been leased out. For further details, contact Creative Real Estate Group, who is handling the leasing (Frank DeCarlo 917.882.2185 or francisdecarlo@gmail.com.

{LPC Reviews 30 Henry and 231 Front Street, 10Jan2012}

All Photos by Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com)

Though not a secret for Dumbo locals, AlMar has been quietly serving great Italian food since the summer (July/Aug 2011). The owners of AlMar acquired the restaurant space, formerly Dumbo General Store, owned by Anna Castellani, and have been working hard to tailor a menu that customers have grown to love (including us). A few of our favorites include braised boneless beef short rib (moist and melts in your mouth), linguine with mussels, clams, shrimp & cherry tomato (or with lobster when they have it), spinach fettuccine alla bolognese (the meat sauce is full of rich flavors), or any of the roasted fish dishes.

But don’t take our word for it. We asked a few diners there for their favorite dishes. Here’s what they had to say:

• “My favorite dish…it HAS to be Alfredo’s MEATBALLS !! I don’t know what to say except that when I walk into AlMar, I always have to start my meal with an order of the famous meatballs. They are absolutely delicious.”
• “I love the short ribs and polenta. And their crostinis are delicious – one of them has a buffalo ricotta that is out of this world.”
• “I had the duck with cranberry and wine reduction sauce and pureed yams – with a fabulous rosé. Very tasty!”

The name AlMar is derived from a combination of the two owner’s names, Alfredo and Marcello. They come from Noodle Pudding in Brooklyn Heights and were very familiar with the area and had many fans before they moved to Dumbo. We spoke with Marcello:

How did Almar get started?

We had talked about opening up a restaurant for years. Unfortunately, the first opportunity that came up wasn’t successful so when we heard about the space in Dumbo we wanted to make sure we didn’t lose it. From then on we’ve just been working to make AlMar a place where customers feel at home and a place they can come to unwind after a hard day at work or bring their families for brunch on the weekend. After coming up with lots of different names, we finally agreed on just putting our two names together: Alfredo and Marcello. It seems a bit silly, but somehow it just really fits.. a labor of love for the both of us.

How would you describe your cuisine?

It’s definitely straight forward Italian food. We felt Dumbo didn’t really have a place that embodied the idea of fresh ingredients, comfortable environment, and just good solid food.

Now that you’ve taken over the space for several months, how have customers reacted to your food?

For the most part the reactions have been extremely positive. We have people say, “I hope you guys don’t leave” and “Dumbo really needed a place like this.” And of course those comments mean a great deal to us.

What do you like about Dumbo?

The locals by far. This neighborhood is filled with wonderful people who work hard and enjoy spending time with their family and friends.

AlMar also provides a full catering service to businesses and homes in the area and their dining area can be rented for events. Check it out and tell Marcello DumboNYC sent you!

All Photos by Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

Hours:
Mon-Thu 8:00am-10:30pm
Fri 8:00am-11:00pm
Sat 9:00am-11:00pm
Sun 10:00am-5:00pm

AlMar (almardumbo.com)
111 Front Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
Tel: 718-855-5288
Email: almardumbo@gmail.com

(30 Henry Street)

(231 Front Street)

The Landmark Preservation Commission reviewed proposed changes for 231 Front Street (Vinegar Hill) and 30 Henry Street (Brooklyn Heights) in today’s meeting. No word yet on the results.

231 Front Street is an Early 20th Century commercial style factory building, designed by William B. Tubby, and built in 1908. The application is to alter the façade, rebuild entrance stairs, and install a canopy. Brownstoner mentioned in October 2011 that the plans for 231 Front Street is to convert the building into office space. (BIS for 231 Front Street)

30 Henry Street aka 28-30 Henry Street is a building reconstructed in 1963 as a factory and store building. The application is to demolish the building and construct a new building. As the Brooklyn Eagle has reported, the proposed new building will be five stories and will contain six residential units with balconies. Additionally, the building will contain underground parking and outdoor space with a waterfall. Currently, the building is home to Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

(Photo from Brownstoner).

[UPDATE Sat Dec 17: Grimaldi's has opened at 1 Front Street.]

We saw yesterday that Grimaldi’s Pizza is now closed. But there seems to be a lot of activity on 1 Front Street (now that the stop work order has been resolved) to prepare for the opening of the new Grimaldi’s location. Meanwhile, a Juliana’s Pizza sign is in the window of 19 Old Fulton Street. A placeholder for Juliana’s website is live at julianaspizza.com.

(Thanks to reader Kathleen for the photo.)

[UPDATE Sat Dec 17: Grimaldi's has opened at 1 Front Street.]

The Grimaldi’s location at 19 Old Fulton Street closed yesterday. The new location will be opening next door (1 Front Street), but there’s no opening date at this time. The move to 1 Front Street was originally scheduled for November 29, but was delayed due to a stop work order for an illegal coal oven install. @FultonFerry posted the above photo on Twitter with the caption “Priceless: The look on tourists’ faces when they see what remains of Grimaldi’s”.

Meanwhile, we have not heard back from Patsy Grimaldi, the original owner of Grimaldi’s before he sold the restaurant, and owner of Juliana’s Pizza, the incoming pizza place taking over the coal oven location on a new open date for his new restaurant. Before the delayed Grimaldi closing, the original open date was scheduled for March 2012.

Related:
{Grimaldi Pizza Move Delayed, 29Nov2011}
{Patsy Grimaldi’s Coming out of Retirement to Take Over Original Pizza Location}

Grimaldi’s move to 1 Front Street is delayed due to an untimely death in the family and the Department of Buildings has issued a stop-work order at the 1 Front Street location. According to the BOD website, the stop work order issued on 11/28/2011 is for “illegally installed coal burning oven @ 1st floor done w/o propper approvals & presents a potential danger to patrons”.

Russell Ciolli, son of Frank Ciolli, both owners of Grimaldi’s Pizza, died last Wednesday at 39. Our condolences go out to the Ciolli family.

Related:
{Patsy Grimaldi’s Coming out of Retirement to Take Over Original Pizza Location}
{Grimaldi’s Move POSTPONED Due To Death In The Family, Gothamist}
{Grimaldi’s Coal-Oven Troubles At New Location, HuffPo}
{Tragic News for Grimaldi’s, Grub Street}
{City blocks new Grimaldi’s from opening over illegal oven, Brooklyn Daily}

Spring, the design and art studio established in 2003 by Anna Cosentino and Steve Butcher, has teamed up with Broolyn based Chef Heather White to launch the first of many special events, introducing locals to the gallery’s new offerings. The inaugural event will take place on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 from 6:30 PM — 8:30 PM and include a wine and food pairing and tasting, presented by Chef Heather White, who has joined Cosentino and Butcher to develop menus for special events in coming months.

What started out as thank you lunches — documented and posted on the website daily — for interns and assistants turned into potluck dinners with artists and designers as a way of socializing over delicious food and art.

With the goal to nurture social interaction, engage conversation and most importantly, source and support locally, spring will begin offering their space for entertainment, experiential food events, wine tastings, sit-down dinners, creative meetings, product launches, design showroom, exhibition space, book signings and more. As a Brooklyn community-based small business, spring is dedicated to the slow-food way of living – whether it is design or food – sourcing locally and collaborating with local businesses.

(a potluck event at spring)

RSVP for the event on Wednesday by calling 718.222 1054 or email location@spring3d.net.

spring (spring3d.net)
126A Front Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11201

As proposed in July 2011 by the NYC DOT, the sidewalk along Front Street near York Street is being widened and landscaped neckdown on the corner of York and Front are being worked on according to workers on site. A neckdown is a curb extension at intersections that reduces the roadway width and tightens the curb radii at the corner. This provides a shorter distance for pedestrians to cross and reduces the speed of turning vehicles.

The cross walk at York Street and Front Street will be reduced from 71 feet to 25 feet. This will also improve sight lines for drivers on York Street turning onto Front Street. However, as one of our readers pointed out, semi trucks use York Street to make a right turn onto Front either because they can’t make the turn at York and Washington Streets.