I became suspect last week when Solomon’s Porch (307 Stuyvesant Avenue) was closed on a weeknight.  Then a couple of days later, their signature outdoor furniture was removed.  Upon further investigation, what I thought was an event flyer was actually a closing notice from the Department of Health, dated June 11th. Â
However, a greeting on their MySpace page reads, “Solomon’s Porch is back in full swing! We welcome you back to our corner of Bed-Stuy. As much as we were missed- we missed serving you all. Our loyal patrons, the Bedford-Stuyvesant Community, performing artists, and newcomers alike. We thank you all for your patience.”  That must be an old greeting IMO.  I did a couple of online searches, but no word.  Calls simply connect to their voicemail, indicating normality.  I was looking for this to be a summer hangout, being that I’m a stone throw away.  Maybe this is old news and I’m playing catch up.  Anyone else know about Solomon’s Porch closing?  Any word on if and when it will open again?
Solomon’s Porch has been closed for awhile,
I think due to health violations I really used to like this place but I felt the end was almost near. After awhile service really started to suck. It’s a shame because this was a great Black owned business but business do not survive when it is not consistent.
My cousin from Virginia came to visit back in late April and she suggested that we have an early dinner at Solomon’s Porch. We did and it was wonderful. I’m sorry to see this place go.
Yes, it has been closed for a while. Within the past year, the service was poor and inconsistent…but when it was good, it was GOOD.
I was hoping they would have resolved these issues by now.
It’s been over a month.
I’m curious as well. Service was so-so. The staff was friendly but the wait for food varied a lot-to almost immediately one time i popped in for brunch (the eggs were cold which made me think it was already made and handed off)-to 30 minutes for dinner.
I also liked that they had music performances.
However my brother went there for dinner right before one of these performances and was asked to pay the cover in the middle of the meal. I pretty much stopped going after he told me that story because that’s pretty unprofessional.
To be honest if they did re-open I don’t think I would go back…The african guy who I think was the owner was not gracious at all. Me and my husband went their multiple times so he knew who we were but never went out of his way to greet us.
Sarah I agree with you about the owner, I thought it was me.
Sarah and Bedstuyman – maybe I’m out of tune – but why did you need to feel greeted? – curious
To Lyn….
It would be nice that if you are a returning customer and the owner sees you more than once.
That he would at least give you a smile.
In my opinion the owner seemed like he didn’t want to be bothered, but there was another woman there short hair I think middle age(not old) who was as sweet as pie it was always nice seeing her.
Thanks for this post. I was having a birthday brunch for my daughter and was sad the place was closed. I felt duped AND I had to scramble to find another place to hold our party. I wish they would give some kind of indication to the community so we know whats going on. The same thing happened to Brooks Valley on tompkins. The owner closed with no indication to the community. My question now for this blog is where can I go to get a nice, decently priced brunch in the neighborhood. I need an alternative.
Thanks for this post. I too was shocked to see the yellow notice. I went to the health department website and was shocked to see all the violations. I was an on again off again eater at Solomon’s due to my wanting to support neighborhood businesses but could not get past the inconsistent service and food. While the performances were good the food and service suffered. I hope they can resolve the violations and maybe reopen instead as a bar with small plates. We need a good bar around here. As far as alternatives for brunch, Peaches has recently added to their brunch menu.
Thanks erica
I’m going to check out Peaches. I wanna keep is local, but it’s frustrating when you support local places, and local places don’t bother informing and thanking the community for their service. Perhaps the Bed Stuy blog can do an updated list of local spots—also, i’m a new blog user but maybe BSB can do a best of summer list: best bar/lounge, brunch, park, etc. That would be helpful.
Solomon’s Porch Restaurant Inspection Information: http://tinyurl.com/l934g4
I have also heard that Saraghina on Lewis and Halsey has brunch. I hear they have yummy scones and french toast. Its also BYOB.
Hey Darius thanks for the link…
These violations are PRETTY bad,I like Peaches really nice I wish there were more restaurants like this in other parts of Bed Stuy
I hear what some of you are saying but apart from shuttering their doors and having a sign, I’m not sure what these businesses ‘owe’ the community as far as notification goes. I think SP should have changed their voicemail and Brooks Valley should have indicated something on their website. If either venue had a mailing list, they should keep people informed but other than that, I’m not sure what else they could do-especially when SP is closed for less than appealing reasons.
I definitely think the spots in Bed Stuy need some work (Bread Stuy and Peaches included! Its too early for me to tell about Saraghina) but I think maybe some of us are being a bit too hard on them. I’m sure the proprietor of SP wasn’t intentionally being aloof. Its also clear that some folks, while they may be efficient at running an establishment, may not be the best ‘face’ for the restaurant-hence the woman who was very gracious. Some people just don’t work well at the front of the house. Clearly that wasn’t his primary role. I also think that if I was planning on inviting a large party to a restaurant, I’d check to see if the place would be open and able to accomodate. SP could have been open that day but they may have had a private event or something else that may have precluded them from serving a large party so I’m not sure how much notification would be owed to the community past the means they already have in place (sign on the door, voicemail, website if they have one, etc).
I think its really interesting to see everyone’s responses though, and how it kind of tied back to the community at the end but its interesting to see that dynamic being brought into the conversation. I think we all (self included) should be a little proactive as well-making suggestions to management of these places or referring them to websites like these where folks are leaving their comments or plain just introducing ourselves so we know who they are and vice versa so when we complain about not being acknowledged, we do so with valid reason. I think that will definitely help these places become more involved in the community and it gets us a little more connected as well.
@ teanickeldime Good point!
Teanickeldime, I have to push back on your comments. These businesses utilize the community to stay open, so all i’m asking for is a note. The T-Cup (which I have some issue with) left a note they would be closed out of schedule. I appreciate this. With SP I called and left a message to leave reservations. my party was a group of 6 people, and even on days like mother’s day, they’ve been chill in my experience. I wasn’t rolling up with 20 ppl expecting service. No one is asking for a red carpet or a hand delivered note, but changing the voicemail or the my space, or just a sign out front is just out of respect for those customers who came out to support. I’m not asking for more than that. This is just common courtesy.
The mice problem was well known so I am not surprised by this. My mother and I had a less than pleasurable experience with the food due to cross contamination. Once I felt better, I spoke to the African guy who basically said I couldn’t prove it was his food that made my mother and I sick. I stopped going after that.
It’s my understanding that the owners of SP are/were opening Butternut Market. Has anyone heard any recent updates? I don’t know if I would shop there due to the violations at SP.
teanickeldime,
Why do you say Bread Stuy needs work?
No business is perfect, but Bread Stuy has good customer service, and the carrot cake is excellent!
I agree no business is perfect. We as customers/consumers should share constructive feedback to with places, choosing to talk with management about specific issues first and then if nothing changes to pull your dollars.
As far as Butternut market. It will be managed by the same lady who used to be the “face” at SP. The guy who owns it is the same guy who opened Tavern on Nostrand (on the other side of Atlantic) which is very nice.
I was able to speak to both of them and their vision is to be similar to Union Market in Park Slope. Offering fresh produce both local and organic to the community. I just hope the prices will reflect Bed Sty!
To be honest Bedford Stuyvesant is huge and I feel that some parts of Bed Stuy gets deprived. Let me explainfolks who live East of Stuyvesant Heights do not get the fancy coffee shops, cool restaurants or even a book store.
I wish someone could break the mold just like the owner of Athom did when opening up his coffee shop on Broadway off of DeKalb. If someone was really smart they would take a look at what is going on in Stuy-Wick and service this up and coming part of Bedford Stuyvesant.