| August 15, 2009 | ||
| 6:00 pm |
The long awaited speakeasy-themed restaurant SarahJames is having a grand opening this Saturday, August 15th at 6:00 p.m. The menu is classic American, including steak & chops, seafood, and pastas. The guest pass that we received mentions that there is a dress code, so look snappy and leave your kicks at home.
SarahJames
217 Pulaski Street (at Throop Ave)
Brooklyn, NY 11206
Open 7 days 6:00 p.m. – Close
Very interesting. Thanks for the information! Love to hear about new eateries opening up in the ‘hood.
I especially love hearing about the “sit down” places. That area of the hood deserves a nice sit down restaurant.
They’re also hiring waitresses. If only I had experience
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/fbh/1316371091.html
I wish them the best, but I worry it may be making the mistake a lot of new spots made when opening up in gentrifying Harlem. Too many places in Harlem tried to go the (relatively) upscale route by opening up wine and cheese spots, high end restaurants and spas. I think when opening in an improving neighborhood, it’s better to go the middlebrow or low-end bohemian route, something that casts as wide a net as possible. Bed-Stuy needs more places like IHOPs and Olive Garden (even though I hate those places) before it can support more “mature dining” establishments.
Ricky makes a good point about the rash and oftentimes ostracizing jump, though I’d much rather see locals open up their own “middlebrow or low-end bohemian” establishments than let corporate chains like IHOPs and Olive Garden into the neighborhood.
I wonder how members of this community can help to encourage a more sustainable and inclusive shift?
You know, Ricky Raw and evan, you make interesting points. I think that Applebee’s way down yonder on Atlantic is doing fine. It’s a bit surprising that more places like it (Olive Garden, TGIFs, Chilis, or any other middle America chain you can think of) didn’t open up in other parts of the Stuy following Applebee’s lead. I certainly think the Woodhull Hospital area and Myrtle Avenue are two areas that would support those kinds of restaurants. I hate those types of restaurants– because if I want to go to IHOP and Olive Garden, I’ll go back to my hometown in NC–but if those restaurants opened up in Bed-Stuy I would want them to be successful. Is there a group that is responsible for lobbying to get those types of businesses in the neighborhood?
I would love more casual restaurants in the area: a burger joint, taco place and a diner with an extensive menu. I’m not really into chains either. I love the down to earth and homey attitude of the neighborhood, so that’s why upscale restaurants and proposed gourmet groceries seem a little much when this area is underserved in some of the most basic options.
I don’t want to pass judgement on SarahJames, but I think it is weird when a restaurant in this area declares a dress code so publicly. To me it sends the message that not everyone in the neighborhood is welcome.
I second the taco place. I would love to have one around.
As for the SJ dress code, I think they mentioned it in their invitation so people would know what kind of atmosphere they were trying to create and so that no one would be turned away at the door. A lot of places around here have their dress code posted in the window or at the door. I’ve seen several “No doo-rags, No sneakers” signs. I’ve even seen a sports bar in the neighborhood with a “No doo-rags” policy. A sports bar. Remember, even Applebee’s (APPLEBEE’S OF ALL PLACES) had a no baseball caps dress code, but I’m not sure if it’s still in effect.
The key to opening a sit-restaurant in Bed Stuy is understanding that you are part of a small group of folks creating a market. People who live here eat out a lot… it’s just that they have tended to do it somewhere else.
I think Peaches and Saraghina do mid- and mid-to-downscale very well. I got out of Saraghina the other night spending only $13 including a generous tip (true, I am not including the wine I brought). Peaches is pricier than Saraghina, but it’s not significantly more expensive than an Applebees experience–it’s just much better.
While it’s true that Bed Stuy is lacking that $7 thai place, or that mediocre sushi takeout that seems to signal that a neighborhood is “civilized”… it’s also true that what seems to distinguish Bed Stuy’s food scene right now is its attention to quality. Why ruin that great trend?
I love Peaches, but would never think to go there if I wanted to really celebrate something. I would go to Williamsburg or Manhattan if I really wanted to treat myself.
I think that this means SarahJames has an opening to exploit, and are smart to separate themselves with a dress code and such. Dress codes are, as Changeling already said, part of the local culture and at the same time rather exotic and interesting to white upper-middle class people who fancy themselves vaguely bohemian. The dress code reads as a particularly deft way to talk to two groups at the same time to me… I hope it plays that way in reality.
If SarahJames can be really reliable and understand that their competition is in Manhattan, Ft. Greene and Williamsburg, they’ll probably do great.
Did anybody go to Sarah James trying to hear a review
Umi Nom, yes, but unfortunately I’ve not gotten over to SarahJames.