Praised and celebrated for the magic she creates with boneless pork roast at Porchetta, Sara Jenkins has recently opened Porsena, a pasta restaurant just down the block from Porchetta on East 7th Street. Jenkins got her start in NYC at I Coppi and won a loyal following at 50 Carmine. With her solid past, you can’t help but have high expectations for Porsena.

This cozy restaurant is separated into two long rooms, lit with tiny candles on wooden tables. The friendly staff adds to the charming feel of this pasta restaurant. There is a decent sized wine list (because you know you want some vino with your Italian fare). The Crostini with mozzarella is decedent and perfect to share with a date. If you’re a seafood fanatic, order the olive oil poached baby octopus, served with green olives, celery, and lemons. You won’t be disappointed. For a simple, yet flavorful meal, the Pasta al Ragu was perfect. This basic meat sauce dish was seriously made with love. If you’re a cheese lover, make sure to try the Cannolichie Con Una Marea Di Formaggi (little twists with many cheeses). Heavenly.  With quality classic pasta dishes, an intimate ambiance, and great service, Porsena may become the next East Village staple.

Read more on Porsena here.

Porsena
21 E 7th St  btw 2nd & 3rd Ave (E Vill]

Picture Via

So I found out who’s taking over the former Hope Lounge in Williamsburg.  Management from a popular (is it still?) LES super-bar are trying their hand at the bar scene across the river.

I’ll give you a few hints…

• The bar is located in Ludlow.
• They are also full functioning restaurant.
• They normally charge a cover at the door on weekends (gasp.)

Hopefully they are aiming for a more low-key vibe, something a little less mainstream, and no cover charge.  By they looks of the construction, the outdoor space will remain.  I am envisioning a mini-Woods coming to little ole Hope St.
[mappress]

via Gothamist

Introducing the newest (if only?) steakhouse to hit the Slope – meet Benchmark. Chef Ryan Jaronik, of the legendary  Monkeytown, is running the show at the new Brooklyn outpost, which focuses heavily on meat. With five different cuts of steak,  you can choose how you would like it prepared…au poivre, Forestier, Chimichurri or Bordelais… Mmmmmm.

Sorry all you veggies – but don’t hate too bad – Benchmark only serves pasture raised meats and local produce.  Duh.  I mean this is in Brooklyn after all. They also plan to build an aging room for in-house cured meat and sausage.

Pretty sure this is reason enough for me to hop on the G.

Benchmark
339A 2nd St (between 4th and 5th Ave)  [Park Slope]

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So unlike most transplants to the area, my family is actually from Williamsburg. Before it was an indie-arts cultural mecca, it was a ghetto, and before that it was a cute little community of Italian and Polish immigrants. If you are ever curious to know what it was like in Williamsburg during the 50′s, 60′s, and 70′s, there are still a few hidden gems that withstood the tests of time, and are still open for business.  Talk a walk down memory lane – or Graham Avenue – and get your grub on and these old school Italian restaurants.

Bamonte’s
32 Withers St b/w Union and Lorimer
Bamonte’s opened in 1900 and is one of New York’s oldest surviving restaurants.  Walking in to this restaurant is like walking in to the 1960′s (which is probably the last time they decorated.) Bamonte’s your typical old school Italian restaurant.  The staff wears full out tuxedos, the whole kitchen only speaks Italian, and the *paneled* walls are decorated with an array of pictures dating back to the early 1940′s.  If you want to feel like your in a Martin Scorsese film, eat here.  I recommend the stuffed artichoke, and linguini with clams in a white sauce.

Frost Italian Restaurant
193 Frost Street @ Humboldt St.
Frost has been around since 1959 and was one of my parents favorite restaurants to go to while they were dating in the 1970′s – which was the last time the place was renovated.  Frost, best known for their seafood dishes, is still very popular amongst long time neighborhood residents.

Fortunato Brothers Cafe and Pasticceria
289 Manhattan Ave @ Devoe
This old school Italian bakery and cafe is home to all the local pisans.  Best known for their cannoli and gelato (and mafioso ties,) this bakery has been a Williamsburg staple for almost 35 years.  Yum. Gelato.

Caffe Capri
427 Graham Ave b/w Frost & Withers
Open for business since 1974, Caffe Capri has been best known for their ice coffee.  The owners had the idea of feeding coffee through their gelato machine. The result is a perfectly crystallized coffee. Because no ice is added, the drink stays as strong as when it was first served. Thirty-six years later they’re still serving the same drink made with the same device. And prepare to step in to a time warp.  The place looks like this….

DeStefanos Steak house
89 Conselyea St. @ Leonard St.
While DeStefano’s hasn’t been open for decades, the building has been in the family since 1918.   Owned by Williamsburg natives, Joey DeStefano and his wife, this steakhouse has been a favorite amongst locals and Brooklyn natives who don’t feel like dealing with the hoopla of Peter Lugers.  They also offer an amazing prixe-fixe three course menu every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday for only $25! A price that everyone can get down with.

Garden Grill Coffee Shop
318 Graham Ave b/w Ainslie and Devoe
A non-gentrified alternative to Kellogg’s Diner.

JR & Son
578 Lorimer St @ Metropolitan
If you are wondering where all the local Italians go to drink, look no further.

Update:

After this article was published a great article via Brooklyn Based came out on the whole little Graham Avenue Microhood. Check it out!

Good ‘ole Khim is aiming for global domination… well Williamsburg domination at least.  In addition to their three …or is it four… mini-marts, the grocery chain owners plan to open a restaurant and bar in their old storefront on Bedford and Grand.  I am sure it will be over priced, just like their stores.

What do you think? Would you go eat at Khim’s Millennium Bar and Restaurant? Kinda absurd I think.

photos via Eater