Grand Street

A Guide to Summer Restaurant Week on Grand Street 2024

Ammazzacaffè backyard

Monday, August 12th marks the beginning of Restaurant Week, Grand Street’s semi-annual restaurant event! From August 12th to August 25th, you’ll have the opportunity to try 13 of Grand Street’s restaurants both new and old at lower than ever prices. 13 of the best eats in Williamsburg are offering 3-course prix fixe dinners at discounted rates from $25 to $35 in North Brooklyn’s annual celebration of local cuisine. With all these offerings on 6 blocks, it might be difficult to make a decision. This guide is here to give you all the answers to why you should visit each participating restaurant on Grand Street, and what you can order for the best experience. Each of the following restaurants has special Restaurant Week menus, so just ask if you don’t see one.

As always, take a picture of your Restaurant Week experience and post with #DineonGrand for a chance to win $50 to a Grand Street BID business of your choice.

Follow @grandstreetbid on Instagram and Facebook for the most up-to-date information on the event!

Critically Acclaimed on Grand

All pasta at Ammazzacaffè is made in-house

AMMAZZACAFFÈ—$35

702 Grand Street — menu

Winner of a coveted Bib Gourmand title from Micheline Guide, Ammazzacaffè has already built its reputation for affordable fine dining at its best. Be sure to try the Tartare crostino with sea trout, Lettuga salad with Botarga, and sunchokes as an appetizers. For your entree, try the Reginette—pasta with pork shoulder ragu — it’s a perfect dish. Finish the night with their daily dessert offering for the perfect date or special night out on Grand Street.

Lamb Chops from BK Jani

BK JANI—$35

679 Grand Street — menu

There are a lot of burger joints in Williamsburg, but only BK Jani’s burgers come with mint chutney as a sauce option. Featured on Infatuation’s Best Restaurants in Williamsburg, you can’t go wrong with a burger here. They’re offering Two Lamb Chops to start, then any burger of your choosing. We recommend The Jani Burger; ½ pound of custom blend ground beef, cooked medium rare, mint chutney at the bottom, grilled tomato and a touch of raita. Included in their special is a soda or one of their house drinks.

Grand Street Classics

GRAND MORELOS—$29.50

727 Grand Street — menu

A Grand Street staple, Grand Morelos has been with the neighborhood day and night for over 27 years. The late-night diner & bakery has seen us all at our finest and not-so-fine hours. The Grand Morelos bakery is also one of the better-kept secrets of our food scene, so take advantage. Guacamole & Chips is our go-to appetizer, but we also recommend the Steak Nachos. If you’re extra hungry, the Mole Poblano for your entree will fill you if the app didn’t, but try to save room for the Strawberry Cheesecake. Once you’ve fallen in love with Grand Morelos stop back in for affordable cookies & doughnuts from the bakery and amazing iced coffee.

Dar525

DAR525—$28

525 Grand Street — menu

A Grand Street classic, Dar525 has been serving up delicious Syrian cuisine for over 12 years. Dar525 is offering extreme value to Restaurant Week’s with four courses instead of the usual three. You can start with hummus or babaganouj, but they’re offering other apps as well. Next you can choose from kibbeh or a cheese and parsley roll. For the main course you’ve got a variety of protein choices including the vegan falafel and the not-so vegan chicken shawarma. Top your dinner off with baklava or basbousa for a fantastic four-course meal at amazing value.

THE CLONARD—$25

506 Grand Street — menu

Known for their lager and bar food staples, The Clonard has only been on Grand Street since 2021 but already feel like a neighborhood go-too. They’re offering bar staples Mozzarella Sticks and Jalapeño Poppers to get the appetite going. Then you can enjoy an 8oz burger, with the option of going for a Beyond Burger if you’re looking for a vegan option. Enjoy a Clonard Lager, or a glass of Pinot Grigio if you’re feeling classy, with your meal for the full bar eatery experience.

Desy’s Meatballs

DESY’S CLAM BAR—$35

672 Grand Street — menu

Desy’s Clam Bar is an old school Italian restaurant with history dating back to the 1920’s. It shares chefs and recipes from the now shuttered “Little Charlie’s Clam Bar”, a well known restaurant located in Little Italy. We recommend starting with the Fried Calamari, or Mozzarella Fritta for a fried and savory start. Follow it up with Desy’s Meatballs, Chicken Parmesan with your choice of pasta or the Penne ala Vodka and finish off your meal with a sweet slice of Tres Leches.

Steak and Pupusas from Bahia

BAHIA—$25

690 Grand Street — menu

Bahia has been on Grand Street for over 20 years, serving up pupusas and other delicious Salvadorian dishes. We recommend you start with their famous Pupusas; you can choose from a wide variety of options but some favorites include the revueltas pupusa stuffed with pork, refried beans, and cheese, or jalapeño pupusas .For the main entrée enjoy their delicious Carne Asada, Pollo Sorpresa, or Tilapia al Sarten. A glass of either Sangria or Wine is included in your meal, alongside a delicious slice of Amaretto Cheese Cake to finish.

RYUJIN—$25

513 Grand Street — menu

This Grand Street staple has been serving Japanese comfort food to the neighborhood for over 13 years. Something about the ramen from Ryujin leaves us stuffed after every bowl. Now add an appetizer and dessert to the mix to really make the most of a 3 course dinner. Keep it light with your app so go with the Pork bun or the Edamame. You can choose from 6 different options of ramen bowl, but our favorite is the Sapporo Miso Bowl. Finally, the meal is paired with your choice of Beer, Mochi Ice Cream, or their homemade Early Gray Plum Wine. The jury is out here so we’ll leave that choice to you.

Filling Favorites!

Curry from Thip Osha

THIP OSHA—$30

795 Grand Street — menu

This Thai spot nearby the Grand Street L station always feels cozy. With a diverse prix fixe menu, Thip Osha has altogether 50 combinations to choose from. There is surely something that will please everyone from curry to noodles to fried rice. Out of all of those choices, our favorites are the Thom Yum soup to start and the Pad Thai noodle with your protein of choice for the main entree. You can’t go wrong with the delicious Coconut Custard for dessert. Stop by this small spot for big flavors.

MAD FOR CHICKEN—$21

617 Grand Street — menu

There’s no better place to go for classic Korean Fried Chicken than Grand Street’s very own Mad For Chicken! And with the most affordable Restaurant Week special by far at $21, Mad for Chicken is a must visit. Swing by and start with their 4-Piece Dumpling to get you appetized. For the main, we recommend their Chicken and Fries Combo: you’re gonna go Mad for this Chicken. If you’re feeling a different vibe, their Bulgogi over Rice is also fantastic. Alongside your meal you can enjoy a glass of Sangria or a beer.

LA CHACRA—$32

613 Grand Street — menu

La Chacra’s got traditional Peruvian cuisine straight from the “Chacra” or farm in Spanish. Our most recent Get to Know Grand story covered the awesome story of La Chacra, and now they’re here for their first Restaurant Week! Begin your meal with a delicous Ceviche de Pescado if you’re feeling seafood, or their Papa Rellena: a golden fried potato stuffed with beef stew, onions, olives, and eggs. For the main entree we reccomend the Lomo Saltado, strips of skirt steak sauteed with onions, tomatoes in a soy sauce served with fries and white rice, or the Arroz con Mariscos, a classic Peruvian Paella. Enjoy your dinner alongside either a beer or Punta Sal Margarita.

A tostada from Los Tacos Mcondo

LOS TACOS MCONDO—$28

502 Grand Street — menu

Los Tacos Mcondo is a classic taqueria, offering some awesome deals this time around. They are cash only - so make sure to come prepared! Start with their Corn on the Cob for a fun bite before you dig into their wide variety of main courses: Burritos, Nachos, Tostadas, Quesadillas, Enchilladas, or a Queso Fundido with Chorizo. You wont find this many options at most other participating restaurants! End your meal with some refreshing and delicious fruit, with your choice of a Mexican Mango with lime, salt, and chili powder or Churros that also come with a side of fruit.

CARNEVAL—$35

507 Grand Street — menu

Carneval is inspired by the owners’ own cultures and carnivals from countries they’ve visited around the world. This comes in the form of a wide variety of different cuisines all fused into one. We reccommen you start with Maduro Trio, a sweet plantain basket filled with tropical cheese and shredded beef topped with “El Ninja sauce”. Follow it up with Dominican style Carneval Mofongo, that comes with garlic shrimp. Alternatively, go with the classic Ravioli Pasta. Finish your meal with either a delicious Sweet Pear in Red Wine, served with a side of vanilla ice cream, or Nutella Crepes if you’re in a chocolate mood.

Summer Restaurant Week returns to Grand Street 2024

We are ecstatic to announce the return of Restaurant Week to Grand Street! Restaurant Week offers fine dining, quick eats, and drinks for awesome prix fixe prices. 13 restaurants are participating this time around, showcasing the excellent dining and nightlife scene on Grand Street. The two week celebration of local cuisine begins on Monday, August 12th and runs through Sunday, August 25th.

Check out our comprehensive Restaurant Week Guide for tips on how to navigate the event.

Stop by at any participating location to get in on discount dining offers exclusive to Grand Street—and only during Restaurant Week. Just ask for a restaurant week menu when seated. You can find the full list of the 13 participants and pricing below. Prices at restaurants range from $25 to $35 and apply only to sit-down dinners, starting at 5PM — tax and tip not included.

For this season’s Restaurant Week event we have 13 restaurants joining in on the fun. Many of our staple restaurants are returning to participate this time around and some, like Grand Morelos and Ryujin, are featuring exciting updates to their menus. We’re pleased to welcome back Desy’s Clam Bar back to Restaurant Week. Desy’s Clam Bar, a longstanding business in the neighborhood, last participated in 2019. Desy’s Clam Bar offers traditional Italian cooking, with an emphasis on seafood — and more specifically, clams!

BK Jani is returning with their renowned burgers that have been spotlighted on Infatuation NYC’s best restaurants in Williamsburg list. Grand Street classics like Thip Osha, Carneval, and Los Tacos Mcondo are also participating again with many Restaurant Week’s under their belts. Restaurant Week pricing ranges from $20-35, with a variety of different cuisines at great value at each price point. At a steal of a price of $35, Michelin Bib Gourmand winning Ammazzacaffè is offering fine dining Italian cuisine. Dar525 and Bahia are both offering a fourth course, bringing amazing value to the table.

Be sure to snap a picture of you, your meal, or your friends on your night dining out with the #DineOnGrand for the opportunity to win $50 to a Grand Street BID restaurant of your choice!

Follow @grandstreetbid on Instagram & Facebook for the most up-to-date information on the event.

A Guide to Winter Restaurant Week on Grand Street 2024

Monday marks the beginning of Restaurant Week, Grand Street’s semi-annual restaurant event! From January 22nd to February 4th, you’ll have the opportunity to try 16 of Grand Street’s restaurants both new and old at lower than ever prices. 16 of the best eats in Williamsburg are offering 3-course prix fixe dinners at discounted rates from $20 to $35 in North Brooklyn’s annual celebration of local cuisine. With all these offerings on 6 blocks, it might be difficult to make a decision. This guide is here to give you all the answers to why you should visit each participating restaurant on Grand Street, and what you can order for the best experience. Each of the following restaurants and bars has special Restaurant Week menus, so just ask if you don’t see one.

As always, take a picture of your wine and dine experience and post with #DineonGrand for a chance to win $50 to a Grand Street BID business of your choice.

Follow @grandstreetbid on Instagram and Facebook for the most up-to-date information on the event!

Critically Acclaimed on Grand

All pasta at Ammazzacaffè is made in-house

AMMAZZACAFFÈ—$35

702 Grand Street — menu

Winner of a coveted Bib Gourmand title from Micheline Guide, Ammazzacaffè has already built its reputation for affordable fine dining at its best. Be sure to try the Tartare crostino with sea trout, Lettuga salad with Botarga, and sunchokes as an appetizers. For your entree, try the Reginette—pasta with pork shoulder ragu — it’s a perfect dish. Finish the night with their daily dessert offering for the perfect date or special night out on Grand Street.

The Backyard Burger from BK Jani

BK JANI—$35

679 Grand Street — menu

There are a lot of burger joints in Williamsburg, but only BK Jani’s burgers come with mint chutney as a sauce option. Featured on Infatuation’s Best Restaurants in Williamsburg, you can’t go wrong with a burger here. They’re offering Two Lamb Chops to start, then any burger of your choosing. We recommend The Jani Burger; ½ pound of custom blend ground beef, cooked medium rare, mint chutney at the bottom, grilled tomato and a touch of raita. Included in their special is a soda or one of their house drinks.

Grand Street Classics

GRAND MORELOS—$29.50

727 Grand Street — menu

A Grand Street staple, Grand Morelos has been with the neighborhood day and night for decades. The late-night diner & bakery has seen us all at our finest and not-so-fine hours. The Grand Morelos bakery is also one of the better-kept secrets of our food scene, so take advantage. Guacamole & Chips is our go-to appetizer, but we also recommend the Chicken Wings if you’re extra hungry. Bistec Con Camarones (Steak & Shrimp) for your entree will fill you if the app didn’t, but try to save room for the Tres Leches. Flan and NY Cheescake are your other options for dessert. Once you’ve fallen in love with Grand Morelos stop back in for affordable cookies & doughnuts from the bakery and amazing iced coffee (not just by diner standards) any time you want - literally.

Shawarma from Dar525

DAR525—$23

525 Grand Street — menu

A Grand Street classic, Dar525 just celebrated its 12th year on Grand Street back in February. Serving up Middle Eastern classics, Dar525 is offering extreme value to Restaurant Week’s with four courses for only $23. You can start with hummus or babaganouj, but they’re offering other apps as well. Next you can choose from kibbeh or a cheese and parsley roll. For the main course you’ve got a variety of protein choices including the vegan falafel and the not-so vegan chicken shawarma. Top your dinner off with baklava or basbous for a fantastic four-course meal at amazing value. (Cover photo for this article is @ Dar 525)

HAAB—$35

202 Leonard Street — menu

This Grand Street classic has been serving classic and vegan friendly Mexican food to the neighborhood for years. We recommend starting with the Elote Placero, offered in a both vegan and non vegan option. Follow that up with some classic Birria Tacos - or if you’re eating plant based go with their Seitan Fajitas. Birria Tacos with a Margarita simply is a must - if you have more of a sweet tooth go with the Tres Leches.

THE CLONARD—$25

506 Grand Street — menu

Known for their lager and bar food staples, The Clonard has been open for just over a year but is already Grand Street Classic. They’re offering bar staples Mozzarella Sticks and Jalapeño Poppers to get the appetite going. Then you can enjoy an 8oz burger, with the option of going for a Beyond Burger if you’re looking for a vegan option. Enjoy a Clonard Lager, or a glass of Pinot Grigio if you’re feeling classy, with your meal for the full bar eatery experience.

Pupusas from Bahia

BAHIA—$25

690 Grand Street — menu

Bahia has been on Grand Street for over 20 years, serving up pupusas and other delicious Salvadorian dishes. We recommend you start with their famous Pupusas; you can choose from a wide variety of options but some favorites include the revueltas pupusa stuffed with pork, refried beans, and cheese, or jalapeño pupusas .For the main entrée enjoy their delicious Carne Asada, Pollo Sorpresa, or Tilapia al Sarten. A glass of either Sangria or Wine is included in your meal, alongside a delicious slice of Amaretto Cheese Cake to finish.

MAMA PHO—$20

580 Grand Street — menu

The most affordable of all of this year’s Restaurant Week deals goes to Mama Pho - a classic Grand Street Vietnamese restaurant that’s been dishing out delicious Pho for over a decade. Start with the Shrimp Summer Roll, and then choose between your two Pho options: Ribeye Pho or Chicken Pho. Finish your meal with a refreshing Lemon Green Tea to cap off a cozy dinner.

Filling Favorites!

TACO EDITION—$24

800 Grand Street — menu

Taco Edition variety of Taqueria classics never disappoints. The prix fixe menu starts with a choice of Esquites, Chips and Guacamole, or Fried Sweet Plaintains. We, of course, recommend any of these delicious options. With three hearty options to choose from for dinner, our favorite are the Nachos. Don’t miss out on this tasty dish that comes with chicken or as a vegetarian dish. Churros are for dessert, served with a chocolate sauce it’s the cherry on top of a perfect meal - if that’s not your speed you could also grab a beer instead!

Chicken from Mad for Chicken

MAD FOR CHICKEN—$25

617 Grand Street — menu

There’s no better place to go for classic Korean Fried Chicken than Grand Street’s very own Mad For Chicken! Swing by and start with their 4-Piece Dumpling to get you appetized. For the main, we recommend their Chicken and Fries Combo: you’re gonna go Mad for this Chicken. If you’re feeling a different vibe, their Bulgogi over Rice is also fantastic. Alongside your meal you can enjoy a glass of Sangria or a beer.

LA CHACRA—$32

613 Grand Street — menu

La Chacra’s got traditional Peruvian cuisine straight from the “Chacra” or farm in Spanish. Our most recent Get to Know Grand story covered the awesome story of La Chacra, and now they’re here for their first Restaurant Week! Begin your meal with a delicous Ceviche de Pescado if you’re feeling seafood, or their Papa Rellena: a golden fried potato stuffed with beef stew, onions, olives, and eggs. For the main entree we reccomend the Lomo Saltado, strips of skirt steak sauteed with onions, tomatoes in a soy sauce served with fries and white rice, or the Arroz con Mariscos, a classic Peruvian Paella. Enjoy your dinner alongside either a beer or Punta Sal Margarita.

Brisket Pho from Lucy’s Vietnamese

LUCY’S VIETNAMESE—$22

649A Grand Street — menu

Lucy’s Vietnamese is coming in hot with it’s second Restaurant Week on Grand Street. Coming in at $22, Lucy’s is offering a Summer Roll, a bowl of Pho or a Bánh mì, and one of either their of their in house made Vietnamese Coffee or Iced Tea. At the core of Lucy’s dishes is its brisket which is smoked for 14 hours. They also offer other proteins including chicken, vegan chicken, and tofu. With a wide array of proteins available in their dishes, Lucy’s is covering all bases. If all of those options overwhelm you, you can’t go wrong with their signature Brisket Pho paired with the refreshing House Iced Tea.

Curry from Thip Osha

THIP OSHA—$25

795 Grand Street — menu

This Thai spot nearby the Grand Street L station always feels cozy. With a diverse prix fixe menu, Thip Osha has altogether 50 combinations to choose from. There is surely something that will please everyone from curry to noodles to fried rice. Out of all of those choices, our favorites are the Thom Yum soup to start and the Pad Thai noodle with your protein of choice for the main entree. You can’t go wrong with the delicious Coconut Custard for dessert. Stop by this tiny spot for big flavors.

CAFÉ ZOUAVE —$35

759 Grand Street — menu

Grand Street’s newest French Bistro has arrived to Restaurant Week, bringing with it delicious cuisine! Start with the Onion Soup for a classic French appetizer. For the main entree you’ll have some difficulty choosing between 8oz NY Strip with Frites, Salad, and Peppercorn sauce and their Roasted Salmon with Ratatouille and Mash Potatoes — be warned a bite of the Ratatouille may send you into a flashback reminiscing on a favorite childhood memory. Finish your meal with a Crepe Suzette with a butter and orange sauce, or a sweet Tarte Tatin with vanilla ice cream. There is no wrong option at Café Zouave, we guarantee you’ll have a fantastic evening dining on delicious French cuisine.

A tostada from Los Tacos Mcondo

LOS TACOS MCONDO—$28

502 Grand Street — menu

Los Tacos Mcondo is a classic taqueria, offering some awesome deals this time around. They are cash only - so make sure to come prepared! Start with their Corn on the Cob for a fun bite before you dig into their wide variety of main courses: Burritos, Nachos, Tostadas, Quesadillas, Enchilladas, or a Queso Fundido with Chorizo. You wont find this many options at most other participating restaurants! End your meal with some refreshing and delicious fruit, with your choice of a Mexican Mango with lime, salt, and chili powder or Churros that also come with a side of fruit.

Winter Restaurant Week returns to Grand Street 2024

We are ecstatic to announce the return of Restaurant Week to Grand Street! Restaurant Week offers fine dining, quick eats, and drinks for awesome prix fixe prices. A wide variety of restaurants are participating this time around, showcasing the excellent dining and nightlife scene on Grand Street. The two week celebration of local cuisine begins on Monday, January 22nd and runs through Sunday, February 4th. Check out our Restaurant Week Guide for tips on how to navigate the event.

Stop by at any participating location to get in on discount dining offers exclusive to Grand Street—and only during Restaurant Week. Just ask for a restaurant week menu when seated. You can find the full list of the 16 participants and pricing below. Prices at restaurants range from $20 to $35 and apply only to sit-down dinners, starting at 5PM — tax and tip not included.

For this season’s Restaurant Week event we have 16 restaurants joining in on the fun - an all time high amount of participants! Many of our staple restaurants are returning to participate this time around and some, like Grand Morelos and Thip Osha, are featuring exciting updates to their menus. We’re pleased to welcome a newcomer to Grand Street, Café Zouave, a restaurant serving up delicious French cuisine in a Bistro setting. You can read our latest story on Café Zouave here, where you can learn about owner Jeremie’s culinary journey that led to him fulfilling his dream in owning his own French Bistro.

BK Jani is returning with their renowned burgers that have been spotlighted on Infatuation NYC’s best restaurants in Williamsburg list. Grand Street classics like Taco Edition, Carneval, and Los Tacos Mcondo are also participating again with many Restaurant Week’s under their belts. Haab and La Chacra are both longstanding restaurants in the neighborhood that have also joined in to participate! Restaurant Week pricing ranges from $20-35, with a variety of different cuisines at great value at each price point. At a steal of a price of $35, Michelin Bib Gourmand winning Ammazzacaffè is offering fine dining Italian cuisine. Dar525 ($23) and Bahia ($28) are both offering a fourth course, bringing amazing value to the table. Mama Pho is offering the lowest priced Restaurant Week special this year, offering an appetizer, entree, and beverage for only $20.

Be sure to snap a picture of you, your meal, or your friends on your night dining out with the #DineOnGrand for the opportunity to win $50 to a Grand Street BID restaurant of your choice!

Follow @grandstreetbid on Instagram & Facebook for the most up-to-date information on the event.

Familia / Famiglia

The Grand Street BID is excited to showcase Familia / Famiglia, a mural we have commissioned on the north-east corner of Grand Street and Graham Avenue! Artists, SON-CORO and Danielle Mastrion worked together to reflect the history and culture of the neighborhood and bring beautiful, vibrant artwork to this important corner. Supporting Son and Danielle on the project are the Grand Street BID, the art production & mural company Dripped On Productions and local media group, OWLEY Studios.

The Making of the mural

“FAMILIA / FAMIGLIA“ . Created by OWLEY Studios.

“FAMILIA / FAMIGLIA” - The Grand Street neighborhood has historically served as a home to many cultures. Its intersection with Graham Avenue has acted as an epicenter for these communities to come together - allowing multiple cultures to co-exist and exchange with one another. Through this project, the Grand Street BID endeavors to honor the culture and historical importance of this intersection with artwork that feels representative of the community even as it continues to change and evolve.

To find the right artists to carry out this vision, the BID recruited art production & mural company Dripped On Productions. Dripped On found two artists with deep ties to both the neighborhood and the Puerto Rican and Italian-American communities; Danielle Mastrion and SON-CORO.

Danielle Mastrion is an Italian-American artist, born and raised in Brooklyn, whose work often amplifies local communities and icons. Her work on this mural reflects her Italian-American culture, like the horn that wards off the evil eye, local Italian business signage, and Italy’s national flower, the white lily. She chose to paint a portrait of her grandmother who originally immigrated to Williamsburg and settled on Grand Street with her family, as a representation of that era. This figure is seen enjoying a cup of coffee with the woman to her right, bringing time and cultural traditions together.

SON-CORO is a Puerto Rican-born, local resident of the Grand Street neighborhood. He has been painting murals here for years, balancing multiple careers outside of his art practice while rapidly developing his painting skills. He often paints Puerto Rican themes in his murals, “it is something in my heart and I can’t get it out.” Son chose to paint a portrait of his wife acting as a character called “Musaraña”, a combination of imagery from icons Celia Cruz and Iris Chacon. The two women sharing coffee represents a cultural bridge that crosses the two street signs; a bridge, not a border, that cascades over a vibrant gradient of color.

The Grand Street BID hosted a community meeting in May to hear people share stories about what they would like to see represented & what it means to be in a community that is constantly changing. This input was used to help the artists design the mural, leading to the creation of a beautiful and vibrant piece of artwork that is representative of the fabric of our community.

The sharing of the coffee is representative of cultures coming together, collaborating, and existing together in this area for many years. The two women are shown enjoying a shared cultural staple while laughing and conversing, enjoying a moment of joy and peace. The coffee crosses the intersection, between the two street signs, to connect the cultures and represent that all cultures can thrive when they share, communicate, and share commonalities.

behind the scenes

Dripped On Productions - Behind the scenes

Grand Street (L) Station Now Fully Accessible With Completion of Elevators

Governor Kathy Hochul and the MTA celebrated the completion of two elevators on the corner of Grand Street and Bushwick Avenue today, allowing easier access to the Grand Street (L) Station. The Grand Street (L) Station is now fully accessible, becoming the fourth station to be upgraded to fully accessibility in 2023.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when ridership significantly decreased, the MTA prioritized expanding accessibility improvements in the subway by completing 15 accessibility projects. Following today's announcement, there are 142 accessible stations and 30 stations in construction for accessibility upgrades, eight of which are expected to be complete by the end of 2023.

“The Grand Street station is the most recent example of our hard work to ensure that no New Yorker has to worry about whether they can safely access public transportation,” Governor Hochul said. “The MTA shares our commitment to delivering accessibility improvements across New York City and will continue to strive to make transit accessible to all.”

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “When it comes to accessibility, the MTA is delivering on an unprecedented commitment – both in terms of dollars or number of stations – and we are going to keep going at the same pace and level of investment until we achieve full accessibility.”

NYC Transit President Richard Davey said, “We're excited to welcome Brooklyn L customers to their new, accessible station, which also has also been enhanced with freshly installed eye-catching mosaic artwork by a local Brooklyn-based artist. This has been a summer full of accessibility milestones in the system, from enhanced wayfinding for customers with disabilities to a number of newly accessible subway stations. We will keep up this momentum, and I look forward to celebrating several more accessible stations opening later in 2023.”

MTA Construction and Development President Jamie Torres-Springer said, “Newly-accessible stations like Grand St are the fruits of our efforts to execute projects better, faster, and cheaper through innovative delivery methods such as contract bundling. We are on track to complete this particular eight-station package of ADA upgrades, which will greatly improve accessibility not just in Williamsburg but throughout our transit system.”

State Senator Julia Salazar said, “The installation of ADA-compliant elevators at the Grand St station is a needed and welcomed improvement that will provide thousands of our neighbors with the accommodations they need to navigate the City. I thank the MTA for listening to our community about the need for accessible public transit.”

Assembly Member Emily Gallagher said, “People of all physical abilities have the same right to access our mass transit system but that hasn't been the reality for far too long. With the opening of the new elevators at the Grand Street station, the MTA is one step closer to achieving its obligation. I thank everyone for working so diligently to get this done.”

Assembly Member Maritza Davila said, “As thousands of New Yorkers commute every day on the subway, it’s paramount that we work to make the transit systems more accessible. It’s great to see that the train elevators are ADA compliant and the project is completed. This will benefit a lot of commuters who live in the vicinity, especially in a high foot traffic location. Though there is still more work to be done, the ultimate goal is to make our subways systems safe, clean, efficient and accessible for all.”

Councilmember Jennifer Gutierrez said, “I am thrilled that the Grand Street L station ADA project has been substantially completed, and marks an important step in expanding the inclusivity and accessibility of our neighborhood. I'm deeply grateful to the local community for their patience and understanding, as well as their advocacy, throughout this essential project.”

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, “Today’s announcement is cause for celebration. Accessibility is freedom, and ADA projects like this are essential for enabling Brooklynites to move about our borough easily and comfortably. I’m excited that these elevators are finally up and running, and I look forward to continuing to work with the MTA to build a transit network that prioritizes equity and inclusivity.”

Click here for the MTA’s full press release. Photos and quotes courtesy of the MTA.

Outdoor Dining On Grand Street

If there’s one shared love all Brooklynites have, it’s dining outdoors! Most of the bars and restaurants in the Grand Street BID are lucky enough to have backyard space ideal for warm Summer days and cooler Fall nights; while others were able set up sidewalk and street seating. Our outdoor dining guide highlights all the available outdoor seating and is updated regularly to reflect available seating at our local restaurants and watering holes. Stop by to enjoy the perks of outdoor dining on Grand Street!

If you’re looking to enjoy a meal away from the hustle and bustle, escape the busy streets by relaxing in one of our notable backyard dining areas

Outdoor Dining at Ammazzacaffè

Ammazzacaffè: This large yet cozy backyard space is used to serve excellent Italian specialties along with live music on select evenings. Take a break from the street and enjoy the ambiance of their secluded outdoor dining area while dining on cuisine that’s been featured on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list.

BK Jani: Stop by for an award winning burger from BK Jani in their cozy little backyard. They transformed the space to create an intimate dining experience.

Taco Edition’s backyard

BK Jani

Taco Edition + Best Pizza: These two businesses share a backyard space, splitting it right down the middle. Behind the small storefronts is a bright and comfortable setting filled with greenery - perfect for enjoying either a taco or slice of pizza.

Mini-golf at Bushwick Country Club

Café Miguel: Grand Street’s newest Cafe has a gorgeous backyard filled with lush greenery. Try their Mexico City inspired dishes involving masa (corn dough), sopa (soup), and nopales (cactus), with proteins like chicken and ceviche to be rotated in occasionally.

A number of our bars have backyard seating as well as sidewalk service! Check out any of them for some tasty drinks and snacks.

Bushwick Country Club: Home to the pickelback shot, BCC has both the vibe and history of a classic dive bar. Check out their mini-golf located in their backyard while sipping on a frozen slushie.

Crystal Lake: Grab a table out front at Crystal Lake. This neighborhood staple is continuing to offer their happy hour drink specials from 5-8pm with pop-up BiTcHn KiTcHn serving up comfort food classics with a modern twist!

The Starlight Tavern: Check out the skee-ball inside before lounging in The Starlight Tavern’s backyard area. Enjoy a variety of cocktails amidst retro décor - and try classic bar staples like burgers and a skirt steak.

Grab a drink and relax in Blinky’s backyard oasis

Blinky’s

Redd's Tavern: Redd’s Tavern is serving up specials in their backyard and small front patio. With a rotating food menu and daily cocktails designed by the bartenders, this local watering hole is well worth a visit.

Lady Jays

Blinky's: Blinky's is now well established on Grand Street with a big and lush backyard setup, perfect for hot summer evenings. Stop by & try one of their famous spicy margaritas.

Lady Jay's: This backyard is open for business and serving up rotating snacks to accompany their drinks. Shade from the trees couple with a large mural makes this space have great vibes.

Haven: This bar on Grand Street has a swanky interior and a small backyard to welcome everyone for the summer months. Play a game of pool and then take a seat out back to enjoy your drinks.

The Clonard: This Irish pub has sidewalk seating in front and a newly renovated backyard. Grab a beer and a burger or stop by for weekend brunch. This lively pub is the place to be (They are the featured photo for this article).

The Last Call: Formerly Koko's, The Last Call offers a variety of Japanese themed cocktails, sake, and yakitori in their gorgeous backyard. Enjoy there unique cocktails in a large space filled with seating set for big groups.

Be a part of the Action! Many of our restaurants have comfortable and cozy sidewalk setups, take a seat and dig in!

Thip Osha: This bright façade is enhanced by three outdoor tables complete with large umbrella for a shady experience. Enjoy elevated Thai dishes at one of their cozy seats.

Outdoor Dining_Thip Osha.jpg

Thip Osha

Link Thai: One of Grand Street’s best Thai restaurants has a few tables set up outside their storefront to enjoy their classic Thai dishes and comforting noodle soups.

Grand Morelos: The cheery sidewalk tables at Grand Morelos are occupied at all hours of the day by customers enjoying classic Mexican dishes and drinks beneath the shade of their awnings and umbrellas. This spot is a hidden gem for breakfast!

Alita Cafe: Enjoy a coffee and an egg and cheese biscuit outside on Grand Street. Alita cafe is serving up delicious drinks and homemade baked goods. Stay and sip at one of their few sidewalk tables and enjoy the neighborhood!

Dar525

Carneval: This lively Latin American bar and restaurant has a bounty of backyard patio seating. Upbeat music and warm tables and cocktails makes this the place to stop for good food and good vibes.

La Taqueria: This corner joint has several tables lined up alongside their storefront, serving classic Mexican food and tasty cocktails.

Mcondo Los Tacos: Located on the busy corner of Grand Street and Union Ave, outdoor tables at Los Tacos wrap around the block. Between the tacos, frozen drinks and shady tapestries seating fills up quickly!

Outdoor Dining_Mcondo Los Tacos.jpg

McOndo Tacos

Mama Pho/SoJuice: Mama Pho and their sister store SoJuice share a small sidewalk dining area in front of their shop, offering Vietnamese classics and freshly squeezed juice.

Dar 525: Dar 525’s unique storefront has a built in wood clad patio complete with a roof which frames the main entrance. This seating area is perfect spot to shield yourself from the elements while chowing down on delicious Mediterranean cuisine.

Haab: One of the only storefronts in the BID without a storefront along Grand Street, Haab has the luxury of creating a small curbside oasis around the corner on Leonard Street. The colorful setup provides ample outdoor seating for customers to enjoy the extensive Mexican menu.

A Guide to Summer Restaurant Week on Grand Street 2023

Monday marks the beginning of Restaurant Week, Grand Street’s semi-annual restaurant event! From August 14th to August 27th, you’ll have the opportunity to try 11 of Grand Street’s restaurants both new and old at lower than ever prices. 11 of the best eats in Williamsburg are offering 3-course prix fixe dinners at discounted rates from $20 to $35 in North Brooklyn’s annual celebration of local cuisine. With all these offerings on 6 blocks, it might be difficult to make a decision. This guide is here to give you all the answers to why you should visit each participating restaurant on Grand Street, and what you can order for the best experience. Each of the following restaurants and bars has special Restaurant Week menus, so just ask if you don’t see one.

As always, take a picture of your wine and dine experience and post with #DineonGrand for a chance to win $50 to a Grand Street BID business of your choice.

Follow @grandstreetbid on Instagram and Facebook for the most up-to-date information on the event!

Grand Street Classics

GRAND MORELOS—$29.50

727 Grand Street — menu

A Grand Street staple, Grand Morelos has been with the neighborhood day and night for decades. The late-night diner & bakery has seen us all at our finest and not-so-fine hours. The Grand Morelos bakery is also one of the better-kept secrets of our food scene, so take advantage. Guacamole & Chips is our go-to appetizer, but we also recommend the Chicken Wings if you’re extra hungry. Bistec Con Camarones (Steak & Shrimp) for your entree will fill you if the app didn’t, but try to save room for the Tres Leches. Flan and NY Cheescake are your other options for dessert. Once you’ve fallen in love with Grand Morelos stop back in for affordable cookies & doughnuts from the bakery and amazing iced coffee (not just by diner standards) any time you want - literally.

Ramen from Ryujin

RYUJIN—$25

513 Grand Street — menu

This Grand Street staple has been serving Japanese comfort food to the neighborhood for over 12 years. Something about the ramen from Ryujin leaves us stuffed after every bowl. Now add an appetizer and dessert to the mix to really make the most of a 3 course dinner. Keep it light with your app so go with the pork bun or the edamame. You can choose from 6 different options of ramen bowl, but our favorite is the samurai miso bowl. Finally, the meal is paired with either beer, or mochi ice cream. The jury is out here so we’ll leave that choice to you.

THE CLONARD—$25

506 Grand Street — menu

Known for their lager and bar food staples, The Clonard has been open for just over a year but is already Grand Street Classic. They’re offering bar staples Mozzarella Sticks and Jalapeño Poppers to get the appetite going. Then you can enjoy an 8oz burger, with the option of going for a Beyond Burger if you’re looking for a vegan option. Enjoy a Clonard Lager, or a glass of Pinot Grigio if you’re feeling classy, with your meal for the full bar eatery experience.

Shawarma from Dar525

DAR525—$23

525 Grand Street — menu

A Grand Street classic, Dar525 just celebrated its 12th year on Grand Street back in February. Serving up Middle Eastern classics, Dar525 is offering extreme value to Restaurant Week’s with four courses for only $23. You can start with hummus or babaganouj, but they’re offering other apps as well. Next you can choose from kibbeh or a cheese and parsley roll. For the main course you’ve got a variety of protein choices including the vegan falafel and the not-so vegan chicken shawarma. Top your dinner off with baklava or basbous for a fantastic four-course meal at amazing value.

Critically Acclaimed on Grand

All pasta at Ammazzacaffè is made in-house

AMMAZZACAFFÈ—$35

702 Grand Street — menu

Winner of a coveted Bib Gourmand title from Micheline Guide, Ammazzacaffè has already built its reputation for affordable fine dining at its best. Be sure to try the Tartare crostino with sea trout, Lettuga salad with Botarga, and sunchokes as an appetizers. For your entree, try the Reginette—pasta with pork shoulder ragu — it’s a perfect dish. Finish the night with their daily dessert offering for the perfect date or special night out on Grand Street.

The Backyard Burger from BK Jani

BK JANI—$35

679 Grand Street — menu

There are a lot of burger joints in Williamsburg, but only BK Jani’s burgers come with mint chutney as a sauce option. Featured on Infatuation’s The Best 20 Burgers in NYC, you can’t go wrong with a burger here. They’re offering Two Lamb Chops to start, then any burger of your choosing. We recommend The Jani Burger; ½ pound of custom blend ground beef, cooked medium rare, mint chutney at the bottom, grilled tomato and a touch of raita. Included in their special is a soda or one of their house drinks.

BAHIA—$25

690 Grand Street — menu

Bahia has been on Grand Street for over 20 years, serving up pupusas and other delicious Salvadorian dishes. After decades on Grand, they’ve been recognized as one of The Best Restaurants in Williamsburg by Infatuation NYC. We recommend you start with their famous pupusas; you can choose from a wide variety of options but some favorites include the revueltas pupusa stuffed with pork, refried beans, and cheese, or jalapeño pupusas .For the main entrée enjoy their delicious Carne Asada, Pollo al Limon, or Tilapia al Sarten. A glass of either sangria or wine is included in your meal, alongside a delicious slice of amaretto cheese cake to finish.

Filling Favorites!

TACO EDITION—$24

800 Grand Street — menu

Taco Edition variety of Taqueria classics never disappoints. The prix fixe menu starts with a choice of Esquites, Chips and Guacamole, or Fried Sweet Plaintains. We, of course, recommend any of these delicious options. With three hearty options to choose from for dinner, our favorite are the Nachos. Don’t miss out on this tasty dish that comes with chicken or as a vegetarian dish. Churros are for dessert, served with a chocolate sauce it’s the cherry on top of a perfect meal - or grab any of their beers/frozen cocktails!

Brisket Pho from Lucy’s Vietnamese

LUCY’S VIETNAMESE—$20

649A Grand Street — menu

Lucy’s Vietnamese is Grand Street’s newest restaurant, and most affordable Restaurant Week Special! Coming in at $20, Lucy’s is offering a Summer Roll, a bowl of Pho or a Bánh mì, and one of either their of their in house made Vietnamese Coffee or Iced Tea. At the core of Lucy’s dishes is its brisket which is smoked for 14 hours. They also offer other proteins including chicken, vegan chicken, and tofu. With a wide array of proteins available in their dishes, Lucy’s is covering all bases. If all of those options overwhelm you, you can’t go wrong with their signature Brisket Pho paired with the refreshing House Iced Tea.

Curry from Thip Osha

THIP OSHA—$25

795 Grand Street — menu

This Thai spot nearby the Grand Street L station always feels cozy. With a diverse prix fixe menu, Thip Osha has altogether 50 combinations to choose from. There is surely something that will please everyone from curry to noodles to fried rice. Out of all of those choices, our favorites are the crispy chicken wings with red chili sauce to start, green curry with chicken, and banana sticky rice for dessert. Stop by this tiny spot for big flavors.

CARNEVAL—$35

507 Grand Street — menu

Carneval is inspired by the owners’s own cultures and carnivals from countries they’ve visited around the world. This comes in the form of a wide variety of different cuisines all fused into one. Start with Carneval Bao Buns, then follow it up with Dominican style fried rice dish Chofan. Finish your meal with either a delicious Coconut Flan, or Nutella Crepes.

Summer Restaurant Week on Grand Street Is Back!

We are ecstatic to announce the return of Restaurant Week to Grand Street! Restaurant Week offers fine dining, quick eats, and drinks for awesome prix fixe prices. A wide variety of restaurants are participating this time around, showcasing the excellent dining and nightlife scene on Grand Street. The two week celebration of local cuisine begins on Monday, August 14th and runs through Sunday, August 27th. Check out our Restaurant Week Guide for tips on how to navigate the event.

Stop by at any participating location to get in on discount dining offers exclusive to Grand Street—and only during Restaurant Week. Just ask for a restaurant week menu when seated. You can find the full list of participants and pricing below. Prices at restaurants range from $20 to $35 and apply only to sit-down dinners, starting at 5PM — tax and tip not included.

Dar525

For this season’s Restaurant Week event we have 11 restaurants joining in on the fun. Many of our staple restaurants and bars are returning to participate this time around and some, like Grand Morelos and Carneval, are featuring exciting updates to their menus. We’re pleased to welcome a newcomer to Grand Street, Lucy’s Vietnamese, a Vietnamese restaurant specializing in 14-hour smoked brisket. You can read our latest story on Lucy’s Vietnamese here, where you can learn about owner Johnny Huynh’s culinary journey that led to him opening this fourth location here on Grand Street.

BK Jani and Bahia are returning with staple menu items that have been spotlighted on Infatuation NYC’s best restaurants in Williamsburg list. Grand Street classics Taco Edition, Thip Osha, The Clonard and Ryujin are also participating again with many Restaurant Week’s under their belts. Restaurant Week pricing ranges from $20-35, with a variety of different cuisines at great value at each price point. At a steal of a price of $35, Michelin Bib Gourmand winning Ammazzacaffè is offering fine dining Italian cuisine. Dar525 ($23) and Bahia ($25) have both decided to offer an extra fourth course this time around, bringing amazing value to the table. Lucy’s Vietnamese is offering the lowest priced Restaurant Week special this year, offering an appetizer, entree, and beverage for only $20.

Be sure to snap a picture of you, your meal, or your friends on your night dining out with the #DineOnGrand for the opportunity to win $50 to a Grand Street BID restaurant of your choice!

Follow @grandstreetbid on Instagram & Facebook for the most up-to-date information on the event.

Restaurant Menus

Ammazzacaffè – $35 – Menu

Bahia – $25 – Menu

BK Jani – $35 – Menu

Carneval – $35 – Menu

Dar525 – $23 – Menu

Grand Morelos – $29.50 – Menu

Lucy’s Vietnamese – $20 –Menu

Ryujin – $25 – Menu

Taco Edition – $24 – Menu

The Clonard – $25 - Menu

Thip Osha – $25 – Menu

Familia / Famiglia - New Mural On Graham Ave and Grand St

The Grand Street BID is excited to debut Familia / Famiglia, a new mural we have commissioned on the north-east corner of Grand Street and Graham Avenue! Artists, SON-CORO and Danielle Mastrion worked together to reflect the history and culture of the neighborhood and bring beautiful, vibrant artwork to this important corner. Supporting Son and Danielle on the project are the Grand Street BID, the art production & mural company Dripped On Productions and local media group, OWLEY Studios.

Click here to watch “FAMILIA / FAMIGLIA” , a short film showcasing the making of the mural.

SON-CORO

Dripped On Productions prepping the mural site

Son is from Puerto Rico, now living a few blocks from the mural site. Danielle is Italian American, born and raised in Brooklyn; her mothers side of the family immigrated through Ellis Island to the neighborhood many years ago. The artists collaborated on this wall to represent the importance of integrating cultures instead of separating them. Using the personal relationships that each artist has to their heritage and the local area, various historic and contemporary motifs were used to show the cultures coming together in this historic area of Brooklyn. In addition, Graham Avenues’ dual naming as “Avenue of Puerto Rico” and “Avenue of Via Vespucci” that mark the historic makeup of the neighborhood are featured in their respective portion of the mural.

Danielle’s side of the mural is clad with important Italian-American cultural elements. From left to right there is the famous Giglio Statue carried through the streets of the neighborhood during the “The Dance of the Giglio”; a tradition of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Feast that has been carried out in the neighborhood annually since 1903. The statue blends into the row of typical residential Brooklyn buildings on the bottom. Hanging from the top left is the Italian horn necklace known as a “Cornicello”, which is an Italian amulet or talisman that is worn to ward off and protect against the evil eye (malocchio) and bad spirits as well as promote good luck and fertility. Behind the horn is an old school neon Pastry Shop sign signifying traditional Italian immigrant businesses that still are present in the neighborhood. At the top is the street sign marking the north side of Graham Avenue as Graham Ave Via Vespucci.

The main feature of Danielle’s side is the woman in the left center, holding the espresso cup. This image is a portrait of the artist’s grandmother, Rose (Rosaria Anobile) who grew up in the Williamsburg area after her family immigrated from Italy, hence the Ellis island immigration stamp to her left. Rose, like many immigrant women of all backgrounds at the time, was a seamstress, hence the spool of Italian colored yarn and thimble on the far left.

Danielle Mastrion

Her name is why she sits behind two beautifully painted roses and is surrounded by luscious white Lily’s, the national flower of Italy. Finally, her necklace, a jewelry style typical of both Italian and Puerto Rican cultures in New York City, reads “Italiana” - Instead of the traditional nameplate, representing Italian-American women as a whole. This is also complimentary and matches the other portrait on the wall, who is wearing gold earrings with the words “Boriqua”.

The top right of Son Coro’s portion of the mural depicts the artist’s fiancée as a character she named, “Musaraña”. Musaraña has a combination of characteristics from contemporary icons Iris Chacon and Celia Cruz, with characteristics of a Puerto Rican woman from the 1960s/70s. This character is influenced by motifs from when Graham Avenue was first divided by the street signs “Avenue of Via Vespucci” and “Avenue of Puerto Rico”. In the background an eclipse forms, which only happens under specific circumstances of convergence - A reference to how this mural’s creation took place.

SON-CORO

On the top left of Son’s portion of the mural is the relevant street sign for “Avenue of Puerto Rico”. On the bottom, the Italian flowers from the left side of the mural morph into representative botany of Puerto Rico, the bird of paradise flower and the hibiscus flower. Finally, at the bottom right, perched on the pink Hibiscus, there is an orange Coquí frog. Coquí’s are a species of frog endemic to Puerto Rico and are well known for their loud night calls that sound very similar to their name. Bordering the bottom right are more residential style Brooklyn buildings that warp up to frame the right side of the portrait at the top.

The sharing of the coffee is representative of cultures coming together, collaborating, and existing together in this area for many years. The two women are shown enjoying a shared cultural staple while laughing and conversing, enjoying a moment of joy and peace. The coffee crosses the intersection, between the two street signs, to connect the cultures and represent that all cultures can thrive when they share, communicate, and share commonalities.

All photos provided by OWLEY Studios. Story written by Dripped On Productions, OWLEY Studios, and The Grand Street BID

Grand Street (L) station Gets New Mosaic

The MTA has commissioned a new mosaic project at the Grand Street (L) Station! Artist Glendalys Medina designed this mosaic by touring the neighborhood, incorporating elements and colors they would see into the art. Walking from the station to their studio, Medina would reflect on their COVID-19 pandemic ritual of walking outside and feeling gratitude for the neighborhood. These feelings and memories were poured into the mosaic, alongside their practice inspired by Taíno culture, Hip-hop, music, Latinx culture, and the way people sort patterns in their minds. All photos are courtesy of Osheen Harruthoonyan.

“The two mosaic panels at the Grand Street station appear on each platform mezzanine. On the Brooklyn-bound side, Medina reflects on the various communities who have comprised East Williamsburg and Bushwick over time. The large color fields represent the original Lenape inhabitants and Pan-African, Irish, Italian, Puerto Rican, and Dominican immigrants. On the Manhattan-bound side, more intimate color studies were derived from the artist’s experience of the neighborhood across seasons. A nearby church, birds in the springtime, the Moore Street Market, and the collar of a passing dog provided inspiration for these compositions of interlocking forms that call to mind schematic design drawings. Fabricated by Miotto Mosaic Art Studios, the two panels feature overlapping shapes that allow the eye to complete forms that are disrupted, inviting viewers to look a little longer and contemplate gratitude.”

-MTA Arts Design

About the artist

Glendalys Medina is a conceptual interdisciplinary visual artist and received an MFA from Hunter College. Medina has presented artwork at such notable venues as PAMM, Participant Inc., Performa 19, Artists Space, The Bronx Museum of Art, El Museo del Barrio, The Museum of Contemporary Art in Vigo, Spain, and The Studio Museum in Harlem among others. Medina was a recipient of a Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant (2020), a Jerome Hill Foundation Fellowship (2019), an Ace Hotel New York City Artist Residency (2017), a SIP fellowship at EFA Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop (2016), a BACK IN FIVE MINUTES artist residency at El Museo Del Barrio (2015), a residency at Yaddo (2014, 2018), the Rome Prize in Visual Arts (2013), a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Interdisciplinary Art (2012), and the Bronx Museum Artist in the Marketplace residency (2010). Medina is currently a professor at SVA’s MFA Art Practice program and lives and works in New York.

My practice is inspired by how humans learn, create order out of chaos and make sense of the world; how previous knowledge is essential for learning and perceiving; how the ambiguity of the world increases our reliance on that previous knowledge; how we project that knowledge when we don’t understand; and how we see with our brains recognizing patterns of information. I create work that amplifies marginalized voices, deconstructs and reconstructs image, language and systems to incite a change in cognitive structures that occur as a result of an experience. I am interested in creating moments when previous knowledge gets an upgrade and new perspectives are formed to establish cultural inclusivity. My work exhibits Taíno (indigenous Caribbeans) culture, Hip- hop and Latinx culture and music, and explores personal development as an empowering tool to re-identify societal and personal value structures to gain cultural equity in a transcultural global society.

-Glendalys Medina (About)

New Graham Avenue Mural: We Want To Hear From You!

The Grand Street BID is excited to announce that we are commissioning a mural at the corner of Grand Street and Graham Avenue! The mural will reflect the history and culture of the neighborhood and bring beautiful, vibrant artwork to this important corner.

Luna nueva, for Bushwick Collective (2020) - SON-HIJO

Cover Mural Artwork, “Do The Right Thing” 30th Anniversary, for Spike Lee (2019) - Danielle Mastrion

We have selected two artists to collaborate on this project – SON-HIJO and Danielle Mastrion. Both artists have deep ties to our community and can capture the unique qualities of our neighborhood, tell the stories of new and long-term residents, our strong entrepreneurial history, and the diversity and cultural melding that are an important part of our past, present, and future.

We know that many of our neighbors would enjoy an opportunity to connect with this artwork and inform its design so we’re hosting a community meeting over zoom on Thursday, May 25th at 6:30PM. Please join us to share your stories and inspire the artists. RSVP here.

If you aren’t able to attend the zoom session but want to share your stories with the artists, you can email the BID your thoughts at info@grandstreetbk.org before the end of the day Friday.

The artists will begin working on the mural in just a couple of weeks with the hopes that it will be completed before the end of June. Keep an eye on the corner and our socials to watch the piece come to life and stay tuned for more announcements about additional artwork coming to Grand Street next month!

Edit: The mural has been completed and named - Familia / Famiglia ! You can read more about the new mural here

The Grand Street BID Welcomes Two New Team Members

Meet the newest additions to the Grand Street BID’s team, Megan Diebboll and Yaz Mansi. Megan is coming on as a Project Manager, and Yaz as a Community Engagement Coordinator. With backgrounds in urban planning and community building, Megan and Yaz are excited to work with the BID in improving the quality of life of the Williamsburg community.

Megan is an urban planner and social justice advocate with a background in community development and prison reform. A Southwest Detroit native, Megan graduated from the Rackham Graduate School at the University of Michigan with a Masters in Social Work and Community Organizing. Throughout her career she’s acted as a facilitator for creative workshops in local prisons and jails to provide therapeutic outlets. Working to support disadvantaged incarcerated people made her aware of the systemic issues that led to their incarceration; This led Megan to pursue her Masters of Urban Planning (MUP) at Hunter College, with a concentration in environmental planning. Megan’s bringing her experience as a planner and advocate to the Project Manager role, where she’s primarily focusing on creating stronger connections with businesses in the adjacent commercial corridor to Grand Street.

Yaz recently graduated from The Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College, with a bachelors in Public affairs. Born and raised in Queens, Yaz’s passion for public spaces and placemaking was cultivated by the community he was surrounded by. This inspired him to pursue a career in the public sector, with hopes of working to better the lives of his fellow New Yorkers. Throughout his career Yaz has acted as a communicator and placemaker, working as a liason for the New York City Council and as a social justice advocate. Yaz is bringing his experience in community building and his passion to improve New York City to his role as Community Engagement Coordinator, where his work focuses on cultivating the BID’s connections with both the businesses and the community of Grand Street. 

Yaz and Megan are excited to work to better the Grand Street BID and can’t wait to meet you all!

A Guide to Wine and Dine on Grand Street 2023

Today marks the beginning of Wine and Dine, Grand Street’s semi-annual restaurant and bar event! From February 21st to March 6th, you’ll have the opportunity to try 18 of Grand Street’s restaurants and bars at lower than ever prices. 11 of the best eats in Williamsburg are offering 3-course prix fixe dinners at discounted rates from $23 to $35 in North Brooklyn’s annual celebration of local cuisine, while 6 bars are also offering drink specials! With all these offerings on 6 blocks, it might be difficult to make a decision. This guide is here to give you all the answers to why you should visit each participating business on Grand Street, and what you can order for the best experience. Each of the following restaurants and bars has special Wine and Dine menus, so just ask if you don’t see one.

As always, take a picture of your wine and dine experience and post with #DineonGrand for a chance to win $50 to a Grand Street BID business of your choice.

Follow @grandstreetbid for the most up-to-date information on the event.

WINE

For the perfect evening on Grand, try either a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap at one of our participating bars. Our suggestions will help you decide the ideal course for your Grand Street nightlife experience.

For classic drinks and cheap beer be sure to stop by Blinky’s for their extended happy hour lasting till 9PM. With $10 house cocktails, $9 house wine, $7 draft beers and a $5 beer and shot, this deal is hard to beat. Crystal Lake Brooklyn also has a variety of options with $8 house sangria, $6 tap beers, and a $6 whiskey shot.

Passion Daiquiri, from Blinky’s

Grand Street’s newest bar, The Last Call will be sure to catch your eye. The Tokyo-inspired bar specializes in sake and draft beer, while also serving up yakitori. They’re offering two for one glasses of sake and draft beer until 9PM. For a summer vibe (it’s been feeling like summer this whole month hasn’t it?), the home of the pickleback shot, Bushwick Country Club is serving out $7 frozen boozy slushies just down the street.

Fancy a snack at the bar? Philomena’s is serving a deal of any two of their signature cocktails and throwing in pita and dip, all for $25. The Starlight Tavern is offering a similar special, offering two house cocktails and chips and guac for $21. We also recommend checking out Starlight’s skee-ball machine while you’re there, for a retro arcade experience.

If skee-ball doesn’t satiate that craving for fun, Haven is the place to go for drinks and billiards before you head off to dinner. This lounge is offering 2 beer and shot combos along with an hour of pool for just $25. Just make sure your hour of pool starts before 6pm.

Philomena’s bar seating


DINE

Grand Street Classics

GRAND MORELOS—$30

727 Grand Street — menu

A Grand Street staple, Grand Morelos has been with the neighborhood day and night for decades. The late-night diner & bakery has seen us all at our finest and not-so-fine hours. The Grand Morelos bakery is also one of the better-kept secrets of our food scene, so take advantage. Guacamole is our go-to appetizer, but we also recommend the nachos if you’re extra hungry. Mixed Chicken and Steak Fajitas for your entree will fill you if the app didn’t, but try to save room for the strawberry cheesecake. Impossible chocoflan and tres leches cakes are your other options for dessert. Once you’ve fallen in love with Grand Morelos stop back in for affordable cookies & doughnuts from the bakery and amazing iced coffee (not just by diner standards) any time you want - literally.

Miso Ramen, from Ryujin

RYUJIN—$25

513 Grand Street — menu

This Grand Street staple has been serving Japanese comfort food to the neighborhood for over 12 years. Something about the ramen from Ryujin leaves us stuffed after every bowl. Now add an appetizer and dessert to the mix to really make the most of a 3 course dinner. Keep it light with your app so go with the pork bun or the edamame. You can choose from 6 different options of ramen bowl, but our favorite is the samurai miso bowl. Finally, the meal is paired with either beer, or mochi ice cream. The jury is out here so we’ll leave that choice to you.

Vegan Burger from The Clonard

THE CLONARD—$25

506 Grand Street — menu

Known for their lager and bar food staples, The Clonard has been open for just over a year but is already Grand Street Classic. They’re offering bar staples Mozzarella Sticks and Jalapeño Poppers to get the appetite going. Then you can enjoy an 8oz burger, with the option of going for a Beyond Burger if you’re looking for a vegan option. Enjoy a Clonard Lager, or a glass of Pinot Grigio if you’re feeling classy, with your meal for the full bar eatery experience.

DAR525—$23

525 Grand Street — menu

A Grand Street classic, Dar525 just celebrated its 12th year on Grand Street this month. Serving up Middle Eastern classics, Dar525 is offering Wine and Dine’s best value deal with the lowest price point of $23. They’re also offering a fourth course, adding extreme value to this deal. You can start with hummus or babaganouj, but they’re offering other apps as well. Next you can choose from kibbeh or a cheese and parsley roll. For the main course you’ve got a variety of protein choices including the vegan falafel and the not-so vegan chicken shawarma. Top your dinner off with baklava or basbous for a fantastic four-course meal at amazing value.

Critically Acclaimed on Grand

AMMAZZACAFFÈ—$35

702 Grand Street — menu

All pasta at Ammazzacaffè is made in-house

Winner of a coveted Bib Gourmand title from Micheline Guide, Ammazzacaffè has already built its reputation for affordable fine dining at its best. Be sure to try the Tartare crostino with sea trout, Lettuga salad with Botarga, and sunchokes as an appetizers. For your entree, try the Reginette—pasta with pork shoulder ragu — it’s a perfect dish, especially during these last few cold days of winter. Finish the night with their daily dessert offering for the perfect date or special night out on Grand Street.

BK JANI—$35

679 Grand Street — menu

The Jani, from BK Jani

There are a lot of burger joints in Williamsburg, but only BK Jani’s burgers come with mint chutney as a sauce option. Featured on Infatuation’s The Best 20 Burgers in NYC, you can’t go wrong with a burger here. They’re offering Two Lamb Chops to start, then any burger of your choosing. We recommend The Jani Burger; ½ pound of custom blend ground beef, cooked medium rare, mint chutney at the bottom, grilled tomato and a touch of raita. Included in their special is a soda or one of their house drinks.

BAHIA—$25

690 Grand Street — menu

Bahia has been on Grand Street for over 20 years, serving up pupusas and other delicious Salvadorian dishes. After decades on Grand, they’ve been recognized as one of The Best Restaurants in Williamsburg by Infatuation NYC. We recommend you start with their famous pupusas; you can choose from a wide variety of options but some favorites include the revueltas pupusa stuffed with pork, refried beans, and cheese, or jalapeño pupusas .For the main entrée enjoy their delicious Carne Asada, Pollo al Limon, or Tilapia al Sarten. A glass of either sangria or wine is included in your meal, alongside a delicious slice of amaretto cheese cake to finish.

Filling Favorites!

TACO EDITION—$25

800 Grand Street — menu

Elote to start, at Taco Edition

It all starts with the birria consume, NYC’s latest birria taco craze is a must try at Taco Edition. The prix fixe menu starts with a choice of chicken tortilla soup, birria consume, or elote. We, of course, recommend any of these delicious options. With two hearty options to choose from for dinner, our favorite is the enchiladas. Don’t miss out on this tasty dish that comes with chicken or as a vegetarian dish. Churros are for dessert, served with a chocolate sauce it’s the cherry on top of a perfect meal.

MAD FOR CHICKEN—$25

617 Grand Street — menu

The chicken at MFC is an obvious choice, shipped in daily from a farm in Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania, and coated with a unique sauce of soy, garlic, and various fruits but Wine and Dine is a great chance to explore other options. Choose your drink, start with a salad, and try the kimchi fried rice or bulgogi over rice.

Curry from Thip Osha

THIP OSHA—$25

795 Grand Street — menu

This Thai spot nearby the Grand Street L station always feels cozy. With a diverse prix fixe menu, Thip Osha has altogether 50 combinations to choose from. There is surely something that will please everyone from curry to noodles to fried rice. Out of all of those choices, our favorites are the crispy chicken wings with red chili sauce to start, green curry with chicken, and banana sticky rice for dessert. Stop by this tiny spot for big flavors.

CARNEVAL—$25

507 Grand Street — menu

Carneval is inspired by the owners’s own cultures and carnivals from countries they’ve visited around the world. This comes in the form of a wide variety of different cuisines all fused into one. Start with Rainbow Sushi, then follow it up with Dominican style fried rice dish Chofan. Finish your meal with either a Poached Pear that sits in red wine and comes with almonds and ice cream, or Lava Cake.

Wine and Dine on Grand Street Has Returned!

We are thrilled to announce the return of Wine and Dine to Grand Street! Wine and Dine offers fine dining quick eats, and drinks for awesome prix fixe prices. A wide variety of restaurants and bars are participating this time around, showcasing the excellent dining and nightlife scene on Grand Street. The two week celebration of local cuisine and drinks begins on Tuesday, February 21st and runs through Monday, March 6th. Check out our Wine and Dine Guide for tips on how to navigate the event.

The Jani Burger from BKJani

For this season’s Wine and Dine event we have our highest ever number of participants at 18, with 11 restaurants and 7 bars joining in on the fun. Many of our staple restaurants and bars are returning to participate this time around and some, like Grand Morelos and The Clonard, are featuring exciting updates to their menus. We’re pleased to welcome a newcomer to Grand Street, The Last Call, a Japanese hi-fi audio bar offering a variety of sake and draft beer. You can read our latest story on The Last Call here, where you can learn about their hi-fi audio setup and Tokyo-inspired bar.

BK Jani and Bahia are returning with staple menu items that have been recently spotlighted on Infatuation NYC’s best restaurants in Williamsburg list. Grand Street classics Taco Edition, Thip Osha, Mad For Chicken and Ryujin are also participating again with many Wine and Dine’s under their belts. Wine and Dine restaurant pricing ranges from $23-35, with a variety of different cuisines at great value at each price point. At a steal of a price of $35, Michelin Bib Gourmand winning Ammazzacaffè is offering fine dining Italian cuisine. Dar525 ($23) and Bahia ($25) have both decided to offer an extra fourth course this time around, bringing amazing value to the table.

Local favorite, The Ginny from Philomena’s

Our bar participants have grown to include longtime mainstays to Grand Street like Bushwick Country Club, who’s offering $7 frozen boozy slushies. Our newer bars are stepping up to the plate with discounted sangria and shots at Crystal Lake and an extended happy hour at Blinky’s. If you’re looking for a light bite with your drink, Philomena’s and The Starlight Tavern are offering two cocktails with a snack; Philomena’s serving hummus and pita, while The Starlight Tavern serving guacamole and chips. For a night out of fun, check out Haven for a 2x beer and shot combo and one hour of pool, all packaged together. With mentions in Time Out New York, Bushwick Daily, and BKMag, Grand Street’s establishments won’t disappoint.

Stop by at any participating location to get in on discount dining offers exclusive to Grand Street—and only during Wine and Dine. Just ask for a wine and dine menu when seated. Click here for our official guide giving insight into each restaurant and suggesting our favorite dining options, and you can find the full list of participants and pricing below. Prices at restaurants range from $23 to $35 and apply only to sit-down dinners, starting at 5PM — tax and tip not included.

Be sure to snap a picture of you, your meal, or your friends on your night dining out with the #DineOnGrand for the opportunity to win $50 to a Grand Street BID restaurant of your choice!

Follow @grandstreetbid for the most up-to-date information on the event.

Restaurant Menus

BK Jani – $35 – Menu

Bahia – $25 – Menu

Grand Morelos – $30 – Menu

The Clonard – $25 - Menu

Ammazzacaffè – $35 – Menu

Mad for Chicken – $25 — Menu

Ryujin – $25 – Menu

Taco Edition – $29 – Menu

Dar525 – $23 – Menu

Carneval – $35 – Menu

Thip Osha – $25 – Menu

Bar Specials

Blinky’s - Menu

Crystal Lake - Menu

Philomena’s - Menu

The Starlight Tavern - Menu

Bushwick Country Club - Menu

The Last Call - Menu

Haven - Menu

A Guide to Summer Wine and Dine

Wine and Dine returns on Grand Street August 15th - 29th with 14 restaurants and bars to choose from. 9 of the best eats in Williamsburg are offering 3-course prix fixe dinners at discounted rates from $25 to $35 in North Brooklyn’s annual celebration of local cuisine. And this fantastic food can be complemented with drink specials at 5 of our bars. With all these offerings on just 6 blocks, it might be difficult to choose where to go. This guide is here to give you all the answers to why you should visit each participating business on Grand Street, and what you can order for the best experience. Each of the following restaurants and bars has special Wine and Dine menus, so just ask if you don’t see one.

As always, take a picture of your Wine and Dine experience and post with #DineonGrand for a chance to win $50 to a Grand Street BID business of your choice.

Follow @grandstreetbid for the most up-to-date information on the event.

WINE

With the addition of bars to our restaurant event, you can curate the perfect evening that starts with a pre-dinner drink or ends with a nightcap. Our suggestions will help you decide the ideal course for your night out on Grand Street

Frozen Margaritas and Froze at The Clonard

If you’re looking for a way to cool down during these hot Summer days, stop by The Clonard for frozen cocktails for only $8. For drinks that are a little more involved, Philomena’s is the spot to try with an amazing combo of cocktails and pita. We love their signature drink - prosecco with a watermelon-rose cube.

For classic drinks and brews, the deal at Crystal Lake is sure to catch your eye with $8 Jim Beam or Hornitos Mules or a $5 pint of lager. Similarly Blinky’s is featuring $9 Ciroc spritzers and canned vodka cocktails. Also, enjoy the weather in the backyards at both Blinky’s and The Clonard. These shady havens are great places to sip and relax.

Philomena’s is serving a deal of any two of their signature cocktails and throwing in a pita and dip, all for $25. A deal you don’t want to miss, Philomena’s make a perfect first or last stop.

Lastly, we recommend checking out Grand Street’s newest bar, Haven, for drinks and billiards before you head off to dinner. This new lounge is offering 2 beer and shot combos along with an hour of pool for just $25. Just make sure your hour of pool starts before 6pm.

Backyard vibes at Blinky’s


DINE

Grand Street Classics

BAHIA—$25

690 Grand Street — menu

Pupusas from Bajia

It all starts with pupusas. If you’ve never had one, Bahia owners Luis and Felix say to think of them as like the “tacos of El Salvador”. The prix fixe menu at Bahia starts with 2 pupusas of your choice, a salad, or tamal de pollo. We, of course, recommend some of the best pupusas in NYC. Plenty of options for dinner, but our favorite is the Pollo Al Limon, a perfectly cooked chicken breast sautéed in a delicious lemon sauce. You get two sides with the entrée of your choice from a few options like mixed vegetables, rice, and roasted potatoes. A choice of Flan or a glass of delicious red or white sangria is paired with your meal for the perfect combination.

A hometown favorite, Bahia has been a dedicated community member of Grand Street for over 20 years. In 2019, the restaurant doubled down on their dedication to the neighborhood with a complete interior and exterior renovation in order to stay ahead in a changing Williamsburg market. It’s not just about looks though, Bahia is confident that once you’ve had their pupusas and try a glass of their homemade sangria you are certain to return for more. Photo at top of article.

GRAND MORELOS—$28.99

727 Grand Street — menu

A Grand Street staple, Grand Morelos has been with the neighborhood day and night for decades. The 24/7 diner & bakery has seen us all at our finest and not-so-fine hours. The Grand Morelos bakery is also one of the better-kept secrets of our food scene, so take advantage. Guacamole is our go-to appetizer, but they’ve added a chicken wings option if you’re extra hungry. Tilapia Filet in Mole Sauce for your entree will fill you if the app didn’t, but try to save room for the cheesecake. Once you’ve fallen in love with Grand Morelos stop back in for affordable cookies & doughnuts from the bakery and amazing iced coffee (not just by diner standards) any time you want - literally.

RYUJIN—$25

513 Grand Street — menu

This Grand Street staple has been serving Japanese comfort food to the Neighborhood for over 12 years. Something about the ramen from Ryujin leaves us stuffed after every bowl. Now add an appetizer and dessert to the mix to really make the most of a 3 course dinner. Keep it light with your app so go with the pork bun or the edamame. You can choose from 6 different options of ramen bowl, but our favorite is the samurai miso bowl. Finally, the meal is paired with either beer, or mochi ice cream. The jury is out here so we’ll leave that choice to you.


Featured Outdoor Dining

AMMAZZACAFFÈ—$35

702 Grand Street — menu

Winner of last year’s coveted Bib Gourmand title from Micheline Guide, Ammazzacaffè has already built its reputation for affordable fine dining at its best. Be sure to try the Tartare crostino with sea trout, Lettuga salad with Botarga, and sunchokes as an appetizers. For your entree, try the Reginette—pasta with pork shoulder ragu — it’s a perfect dish, especially during these last few cold days of winter. Finish the night with buttermilk pannacotta with cherry and hazelnut for the perfect date or special night out on Grand Street. Enjoy all of this in their stunning backyard on a beautiful Summer night.

If the food isn’t enough, visiting Ammazza offers a bit of a historical experience. Their location at 702 Grand Street was the childhood home of Betty Smith, inspiring her classic A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Make a reservation today.

Backyard Seating at Ammazzacaffe

TACO EDITION—$29

806 Grand Street — menu

Tacos De Birria with Consome from taco Edition

It all starts with the Esquites, this new addition to the menu features roasted corn off the cob tossed in a seasoned sauce. The prix fixe menu offers a choice of Tacos de Birria with Consome or a Chicken Fajita bowl or wrap. These items are new additions to the normal menu so we suggest trying them out! We know it’s going to be a hard choice with such a great selection, but we recommend anything on the menu. Don’t miss out on the churros, they’re the perfect compliment to this hearty meal.

Taco Edition also recently redid their backyard! Swap your dessert option for a frozen cocktail and enjoy their gorgeous outdoor space.

CARNEVAL—$35

507 Grand Street — menu

Carneval Sushi

Carneval opened exactly three years ago in August, featuring specialty cocktails and Latin-inspired cuisine. Owner Mike Cruz grew up just blocks from the restaurant and has created a go-to spot for Williamsburg natives and newcomers alike. He has transformed the space to include a large backyard patio perfect for enjoying music and snacks. Carneval serves up elevated Latin cuisine, and their menu featured a selection of tasty appetizers, savory entrees, and desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth. We recommend the Carneval Sushi, a creative roll with shrimp and and flavorful sauces. This year’s entrees include Mightnight Salmon with potatoes and spinach or a rich Penne Alla Vodka, two tasty meals you don’t want to miss. Escape the busy street and enjoy Restaurant Week with Carneval, where it’s always a celebration.

Filling Favorites!

MAD FOR CHICKEN —$25

617 Grand Street — menu

Tasty Drumsticks from Mad for Chicken

The chicken at MFC is an obvious choice, shipped in daily from a farm in Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania, and coated with a unique sauce of soy, garlic, and various fruits but Wine and Dine is a great chance to explore other options. Choose your drink, start with a salad, and try the kimchi fried rice or bulgogi over rice.

THIP OSHA—$25

795 Grand Street — menu

This cozy Thai spot nearby the Grand Street L station, has a beautiful and shaded sidewalk patio to enjoy your meal this summer. With a diverse prix fixe menu, Thip Osha has altogether exactly 50 combinations to choose from. There is surely something that will please everyone from curry to noodles to fried rice. Out of all of those choices, our favorites are the crispy chicken wings with red chili sauce to start, green curry with chicken, and banana sticky rice for dessert. Stop by this tiny spot for big flavors, and a lovely outdoor dining experience.

BK Jani—$35

679 Grand Street — menu

BK Jani is once again returning to wine and dine featuring their amazing lambchops and renouned burgers. BK Jani is known for their elevated Pakistani street food, and has received an abundance of attention in various media outlets, such as Food and Wine, The Infatuation, Zagat, and more! Owner Sibte Hassan doesn’t mess around when it comes to quality meats, so be sure to check out this deal including their famous lambchops, burgers, and we recommend topping it off with a refreshing mango Jani. Don’t miss out on this highly commended restaurant, with reviews claiming they have one of the best burgers in NYC.

Famous Bk Jani Lamb Chops

Summer Wine and Dine 2022

We are thrilled to announce the return of Wine and Dine Grand Street! The two week celebration of local cuisine and drinks begins on Monday, August 15th and runs through Sunday, August 29th. Wine and Dine offers fine dining and quick eats for awesome prix fixe prices, now with the option to extend the evening with drink specials at our bars. This inclusive event will highlight the best of Grand Street’s nightlife.

Frozen drinks at Taco Edition

For our Wine and Dine event, we have 9 restaurants and 5 bars for a total of 14 incredible participants. Many of our mainstay restaurants are returning to the event, and some, like Taco Edition and Carneval are featuring exciting updates to their menus. We’re especially excited to welcome back Grand Street mainstay and local favorite Bajia after they missed our last event due to renovations.

Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand winner Ammazzacaffè is joining the lineup once again, providing award-winning, quality dining for a steal at $35 for 3 courses. Other Grand Street favorites, Grand Morelos, Thip Osha, and Mad for Chicken are also participating again with many Restaurant Weeks under their belts.

Make a night of it! Compliment your prix fixe meal by stopping by one of our bars for some awesome drink specials before or after dinner. Mainstays like Crystal Lake and backyard go-to Blinky’s are joined by our newer bars like Philomena’s, offering discounted drinks and snacks. With the hot summer weather, bars like The Clonard are featuring their custom frozen creations. If you're looking for a way to add even more fun, check out Haven’s special menu that includes drinks along with a game of pool. With mentions in Time Out New York, Bushwick Daily, and The Infatuation these establishments won’t disappoint.

Steamed Dumplings from Ryujin

Stop by at any participating location to get in on discount dining offers exclusive to Grand Street—and only during Wine and Dine. Just ask for a Wine and Dine menu when seated. Click here for our official guide giving insight into each restaurant and suggesting our favorite dining options, and you can find the full list of participants and pricing below. Prices at restaurants range from $20 to $35 and apply only to sit-down dinners (5 - 10pm) —tax and tip not included.

Be sure to snap a picture of you, your meal, or your friends on your night out with the #DineOnGrand for the opportunity to win $50 to a Grand Street BID restaurant of your choice!

Follow @grandstreetbid for the most up-to-date information on the event.

Restaurant Menus

AmmazzaCaffe – $35 – Menu

Bahia – $25 - Menu

BK Jani – $35 – Menu

Carneval – $35 - Menu

Grand Morelos – $28.99 – Menu

Mad for Chicken – $25 — Menu

Ryujin – $25 – Menu

Taco Edition – $29 – Menu

Thip Osha – $25 – Menu

Bar Specials

Blinky’s - Menu

The Clonard - Menu

Crystal Lake - Menu

Haven - Menu

Philomena’s - Menu

A Guide to Wine and Dine on Grand Street

Wine and Dine will debut on Grand Street March 1st - 13th with 15 restaurants and bars to choose from. 10 of the best eats in Williamsburg are offering 3-course prix fixe dinners at discounted rates from $20 to $35 in North Brooklyn’s annual celebration of local cuisine. And now, this fantastic food can be complemented with drink specials at 5 of our bars. With all these offerings on 6 blocks, it might be difficult to choose a restaurant, or whether to try something new. This guide is here to give you all the answers to why you should visit each participating business on Grand Street, and what you can order for the best experience. Each of the following restaurants and bars has special Wine and Dine menus, so just ask if you don’t see one.

As always, take a picture of your wine and dine experience and post with #DineonGrand for a chance to win $50 to a Grand Street BID business of your choice.

Follow @grandstreetbid for the most up-to-date information on the event.

WINE

With the addition of bars to our restaurant event, you can curate the perfect evening that starts with a pre-dinner drink or ends with a nightcap. Our suggestions will help you decide the ideal course for your Grand Street nightlife experience.

For classic drinks and cheap beer be sure to stop by Redd’s Tavern with $8 jalapeno margaritas and rum punch, this deal is hard to beat. The casual vibes make this the perfect spot pre-dinner drink, or if you want to continue the night, grab some $3 pints of Miller Lite.

Down the street, a similar deal at Crystal Lake is sure to catch your eye with $8 Jim Beam or Hornitos Mules or a $5 pint of lager. These drinks will also pair great with their partner BiTcHn KiTcHn’s prix fixe dinner menu.

If you’re looking for drinks that are a little more involved, Blinky’s or Philomena’s are the spots to try. Blinky’s is introducing a new cocktail called the Grand Street Blast featured Thursday-Sunday to compliment their weekday special, $10 crowd favorite, spicy margaritas.

Philomena’s is serving a deal of any two of their signature cocktails and throwing in a pita and dip, all for $25. Philomena’s make a perfect first or last stop.

Lastly, we recommend checking out Grand Street’s newest bar, Haven for drinks and billiards before you head off to dinner. This new lounge is offering 2 beer and shot combos along with an hour of pool for just $25. Just make sure your hour of pool starts before 6pm.


DINE

Grand Street Classics

GRAND MORELOS—$25

727 Grand Street — menu

A Grand Street staple, Grand Morelos has been with the neighborhood day and night for decades. The 24/7 diner & bakery has seen us all at our finest and not-so-fine hours. The Grand Morelos bakery is also one of the better-kept secrets of our food scene, so take advantage. Guacamole is our go-to appetizer, but we also recommend the cheese quesadillas if you’re extra hungry. Tilapia Filet in Mole Sauce for your entree will fill you if the app didn’t, but try to save room for the Oreo cheesecake. Impossible chocoflan and tres leches cakes are your other options for dessert. Once you’ve fallen in love with Grand Morelos stop back in for affordable cookies & doughnuts from the bakery and amazing iced coffee (not just by diner standards) any time you want - literally.

RYUJIN—$25

513 Grand Street — menu

This Grand Street staple has been serving Japanese comfort food to the Neighborhood for over 12 years. Something about the ramen from Ryujin leaves us stuffed after every bowl. Now add an appetizer and dessert to the mix to really make the most of a 3 course dinner. Keep it light with your app so go with the pork bun or the edamame. You can choose from 6 different options of ramen bowl, but our favorite is the samurai miso bowl. Finally, the meal is paired with either beer, or mochi ice cream. The jury is out here so we’ll leave that choice to you.

Fine Dining on Grand

AMMAZZACAFFÈ—$35

702 Grand Street — menu

Winner of last year’s coveted Bib Gourmand title from Micheline Guide, Ammazzacaffè has already built its reputation for affordable fine dining at its best. Be sure to try the Tartare crostino with sea trout, Lettuga salad with Botarga, and sunchokes as an appetizers. For your entree, try the Reginette—pasta with pork shoulder ragu — it’s a perfect dish, especially during these last few cold days of winter. Finish the night with buttermilk pannacotta with cherry and hazelnut for the perfect date or special night out on Grand Street.

If the food isn’t enough, visiting Ammazza offers a bit of a historical experience. Their location at 702 Grand Street was the childhood home of Betty Smith, inspiring her classic A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Make a reservation today.

All pasta at Ammazzacaffè is made in-house

New Faces on the Block

Koko’s — $25

688 Grand Street — menu

Koko’s is newly opened on Grand Street, but is already a hot spot on the block. Named for the owners’ daughter with food inspired from their native Peru, this family-owned restaurant serves Nikkei food, which is a Japanese-Peruvian culinary and cultural fusion. We recommend starting out with Machu Pisco, the Koko’s take on a pisco sour which is a traditional Peruvian cocktail. Followed by a choice of takoyaki or salmon tartare - we think both are fantastic. And lastly, we’re pushing the aji de gallina, a savory chicken dish with potatoes topped with a quail egg. This beautiful meal is waiting for you at Koko’s! and you can’t find anything else like it on Grand Street.

BiTcHn KiTcHn — $20

647 Grand Street — menu

This little pop-up is brand new to Grand Street. Seasoned chef Mike and his partner Jacqui are long-time community members who decided to start their own restaurant. Cooking out of the kitchen at Crystal Lake Thursday - Sunday, their spin on comfort food has everyone counting down until the weekend. We think you should start out light with the garden salad, followed by a choice of delicious sandwiches. With both meat and veggies options, the portobello mushroom burger is a must-try. Then you’ve got the choice of cheesecake or a warm fudge brownie for dessert. Either of these tasty treats is sure to leave your mouth watering for more. Additionally, you can pair this meal with one of the drink specials offered by Crystal Lake, for a complete Wine and Dine evening.

Filling Favorites!

Taco Edition - $23

806 Grand Street — menu

Elote to start, at Taco Edition

It all starts with the birria consume, NYC’s latest birria taco craze is a must try at Taco Edition. The prix fixe menu starts with a choice of chicken tortilla soup, birria consume, or elote. We, of course, recommend any of these delicious options. With two hearty options to choose from for dinner, our favorite is the enchiladas. Don’t miss out on this tasty dish that comes with chicken or as a vegetarian dish. Churros are for dessert, served with a chocolate sauce it’s the cherry on top of a perfect meal.

MAD FOR CHICKEN—$25

617 Grand Street — menu

The chicken at MFC is an obvious choice, shipped in daily from a farm in Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania, and coated with a unique sauce of soy, garlic, and various fruits but Wine and Dine is a great chance to explore other options. Choose your drink, start with a salad, and try the kimchi fried rice or bulgogi over rice.

Curry from Thip Osha

THIP OSHA—$25

795 Grand Street — menu

This cozy Thai spot nearby the Grand Street L station, has a beautiful and shaded sidewalk patio to enjoy your meal this summer. With a diverse prix fixe menu, Thip Osha has altogether exactly 50 combinations to choose from. There is surely something that will please everyone from curry to noodles to fried rice. Out of all of those choices, our favorites are the crispy chicken wings with red chili sauce to start, green curry with chicken, and banana sticky rice for dessert. Stop by this tiny spot for big flavors, and a lovely outdoor dining experience.

Grand Street Presents Wine and Dine

We are thrilled to announce Wine and Dine Grand Street! In response to the constantly evolving nature of the food and drink industry, bars will now be included in what was traditionally our Winter Restaurant Week. The two week celebration of local cuisine and drinks begins on Tuesday, March 1st and runs through Sunday, March 13th. Wine and Dine offers fine dining and quick eats for awesome prix fixe prices, now with the option to extend the evening with drink specials at our bars. This inclusive event will highlight the best of Grand Street’s nightlife.

Birria Tacos and Cosume from Taco Edition

For our Wine and Dine event, we have 11 restaurants and 5 bars for a total of 16 incredible participants. Many of our mainstay restaurants are returning to the event, and some, like Mad for Chicken and BK Jani are featuring exciting updates to their menus. We’re especially pleased to welcome our newcomers to the event, Koko’s and BiTcHn KiTcHn. Koko’s, known for Nikkei cuisine, a Peruvian and Japanese fusion, is already a hot spot on the block after opening last Fall. BiTcHn KiTcHn, a new popup, operates out of the kitchen at Crystal Lake. Their spin on classic comfort food is grabbing tons of attention and pairs perfectly with a drink special from their host bar.

Renowned Spicy Margarita from Blinky’s Bar

Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand winner Ammazzacaffè is joining the lineup once again, providing award-winning, quality dining for a steal at $35 for 3 courses. Other Grand Street favorites, Grand Morelos, Taco Edition, Thip Osha, and Ryujin are also participating again with many Restaurant Weeks under their belts.

Make a night of it! Compliment your prix fixe meal, before or after, stop by one of our bars for some awesome drink specials. For the debut of our Wine and Dine event, our bar scene is coming out strong. With longtime mainstays like Redd’s Tavern offering deals on classics like rum punch and pints of beer. Our newer bars are stepping up to the plate with discounted drinks and cocktails at Crystal Lake and Philomena’s, and brand new drinks like Blinky’s “Grand Street Blast”. If you're looking for a way to combine some food and drink, check out The Clonard’s special menu that includes a delicious beer or glass of wine. With mentions in Time Out New York, Bushwick Daily, and The Infatuation these establishments won’t disappoint.

Stop by at any participating location to get in on discount dining offers exclusive to Grand Street—and only during Wine and Dine. Just ask for a restaurant week menu when seated. Click here for our official guide giving insight into each restaurant and suggesting our favorite dining options, and you can find the full list of participants and pricing below. Prices at restaurants range from $20 to $35 and apply only to sit-down dinners (5 - 10pm) —tax and tip not included.

Be sure to snap a picture of you, your meal, or your friends on your night dining out with the #DineOnGrand for the opportunity to win $50 to a Grand Street BID restaurant of your choice!

Follow @grandstreetbid for the most up-to-date information on the event.

Restaurant Menus

AmmazzaCaffe – $35 – Menu

BiTcHn KiTcHn – $20 – Menu

BK Jani – $28 – Menu

The Clonard – $25 - Menu

Grand Morelos – $23 – Menu

Koko’s – $25 - Menu

Mad for Chicken – $25 — Menu

Ryujin – $25 – Menu

Taco Edition – $23 – Menu

Thip Osha – $25 – Menu

Bar Specials

Blinky’s - Menu

Crystal Lake - Menu

Haven - Menu

Philomena’s - Menu

Redd’s Tavern- Menu

The Brooklyn Pawffice Opens at 522 Grand Street

Alex and two of his clients!

Alex and two of his clients!

The Brooklyn Pawffice is officially open! We’re so happy to welcome our newest Dog Care center to the neighborhood. Owner, Alex Romero is a life long dog owner, and has been caring for dogs around the city for about three years. He decided to take the plunge and open his own space to provide dogs with an optimal space to spend their days, “Whether that be playing, swimming, relaxing, or running around in a big open space.” - Alex Romero

Alex was excited about the central location and large floorplan of the storefront at 522 Grand Street, and you can tell that he put his all into this fantastic space. Designed and painted by Alex himself, the Pawffice has a spacious interior and equally as spacious backyard, giving the dogs plenty of room for dogs to move around and run freely. This colorful and welcoming facility is the perfect place for your pup, day and night! Stop by with your dog to say hello, and see this wonderful dog oasis for yourself.

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