GRAND STREET BID OUTDOOR DINING GUIDE

New York City is still enjoying the outdoor dining scene! Most of the bars and restaurants in the Grand Street BID are lucky enough to have backyard space ideal for warm Summer days. 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!

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Sidewalk seating isn’t for everyone! If you’re looking to enjoy a meal away from the hustle and bustle, escape the busy streets by relaxing in one of our two notable backyard dining areas

Outdoor Dining at Ammazzacaffe

Both Ammazzacaffe and BK Jani were listed by The Infatuation as some of the best spots to dine outside in Williamsburg.

Ammazzacaffe Ammazzacaffe is using their revered backyard space to continue serving 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. Reservations available!

BK Jani Stop by for an award winning burger from BK Jani in their recently opened backyard! They transformed the space to create a cozy dining experience. Ranked at the top of backyard dining in Williamsburg, this spot is a must.

Taco Edition Taco Edition recently opened their beautiful backyard! Behind the small storefront is a bright and comfortable setting perfect for enjoying their awesome mexican food.

Koko's Koko's is serving up Nikkei cuisine, Peruvian and Japanese fusion, in their colorful interior and gorgeous backyard. Enjoy there unique cocktails and seafood centric menu including an awesome sushi bar at a cozy outdoor table.

Cozy Backyard at Taco Edition!

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

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 new pop-up BiTcHn KiTcHn serving up cofort food classic with a modern twist!

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.

Grab a drink and relax in Blinky’s backyard oasis

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

Lady Jay's Lady Jay's backyard is open for business and serving up rotating snacks to accompany their drinks. They’re also currently working on spicing up the outdoor setup by doing mural projects on the seating partitions. Stay tuned for pictures!

Haven The newest 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 for the warmer months! Grab a beer and a burger or stop by for weekend brunch. This lively pub is the place to be.

Brand new backyard setup at The Clonard

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

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

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.

Chongkho Along with their takeout and delivery services, Chongkho has limited sidewalk seating available for lunch and dinner. Stop by for fantastic Thai staples and a friendly face at this family owned restaurant.

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!

Brooklyn Standard Deli Brooklyn Standard is a neighborhood staple with fresh sandwiches, wraps, and much more from the grill. Grab a coffee and grub and enjoy outside at one of their stylish sidewalk tables or in the backyard.

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

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 fare 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!

Mama Pho Mama Pho recently has a small sidewalk dining area in front of their shop, offering Vietnamese classics.

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.

Map out your next visit to Grand Street for outdoor dining!

Grand Street Gets Banners Inspired by Streetscape

They’re here! Over the weekend 27 new banners were installed in the BID as a part of our ongoing Grand Street Neighborhood Initiative: Arts. Designed by local artist, Morgan Winter, the colorful floral motifs are inspired by our tree pit greening initiative and reflect the floral growth seen in the pits. Each banner features two versions of the design, one on the front and the other on the back, creating visual diversity along the corridor.

Our tree pits are filled with native plantings to the area and are meant to thrive in the urban chaos and roadside location on Grand Street. Plants vary between flowers, grasses and leafy tendrils including species such as: Veronica, Heuchera ‘Autumn Bride’, Panicum virgatum ‘purple tears’ and Asclepias Tuberosa ‘butterfly weed’. These beauties tend to bloom in the late summer, so it’s the perfect time to go out and see some of them start to pop up along the street. The bright colors and use of watercolor on the banners emulate the eclectic mix of plants and allows this placemaking strategy to bring vibrance to the streetscape.

If you get the chance, come take a walk down Grand Street between Union and Bushwick Avenues to check out the newest additions to the street!

Support Local Business and Treat Yourself with Primp and Polish

Primp and Polish nail salon is celebrating their ten year anniversary! In recognition of the anniversary, they want to give back to the community and support their employees in light of the current challenges businesses face due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As nail salons were some of the last services to reopen, the owners of Primp and Polish are using this opportunity to simultaneously celebrate their staff and the surrounding community.

Primp and Polish recently came out with their own line of products

Specializing in nail art, Primp and Polish also sells their own line of nail and hand care products. Proceeds from sales of retail products will be used to purchase gift cards at local businesses and those gift cards will be given to employees to thank them for their hard work. This effort will also support and celebrate the local small business economy.  

Primp and Polish has five locations throughout North Brooklyn. We’re, of course, partial to the location within the BID at 586 Grand Street. While this is the newest of their locations the space had previously been the home to Artistic Nails, owned and operated by Lauren’s family for about 15 years before converting to Primp and Polish in 2015. The legacy of the storefront demonstrates the family’s roots in the neighborhood and, like this new gift card initiative, shows their commitment to our small business community.

You can celebrate Primp and Polish employees and support local businesses by treating yourself at any of their locations! You can also order their products online. Proceeds will be converted to gift cards and shared with staff until at least March of 2021.

Grand Street BID Welcomes New Team Member

Kathie Brill is the newest addition to the Grand Street Team as the Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator. A Brooklyn native, Kathie is excited to contribute to the BID’s ongoing community building and to work with local business and property owners as well as residents.

Kathie recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design with a Masters in Historic Preservation, concentrating in Preservation Planning, policy and community development. Growing up in New York City fostered a passion for urban spaces and an interest in architecture and planning. Throughout an early career in architectural administration and graduate school, Kathie became increasingly aware of the power of cultural resources and the intersection between the built and social environments. With experience in municipal government, non-profit programming, and events she is joining the Grand Street BID with conviction to connect with district members, partners, and volunteers to propel the BID’s mission of improving the quality of life in the community.

Kathie can’t wait to meet all of you in the Grand Street BID, and will be making her way to all the businesses on the corridor in the coming weeks.

Alcatraz Flower Shop Opens at 648 Grand Street

Grand Street’s latest business opening adds fresh blooms the neighborhood.

Designing flowers has been Sarit Rueda’s dream since childhood, so when the opportunity arose she took it. After years working in the industry, she opened Alcatraz Flower Shop earlier this month as the actualization of her dream. The shop advertises itself as providing “flowers for all occasions, weddings, and events”, and even while events and weddings have taken a back seat, Alcatraz has been busy out of the gate brightening neighborhood apartments with fresh flowers. The store has bouquets, air plants, succulents, and various arrangements.

Sarit comes in with 20 years of experience working with flower businesses—most recently at Belle Fleur New York in Flatiron. However, this is Sarit’s first time owning her own business, so she went looking for a cozy space on a merchant friendly block to open shop. Alcatraz found exactly that in her space at 648 Grand Street, nestled among a few community active businesses like The Sandwich Shop and Empire Lock. She looks forward to joining this community and remaining for the foreseeable future.

Brownstone doorway design from @alcatrazgrandst.

Consider Alcatraz to be an all-in-one decorator for your apartment now, and your events in the future. Alcatraz is available for delivery by calling (347) 698-2881 follow them @alcatrazgrandst.

Red Table Underground Opens with Ice cream, Boozy Shakes + Burgers

The catering business that also managed Thompson Brooke, opened its front windows for curbside pickup.

“Everyone is opening with curbside alcoholic drinks, but no one is selling for families or kids”, noticed Red Table Underground’s owner Brooke Costello. That was before he decided to throw open the front windows of his catering business and event space, Red Table Catering, and offer a solution himself. With a small adjustment to the name and facade along with a trip to Battenkill Valley Creamery to pick up 7 flavors of ice cream fresh from Upstate, Red Table Underground was set to open.

In addition to ice cream, Red Table offers everything you could ask for from a summer food stand: Burgers, tacos, elote, cookies, boozy milkshakes, cocktails, sangria, and the list goes on. Similar to most businesses in the current environment, and especially as an event catering business, Red Table has found a way to pivot from their traditional service, and this so happens to be to great benefit for Williamsburg patrons. As executive chef, Brooke Costello built Red Table into one of NYC’s best catering businesses in the back of his space on Grand Street, while also venturing into dining in the front with Thompson Brooke, and now Red Table Underground.

That means high quality catering meals are now available for a rare and discounted pick-up opportunity. If that alone isn’t enough reason, you can get your boozy shake flavors in black raspberry, chocolate, vanilla, coffee, maple walnut, mint chocolate chip, and salted caramel.

You can find Red Table at 631 Grand Street and follow along at @redtableunderground. Right about now, you deserve a treat.

Join the Grand Street BID Team

The BID is looking for applicants for the position of Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator.

Position Title: Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator 

Reporting To: Executive Director 

Starting date: July 2020 

About the Grand Street Business Improvement District: The mission of the Grand Street Business Improvement District (BID), a nonprofit (501)(c)3 economic development organization, is to create a vibrant commercial district and improve the quality of life for the community. The Grand Street BID is a six block neighborhood commercial corridor along Grand Street from Union to Bushwick Avenues in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 

The Grand Street BID provides the following services: supplemental sidewalk cleaning and graffiti removal; district marketing and special events aimed at attracting residents and visitors; placemaking; business attraction and retention; and district beautification with the goal of creating a welcoming district that is well programmed, inviting, and visible. 

The BID is seeking to hire a Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator. 

Overview: The Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator is responsible for managing and implementing programs and initiatives. The focus areas will be: marketing and communications, programming, data collection and analysis, and special projects. 

The Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator will also assist the Executive Director with general office and organizational management as well as other projects and programs as necessary. 

Work Performed: 

• Assist with the implementation and management of marketing initiatives including social media, website, electronic newsletters, and special announcements/invitations. 

• Interface with business and property owners as well as neighborhood residents and stakeholders. 

• Assist in the management of BID programming and events and other initiatives aimed at promoting the district, assisting businesses, and fostering a sense of community among BID members. 

• Keep records and prepare reports in accordance with grants and contracts. 

• Gather economic data and other information on commercial, retail, and residential markets for the purposes of publishing reports and data to highlight the district and specific trends. 

• Help maintain filing systems and BID databases, prepare documents and meeting minutes, schedule meetings, prepare agendas and meeting materials, etc. 

• Help manage all aspects of office administration. 

Preferred Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred with additional preference for concentrations in public administration, public policy, urban planning, or similar. 

• Minimum of 1 year of experience working in one or more of the following areas: government, public policy, politics, organizing, event planning, social media, real estate, economic development, business assistance, non-profit, or urban planning. 

Qualifications: 

• The ideal candidate will have an interest in urban planning and economic development. 

• The candidate should also be highly organized, a self-starter, and deeply comfortable building relationships with stakeholders and community members. 

• The BID is a small office of two staff members and the role is well-suited to a candidate who possesses a “can-do attitude”, resiliency, the ability to balance a myriad of tasks both large and small, and be highly collaborative. 

• Must be capable of participating as a productive and thoughtful member of a team while also being able to manage certain tasks and responsibilities in an independent manner. 

• Knowledge of social media, familiarity with web design, graphic design, mapping, and data collection skills would also be desired. 

How to Apply: Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to the attention of Erin Piscopink Executive Director, at episcopink@grandstreetbk.org with “Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator” in the subject line.

Adopt-a-Tree on Grand Street

Help keep our neighborhood green this summer

Walker’s Low Catmints between Graham Ave and Humboldt Street.

It’s not easy being green for the trees and flowering plants on Grand Street. That’s why the BID, through partnerships with The Horticultural Society of New York and Council Member Antonio Reynoso, works to bring new greenery to the corridor and care for our budding plants. However, given all the uncertainty we currently face in tandem with many of our neighbors expressing interest in taking part in a community project, we’re introducing our Adopt-a-Tree program. Our goal is to ensure that even if we were to face funding challenges in the near future, our growing greenery will stay green.

Our Adopt-a-Tree program is simply an ask that you water the tree pit in front of your building whenever possible. To participate, fill out this form so we can match you with a tree pit that will be yours to water. We’ll pencil you in to care for your assigned tree pit and you’ll be responsible for watering the tree and flowers. Anybody who likes to can participate—whether you are a business, a building owner, a resident, or you work in the area.

Perennials newly planted by the Hort in May 2019.

There are over 85 tree pits in our district (on just 6 blocks!)—and the process of planting perennials has been years in the making. It started two years ago when the BID received funding from Borough President Eric Adams to place tree guards in our previously unprotected tree pits. With each new tree guard installed, the BID is able to team with The Hort to plant perennials native to Brooklyn. Over the past two years, with additional funding support from Council Member Reynoso, the BID has been able to install over 60 tree guards—with plans to protect all of our trees in the near future.

Our collection of Brooklyn-native perennials includes “Purple Tears” switchgrass and “Wood’s Blue” asters. These choices were intentional to bring Brooklyn wildflowers back to our streetscape, but even as native flowers it can be difficult to survive the city summer. Sidewalk heat, pollution, litter, and our beloved neighborhood dogs misusing the pits can inhibit growth and require plantings to be tended with extra care.

Our trees do tremendous work in combating some of the above factors—the trees within the Grand Street BID district alone save the City over $5000 a year draining water, removing smog, and conserving energy. Pin Oaks, Japanese Zelkovas, Kentucky Coffeetrees, and Swamp White Oaks all find a home on Grand Street—and many of our trees are young and newly planted. Similar to our perennials, it can be difficult for a young tree to make it on a city commercial corridor.

So we’re asking for your help. Fill out this quick form—and we’ll reach out via email some more detailed instructions for your assigned tree pit. We’re asking for nothing more than a weekly watering that will make a substantial difference. Share this form with anyone you know who may be interested—we’re looking for the help of our entire community.

For questions, please reach out to info@grandstreetbk.org and follow @grandstreetbid for updates.

Grand Street Businesses Giving Back

Grand Street restaurants and North Brooklyn non-profits who stepped up during a pandemic.

Hospital staff at Brooklyn Methodist with food supplied by Masa Empanadas.

The COVID pandemic has hit small businesses in NYC especially hard, closing all “non-essentials” and creating enormous obstacles for small businesses to make ends meet.

That’s why we’re shining a light our businesses that have gone above and beyond to watch out for others during this especially challenging time. Almost as soon as the pandemic began, many of our businesses began working overtime to feed hospital workers, even when it’s been a struggle to keep their own doors open.

After only opening in January, Rome to Brooklyn kicked off the good will immediately with pizza donations to ICU workers at New York Presbyterian Lower-Manhattan Hospital. The Sandwich Shop followed shortly with a donation of over 300 sandwich meals to SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Dar 525, Masa Empanadas, Red Table Catering, and Taco Edition have since joined in providing ongoing meals to various hospital workers free of charge.

Our local not for profits have also stepped up in enormous ways. North Brooklyn Angels has additionally been providing hospitals with food donations and was recently provided a $25,000 after Mario Salerno of Salerno Autobody Shop (451 Lorimer St) appeared on The Ellen Show.

While acknowledging the generosity of these businesses, there are many others that haven’t been able to keep their doors open, but would also quickly help if able—which is why it’s so important to keep neighborhood businesses alive right now so we can have our community intact once this is over. You can support them by purchasing gift cards, supporting GoFundMe, and ordering takeout if they are open.

We’d like to thank all of our local businesses, workers, community members and organizations who have stayed in this fight and kept our neighborhood as strong as ever. See how you can support your favorite Grand Street business here and see a list of businesses open currently.

Free Legal Guidance for Businesses Taking Loans

Start Small Think Big is a 501(c)(3) non-profit linking small businesses with pro-bono lawyers

The federal government is days away from passing new funding for PPP and EIDL. In order to put themselves in the best position possible, business owners should prepare all of the necessary documents ahead of time in order to be early in line when the new loans + grants are available.

The Grand Street BID is partnering with Start Small Think Big, a registered non-profit, to offer significant free legal and financial assistance to Grand Street businesses in light of COVID-19. This is essential because many of the small businesses who were denied PPP money had incomplete applications. Large companies had an advantage by having a lawyer or accountant already on staff.

Small business owners whose businesses are suffering due to COVID-19 and shutdowns can request specific legal, financial, and loan/grant related assistance through a simple Request for Assistance Form. All of our businesses are invited to apply.

The advice will come from attorneys or bankers volunteering working pro-bono hours to help small businesses. You can get help with the following questions:

• Guidance in applying for federal aid.

• Advice in deciding which programs are right for your business.

• Assistance filling out applications.

• Answering legal questions related to COVID such as:

  • Employment law

  • Commercial leasing

  • Debt negotiation

  • Corporate governance

Take a look at services available from Start Small Think Big and fill out this form to apply for free consultation. We also have a resource page for businesses with updating regulations, grant opportunities, and helpful educational links.

How to help your favorite business

Gift cards, go fund me, bonds to keep businesses running.

While some “essential” businesses have been able to stay open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our most cherished local + family businesses have been struggling to meet ends while keeping employees on payroll + paying rent. If you are able, here are some businesses that are offering opportunities to help keep Grand Street open when the shutdown is over.

Restaurants:

Ammazzacaffe — Online store. GoFundMe. Gift cards available.

Eleva Coffee — Online store.

The Saint Austere — GoFundMe.

Bars:

4th Down Sports Bar — GoFundMe.

Burnside — GoFundMe.

Bushwick Country Club — GoFundMe.

Crystal Lake Brooklyn — GoFundMe. Gift cards available via email at crystallakebk@gmail.com.

Huckleberry Bar — GoFundMe.

Landline — Invest in Barry Bonds. A $50 bond gets you $55 in drinks, with bigger discounts for bigger bonds.

Lady Jay’s — Venmo @Lady_Jays.

Noorman’s Kil — Gift Cards via GoFundMe.

The Second Chance Saloon — T-shirts + flasks for sale. Venmo @deucebar. Venmo @secondchanceandzekesfund for other donations.

The Big Whiskey — GoFundMe.

The Starlight — GoFundMe.

Self Care, Parlors, Salons:

Beard Barberia — Gift cards and house calls.

Black Square Tattoos — Gift cards.

Groomers & Pomade — House calls 718-844-2905.

Hour Rose — Gift cards.

Yummy Extensions — Shop online.

Fitness:

BK Pilates — Gift cards + online class packages.

Nieves Latin Dance Studio — GoFundMe.

Willy B Crossfit — Online membership ($10 per week).

Hobbies:

Raggedy Threads — Online Store.

Sunflower Pipes — Online store.

Resources for businesses during COVID-19

Government links for information + resources

Last Updated: June 2020

UPDATES

• Open businesses must have the NY Forward Safety Plan onsite and available for DOH inspectors.

• Employers required to provide free of charge masks to essential workers

  • Properly made cloth masks are acceptable. Check here for CDC recommendations on making homemade masks.

• DCA is extending certain license expiration dates.

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Federal Aid Programs

The CARES Act signed into law by the federal government includes two new grant and loan programs. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Initial applications for the EIDL are now open in a streamlined form which can take only 10 minutes. Within the initial EIDL application form is an emergency advance grant for up to $10,000 to be delivered within 3 days. Acceptance of the grant is not contingent on being approved or accepting the loan and does not need to be paid back. This is an effort to give small businesses immediate support. More details below. Find information on all forms of aid from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance Grant

The EIDL is the standard loan from the SBA of up to $2 million for small businesses during disaster scenarios. Within the pre-application for the loan there is a grant of up to $10,000 for small businesses. The application takes approximately 10 minutes if you have your gross revenue and costs of goods sold for 2019 and 2020 on hand. If you send in the initial application all you need to do is check a box certifying you would like the $10,000 advance grant. If approved you should receive the money within 3 days. This advance is separate from approval for the loan. You are not obligated to take the EIDL loan if later approved and not obligated to pay the grant money back if subsequently denied for the loan.

We found this video tutorial of the grant application process helpful and recommend watching before applying.

Click here for information on eligibility and how the grant money may be spent.

• You must be eligible for the EIDL loan to apply for the grant. Eligibility requirements have been loosened so click here for that information.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Once you complete the pre-application for the loan in the button above, you will subsequently receive the full application for the EIDL loan. The loan of up to $2 million has a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and requires a credit history acceptable to the SBA, demonstration of the ability to repay the loan, and collateral for loans greater than $25,000. Real estate tends to be the collateral of choice for the SBA when available. The repayment timeline can be up to 30 years. Here is a FAQ sheet for the EIDL and accompanying grant and here is a video providing background and basic information on the loan.

Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program is a new loan as part of the CARES Act that provides up to 2.5 times your average monthly payroll costs in order to cover payroll, rent, various types of operating costs, etc. The main idea of this loan is to keep employees on payroll during COVID-19 and if businesses keep all employees or rehire all employees up to 100% of the loan can possibly be forgiven. The amount of the loan that is forgiven will be reduced proportionately by the reduction of number of employees and of wages.

Click here for a complete explanation from the US Chamber of Commerce.

If you receive the EIDL grant and then opt into the PPP loan the $10,000 will be taken from the total amount forgiven.

This loan is only available through some lenders. Check with your bank or lender to see if they are accepting applications.

Here is a preview of the application.

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Private Grant Opportunities

Many large corporations and not for profits have launched grant programs to support a variety of businesses. See if any of these private grant opportunities are a good match for your business.

Save Small Business Fund — US Chamber of Commerce Foundation

The Save Small Business Fund is a grantmaking initiative offering short-term relief for small employers in the United States and its territories.

Funded by corporate and philanthropic partners, the Save Small Business Fund is a collective effort to provide $5,000 grants to as many small employers as possible.

Facebook Small Business Grants Program

Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and advertising credits to help small businesses during COVID. Grant money can be used to maintain workers, pay rent costs, connect with more customers, and cover operational costs. To be eligible businesses must be a for-profit company, have between 2 and 50 employees, have been in business for over a year, and have experienced challenges from COVID-19. Most Grand Street businesses should qualify.

In order to win the grant you must explain how you will use the grant to give back to your business or the community. That can be as simple as keeping our Brooklyn local employees working or keeping our neighborhood stocked with fresh food.

Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund

Thanks to a $2.5 million investment from Verizon, LISC is offering grants to help small businesses fill urgent financial gaps. Businesses with entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and other enterprises in historically underserved communities who don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital are especially encouraged to apply.

Funds can be used to pay for rent and utilities, meeting payroll, paying outstanding debt to vendors, or other immediate operational costs.

Apply for a COVID-19 Business for All Emergency Grant

Hello Alice is offering $10,000 grants being distributed immediately to small business owners impacted by coronavirus, as part of their broader mission to ensure Business for All. In addition to funding, grant recipients will receive ongoing support from the Hello Alice community.

Salesforce Care Small Business Grants

As part of Salesforce’s commitment to small businesses and giving back to the community, Salesforce is partnering with Ureeka to offer eligible small businesses the opportunity to receive a $10,000 grant to help them through the COVID-19 outbreak. Click below to see if you are eligible and how to continue with an application.

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Useful courses + webinars

Multilingual webinar series with NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer.

Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce with the US Small Business Administration.

Jackson Lewis COVID daily briefings ~20 minutes.

US Chamber of Commerce discusses the PPP.

Who qualifies? What materials are need for PPP (TD Bank)

Is the PPP a good idea for you? Critique of the CARES Act shortcomings from Forbes.

NYC Hospitality Alliance with the "Business Interruption Group" (BIG)

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Employers:

OSHA requirements for reporting COVID employee exposure + standards for protecting workers.

Is your business considered “essential”?

Plastic Bag Ban Enforcement Postponed—Enforcement on the ban on single-use plastic bags has been delayed.

Sign up your employees for text message training on working safely during COVID-19.

Consider the NY State Shared Work program as an alternative to laying off workers.

Create gift cards through Help Main Street or dining bonds.

State Liquor Authority is granting bars + restaurants the ability to return alcohol bought between 3/1 and 3/17 to their wholesaler or manufacturer. “Wholesalers and manufacturers are not required to accept returns for credit, but if they do, they are required to do so for everyone. In other words, wholesalers and manufacturers are not allowed to pick and choose which bars and restaurants they accept returns for credit from, and which they do not.”

• Pesetsky & Bookman

Businesses with liquor licenses may sell alcoholic beverages other than beer at this time—such as ready-to-go cocktails and wine.

• “The alcohol must either be in its original container (e.g., a sealed bottle of wine) or in a sealed container (e.g., a mixed cocktail poured into a to-go cup with a tight fitting lid). 

• Wine and spirits must be sold together with food.  Beer and cider does not need to be sold alongside food.  So a customer must make a food order in order to buy wine or spirits, but does not need to make a food order to buy beer or cider.  The food must be consistent with the menu that you originally submitted to SLA.

• If you are a bar or restaurant delivering alcohol yourself (i.e., not via a third-party service) it can be done on foot, by bicycle, or in any vehicle owned, leased, or rented by your business or an employee, as long as you have a copy of your liquor license in the vehicle.”

  1. Source: Pesetsky & Bookman

NYC Finance sales tax late penalties + interest waived. Request an extension.

Employees:

Financial Assistance for DACA Recipients Amid the COVID-19 Crisis

For bartenders: Emergency grants from the United States Bartenders Guild. You do not need to be a member of the guild to apply.

Restaurant Strong Fund Grants of $1,000 funded by Samuel Adams.

NYC Office of Nightlife survey for Nightlife Workers, Freelancers, and Businesses Impacted by COVID-19.

Resources for artists and freelancers including grant information from Grant Space.

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Statement from the NYC BID Association.

NYC Business Coalition Letter to NY elected officials.

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Below are updated resources to help you and your business stay safe and prevent the spread of germs. This is a rapidly changing situation, visit the NYC Health website for more up-to-date information, including FAQs for employers.

• Information to help your business combat the spread of germs and tips to address changing customer behavior. 

• Business planning checklist for pandemics

• Emergency planning process checklist 

For ongoing information from the City please click here or sign-up for updates by e-mail.

Please let us know if your business is providing any special offers such as free delivery for us to share on social media (@grandstreetbid).

Open for business during COVID-19 (Last Updated June 2020)

This guide was last updated June 2020 and is no longer being updated. To check a business opening, contact the business in question.

Takeout + delivery is still available at many local businesses

Following the NY State shutdown of non-essential businesses beginning March 22 at 8pm—only pharmacies, grocery stores, and gas stations are advised to remain open for service at this time. Capacity at any business is additionally limited to 50 people. However, restaurants and bars are able to provide food for delivery and takeout, with a new addition of allowing businesses with liquor licenses to provide takeout alcoholic beverages. That includes beer, ready-to-go cocktails + wine. See which businesses are open, offering take out, or temporarily closed.

*Make sure to call the business directly to place your order to ensure 100% of profit goes to the business*

*Buy gift cards to help businesses stay afloat in the short run*

4th Down Sports Bar — GoFundMe.

99 Lucky Family Discount Co. - Open as usual

Absolute Power Fitness — All memberships will be suspended and not charged.

Aburi Sushi — Open for pickup and delivery

Ahn Housewares — Open as usual.

Ammazzacaffe — “Order delivery or take out directly through the restaurant and our staff will bring it to your door! (No third party commissions all revenue and tips will go back to us & our lovely staff) We thank you for your support to local businesses during this hard time!” Call 929 250 2875 or order online. Pre-made cocktails, spirits, amaro, wine 30% off available. Meal kits and homemade pasta and sauces also available for at home prep. 6pm - 9:30pm. Go fund me.

Bahia Restaurant — Open for takeout and delivery Monday-Friday 11am-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8pm

Beard Barberia — Available for house calls (with antivirus protective gear) and sells gift cards.

BK Jani — Open for delivery and takeout. Tues-Fri 5-10pm; S-S 12-10pm.

BK Pilates — Hosting live stream classes. Buy gift cards.

Blue Angel Wines — Open for pickup and delivery from 1-8pm.

Blink Thai — Open for pickup and delivery daily 12-10pm.

Boost Mobile - Open as usual.

Bravo Supermarket — Open M-Sat 8am-10pm; Sun 8am-9pm.

Brooklyn Dental Professionals — Open as usual.

Brooklyn Frame Shop - Open by appointment only

Brooklyn Framers — Open by appointment only

Brooklyn Standard Deli — Open as usual 7am to 10pm.

Burnside — GoFundMe for staff.

Bushwick Country Club — Check Instagram for special open hours. Go fund me.

Carneval — Cocktails to go and new delivery menu available Tu-Sat 2-10pm, Sun 12-8pm.

Chase Bank - ATM 24hrs. Branch open for teller transactions only Mon-Sat 9:30am- 4pm.

Chongkho — Open for delivery on uber eats + grubhub and takeout. For takeout call (929) 276-3190.

CraftBeer & Smoke Shop — Open and delivers.

Crown Grill & Salad - Open for delivery and takeout.

Crystal Lake Brooklyn — Open at window for to-go drinks from 2 - 9pm. GoFundMe for staff. Gift cards available via email at crystallakebk@gmail.com.

Dar 525 — Open for regular delivery and takeout. Call 347-422-0401.

Desy’s Clam Bar — Open for delivery and takeout Wednesday - Sunday, 9am-9pm.

Dr. Pervez, Pediatrician - Open as usual.

Dr. Rico — Open as usual and online

Dunkin’ — Open as usual

E Graphics - Open as usual.

Eleva Coffee — Online shop open.

Empire Locksmith — Open as usual.

Estilo — Open as usual.

Farmer Deli — Open as usual.

Flores Del Valle — Open as usual.

Fly E-Bike - Open as usual.

Grand Deli and Grocery - Open as usual.

Grand Electronics - Open as usual.

Grand Freedom Market & Deli - Open as usual.

Grand Gourmet Deli — Open as usual.

Grand Morelos — Open 7am - 8pm.

Grand Seafood - Open Mon-Sat until 7pm.

Grand Street Business Center — Open as usual

Grand Street Laundry — Thurs-Tues 8am-7pm

Groomers & Pomade — Closed. House calls available text 718-844-2905.

H & R Block — Remote service, call 718-302-1491 to get started.

Haab — Open for takeout and delivery.

Hour Rose — Temporarily closed. Gift cards available online.

Huckleberry — Open for takeout Fri-Sun 2-8pm.

Ikura Sushi — Open as usual.

Indian Kitchen — Open for takeout and delivery.

Key Food — Open 7am-9pm daily with 7-8am reserved for seniors.

King Kog — Open Monday-Friday, 12-7pm. “Here to help with all your service and bicycle needs. We can even help you shop via FaceTime. Please respect our hygiene and social distancing practices - let’s help each other stay healthy and safe.”

La Nacional — Open as usual.

La Taqueria — Open as usual.

Landline — “Please help us make it through this mess by investing in Barry Bonds. A $50 bond gets you $55 in drinks, with bigger discounts for bigger bonds.” Check Instagram for online trivia on Wednesdays.

Lady Jay’s — Tip servers on venmo @Lady_Jays.

Laundry Taxi — Open as usual.

Lee’s Furniture — Open as usual.

Liberty Tax - Text 212-439-7002.

Lily Thai — Open for delivery and takeout.

Los Tacos McOndo — Open for delivery and takeout until 12am.

Los Primos Restaurant — Open for delivery and takeout.

Mad for Chicken — Open for delivery and takeout 12-8pm.

Mama Pho — Open for delivery and takeout.

Mar Brokerage — Open as usual

Masa Empanadas - Open for delivery and takeout Tues-Sun 3-9pm.

McDonald’s — Open for delivery and takeout. Delivery through uber eats, grubhub, and door dash.

New Apolo — Open for takeout and delivery

New York Eye Care - Open as usual.

Nieves Latin Dance Studio — GoFundMe.

Noorman’s Kil — Gift Cards via GoFundMe.

Orange Tree —Open as usual.

Ozzie’s Fresh Market — Open 8am-8pm. Limiting the number of people allowed in the store.

Papa Johns — Open for delivery and takeout.

Pastrami Masters - Open for delivery and takeout.

Pay-O-Matic (Western Union) - Open M-F 9am-5pm.

Porto Rico — Open as usual. Free shipping within NYC on orders of $50 or more.

QT King Smoke Shop — Open for pickup

Qwick Pack and Ship — Open M-F 9am-7pm, Sat 10am-4pm.

Raggedy Threads — Online shop open.

Richie’s Liquor - Open as usual.

Rome to Brooklyn Pizza — “if you would like a contact free delivery please instruct our staff as such. If you know of anyone that can’t leave their home or is in need of food during this difficult period, please DM us the details and we’ll send them pizza on us. Rome to Brooklyn will also be donating 5 pies every day to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center ER to doctors and nurses. If you would like to purchase and donate to them as well please visit our website at www.rometobrooklynpizza.com.” 718-269-3239 or order online.

Ryujin — Open for delivery and takeout.

Second Chance Saloon — Open for takeout drinks Thur-Sun 3-9pm.

Singas Pizza - Open for takeout and delivery.

Sisto Pharmacy - Open Monday to Friday 9:30- 5pm. Saturday 10 to 3pm. Sunday closed.

Stringray Divers — Open Monday to Saturday 12 - 4pm.

Sunflower Pipes — Open Wed-Sun 1-7pm, Sun 4-7pm.

Super 99 Cent — Open as usual.

Sweet Barks — Open as usual.

T Mobile — Open Mon-Sat 11am-6pm; Sun 12-6pm.

Taco Edition — Open for delivery and takeout M-F 12-9pm; S-S 3-9pm.

Taj Kabab — Open for delivery and takeout.

Tea Time — Open as usual.

The Big Whiskey — Closed. GoFundMe for staff.

The Saint Austere — Closed. GoFundMe.

The Sandwich Shop — Open for delivery and takeout daily 11am-8pm.

Thip Osha — Open for delivery and takeout.

To the World Farm — Open 8am-4pm daily.

Tofu Box — Open for takeout and delivery.

TriBeCa Pediatrics — Open by appointment only.

United Pharmacy — Open M-F 10am-6:30pm.

United Taekwondo — Online classes available.

Vanguard Kitchen —Open as usual.

Verizon — Open as usual.

Victorino Laundromat — Open 8am-8pm daily.

Walk in Medical Clinic - Pediatrist only.

Williamsburg Animal Clinic - Open as usual.

Willburg Cafe - Open for delivery and takeout Th-F 11am-9pm; Sa-Su 10am-9pm.

Willy B Crossfit — Remote classes, diet plans, + workouts via private facebook group.

Yadea E Bike — Open as usual.

Yang’s Liquor — Open as usual.

Yemen Deli — Open as usual.

Yong Xin Tan Laundromat — Open daily 10am-6:30pm.

Yummy Extensions - Online shop open.

Grants + loans available for businesses affected by COVID-19

Your small business may be available for 0 interest loans + grants from the City

Information from NYC Department of Small Business Services:

Because some small businesses have started to feel an impact related to coronavirus, the Mayor announced this past weekend that there will be assistance to small businesses to help them adapt to changing customer behavior. Businesses may qualify for low-interest loans and employee retention grants.

• Businesses with fewer than 100 employees, seeing a decrease in sales up to 25% or more will be eligible for zero interest loans up to $75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit.

• The City is also offering eligible small businesses with fewer than five employees a grant to cover 40% of payroll costs for two months to help retain employees.

SBS will continue to send out information, including on financial assistance, as more details become available. In the meantime, please fill out the below form to stay up to date on industry-specific information.

Sign up to receive email updates about COVID-19 and NYC SBS programs to help.

The City remains open for business. At this time, New Yorkers do not need to limit travel within the city, change where they purchase food or how they prepare it, or avoid public gatherings and public transportation. New Yorkers are reminded to stay home if they feel sick, and practice good hygiene. 

Below are updated resources to help you and your business stay safe and prevent the spread of germs. This is a rapidly changing situation, visit the NYC Health website for more up-to-date information, including FAQs for employers.

• Information to help your business combat the spread of germs and tips to address changing customer behavior. 

• Business planning checklist for pandemics

• Emergency planning process checklist 

Bar Hop for St. Patrick's Day on Grand Street

Grand Street has hosted a St. Patrick’s Day neighborhood pub crawl annually for 9 years

Last year’s pub crawl at Redd’s Tavern.

Let’s face it, St. Patrick’s Day in Manhattan is cramped, overpriced, and full of strangers. So, 9 years ago on Grand Street we decided to offer the opposite—the Brooklyn alternative. Join us in the evening on March 17th at 14 of our bars, taverns, and pubs from 5-10pm for unique drink specials from $4 cocktails to free food and cheap whiskey + beer combos.

The lineup this year includes our neighborhood loyal dives Bushwick Country Club + the Second Chance Saloon and newcomers like Landline + Carneval all taking part. The one thing to be certain is that there will be a gem of a special at each spot on your hop.

The highlights, beverage wise—which is what really counts—include Redd’s Tavern with $4 cocktails + $3 shots and the special frozen Irish coffee from Lady Jay’s ($8). Noorman’s Kil which is famous as one of NYC’s best whiskey bars is an ideal location and has a Narragansett & Tyrconnell Irish Single Malt combo ($8) for the night.

As far as eats—Noorman’s Kil and their $2 Tuesday grilled cheeses should be a priority visit, as should Bushwick Country Club for pickle back shots and free hot dogs, and Carneval for empanadas ($5). The Big Whiskey is also serving Irish kitchen specialties for the occasion like a corned beef sandwich ($10) and Reuben ($12).

While this is the 9th year of a St. Patrick’s Day event on Grand Street, the BID will be out on the street + in the bars to keep things fresh. We’ll be handing out party favors at each location while traveling with our special guest Haireola Grande (@haireolagrande) bringing the party spirit of the holiday to you.

Here are the participants and specials for St. Patrick’s Day*:

Burnside (506 Grand) — $4 whiskey shots // $6 Jameson shots & can of lager combo

Carneval (507 Grand) — $5 beer + shot // $5 mixed drinks // $5 empanadas

Redd's Tavern (511 Grand) — $3 well shots // $5 beer & shot combos // $4 cocktail special

The Big Whiskey (524 Grand) — $10 Irish car bomb // $10 Irish coffee // $10 beer + shot // Irish kitchen Specialties (menu)

Huckleberry Bar (588 Grand) — $8 select beer + Jameson combo // $20 buckets (5) of white claw

Noorman's Kil (609 Grand) — $2 grilled cheeses // $8 Narragansett + shot of Tyrconnell Irish Single Malt

Bushwick Country Club (618 Grand) —  $8 frozen vodka thin mint cookie slushy // $8 stout + shot of whiskey // $6 pickle back // free hotdogs

Lady Jay's (633 Grand) — $8 frozen Irish coffee

Crystal Lake Brooklyn (647 Grand) — $6 Harpoon Craic Irish lager draft // $5 Bushmills shots // $5 Brooklyn Lager // $2 off Jameson Caskmates

The Second Chance Saloon (659 Grand) — $10 Jameson shot + Guinness pint combo

4th Down Sports Bar (750 Grand) — $5 shots of Jameson // $5 Guinness

Landline (790 Grand) — $10 Miller High Life champagne bottle + well shot

*Tip not included, only from 5 - 10 pm on March 17th.

Celebrate the anniversary of the Pickleback

The Bushwick Country Club is throwing a party on March 12th

The house special at Bushwick Country Club consists of McClure’s + Old Crow Whiskey

A ‘Pickleback’ is an order you’ll hear in bars across the country and even overseas, but did you know that the whiskey + pickle brine shot combo has its origins here on Grand Street?

The story goes that in the Bushwick Country Club on March 12th, 2006 while the bartender was snacking on McClure’s pickles (which at the time had just started next door) a bar patron asked to share a shot of whiskey chased by the McClure’s pickle brine. The bartender then poured two shots of Old Crow Whiskey and two shots of pickle brine and instantly loved the drink. He reported his finding to Bushwick Country Club owner John Roberts the next day and since then BCC has made the shot famous as the first to sell it in NYC.

The unique shot has conversely made Bushwick Country Club into the gem of Williamsburg that we know it as today. So, they are hosting a party on the drink’s 14th birthday next Thursday at 6pm with no cover, free barbecue, lots of pickleback shots, and all of the big buck hunter/ photo booth / mini golf (weather pending) fun that you can rely on finding at Bushwick Country Club.

Celebrate Thursday, and if you’re looking for more similar event at Bushwick Country Club then come back for our St. Patrick’s Day Bar Hop on Tuesday the 17th and for BCC’s anniversary on June 19th.

From Bushwick Country Club.

Eleva Coffee re-opens with new interior + menu

The shop is now open after making significant interior renovations

Eleva Coffee’s first full-service location just got a whole new look. Eleva is back with more than just a coffee shop. With a training lab, a fulfillment center for online and wholesale business in the back, and expanded seating along with a refined menu up front, Eleva has redesigned itself so that neighbors can grab breakfast, sit down to lunch, or relax over a warm latte.

In the new menu there’s something for everyone: coffee and a doughnut combo for $5, avocado toast or a homemade hummus for the healthy eater, hot pressed sandwiches, plus fresh cookies and pastries from Nick + Sons. The food comes with credentials as well, chef Raffaello Van Couten operates two Williamsburg favorites: Midnights and Claudia’s. Enjoy it all in a lounge inspired space with new couches and tables for some mindful time alone or a casual spot to meet a friend.

Read about Eleva’s initial opening back in May—where their focus has remained with giving back to the communities that grow their coffee—and read about our pop-up with Eleva from the spring.

You can also see owners Raffaello and Emilio in our video promoting small business owners on Grand Street below.

NY State Plastic Bag Ban takes effect March 1

The New York State Bag Waste Reduction Act prohibits the distribution
of plastic carryout bags by retailers in New York State

Effective at the beginning of March, NY State has banned many retail stores from using or providing plastic bags for customer transactions. There are however notable exceptions to the new legislation for businesses such as carry out food orders, bags for pharmaceutical prescriptions, and more. To get clear on what the bag ban means and how it may effect you or your business, read the information compiled below.*

For Businesses:

Businesses that are not exempt from the law are required to provide paper bags to consumers and must charge a 5 cent paper bag fee per bag. SNAP and WIC recipients are exempt from this fee. Businesses must show the transaction of the paper bags clearly on receipts and shall state the number of bags provided to the customer. The paper carryout bag reduction fee must be reported and paid to the state commissioner of taxation and finance on a quarterly basis.
 
Q: Which retailers are no longer allowed to provide plastic bags?
A: Any business required to collect tax will no longer be able to provide plastic carryout bags. This includes but is not limited to: clothing stores, convenience stores, drug stores, green carts, grocery stores, hardware stores, liquor stores, office supply stores, pharmacies, and food service establishments located within the above stores.
 
Q: What does the term "plastic carryout bag" mean? Does this include all plastic bags?
A: As provided in proposed Part 351 draft regulations 'Plastic carryout bag' means any film plastic bag, other than an exempt bag, that is provided to a customer by a person required to collect tax to be used by the customer to carry tangible personal property, regardless of whether such person required to collect tax sells any tangible personal property or service to the customer, and regardless of whether any tangible personal property or service sold is exempt from tax under Article 28 of the New York State Tax Law.
 
Q: What is an "exempt bag"?
A: Provided by a restaurant, tavern, or similar food service establishment, as defined in the state sanitary code, to carry out or deliver food; Used as a garment bag, such as those used by a dry cleaner or laundry service; Used solely to contain or wrap uncooked meat, fish, seafood, poultry, or other unwrapped food, flower, or plant items; Used by a customer solely to package items from bulk containers, including fruits, vegetables, grains, candy, small hardware items (such as nuts, bolts, and screws), live fish, or live insects; Used solely to contain food sliced or prepared to order; Used solely to contain a newspaper for delivery to a subscriber; Sold in bulk quantities to a consumer at the point of sale that were specifically prepackaged; in a manner to allow for bulk sale (for example, quantities of bags prepackaged in individual pre-sealed boxes) or prepackaged in individual boxes or containers for sale to a customer; Sold as a trash bag; Sold as a food storage bag, such as those in snack, sandwich, quart, and gallon sizes; Provided by a pharmacy to carry prescription drugs. If an item or circumstance falls under the exempt bag list then it is not affected by the ban.
 
Businesses affected by the plastic bag ban and paper carryout bag reduction fee should make preparations as soon as possible. Order paper bags, prepare to have reusable bags available for sale, and make sure your receipts reflect the paper bag fee correctly. Information about fee reporting is available from the NYS Department and Tax and Finance.

The law goes into effect March 1st, 2020. There is no grace period. The first offense for noncompliance will be a warning, but a second offense will be a monetary fine.

For shoppers:

In transactions not involving exempt bags, businesses will either provide you paper bags with a fee of 5 cents per bag or you can bring your own reusable bag at no cost. WIC and SNAP recipients will not be charged a fee for using paper bags.

Please direct questions to NYS DEC at 518-402-8706

More information can be found here from the NY DEC.

Gothamist has also provided a guide for navigating the ban.

* Information compiled by Jerome-Gun Hill BID.

Rome to Brooklyn Pizza opens at 755 Grand Street

The pizza spot was opened by Brooklyn native + acclaimed chef Aurel Xhepexhiu

Image of a panzerotti from @rometobrooklyn

The drought of a pizza spot on Grand Street is over. Rome to Brooklyn Pizza & Panzerotti opened at the end of January with a full menu of Italian style eats—and most importantly an array of absolutely delicious pizza flavors.

Owner and chef Aurel Xhepexhiu has been in the pizza business since he was a teenager and has over 20 years of experience at some of NYC’s most famous spots. Aurel’s experience ranges from Manhattan institutions like Artichoke Pizza and Brooklyn Pizza Masters to the more local Williamsburg Pizza, but Rome to Brooklyn Pizza is a homecoming for the chef. Originally from Bushwick, Aurel is proud to bring his acclaimed food—which has received a 8.5 rating from Barstool—closer to his home neighborhood.

At Rome to Brooklyn you can find just about any type of slice you’re looking for such as vodka sauce, prosciutto arugula, and blueberry + pancetta. But the menu is also diverse in its offerings beyond the traditional specialty pizza slices. Rome to Brooklyn is flexible for diets as you can pre-order cauliflower pizza with cauliflower cheese in plain, margherita, grandma, and specialty styles as well as vegan pies either small or large. Dessert is on the menu too, RTB has nutella and rasperry pizza, like this heart shaped Valentine’s Day pizza, and zeppoles with nutella and strawberry. The panzerottis, however, are what truly set Rome to Brooklyn apart. Traditionally served in the Puglia region of Italty as a popular street food, a panzerotti is a fried calzone stuffed with different meats and cheeses.

Look out for Rome to Brooklyn in our next edition of Summer Restaurant Week on Grand Street, but try it for yourself in the meantime at 755 Grand Street open until 11pm. The follow @rometobrooklynpizza for regularly hunger-inducing shots of pizza on your feed.

Make pizza and dance! Swing by to say hello to the crew and try the best slice in town. 🕺💃🏻🕺💃🏻🕺 * * * * #goodtimez #happy #pizza #rome #brooklyn #newyorktimesfood #dance #rainwontstopus #thrillist #infatuation #pepperonipizza #cheflife #chef #williamsburg #bushwick #brooklynkid #barstoolsports #dancemonkey

101 Likes, 11 Comments - RometoBrooklynpizza (@rometobrooklynpizza) on Instagram: "Make pizza and dance! Swing by to say hello to the crew and try the best slice in town. 🕺💃🏻🕺💃🏻🕺 * *..."

Grand Street's Guide to Winter Restaurant Week

Breaking down the best of 45 courses on Grand Street from Feb 18 to March 1

Restaurant Week is back on Grand Street for its 7th Winter Edition from February 18th to March 1st. 15 of the best eats in Williamsburg are offering 3 course prix fixe dinners (5 - 10pm) at discounted rates from $12 to $35 as Brooklyn’s annual answer to Manhattan’s pricier Restaurant Week. All along 6 blocks, it might be difficult to choose where to go or decide where new to try. Well here’s your answer as 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 event menus, so just ask for a Restaurant Week menu if you don’t see one.*

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

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

Mainstay Must Experiences

Bahia Restaurant—$25

690 Grand Street — menu

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 Carne Asada: grilled boneless choice shell steak. You get two sides with the entree of your choice from a few options like mixed vegetables, rice, and roasted potatoes. Flan is for dessert and your meal is paired with a glass of delicious red or white sangria.

A hometown favorite, Bahia has been a dedicated community member of Grand Street for 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.

Los Primos—$25

704 Grand Street — menu

With 31 years of experience cooking on Grand Street, Los Primos has proven they have the chops to remain a hit. Despite their long history on Grand Street, they’re relatively new to our Restaurant Week. On joining, Christian who’s father owns the restaurant said, “being here for a while, it was like, let’s ride along with you guys and join the holiday – join the Grand Street BID in this journey” -Bkylner.

For your starter, go with nachos: chicken, ground beef, or cheese—your choice. Fried pork chops are a best seller and also on the Restaurant Week menu, so we recommend you take advantage. But the steak with onions and pork mofongo are also favorites. Finish the night with cheesecake (but the tres leches and flan are good choices as well).

If you visit on Sunday, take advantage paella deal at Los Primos for $10—offered every week.

Grand Morelos—$20

727 Grand Street — menu

Another Grand Street staple, Grand Morelos has been with the neighborhood day and night for decades—literally. 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. Hanger steak fajitas 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 Restaurant Week 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.

Biggest Discount

Indian Kitchen—$12 to $36

739 Grand Street — menu

Restaurant Week is made for sharing. Indian Kitchen wants you to bring your friends to max out on the deal. With 3 people Indian Kitchen provides a vegetable and meat appetizer, three entrees, two orders of naan, and Kheer (rice pudding) for dessert. On a typical night all of that could cost over $60—so make sure Indian Kitchen is one of your top spots for this event.

Fine Dining Experience

All pasta at Ammazzacaffè is made in-house

Ammazzacaffè—$35

702 Grand Street — menu

Winner of this year’s coveted Bib Gourmand title from Micheline Guide, Ammazzacaffè has already built its reputation for affordable fine dining at its best. Take advantage of Ammazza’s Tartare crostino with sea trout, caponata verde, and umeboshi as an appetizers. For your entree, try the Reginette—pork shoulder ragu—which Michelin called “Italian cuisine in all its glory”. 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 historical experience. Their location at 702 Grand Street was the childhood home of Betty Smith, inspiring her classic A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. RSVP.

Best Quick Bite

Churros from Taco Edition

Taco Edition—$19

800 Grand Street — menu

A longtime participant in Restaurant Week, Taco Edition is one of our favorite spots for lunch or a quick afternoon bite. Even though the service is fast and the environment is seat yourself-casual, during Restaurant Week you’ll get a lot more than a 5 minute snack. Start with the jalapeño popper balls, move on to the chilaquiles verde with eggs, and finish with the yummy churros you see to the left.

New Faces on the Block:

Ham & cheese empanadas from Masa

Masa Empanadas—$12

804 Grand Street — menu

Masa Empanadas opened from the same owners of Piccoli to Go—remaining dedicated to the neighborhood and providing quick eats empanadas, salads, and pizza. Masa is offering two combos for deals featuring the range of their menu:

1. 2 dinner empanadas—see options here (spicy crab not included); 1 dessert empanada—banana nutella or apple cinnamon; and a salad—caesar kale or Italian vinaigrette arugula

2. 1 pizza—classic, spicy chorizo, or 4 cheese; a salad; and a drink

Our favorite empanadas are ham & cheese, corn, and apple cinnamon. All three pizza options are good but we tend to stick to the classic and the kale caesar is our salad of choice.

Chongkho—$20

562 Grand Street — menu

Butterfly pea lemonade and Thai iced tea

Chongkho opened in August with an eccentric gate mural by well-known artist JPO and serving Thai home cooking. A family owned restaurant, Chongkho offers a warm dine-in environment with welcoming service.

The chicken curry puffs are an appetizer to die for, followed by either drunken noodles or red curry for the main course. The Thai iced tea is truly a standout and Chongkho is preparing a crêpe specially made for Restaurant Week as an option for dessert.

Bright colored decorations and drinks reflect the up-beat atmosphere in Carneval

Carneval—$25

507 Grand Street — menu

Carneval also opened 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. A mural of a carnival-themed festively packed J train along the back wall of the restaurant demonstrates Mike’s inspiration and commemorates the Latin heritage of our neighborhood. Carneval is also regularly host to performances and hosted their own toy drive for the holidays.

Most Filling

Ryujin—$25

513 Grand Street — menu

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 Japanese pickles or the fried shishito peppers. You can choose from 8 different options of ramen bowl, but our favorite is the spicy miso bowl. Finally, the meal is paired with either beer, sake, or ice cream. The jury is out here so we’ll leave that choice to you.

Most Controversial

Mad for Chicken—$20

617 Grand Street — menu

Boneless or bone-in? Luckily both genres of wing are on the menu. The chicken at MFC is shipped in daily from a farm in Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania and the wings are coated with a unique sauce of soy, garlic, and various fruits. On the appetizer menu, the standouts are the small crab salad or the truffle/ Parmesan fries. We recommend the 10pc wings (with or without bones—your choice) for entree, but kimchi fried rice and kimchi quesadillas are available for non-wing lovers. For a drink you can choose between any draft beer, a glass of sangria, or a soda on the house.

Favorite Mom & Pop

The Sandwich Shop—$20.75

658 Grand Street — menu

The cozy lunch and dinner spot has brought high-quality deli style sandwiches to Grand Street since 2013. The space also feels like a deli, with just a few stools around the bar to dine-in, so get there before they fill up.

Valued members of the community, the Shop has collected and donated over 200 lbs of food in our annual Holiday Food Drives. You can also find The Sandwich Shop in the Wall Street Journal from our last Restaurant Week. All sandwiches, bowls, and wraps are available—but the best bang for your buck is the turkey double decker sandwich to go along with the combo of a beer and bag of chips.

Best Cocktail

Crystal Lake Brooklyn—$20

647 Grand Street — menu

Antique lounge area at Crystal Lake. Photo courtesy of Crystal Lake Brooklyn & JD Hall Photo

The bar is best known for its antique bar and large back space which regularly hosts comedy shows and similar type events. Teaming up with Tacos Lokos 4Ever, Crystal Lake has the best drink and food combination in the event. The entree is a pair of tacos with the meat of your choice or veggies with a side of rice and beans. The cocktails provide the biggest discount and your choices are a cucumber vodka ricky, rose vodka spritz, watermelon gimlet, or the Zebra-Rita.

Most Options

Thip Osha—$25

795 Grand Street — menu

Roasted duck noodle soup from Thip Osha typically costs $16

A cozy Thai spot nearby the Grand Street L station. You may have already tried Thip Osha at Taste of Williamsburg & Greenpoint this past summer. Altogether, there are exactly 50 options on the prix fixe menu at Thip, so 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, roasted duck noodle soup, and banana sticky rice for dessert.

Best Late Night

Los Tacos-McOndo—$28

502 Grand Street — menu

The chic bar and taqueria is a cool spot for late night dinners, dates, and eats after a night out. Open until 3am on the weekends and at least 1am on every other night, Los Tacos is one of the most high quality late night restaurants in Brooklyn. The nachos are absolute standouts at Los Tacos, and you can choose them either as a starter (mini nachos) or as an entree. We recommend at least one of those in your mix. The queso fundido is also very good, but if you’re limiting carbs you can choose the Mexican steak to go with the nachos. Churros with fruit are for dessert, with mango and chili powder as the primary flavors. Note that Los Tacos is cash only.

*Dine-in meals only. After 5pm and no later than 10pm. Tax and tip not included in price. Price is per person and cannot be shared. Event discounts are in effect from Feb 18 to March 1. Restaurants may be closed any time during the event period at their discretion. Price and participants subject to change. Contact info@grandstreetbk.org with questions.