Hunter's On Smith Street Getting Ready For Summer With Three-Course Tasting Menu

In preparation for the release of a new summer menu, Hunter's on Smith Street is extending an invitation to its special Chef's tasting table. For the next two weeks, take advantage of a three-course tasting menu for only $35, and preview some of Hunter's new seasonal offerings.
Below is more information on the event from Hunter's:

Chefs Angelo and Michael have crafted 15 special three course meals and we want your help in cutting those to 9 summer favorites to put on our seasonal menu. Our bartenders have created 15 specialty Hunter's cocktails - one to accompany each meal. We offer the three courses and cocktail at the incredible price of $35 with one big caveat - your review at the end of the meal!

Hunter's three course Chef tasting menu - $35

Tuesday June 11th ~ Thursday June 27th.

Please RSVP to 718.246.2221 or email Fer@huntersbrooklyn.com

as soon as possible - only 12 tastings per night. 

Join us Friday June 28th for the menu release party and taste the outcome of your busy work!

Hunter's 

213 Smith Street

(between Douglass and Butler Streets)

Brooklyn, NY 11201

connect to Hunter's on Facebook

Read More

Checking Out Hunter's On Smith Street

If you haven't yet checked out Hunter's on Smith Street in Boerum Hill,  you should definitely stop by the next time you are looking for a casual place to dine.
The seasonal American restaurant and bar opened late last year, but in just a few short months, Hunter's has become a favorite spot in the neighborhood and has found its place amidst Smith Street's culinary scene.
Co-owners Fernando Camberos and Angelo Schifilliti, two childhood friends, and their partner Michael Nee have transformed the space that was previously occupied by a Greek restaurant into a cosy 'lodge', complete with framed wildlife prints. The theme extends to the bar, which offers cocktails named "The Smoking Gun" and "Wile E. Coyote" and "Handsome Hound". (The restaurant's muse is Schifilliti's beagle, Hunter.)

The menu is created by Schifilliti, the former Executive Chef at Landmarc Tribeca and Nee. Many of the ingredients are sourced locally. The cheese, for example, comes from Stinky's next door.
Some of the must-haves are the Grilled Kale, served with roasted squash, puffed chickpeas and egg.  Also try the fresh house-made pastas.  The Papardelle is served with boar ragu and wild mushroom. And according to Peter Shelsky of Shelsky's,  the Bourbon mustard served with some of the appetizers is simply amazing.
Pair your meal with wines from the Finger Lakes or with one of the many local craft beers on the drink menu.

Hunter's is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday through Sunday. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays.

And if you need a coffee fix, Hunter's now serves Blue Bottle 'pour over' coffee that you can order to go.  (One word: amazing!)

Hunter's is really a welcomed addition to the neighborhood. Stop by and try it soon.

Hunter's 

213 Smith Street

(between Douglass and Butler Streets)

Brooklyn, NY 11201

(718) 246-2221

connect to Hunter's on Facebook

Read More

Former "Athena" Space On Smith Street Soon To Become New Eatery

The commercial space at 213 Smith Street, formerly occupied by Athena, a Greek restaurant  that never quite took off, is currently being gutted. It had been empty since May 2012, when Athena closed its doors.
Permits have been filed with the NYC Buildings Department for a new eating and drinking establishments.
Before Athena, the storefront was home to '213 Mexican' and before that "El Pitayo'. If my memory serves me right, the space once housed a Japanese restaurant.
(Does anyone remember past that?)

No word yet on what this new eatery will be.

Read More

No Big Surprise: Greek Restaurant 'Athena' Calls It Quits On Smith Street

Athena, the Greek restaurant at 213 Smith Street in Boerum Hill, has closed its doors.  This won't come as a big surprise to many in the neighborhood,   I am sure.   The Mediterranean eatery never really took off in the neighborhood and in recent weeks, the place seemed mostly empty.
Though the food was all right, the 'trendy' decor, with its white fake leather banquettes, was a bit tacky and didn't really have that "Smith Street" vibe. Athena didn't get much love from Yelp reviewers either. Eric S. wrote: "Athena is a grave insult to one of the world's oldest, richest and most soulful cuisines. Everything about this place bespeaks laziness, corner-cutting and general contempt for (or ignorance of) excellence. Oh, and it's way overpriced, too, adding insult to culinary injury."
Ouch!
Perhaps Athena's biggest problem was that, for a while, the restaurant's owner got himself into a bit of trouble regarding his liquor lisence and using the restaurant as a dance club.
In the fall of 2011, the owner of Athena submitted an on-premises liquor license to the NYState Liquor Authority.  When he came in front of Community Board 6 for a review of the application,  it was pointed out that the restaurant already had a full bar and was serving liquor to patrons.  When asked by members of CB6's Permits and Licenses  why he was serving alcohol without a proper license, he replied that he believed that he was covered under the previous owner's license.
Several neighbors attended the CB6 meeting, complaining that Athena turned into a dance club
at night. and hosted weekly Salsa dances.  The amplified music kept neighbors awake.
When asked by CB6 if he had a cabaret license, a necessity when allowing dancing in an establishment, Athena's owner admitted that he did not.
CB6 subsequently voted against supporting a liquor license for the establishment.

Athena's sister restaurant in Park Slope is still open.
The business on Smith Street is currently for sale.

Any thoughts on what would be a nice neighborhood addition in that space?

Read More

"Athena", Newest Greek Eatery On Smith Street, Now Open

Athena, the newest restaurant at 213 Smith Street, just opened its doors this Wednesday and from the buzz here in the neighborhood, the family-owned Greek eatery is worth a visit. Obviously, local residents have had a real craving for good Greek food, which has been under-represented on Restaurant Row.

To celebrate its opening, owner Spiro Hiotis, who already owns two similar restaurants, one in Park Slope and one in Bay Ridge, is offering a complimentary glass of wine with every meal.

Readers and bloggers Jazz and Jill sent me the link to their review of Athena's opening night. They write:

Last night Athena Mediterranean officially opened for business and it was quite the family affair. Spiro’s sister Helen introduced herself, showed us the space & offered us a glass of wine. We had just met, yet magically she knew the way to our hearts! The perfect start!

Usually the thought of Greek and open till 4am stirs up bad memories of a Long Island diner – chicken fingers, a guy with spiked hair hiccuping somewhere, pastel mints near the register. Not here. Everything was phenomenal...

(Click here for more of their review, complete with photos of the place)

Has anyone else been there yet?

Athena

213 Smith Street

www.athenacuisine.com

To view the restaurant's full menu, click here.

Related Reading:

Chill The Retsina! "Athena" Greek Eatery Opening On Smith Street

What Happened To "213 Mexican" On Smith Street?

ShareThis

Read More

Chill The Retsina! "Athena" Greek Eatery Opening On Smith Street

Chill the Retsina! Great Greek food has been sorely underrepresented in the neighborhood for a really long time. That is hopefully about to change with the opening of "Athena," a family-owned Mediterranean restaurant at 213 Smith Street.

"Athena" will offer traditional greek dishes like Moussaka, Orzo and Pastichio, as well as Greek sandwiches, salads and soups. A special lunch menu will be available every day from 12 Pm to 4 Pm for $8.95.

The owners' two other locations, one on 6th Avenue in Park Slope and the other on 77th Street in Bay Ridge have received rave reviews.

And the best think? The restaurant is b.y.o.b. and will stay open till 1 AM for a late bar menu. Meet you there as soon as they open!

To view the restaurant's full menu, click here.

Related Reading:

What Happened To "213 Mexican" On Smith Street?

ShareThis

Read More

What Happened To "213 Mexican" On Smith Street?

One minute it's there, the next its gone...

Just noticed that the Mexican restaurant at 213 Smith Street between Butler and Baltic Streets, with the no frills name "213 Mexican", is closed. Newspapers cover the window, but there is no indication if the place has closed for good or simply undergoing a spruce-up.

"213 Mexican" just recently filled the space once occupied by El Pitayo, another Mexican restaurant. I seem to remember that there was a sushi restaurant there before that.

Anyone know if "213 Mexican" is coming back or if it's closed for good?

Will anyone miss it if it is? If not, what would you like to see in its place?

ShareThis

Read More