CF:8C :C8JJ@=@<;J @EJ@;< May 13, 2012 Your Neighborhood — Your News® May 13, 2012 New law will end BROWNSTONE EATS ‘War on FOR CONEY FREAKS Brunch’ Downtown hot-spots BY AARON SHORT Councilman Steve Levin has drafted legislation that could end the War on Brunch and save out- heading to the beach door dining on Sunday mornings, this newspaper has learned. BY DANIEL BUSH vest in Coney Island after Levin’s bill, which he submit- The People’s Playground Tom’s Restaurant in Pros- ted to city council on Monday, is fast becoming Down- pect Heights and Grimaldi’s would change a town’s dining room. Pizzeria in DUMBO snapped 30-year-old city The city’s push to up- up properties in the amuse- law that prohib- grade the Coney Island ment area — which the city its cafes from Boardwalk is well under- wants to transform into an serving cus- way — and Brownstone upscale, year-round tourist tomers food and Brooklyn businesses are destination. drink on side- leading the charge. “The fact that Grimaldi’s walk cafes before Popular Park Slope eat- and Tom’s are making big- noon on Sundays, ery Zito’s Sandwich Shoppe money moves proves that aligning city code will open a gourmet hoagie it’s the beginning of a re- with state laws that hub on Jones Walk near naissance in Coney Island,” permit outdoor brunching Luna Park, becoming the said Bucca, a Bensonhurst as early as 8 am. latest in a growing list of native. “New people are “The legislation is in the very Downtown restaurants re- coming in. We’re banking early stages,” said Levin (D- placing game booths and that the area’s changing.” Greenpoint). “I am still listening Boardwalk bars that em- Bucca’s also hoping that to all the stakeholders, including braced Coney Island’s Coney Island beach-goers the brunching community, the re- honky-tonk charm for de- will be willing to pay Down- ligious community, and the reli- HIPSTER HEROES: Zito’s Sandwich Shoppe owners Enzo Conigliaro and Marcello Bucca are cades. town prices: Zito’s will gious brunching community.” opening an outpost of the popular Park Slope deli in Coney Island this summer — joining two Zito’s co-owner Marcello offer a Six Point braised Continued on Page 16 other Downtown eateries on the beach. Photo by Elizabeth Graham Bucca said he decided to in- Continued on Page 10 D’town’s ‘21’ club Second Fidler: Lew falls back BY WILL BREDDERMAN most of the fi rst, second, BY DANIEL BUSH to count 119 absentee bal- by approximately 30 votes Discount chain Century and third fl oors of a DeKalb Councilman Lew Fi- lots Fidler (D–Marine Park) once the city opens the con- 21 will become the fi rst new Avenue building and the dler’s brief lead over GOP claimed the Storobin camp tested ballots — which both department store on the third and fourth fl oors of opponent David Storobin obtained illegally, ruling sides expect were cast for Fulton Mall in nearly 90 a planned structure on Al- in the still-too-close-to- that there was no evidence of the Republican rookie. years when it sets up shop bee Square — bringing new call race to replace prison- voter fraud in the March 20 Yet Fidler spokesman Ka- in a massive space at the life to a shopping strip that bound ex-pol Carl Kruger is special election. lman Yeger maintains that planned City Point develop- boasted a half-dozen depart- about to disappear. Political insiders say a Storobin volunteer duped ment in 2015. ment stores during its hey- Brooklyn Supreme Court Fidler’s 87-vote lead will Russian voters into support- The seller of last season’s day in the 1950s, said project Judge Larry Martin or- likely be eliminated and ing the Soviet-born lawyer designer goods will take up Continued on Page 11 LEW-SOR?: Lew Fidler. dered the Board of Elections Storobin will surge ahead Continued on Page 8 A CNG Publication • Vol. 1 No. 7 UPDATED EVERY DAY AT BROOKLYNDAILY.COM 2 LUSCIOUS DINING Passive-aggressive notes 13, 2012 AY , M LUXURIOUS LIVING EEKLY for ‘bad’ parkers in Slope W LOVELY VIEWS ROOKLYN BY NATALIE O’NEILL B . and we do all the cooking, A diehard parking vigi- lante is trying to rid Park cleaning and laundry! Slope of spot-hogging driv- ers — one homemade “cita- tion” at a time. A slew of motorists near Prospect Park West discov- ered two-page notes on their windshields last week, call- ing them out for disrupting With amenities the unspoken code of the like that, who needs street by leaving un-park- able half-spaces in front of an apartment? and behind their cars. JOIN US FOR A “Your excessive use of COMPLIMENTARY parking space may or may LUNCH & TOUR! not have been your fault,” 1-866-769-1006 the fl ier declares. “But leav- FINE PRINT: Parking on Pros- ing more space than neces- pect Park West? Someone is sary can deprive another watching you — and telling you driver of a parking spot.” when you are doing something The detailed — but to- tally unoffi cial — citations wrong (left). have prompted strong re- actions from Park Slopers borhood, claiming the con- who loathe, love, and are troversial two-way cycling laughing at the Dirty Harry path snatched up “numer- of the parking world. ous” spaces. (The city re- “It’s a bit over the top, moved 22 spaces to install but it’s true that people the 19-block long path). park very sloppily,” said But some cyclists Park Slope resident Carl bashed the fliers, saying Makower. they wrongly pin blame Other drivers cheered on the much-used strip of the notes, saying they pin- green paint. point a headache-inducing “This person seems to phenomena they’ve noticed in which doormen at posh continue the fantasy of as- Spirited Senior for months. Prospect Park West build- cribing the neighborhood’s Living in the “Parking is rough,” said ings allegedly save parking problems to the bike path,” company of friends Vick Narain, a doorman on spaces for paying tenants said lane supporter Eric on Brooklyn's premier waterfront. Prospect Park West. “Dur- by intentionally taking up a McClure. “It’s not true.” ing the day, you’re driving spot and a half — then later The fl iers also declare around for half an hour or inch cars forward to make that “free on-street park- DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE 45 minutes just to look for a room for other residents’ ing is a precious public re- for veterans and spouses of space.” vehicles. source” — a declaration The bold-typed notes The car crusader blames that some neighbors joked veterans, call for more info. come weeks after neighbors the Prospect Park West compares parking to drink- Must provide proof of service. complained about a secret bike lane for making park- ing water or clean air. spot-saving “parking ring,” ing tighter in the neigh- — with Ben Lockhart Babs: I’m coming home BY NATALIE O’NEILL came from Brooklyn — it’s down to earth.” Eight-time Grammy award-winning Streisand said she has fond memories superstar and Brooklyn legend Barbra of Brooklyn, especially Erasmus Hall High Streisand will play a homecoming show at School and Prospect Park, for which she Five Star Luxury • First Class Care • Affordably Yours Barclays Center this fall, the Funny Girl an- still has a soft spot. nounced on Wednesday. Politicians and elected offi cials touted 2900 Bragg Street, Brooklyn, New York 11235 (off Emmons Avenue) The showbiz legend — who grew up in the entertainment goddess’s arrival as yet 718-891-8400 • Fax 718-568-3383 Williamsburg and East Flatbush — will another sign the borough has arrived, too. [email protected] grace the stage on Oct. 11 in her fi rst-ever “I’m thrilled that all of America will be Brooklyn performance. celebrating one of Brooklyn’s greatest contri- www.TheWaterfordOnTheBay.com “I guess you can come home again,” butions to the world of music,” said Borough Streisand said in a statement. “I’m so glad I President Marty Markowitz. 33 M AY 13, 2012, B ALL ABOARD! ROOKLYN W Shuffl eboard bar will let you party like your grandpa EEKLY BY NATALIE O’NEILL dlebar mustaches, vinyl re- Now you can have all of cord collections, and love the fun of retirement with- for pickling their own vege- out giving up your job. tables — but the phenomena A massive, kitschy-cool is best illustrated by Brook- FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Ex-state Sen. Carl Kruger says he wants shuffl eboard club inspired lyn’s grandparent-approved to go to a cushy upstate prison because it has a kosher menu. by Florida’s senior scene nightlife offerings, bar own- Photo by Tom Callan is coming to Gowanus — ers say. and it’s one more sign that Underground Rebel Brooklyn’s dyed-and-tatted Bingo Club holds secretive hip youngsters love geezer bingo-centric booze-fests , Carl seeks to do games as much as actual complete with sexy dancing old people. across the borough. Abilene Ashley Albert and Jona- in Carroll Gardens serves than Schnapp plan to open craft beer alongside games time in kosher jail a grocery-store sized club of Backgammon and Scrab- called the Royal Palms, fea- ble. And Union Hall in Park BY COLIN MIXSON “It is our hope that if turing regulation-size shuf- Slope and Floyd in Brooklyn Disgraced pol Carl the Bureau of Prisons des- fl eboard courts and a full Heights have bocce scenes Kruger wants to serve his ignates Carl Kruger and bar in a re-purposed Gow- Photo by Shanna Gillette, courtesy of Ashley Albert that could win over many seven-year sentence for Michael Turano to that anus space with an undeni- LET THE OLD TIMES ROLL: Who says senior citizen sports aren’t Bensonhurst grandpas.