Elsie's Parlor to open on Bergen near Classon

whynot_31

667 Classon.

Formerly Crosby Coffee. Operated by same operator as Crosby, as well as the doughnut shop on Bergen near Bedford.

Ice cream, donuts and coffee in the works.

newguy88

It's been "coming soon" for at least a month now. I wonder if they will do a better job of running it then they did Crosby. Last time I went in they were out of large to go cups and ice. I was unsurprised that it closed. 

whynot_31

The official start of ice cream eating season (Memorial Day) is rapidly approaching.

Hopefully it will open then, because this location is prime enough that it could be almost as popular as Ample Hills on Vanderbilt.

whynot_31

Owner informs me it opens this weekend.

Saturday, June 6th

whynot_31

Now open:  https://instagram.com/elsiesbrooklyn/


Has anyone been yet?

prospectnostrand

Went this past Sunday. The ice cream was good - we got fig & almond and a GF cinnamon sugar donut which also was good. The space looks so different now, all counters along the window and no tables. I actually asked them where the tables went, I really liked those and would have loved to buy one!

VeronicaV

Also went this past weekend.  Had cookies and cream ice cream (fig and almond sounds good!) one day and a strawberry iced doughnut the next.  The ice cream was very good. Very rich, so can't go too often.  The doughnut had candied orange peel on it and the overall effect was kind of too much going on.  But I'd try another type of doughnut before I made a final judgment. 

whynot_31

We went today. There is a coffee section, and a ice cream section. About 12 flavors of ice cream. $5 for a double.



Our double was a scoop of nuts and fig, and a scoop of cookies and cream. It was yummy.

Here's a photo of the coffee section

No bench outside, yet. Owner says benches are coming soon.

.

joshb

Just walked by. Elsie's is dunzo. Going to be replaced by something from the folks who own this: http://www.haveandmeyer.com/

whynot_31

That makes sense.   ...they never seemed to draw a crowd, and the disappearance of the Brooklyn Flea likely played a big role.

Elcaminoman

Haveandmeyer - looks good. Hope their new place has the prosciutto

VeronicaV

Damn. I was afraid that was coming. I thought the doughnuts were delicious. The signs had been so ambiguous claiming they were just doing repairs.

goldemi1

Too bad, but not a surprise.  There were several issues:
- No proper tables, only the stools.  Icecream and donuts would attract families with kids, but you need tables.  I went a few times with the little ones and it was just too difficult to deal with them sitting on high stools.
- Bad A/C.  During hot months, the A/C was so lacking we were sweating and opted to sit outside where there was at least a breeze.  The best A/C unit they had was unfortunately in the bathroom.
- Questionable service.  Some of the employees often seemed bored and annoyed they had to serve us.  The last time I went, the guy swiped my card and turned away.  I asked "dont i need to sign something?".   "Nope" and he turned away.  When I turned his ipad console thing to me, the screen with the signature page and tip amount was open.  I signed it and left no tip, wondering if he does this to customers and then puts in some huge tip for himself.  Last time I visited.

Elcaminoman

I had a similar experience there with bad customer service.

whynot_31

The location will now become a dessert place run by a provider that already has a location in Park Slope:

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160126/crown-heights/park-slope-gelateria-lalbero-dei-gelati-plans-new-crown-heights-location

goldemi1

So they own the gelato and italian food spots.  Interesting they decided to opt for icecream again rather than the more adult oriented Have & Meyer concept.  The PS location is across a playground and school, this one will be slightly more hidden.  

Hopefully they do something drastically different than Elsie's other than just expanded offerings of savories/pastries. Seating confirguration being a big one. 

whynot_31

In addition to customer service, seating and whatnot, the success of this place seems very tied to the popularity of the co-working space that is to occupy the 1st floor of 1000 Dean.

This area presently lacks foot traffic...

Brooklyneya

Seems like an odd location for a Gelateria. I think a popular restaurant would attract more people to a location like that (same way Chuko has). I don't foresee it being very successful, especially with ample hills competition.

stmarksian

Unfortunately, not shocked Elsie's didn't survive long. I have a bunch of friends in the immediate area and we were excited for it to open and tried it out immediately, but the donuts were...bad. I think I tried half a dozen flavors and never found one I wanted to finish, and with both Berg'n and Little Zelda getting their donuts from Dough, there was little incentive to keep trying. The ice cream was fine, but the constantly changing flavors depending on the donuts that day made it hard to know if your favorite was ever going to be there. Seemed like most of my friends felt the same way. I wish the owners luck in their next endeavor, and here's hoping the new tenant is more consistent.

whynot_31

It appears it ready to open.   Just in time for Fall?

https://twitter.com/rachelholliday/status/775422225637904384

goldemi1

date has passed and still not open? 

whynot_31

I have now heard it will open on Oct 13th. Thursday.

whynot_31

Now open

whynot_31

https://www.yelp.com/biz/l-albero-dei-gelati-brooklyn-5

goldemi1

Went yesterday and felt that let-down feeling after hoping they'd address the downsides Elsies had which mainly was no regular tables, just a counter with stools.  This is not how I want to eat ice cream or meals, especially if I'm with someone (my kids in yesterday's case).  Also, $4.90 for the kiddie size was a bit insane.  On the plus side, they have tables outside, which will be nice when the weather warms up loooonnnnggg from now.