899 - 917 Bergen Street: Soon to be Food Court and Beer Garden Smorgasborg

View from above:

Note that there is an outdoor courtyard (i.e.  area without a roof).     Franklin Park is about to get some competition.

More press:   http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/04/bergen-street-preview-crown-finish-caves-bergn.html

Photo for folks who like photos, as opposed to reading:

Here comes the daily press to the foodies:

http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/04/what-to-eat-at-bergn.html

The return of the food court:

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/food-drink/places-to-eat-the-food-court-gets-a-boost-in-new-york-city

http://m.ny.eater.com/archives/2014/05/bourdain_lining_up_mind_blowing_people_for_food_hall.php

They are not a lot different from the ones' in suburban malls or on college campuses.

You know, the places that "real" New Yorkers claim to despise....

They are not a lot different from the ones' in suburban malls or on college campuses.

You know, the places that "real" New Yorkers claim to despise....

I'm not a big fan of the "food court" style grouping of restaurants. Food truck parks and events have the same feel to me... just not an environment in which I want to eat.

That said, the difference in these and the suburban mall food court is that these are 1) locally operated, 2) usually higher quality food, and 3) located in real places... as opposed to the depressingly phony, manufactured environment in which mall food courts are located.

The mall food court is just a microcosm of what is truly being despised: American suburbia.

The drum continues to beat:

http://www.tastingtable.com/entry_detail/national/17012/5_Dishes_and_Drinks_to_Try_at_Crown_Heights_Upcoming_Bergn_.htm

A little birdie tells me they might open the last weekend in May.

Now Hiring!

http://goodfoodjobs.com/mobile/jobs/40375/bergn-beer-hall-seeks-floor-staff.html

They are stressing the gourmet aspect:

http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/05/underground-gourmet-outdoor-dining-guide-2014.html

Nice to hear that Dough will be at Berg'n! Though it is a bit close to their main store. Might be why they are doing it though, they can easily truck over fresh donuts throughout the day.

Bike racks: Check

At peak times on most non-winter weekends those racks will be several dozen short of what's needed.

DOT only installs so many per each request.

I suspect more requests will be made and granted in the future.

DOT only installs so many per each request.

Yeah, I know... just saying...

When is the official open date?

My money is on the day after this no longer says "pending":

http://www.trans.abc.state.ny.us/servlet/ApplicationServlet?pageName=com.ibm.nysla.data.publicquery.PublicQuerySuccessfulResultsPage&validated=true&serialNumber=1270567&licenseType=OP

Their Facebook cover photo now says "Opening June 12" 

yup, it does:

10257096_245519612311905_5850719819374310213_o.jpg

Their Facebook cover photo now says "Opening June 12" 

Sweet.  Can't wait to check it out.

New signage is up:

Now the Opening June 12 is down from the cover photo but even if the date is pushed back I can't imagine it will be that much longer :-) 

My money is on the day after this no longer says "pending":

http://www.trans.abc.state.ny.us/servlet/ApplicationServlet?pageName=com.ibm.nysla.data.publicquery.PublicQuerySuccessfulResultsPage&validated=true&serialNumber=1270567&licenseType=OP

ahhhh - makes sense!

Exclusive pictures, now with tables! Note, June 12th is less than certain as per workers. "We are waiting for permits"

This is the eastern part of the space:

Here's a photo of the west side, from their Facebook page. The bar on the right is long and serves both sides:

Sorry to state the obvious, but June 12th has now come and gone, and the lic is still being reported as "pending".

Sadness.

noticed this as well.

Anyone peaked in lately to see whats up?

According to their Twitter feed @bergnbk - "just a few more DOB sign-offs to go", but also, to someone asking if they'll be open this weekend, they reply "sorry not yet".

At one point a week ago a construction worker told a friend 6/19 was the goal...but that seems to have slipped again.

A lot of money is not being earned.

These permitting problems come at the heels of the failure of 3rd Ward, and have resulted in lots of office vacancies remaining in 1000 Dean.

The combined development presently lacks the appeal that was envisioned.

...I suspect some of those that have been offered jobs in the beer hall - food court are going to go elsewhere; They need income now.

and the wait continues.

Their Facebook page included a nice shot of the bar.

Job Fair:
Berg’n Beer Hall is hosting a job fair on Tuesday, July 1st from 11am – 1pm and 5pm – 7pm.

Applicants can either bring in a resume and cover letter or fill out this application (which they ask be filled out before you arrive):

http://crowhillcommunity.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Bergn-Job-App-PDF.pdf