266 Kingston (corner of Lincoln) would like to become a cafe

It will be called Calabria, and if all goes well, serve Beer/Wine

Kosher

Predictably...

Kosher pizza.

http://www.calabria.pizza

https://twitter.com/Shmuli/status/833124560526467072

We seem to have a kosher pizza war on our hands:

"Basil Pizza & Wine Bar is an established gourmet spot on Kingston Avenue, the main drag in the Crown Heights neighborhood. Enter Calabria, which opened its doors the first week in March — directly across the street.

"Before the rival eatery even served its first slice, Basil co-owner Danny Branover sued last month in the local Beit Din, or rabbinical court.

He cited the Jewish law of Hasagat Gevul, which literally means “infringement of boundary,” and is often used to prevent unfair competition or business practices. In this, traditional Jewish law runs counter-cultural to American capitalism. Not only is unbridled competition a no-no, but the businessmen agreed to follow a rabbinic ruling that, in truth, has no legal standing in secular society.

Basil contended that Calabria’s pizza was, like theirs, “specialty” pizza, and therefore would interfere with Basil’s livelihood. Calabria contended that its “Roman-style” pizza (a thick, hearty rectangular pizza that’s baked in an oil-rubbed pan) is totally different from Basil’s thin-crust Neopolitan-style pie.

The rabbinical court mostly sided with Basil, ruling that Calabria could not sell specialty pizza without unfairly competing. It did say in the decision, issued in Hebrew and the ancient Aramaic language, that Calabria could sell regular (New York-style) pizza."

http://forward.com/news/365904/kosher-pizza-war-erupts-in-hasidic-brooklyn-and-jewish-court-slices-the-pie/

I guess if they don't obey they'll be excommunicated.

Or people will shun their restaurant... 

https://youtu.be/nRB8Jor8tPs

I see a new tv show in the offing....."Pizza Wars"

Sans pork

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/03/28/nyregion/brooklyn-kosher-pizza-war-rabbinical-court.html

This conflict was prophesied in this video:

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Pizza-Fight-Cooking-in-Crown-Heights_New-York-417718313.html

block1216 said:

This conflict was prophesied in this video:

Why did I watch the whole thing??? 

I'm surprised the rabbinical court is not able to influence the folks who deem a restaurant Kosher.

For example, OK Kosher (and a few other firms) have the authority to deem a restaurant Kosher. http://www.ok.org

Without such a designation, the orthodox residents won't/can't eat at a restaurant.

So, a partnership between the Rabbinical court would end this pizza war quickly.

A rabbinical court in Boro Park is involved and banned it. However there are a number of organizations that grant certification and no centralized authority managing them all. The same dynamic exists among kosher eating communities. Some will abide by the ban and others won't.

http://www.collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=44838

Yea, not real effective as a result.  If I get a chance, I'll eat at Calabria soon.

Notes to self: 

Don't go on Friday night or Saturday before sundown.

Don't ask for any meat on the pizza, especially bacon or ham.   

Beware of Passover

Update: Basil lost its kosher certification. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1456422347713747&id=117953834893945&__tn__=*s

That is likely to be a boom for Calabria. ...at least until Basil gets another certification.

Oh wow...Basil will be tanked if it does not get another cert

New certificate is in place.

Pizza war once again has a level playing field.

The sides of the debate: http://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/kashrut-certification-leaves-crown-heights-hot-spot-sparking-facebook-battle/