Brooklyn Label
image c/o Gothamist
American Cafe/Diner
180 Franklin St, Brooklyn 11222, At Java St
PHONE: 718-389-2806
HOURS: Tue-Sun, 7am-6pm; Mon, closed
CARDS: MasterCard, Visa
BOOZE: None
DIRECTIONS: G at Greenpoint Ave. ; L at Bedford Ave.
MAP: Click Here
MENU: Click Here
WEBSITE: Click Here
DELIVERY: No, take-out only
from Paper: A little bit neighborhood diner, a little bit welcoming café, Brooklyn Label is serious about breakfast. During packed weekend brunches, the communal counter attracts good-looking, just-rolled-off-the-futon types, who sip velvety honey cardamom cappuccinos ($2.75) and iced French sodas ($2.50) topped with whipped cream, suggesting a modern-day version of yesteryear's convivial drugstore hangouts. Those waiting to score a table console themselves by filling up on free cups of Raven's Brew coffee and ogling the baked goods from Balthazar. Although the short menu is far from adventurous, its simplicity is stellar. French toast ($7), made with thick slices of fresh challah from neighborhood bakery Warsaw, gets slathered in cranberry-pecan butter. Savory palates looking for something more exciting than a three-egg omelet will gravitate toward a mess of curried tofu cubes and crispy potatoes baked with provolone and salsa ($7.50). Dense homemade sausage patties ($3), resembling mini-hamburgers, are almost a meal. During the week, early birds can conduct breakfast meetings over stacks of "from scratch" waffles, while lunchtime and twilight noshers find salvation in tuna melts and Tempeh Reubens. Look out for a smattering of dinner specials: They're paving the way for a full-fledged evening menu.
From Gothamist: Brooklyn newcomer Brooklyn Label serves breakfast, lunch, and brunch in the spaciously remodeled ground floor of the historic Astral Apartments building in Greenpoint. Maintaining original ceilings and floors (where possible), bright sunlight pours in in windows on the South and West sides illuminating bright orange walls and a steadily crowded room. Open six days a week (except Mondays), Brooklyn Label's hearty menu offers generously sized servings of creative variations on all-American favorites with breakfast sandwiches on weekdays (like a grilled challah roll with spinach, eggs, and pepper bacon and bacon, eggs, and cheese on homemade biscuits), and vegetarian entrees, homemade soups and salads, and sandwiches at lunch.Gourmet groceries, coffees, and pastries from Balthazar bakery are available to purchase a la carte, or to munch on during your wait for a table (ours was 20 minutes on a recent brunch visit). We picked up coffees at the self-service station, a strong brew you can pay for at the counter, and studied the brunch menu while waiting for our table. The brunch menu is an abbreviated version of the breakfast and lunch menus -- several egg options (omelettes, a daily quiche, and steak and eggs) pack a protein punch while the tofu and potatoes (tossed with curry spices, fried potatoes, tomato, broccoli, and topped with cheese) stand as the best vegetarian (or vegan) option. Those with a sweet tooth might lean towards the cast-iron waffle or challah french toast, though anyone hankering for pancakes will find they are suspiciously missing from the menu.
Gothamist opted for lighter fare, testing out Brooklyn Label's homemade steel cut oatmeal topped with pecans, dried cranberries, raisins, soy milk and brown sugar which was creamy and indulgent--great for a cold day. We ordered a side of thick cut slab bacon on the side; sausage patties, hash browns, a basket of Balthaazar pastries, and fresh fruit are also available. Additionally, we requested a side of toast (not on the menu) and our server happily obliged, bringing tasty multigrain toast with memorable mini-pots of homemade jam: apple-pear and peach marmalade that we later took home and enjoyed the next morning.
Our dining companion opted for the challah french toast, two massive 2 1/2" thick slices of challah bread sprinkled with casmian cinnamon, a hearty dollop of cranberry pecan butter, and real maple syrup. Just as much dessert as breakfast, the giant slices were sweet and satisfying, if not slightly too generous in size, the centers arriving "raw." On another sweet note, surrounding tables oohed and ahhed at spicy Mayan hot chocolate, hefty mugs topped with whipped cream and marshmallows for $3.50. A selection of hot house beverages also offers cardamom honey cappuccino, cinnamon caramel cappuccino, and traditional lattes and espressos -- listed on a giant chalkboard behind the service counter.
With prices uniformly under $10 and tasty-if-not-refined plates, Brooklyn Label is a welcome addition to Greenpoint's brunch selection. Even with slight mishaps -- a spilled coffee, at times absent-minded service, and reports from friends of waitresses failing to inform when entrees had run out -- Gothamist thinks Brooklyn Label will soon be a neighborhood favorite. We’re excited to return to check out the hearty sandwiches on their lunch menu, and word on the street is that dinner will arrive soon.
Comments
I was one of those that went pretty regularly, always got a hello from Aaron or April (two of the servers), but I had taken the last month off for various reasons. I went this past sunday at it was AWFUL. There were all new servers (always a bad sign), the tofu & potato's tasted like a giant plate of curry, the "well-done" bacon was a disgusting plate of greasy underdone bacon and the green eggs no ham was cold.
Needless to say when I found out there was a new owner and new cooks i was both unsurprised and terribly disappointed. I dont expect that i will ever go back.
Posted by: macca | April 14, 2008 03:26 PM
the whacky-cracky not really the owner after all guy is gone, they've got a new chef who is damn good, and the place is getting good again. try the desserts; for some reason they decided to offer desserts other than vegan cardboard by the (awful) "vegan treats" company. good move - the new desserts are over the moon. finally, it's a good place, with good service, and good food.
Posted by: harley olfafson | March 16, 2008 01:42 AM
I went there to eat and was sitting at the bar. I could see into the kitchen and before I ordered I saw five rats run across the kitchen floor. I don't care what measures are taken I would recommend never eating at that disease ridden rat hole
Posted by: grossed out | March 4, 2008 01:06 AM
The problem with this restaurant is that the cooks are driving the whole experience. Even as a customer, you feel like a frazzled waiter abused by an inept sous chef who is in the weeds. Two weekends ago, I was informed by the server that my order for mashed potatoes couldn't be placed at 5:57 because the "cook would yell." Then, at 6:05, the embarrassed server had to report the potatoes were not ready yet. Nothing worse than an arrogant cook that can't mash a potato on time.
The best part about the restaurant is the big window from which you can see the street leading to better coffee in either direction.
Posted by: trust your struggle | January 14, 2008 03:49 AM
If you give this place your money, you're supporting an obnoxious Republican guy who has tattoos that say "trust your struggle" (gag) and who installed security cameras on one of the safest streets in Brooklyn. I can't comment on the food because I would never set foot in there. Even if it was the best food/coffee in the world. And I live two blocks away. Thought you all should know.
Posted by: Eric | January 4, 2008 02:58 AM
I used to go here every weekend... until the prices got raised...until the staff stopped saying hello...until I realized that the staff and owner would never remember me as a regular... until the food started to suck... until I ran into the pompus owner at a local bar. Greenpoint Cafe, welcome back!
Posted by: James Kain | December 8, 2007 01:53 AM
Way hyped. The coffee is good, but the food sucks - especially the veggie options. More a "scene" than good eatery.
Posted by: hanner | August 15, 2007 06:43 PM
I cannot believe this place gets good reviews. Went there twice and was amazed at how terrible everything was. None of my companions like it either. You talentless people have no clue and have ruined New York.
Posted by: Help! | August 10, 2007 08:24 PM
The atmosphere is nice, the waitresses are friendly and the food is yummy.
I recently had one of their seasonal specials, and it was deeeelicious.
I also had their burgers which are pretty good, only thing i wasn't too crazy about was the bun.
But overall this is a great place!
Posted by: emma | July 11, 2007 03:26 PM
I have no complaints about the food and coffee--which are delicious--but they recently raised all the prices (on the brunch menu, at least) by $2 or $3. With all the other options in Williamsburg, which is in reasonable walking distance, it just doesn't seem as special to me as it did earlier this year. Will probably not go back.
Posted by: km | April 24, 2007 07:47 PM
Brooklyn Label makes the best iced coffee in Brooklyn. They make it fresh each time (Cafe Americano with Ice); no pitcher that's been sitting around all day. There was a significant difference to this iced coffee from any else I have had. And it doesn't cost three bucks.
Posted by: tony polski | April 23, 2007 04:54 PM
this place rocks but not on the weekend. The weekday hang there (esp. for breakfast) is the way to go. Food is much better and ther service is great. I think they're still working out the weekend kinks. I went a few times and was left wishing it was a Tuesday.
The espresso is great and the french toast is amazing!
Posted by: Jason | April 23, 2007 01:24 PM
The coffee was great, we tried the cardamom cappuccino and the mayan something or another. The food however left much to be desired. I'm accustomed to longish waits at Enid's, but this place set a new high water mark for the slow-food movement. When the food finally arrived the portions were miniscule. We got the organic tofu and potatoes and the huevos rancheros. The former was way too salty ,and I like salt. The tofu was practically nonexistent and nothing to write home about. The huevos rancheros just flat out sucked ass. It consisted of a hard and flavorless corn disk on top of dry slightly crunchy rice and the most bland black beans I've ever had the misfortune to put in my mouth. The eggs, though free range, were still just eggs and the salsa tasted like it came out of a jar.
Save yourself the time and frustration, get your coffee to go.
Posted by: jon | April 22, 2007 08:54 PM
Best coffee around!!!!
Posted by: Elizabeth Laucks | April 22, 2007 12:54 AM