FIRST LOOK: Gertie Returns - Now in Prospect Heights
602 Vanderbilt Ave (between St. Marks Ave and Prospect Place) Brooklyn at the former R&D Foods location
All photos from Park Slope Pulse
Gertie has officially opened in Prospect Heights, taking over the former R&D Foods space on Vanderbilt Avenue. The team behind the project - Nate Adler and Rachel Jackson, who also run popular restaurant Gertrude’s just a few blocks away - has created a space that blends coffee shop, Jewish deli, and neighborhood hangout after closing their original Williamsburg location earlier this year.
At a moment when Prospect Heights has felt the loss of several beloved spots, the arrival of Gertie brings a sense of momentum back to Vanderbilt Ave - a place for locals, Gertie and Gertrude’s fans, and anyone looking for a neighborhood staple to settle into.
I stopped by during their soft opening this morning, and there was a steady stream of neighbors coming through - some checking out the new space, others already ordering their coffee or breakfast. The indoor counter area is compact and bright with new seating near the window, while the large backyard (a recurring favorite on our list of Top Patios in the neighborhood) offers a quieter place to linger.
Inside, trays of freshly rolled bialys and bagels were coming out of the kitchen.
The menu feels refreshing and comforting: I ordered The Relish Tray on a sesame bagel, which came with Giardiniera schmear, hard-boiled egg, pickled beets and dill - simple and well-balanced.
The standout for me was The Best Bialy, warm and soft, filled with a mix of “hot & cold smoked salmon”, dill & caper schmear, pickled red onion on an onion bialy. For the R&D regulars, you’ll be happy to see their popular The K.S.S. Sandwich (Kale Salad Sandwich) on the menu.
There is also a new Latke Bar where you can order delicious toppings like apple butter & sour cream, pickled herring, and lox with sour cream & dill - or “Reuben Style"“. I’m excited to try their soups next time (including matzoh ball soup and kasha varnishkas), Scoop Salad (a mix of fresh vegetables, hard-boiled egg and a deli salad scoop of choice), and pastries - the chocolate babka was selling very quickly when I visited a little after 10am.
You’ll also spot nostalgic classics like chocolate egg cream and other sodas (cel-ray, black cherry, Shirley Temple) on the drinks menu, and candy on the shelves like Swedish fish. Their bar includes cocktails like the Borscht Bloody Mary, Dirty Gertie and you can get Pilsner on tap.
According to reporting from Eater, the team is also working on a new Carroll Gardens restaurant - Trudie’s Tavern - coming to Court Street early next year, in the former Buttermilk Channel space. It’s expected to be a different concept from this one, but still within their broader family of neighborhood spots.
At a moment when Prospect Heights has felt the loss of several beloved spots, the arrival of Gertie brings a sense of momentum back to Vanderbilt Ave - a place for locals, Gertie and Gertrude’s fans, and anyone looking for a neighborhood staple to settle into.
You can visit Gertie at:
602 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn
(Between St. Marks Ave and Prospect Place)
~~~ More photos of the space, food and videos below the paywall ~~~