Park Slope’s Beloved Eateries of the Past

700+ locals shared which Park Slope eateries they remember most fondly - here are the first 7 we’re celebrating.

Last year on @parkslopeliving, we asked followers: “If you could bring back a past Park Slope restaurant or bar, what would it be?”

We received an overwhelming 700+ comments, and I’ve been wanting to cover each of these places in depth on Park Slope Pulse - revisiting them in their glory days, including your favorite dishes and drinks.

We’re kicking off this series with the top 7 most-mentioned spots. I was fortunate to have dined at 5 of them before they closed - and wish I could have tried Applewood & Dizzy’s Diner (I got very hangry while writing this post)!

Do you have memories to share about these spots, or other favorites you’d like to see featured? Drop a comment below! If you enjoy this post, please like it - and if there’s enough interest, I’ll continue covering 7 more places in the series.

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Applewood

Applewood, a beloved New American restaurant that closed in 2016 after nearly 12 years in business, was known for its commitment to the Slow Food movement and farm-to-table cuisine. Applewood hosted monthly "Meet the Farmer" dinners where farmers would bring their produce, and the restaurant's chef, Sam Sherman, would prepare a six-course tasting menu.

[Photos of Applewood from Yelp]

Owners David and Laura Shea sourced ingredients mainly from local farms, featuring hormone- and antibiotic-free meats and poultry, and wild-caught fish. Laura Shea ran a cheese shop upstate called Bimi's that supplied cheese to the restaurant.

Red wine braised short ribs with polenta and carrots (prix fixe summer 2015 menu)

Gnocchi

Located in a beautifully restored townhouse, the restaurant had a cozy, farmhouse atmosphere with wide-planked wooden floors, exposed brick, and a crackling fireplace.

📍 501 11th St, Brooklyn

Now: Park Slope Desk

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Cafe Steinhof

Cafe Steinhof, which closed its doors in October 2020 after two decades in Park Slope, was a beloved Austrian restaurant known for its authentic comfort food and cozy atmosphere.

Dishes & drinks people loved:

• Authentic Viennese Cuisine: traditional dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, goulash, and a variety of sausages, alongside classic desserts like apple bread pudding and linzer torte. I personally loved the spaetzle!

• Extensive drink menu featuring Austrian and German beers on tap

[Photos of Cafe Steinhof from Yelp]

Beef goulash

Wiener Schnitzel

Debreziner with buttered sauteed spaetzle and roasted potatoes

📍 422 7th Ave, Brooklyn

Now: Miolin Bakery

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Dizzy’s Diner

Artwork of Dizzy’s via alltherestaurants.com (you can purchase this artwork from Park Slope artist John Donohue!)

Dizzy's Diner, a beloved Park Slope eatery, sadly closed its doors in October 2020 after a 22-year run at the corner of 9th St & 8th Ave due to the financial strain brought on by the Covid pandemic. Dizzy's served as a local hub where neighbors gathered for all meals through the day.

~~~ This post continues after the paywall, including 4 more Park Slope eateries from the past ~~~