So Apparently That New "Secret" Restaurant Behind Loki Lounge is a Steakhouse: Benchmark

So says, Gothamist.

You can choose from 5 different cuts of steak, and of course the meat is pasture raised and locally sourced (I mean, wtf do you think it would be? This IS Park Slope). Also they are planning to build an "aging room" for in-house cured meats and sausages.

Chef Ryan Jaronik (formerly of Monkey Town in Williamsburg) is rockin it out in the kitchen.

Ok, so I'm officially intrigued.

Also, this seems like as good a spot as any to bring up a pet peeve of mine: why in the fuck do you people who get your meat well done even EAT meat? What is the point?

Personally, I think that anything beyond medium is pushing it a bit too far (and I like to go rare or medium rare), but when you head into the medium well/well done zone, that shit doesn't even taste like meat anymore!?

Anyway.

Yeah: Benchmark...it's open for dinner (brunch is coming soon).

[Anyone tried it??].

Secret Restaurant Behind Loki Lounge?

photo: Brownstoner

Ok, this is just weird. Cause yeah: I love Park Slope, but also its not nearly cool enough around here for secret restaurants-n-shit. Though, apparently that hasn't stopped Loki Lounge. According to some folks on Brooklynian, the Loki Lounge has opened a new hush hush place behind their current restaurant. From urbandog25:

"Place is called Benchmark - saw the menu outside - they have no sign just a lectern with the menu on 2nd st - looked kinda like a Smith St restaurant circa '99 - foie gras, free range stuff, etc... not that such a menu is bad (if cooked right), just surprising given the location.

They are either well funded and going for a very soft opening to work out the kinks - or they are idiots and will be out of business in a few months - because the place has no press is impossible to find and is often the beaten path - I really hope Zebra's review is accurate and the owner has the funds to build up a business. "

Well, you gotta give Loki Lounge props for an interesting approach. In a climate where non-secret restaurants are going out of business left and right, maybe the key to success is not telling anyone about your place, and then completely hiding its location? That shit is just crazy enough to potentially work.

[True confessions: I've never even stepped foot in Loki Lounge, mostly because I find the font they chose for their awning so horribbly offensive to my eyes, its never occured to me to go near the place. But most people on Yelp seem to dig it, and that back patio does look pretty fab].

(via Brownstoner)

Lucali 2.0 Is Going To Be Called Giuseppina's

photo: Eater

Just thought y'all should know.

Looks like the South Slope space (and sister restaurant to Lucali...or brother actually, as that's who owns it) will be opening soon (yay!).

(via Eater)