[Photo for GL courtesy of E.C. Stephens]
As we’ve noted, Playa, a new pan-Latino resturant on the corner of Fifth Avenue and President Street in Park Slope, opened late last week. It’s run by the same team that brought Barrio to Seventh Avenue this year and has a great spot called Cabana Bar in the back. We had dinner there on Friday night and here’s some early react: if they handle it properly they really have a shot at making a go of it on a corner that has seen an incredible succession of restaurants come and go. Our exposure to the menu was limited, but the seafood tapas we tried–the empanadas with blue point oysters and the coquitos (coconut shrimp)–were quite tasty. They also bring out a Columbian bread that is to die for. We didn’t sample any of the “house specialties,” so no feedback there. We had the fish tacos with the tempura tilapia and they were quite good, but we always expect fish tacos like you get in the Baja California and it just doesn’t happen in New York. Our dining companion had the Cubano Perfecto Cuban sandwich and offered that it needed the tweak of having less mustard. Service-wise the place was clearly still working out the kinks, especially in terms of getting people seated and there seemed to be no communication between the hostess in the front seating people and the back room where people were having for drinks while waiting for tables. The menu is excellent and the vibe is nice, so we’re hoping they can make a go of it offering food that veers from the all-too-common Fifth Avenue offerings of Japanese, Italian and French. In addition, they’re offering 15 percent off every tab through Christmas Eve and, finally, owner Spencer Rothschild emails to say the restaurant will be selling gift cards after Thanksgiving to Playa and Barrio at 10 percent off through the holidays, so if you want to treat a special someone to dinner as a gift, there you go.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Gari N. Corp // Nov 24, 2008 at 11:49 am
Bah, what kind of hating is this? Sounds like some kind of entente has been reached. So, let’s assume that the Mezcals opposite is not viewed as competition. How about Bogota? Does it stack up well against that pan-Latin operation?
2 john // Nov 24, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I give this one 3-4 months…and caput!!
3 DK // Nov 24, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Playa strives to be a bit more upscale than Bogota. We’re talking oyster empanadas rather than simply ground beef, etc. Not exactly apples and oranges, but not the same thing either. Palo Santo would need to watch its back more.
I know they see Bogota as competition, though. Bogota’s not in danger of losing customers to anyone. They could stand to lose a couple here and there.
4 anonymous // Nov 24, 2008 at 1:57 pm
How refreshing it is to read a review of a softly-opened restaurant that is at once generous and informative. I walk down Fifth Ave. and ask myself how all those restaurants can survive. I wonder how a new restaurant can really make a go in this economic climate. At the same time, I recognize that behind that restaurant is someone who is obviously passionate about food and who has taken a tremendous personal and financial risk. I picked up a menu from Playa on Friday night and intend to try it soon.
Unfortunately, there are others in the Brooklyn blogosphere who somehow see Playa as doomed because every other restaurant in that space has failed. This is tremendously unfair to Mr. Rothschild and his chef and is miserly and superstitious.
5 fred // Nov 25, 2008 at 12:56 am
“Unfortunately, there are others in the Brooklyn blogosphere who somehow see Playa as doomed because every other restaurant in that space has failed. This is tremendously unfair to Mr. Rothschild and his chef and is miserly and superstitious.”
IT’S NOT THE SPACE THAT’S DOOMED, DONT FORGET, MR. ROTHSCHILD WAS THE GENIUS WHO THOUGHT LOOKOUT HILL WAS A GOOD IDEA..AND HE EVEN HAD A HAND IN THE BBQ PLACE BEFORE THAT.
6 Andrew from Park Slope // Nov 25, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I have been to Playa twice since it has opened. It has been quite enjoyable thus far. Yes, there are kinks but they will probably be worked out in time. The staff certainly seems very eager to please – as anybody should opening a service industry business in this economic climate.
But most of all, the food is tasty, creative, fresh and not overly-priced (as so many places seem to be).
Playa’s timing is quite good in a way as it replace the popular and quite decent Besso – another “New-Latin” place in a similar location.
Others have commented on Bogota; I think that there is more than enough room for both on Fifth Ave – as long as Bogota keeps doing what it does and Playa continues it good start.
Yes, Playa’s location has a tough history. But having been to all the previous restaurants in that location, Playa is the most enjoyable.
Pros: Ceviche, short-rib empanada, Cuban sandwich
Cons: Not yet humming on all cylinders (but trying)
7 DK // Nov 25, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Barrio had a lot of kinks to work out during its initial few months, and it’s come along nicely. I expect Playa to be the same.
There’s more than enough room on 5th for various Pan-Latin places. No one is losing any sleep.