The Chez Jones Guide to Brooklyn: Cobble Hill
Court Pastry Shop
A list of my favorite (and regularly vetted) spots to eat, drink and purchase victuals from. Second up, Cobble Hill.
When I lived in the East Village, Elsa was one of my favorite bars. Sadly, that iteration closed in 2014. So, when I learned they had reopened a few years later on Atlantic Avenue (not too far from my current apartment), I was thrilled to be able to sip a cocktail in their booths again. Elsa 2.0 is in many ways my dream bar in terms of its interior, but also in menu, which is filled with creative and lively cocktails.
Since it opened in 2011, Colonie has been a mainstay on Atlantic Avenue with its elegant farm-to-table fare. I’ve been many times throughout the years (including when it first opened) and have never had a bad meal. Is it cheap? No. But if you’re looking for a spot in Cobble Hill to go on date night and indulge a little, this is it.
Skip the food, go for the natural wine, the cocktails and the charming interior.
Court Pastry Shop
This place is so old school, it doesn’t even have a website - but what more would you expect from a shop that’s been in business since 1948? I once worked for a Design Director who would drive here on Sundays with her husband from Williamsburg just to buy their pignoli cookies and lobster tails (their version of a cream-filled cornetto). Trust me, it’s that good.
Those who know me personally know that I have a total appreciation of storied places in NY. This is one of those places. While it’s been around for over 100 years, the current co-owner is a second-generation butcher who learned the craft from his father (who purchased Staubitz from its original owners). Needless to say, if you need high quality cuts of meat (or even charcuterie) and live in the area, this is the place to get it.