Recently opened Dellarocco’s of Brooklyn is scaring up a special spread for the upcoming holiday, with the unveiling of its “Halloween Pizza.” Toppings comprise pumpkin, smoked mozzarella and bacon. It’s the latest creation from Dellarocco’s Chef Pasquale Cozzolino. The “Halloween Pizza” is available upon request for $18 a pie.

Dellarocco’s, which opened July 31, is located at 214 Hicks Street, between Montague and Remsen Streets. It’s open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner from noon to 10:30 p.m., with take-out and delivery. The brick-oven pizzeria is owned & operated by Brooklyn-bred brothers Greg and Glenn Markman and Joseph Secondino. The three are also partners of the Heights Cafe next door at 84 Montague Street.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/49755

Brooklyn Heights’ newest pizza parlor, Dellarocco’s of Brooklyn, will begin serving lunch on September 4. No word yet on when the eatery will begin its delivery service. Right now, orders are available for eat-in or pick up.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/46849

A group of concerned residents who reside at 200 Hicks Street are taking to task the new owners of the Bossert Hotel at 98 Montague Street. Brooklyn Heights rez Elizabeth Bailey and her comrades believe the conversion plan currently before the Bureau of Standard and Appeals could create serious noise, traffic and safety issues in the area.

She writes to the Brooklyn Heights Blog: “Although residents of Brooklyn are happy, mostly, about our borough’s resurgence, or rather, emergence, those of us who live here because it is a quiet, safe place to live and bring up children, are worried that these developers are showing little regard to neighborhood concerns.”

New owners David Bistricer and Joseph Chetrit are seeking a variance to convert the hotel to a “commercial transient facility,” from its status as visitor housing for previous owner Jehovah’s Witnesses. The BSA has scheduled a hearing on the application September 11.

The group of residents at 200 Hicks, located at the northwest corner of Montague, say that the plan could deter the Heights’ peaceful persona “if it is done without regard to the nature and character of our residential community.” Bailey points to a New York Times feature on the Bossert from November 2011, in which Brooklyn Heights Association executive director Judy Stanton notes concerns about upkeep, “since Watchtower society placed a premium on maintenance, including the surrounding sidewalks and parks.” Stanton also intimates that the neighborhood may become livelier if the Bossert is converted into a high-end hotel.

Bailey writes, “The developers are proposing to increase the number of rooms from 224 to 302. Although they speak of creating a boutique hotel, over 300 rooms is a pretty big boutique. They also have plans to build a ground floor restaurant, event spaces (weddings and bar mitzvahs, etc.) and a bar on the rooftop. The developers contend that the increase in traffic on the busy corner of Montague and Hicks from their proposed hotel will be negligible.” She finds this “hard to believe.”

“There have been many articles in the New York press about the negative impact of noisy bars—particularly rooftop bars—on residential neighborhoods,” Bailey adds, citing Times’ stories here and here.

“We understand from press reports that both Chetrit and Bistricer have been publicly criticized for various aspects of their past real estate ventures. Among other controversial matters, Chetrit is one of the investors in the Empire Hotel near Lincoln Center, which has been the subject of a three-year battle that a West 62nd Street coop had to wage in the courts over ‘torment’ from the noise from its rooftop bar well after midnight,” Bailey says. “The developers are also involved with the Chelsea Hotel, which has been the subject of recent controversy. Noise and traffic: That’s what Brooklyn Heights residents are worried about.”

The 200 Hicks Street group proposes that restrictions be put in place on the proposed hotel/bar: “The aim is to limit the increase in noise and traffic that would compromise the safety and the character of this neighborhood.” Bailey invites public discourse of the issue, and is available via email at Elizaabailey@mac.com.

Comments from the BHB community?

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/45367

It’s been a bad year for elm trees in the Heights. Just under a year ago, the great elm in the courtyard of the Mansion House, 145 Hicks Street, fell victim to Hurricane Irene. Now we have learned that the even larger and probably older elm in the courtyard of Grace Church (photo) off Hicks between Grace Court and Joralemon has been diagnosed with Dutch elm disease which, left to run its natural course, would kill the tree within a few years and likely infect others nearby. The church has announced, with sorrow, that the tree will be removed August 22nd and 23rd, just shy of the anniversary of the loss of the Mansion House elm.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/45202

At about 11:30 a.m. Sunday, we spotted this mountain of garbage surrounding the mailbox on the southwest corner of Hicks and Clark Streets. Another passerby was already on the phone with 311 to report the pileup which was made up of some household items and mattresses.

What happened? Someone moved and just got tired of putting garbage in the right place?

On another note, all public garbage cans along Hicks towards Joralemon (we were on our way to Pier 6) were also overflowing with trash.

Photo: Mrs. Fink

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44279

After going back in time to 1902 last month, we’ve given the Brooklyn Daily Eagle archives another spin into the past. This time we transport back to July 10, 1880, 132 years ago today…

What a deal! The Hotel St. George is offering special summer rates, for $10 a week. Your offer includes a bedroom, parlor and private bath, plus the option for a four-course breakfast (40 cents), four-course lunch (35 cents) and five-course dinner (50 cents).

Perhaps you’re looking for accommodations that are a bit more permanent. Sure enough, bargains abound. How about a nicely furnished room at 98 Henry Street, with running water, heat and gas: $5-$6 a week. Only five minutes to the Brooklyn Bridge and ferries to Manhattan.

Interested in first-class accommodations for gentlemen and families “at very moderate rates”? There’s the Pierrepont House on Montague Street [which today is the Bossert Hotel at 98], with your option of American or Europeans meal plans. There’s also a large front room with running water at 73 Henry Street, at the corner of Orange Street: $10 for two. A smaller room is also available that’s suitable for two ladies (as long as they’re employed during the day).

Here’s one that’s hard to resist: Alcove, square and single rooms to let with or without board, at 62 Columbia Heights. Includes hot & cold water, ample closets and furnishings—connected to a private park with an “extensive view” of the harbor. Or perhaps you’d prefer a nicely furnished room on the second or third floor of 99 Hicks Street, perfect for a “gentleman & wife” or single gent. And at 151 Pierrepont Street, you have a choice of one or two “handsomely furnished” rooms on the second floors of a private home. Sorry, gentlemen only and no meals.

And finally, a curiosity that’s not in Brooklyn Heights, but was so packed with prejudice, we’re including it as a sign of the times in 1880. Two floors are available to families, four rooms per floor in a three-story house, for $8 a month. The address is 37 Bartlett Street [in Williamsburg]: with a provision that the space is available only to “English, Irish or French; no Dutch or Afghanistans.” Is it ironic that in 2012, that address is an empty lot?

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/43939

You can almost taste it. Dellarocco’s of Brooklyn, the new local brick-oven eatery at 214 Hicks Street, appears days away from opening its doors to the delectable fragrance of fresh pies and a thirst-quenching wine & beer cafe. Over the weekend, signage was etched onto the windows in elegant gold lettering.

The restaurant is owned & operated by Brooklyn-bred brothers Greg and Glenn Markman and Joseph Secondino (who has known the bros for 30+ years). The three are also partners of the Heights Cafe next door at 84 Montague Street. As previously reported, Dellarocco has a separate kitchen—with a wood-burning brick pizza oven flown in from Italy—and will operate as an independent biz.

Delivery and take-out will be available, along with in-room dining boasting 15-foot ceilings with a menu specializing in personal pizzas, according to Greg Markman. It will be open seven days a week, likely from noon to midnight.

The restaurant takes the place of Overtures stationery and gift boutique at 216 Hicks, which closed after 30 years in December 2011; and Dara Ettinger jewelry at 214 Hicks, which opened in May 2011 and lasted eight months. High-end clothier J. McLaughlin is to the left, at 218 Hicks. The spaces at 214 & 216 were combined into one large parcel in February.

(Photos: Chuck Taylor)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/43800

Yesterday (Wednesday) evening the Fieldhouse road show continued in Willowtown, at a meeting arranged by the Willowtown Association and hosted by their President, Ben Bankson. The opening presentation was similar to that at St. Francis on Monday, except that Fieldhouse Executive Director Greg Brooks stressed even more–no doubt anticipating the questions he knew would come–that this was a meeting to hear concerns and get information from the community, not to offer answers. Also, the design portion of the presentation was handled by Jean Phifer (photo) of Thomas Phifer and Partners, instead of Greg Smith, of that firm.

Kate Collignon, of consultant HR&A Advisors, Inc., fielded the first volley of questions. The opening question was, what is the expected daily usage of the Fieldhouse? Ms. Collignon said there is no specific expectation at present; this will have to await information from local schools and other community organizations about their needs and desires. The next question was: How, then, can projections of traffic be made for the supplemental Environmental Impact Statement without full information about usage? Joralemon Street resident Frank Ciaccio said the issue of transportation needed to be addressed first. Others quickly seconded this, some noting that Joralemon between Hicks and Furman is already overburdened with auto (especially livery cab) traffic seeking a shortcut to the BQE. There was general agreement that the best solution to this problem was to block entrance to Furman Street from Joralemon. It was suggested that this could be done with retractable bollards that could be lowered to allow passage of emergency vehicles when needed. However, this would require assent of the City’s Department of Transportation, as well, perhaps, of other agencies.

Parking was also a concern. Some residents noted that parking in Willowtown had become more difficult since the playground on Pier 6 had opened, and anticipated its being much worse with the Fieldhouse. Ms. Collignon noted that one of the ways to encourage people to use mass transit instead of cars was to provide jitney service from nearby subway stations. Mr. Ciaccio suggested opening a tunnel from the Clark Street subway platform to Furman Street, which he said could be done at minimal cost.

One resident, noting Ms. Phifer’s emphasis on the lightness of her firm’s buildings, said she had spent a winter fostering a family of abandoned dogs in the the then derelict area where the Fieldhouse is to be constructed. She said the winter time she spent there showed the site to be extremely cold and windy, and she hoped that the architects, who were proud of their “light” buildings, would design something strong enough to withstand the weather. Ms. Phifer assured her that they would.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/43232

The traffic and environmental consultant for the new owner of the Bossert at Wednesday’s hearing described the intersection of Hicks and Montague streets as rating a “B” on a scale by which intersections are graded for their ease of transit. Today it would rate an “D” (Hicks is still open), as crews continue to work on subterranean infrastructure, necessitating closure of Montague. Update: It’s open again.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42889

Signs are posted for a film shoot Monday and Tuesday June 18-19, that runs along the cobble-stoned Joralemon Street from Hicks down to Columbia Place. Cars must vacate the street from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. on those days. The shoot is for a project called “Treasures.”

(Photo: Chuck Taylor)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42579

A police source comments that many folks use Hicks Street “as a service road when the BQE gets backed up.” The Department of Transportation also installed a “Speed Limit: 30 mph” sign, with accompanying radar to deter speeders. Police officers will sporadically visit the area to enforce speeding on that street, DNA says.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7234

New York Post: A 5-year-old boy ran into a Brooklyn street and was hit by a taxi before the horrified eyes of his deaf parents, who then carried his seriously injured body half a block to an emergency room.

The child darted between two parked cars onto Hicks Street…at around 4:40 p.m. yesterday and was struck by the SUV cab, police and witnesses told The Post.

According to the Post story, the boy “was transferred to SUNY Downstate Hospital.” Since LICH is now part of SUNY Downstate, it’s not clear if this means he was admitted to LICH or taken to the hospital’s other campus. The story also notes that the taxi driver was not charged.

The Post located the accident at “Hicks Street in Brooklyn Heights”, but Carroll Gardens Patch states it was at Amity and Hicks, which concurs with the statement that the boy’s parents carried him half a block to the LICH emergency room.

Update: Today’s Post identifies the boy as Timothy Keith, of Washington, D.C., who is here with his parents on a visit. Like both his parents, he is deaf. He is reported to be “on a respirator in very critical condition”.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7021