It looks like Brooklyn Bread might have broken the jinx that affected a string of failed restaurants on the corner of First Place and Court Street, in Carroll Gardens. Their expanded deli looks like a hit!
The move was only one block away over on Court Street, but was much more significant for the cafe, as it has allowed the cafe’s owner to expand their menus and services.
“The new location has allowed us to have an out-door area, and a seating area inside”, Dimitri Baylis, one of the cafe owners said. “We were at the old location for more than 10 years and this was an opportunity for us”.
Baylis and Lenny Moyger, both Brooklyn natives, originally became owners of Brooklyn Bread cafe 12 years ago.
“We became friends in college and we always wanted a food establishment”, Baylis said. :An opportunity came along 12 years ago and we took it. We’re both foodies and we wanted to have the type of food here that we like to eat”.
Both owners stressed the importance of using high quality ingredients in order to make healthy, quality food.
“We always buy the best quality products, from flour to meat”, Baylis said. “We never skim on quality and that translates to regular customers coming back, and new customers trying it out”.
Brooklyn Bread has had the same bakers for more than eight years, and they’re all in agreement about the importance of using high quality products, and the importance of having unique foods.
“We have bagels that are different from all of the other places in the area” Baylis said. “We use a brick over and our bagels are much lighter and fluffier than other ones. They’re usually very doughy”.
After moving, Brooklyn Bread briefly started making the typical bagels found in New York, instead of their own unique ones, and customers were upset about the change.
“I definitely prefer these bagels” customer Anthony Johnson said. “You can’t find them anywhere else. The ones they switched to… you can find those on every corner”.
“I get them every time I’m in the neighborhood”, said Anna Norwood, who’s from Boerum Hill. Baylis said he regretted changing the bagels.
“That was a big mistake”, said Baylis. “There were some people who wanted the more typical type of bagel so we made the change and it upset a lot of customers. You can’t make everyone happy, but we brought the bagels that we are known for back, based on what our customers have told us”.
In addition to their bagels, Moyger said customers favorites include the Tuna Bella, grilled chicken sandwiches, and anything with prosciutto.
“The Tuna Bella is the best”, a woman who overheard Moyger said.
Now Baylis and Moyger are looking to improve and expand. They’ve already added six new homemade soups and now offer delivery and catering services.
“It took a little while, but we’ve gotten into the grove at the new location” said Baylis. “Now we want to keep building off of it”.
You can find their website here: https://www.loc8nearme.com/new-york/brooklyn/brooklyn-bread-cafe/5456912/
