The Q at Parkside

(for those for whom the Parkside Q is their hometrain)

News and Nonsense from the Brooklyn neighborhood of Lefferts and environs, or more specifically a neighborhood once known as Melrose Park. Sometimes called Lefferts Gardens. Or Prospect-Lefferts Gardens. Or PLG. Or North Flatbush. Or Caledonia (west of Ocean). Or West Pigtown. Across From Park Slope. Under Crown Heights. Near Drummer's Grove. The Side of the Park With the McDonalds. Jackie Robinson Town. Home of Lefferts Manor. West Wingate. Near Kings County Hospital. Or if you're coming from the airport in taxi, maybe just Flatbush is best.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Lincoln Park Tavern Officially For Rent - UPDATE - SHENANIGANS A-POPPIN'

Update: believe it or not, the link to the Lincoln Park Tavern City-Habitats rental listing, brokered by Steve Halpern, has mysteriously disappeared. No idea why, except a person on the listserve mentioned it, then the Q posted on it, then at some point . Perhaps someone can get to the bottom of it, or knows the backstory? Email me if you'd prefer not to comment publicly below...

Then about 4PM today, a neighborhood resident, speaking for LPT, claims that the ad was faked. Though how it was possible to "fake" a legitimate real estate broker's listing is beyond me. So the plot thickens further. If in fact there's some sort of hanky panky going on behind the scenes and/or the employees are being jerked around, my sympathies to the workers. If it was Mamary's plan to divest,  he should have told them a long time ago. How does it help anyone to hide in plain sight? It's not like word wasn't out. And if, small chance, he has no intention of letting go of the place, why wouldn't he be the one issuing any statement? 

More to the point, if LPT owners want to find out who places the "fake" ad, why not go directly to the building owner, or at the very least the broker? Looking to the community seems silly to me - as if anyone out there is trying desperately to deceive them all. I suspect Mamary's been found out, and is covering his tracks. The only other explanation would be that the landlady placed the ad without consulting Mamary, or used it as some sort of punitive thing, which is even MORE bizarre. And what sort of agent lists before getting the whole story? It all smells Jus Fishy to me.

Some folks seem surprised that Jim Mamary wants out and that this ad showed up on Citi-habitats, but they shouldn't be. The restaurant/bar is pretty much good to go to the right entrepreneur, and frankly it doesn't appear Mr. M has his heart in the game anyway. A bit of intrigue for those who like intrigue: the broker Steve Halpern listed in the ad? Same guy who starred in this video from a couple posts ago renting 125 Maple Street for $7K a month. The connection being that Rong Ge owns both properties, and yes, she would be the one retaining the small apartment in the bottom of the house and the garage were you to plop down that hefty monthly rent.

I'm sure there are those who will care deeply about it all, but I'm not one of them. The restaurant is sub-par; the bar is passable; the house is overpriced. Mamary said he'd give me an interview a few months back, then totally blew me off. I even offered a "puff piece." I told him I'd given Rong a chance to share and he could have one too, and if he had nice things to say to the neighborhood I'd be happy to act as his megaphone. About a week after saying yes, then refusing to return my texts and calls, I learned he was looking for someone to take over the joint. I was told by Rong to keep my trap shut so it wouldn't harm the business or scare the employees. And I chose to respect that.

Well, guess what? Now it's a public listing, so there's no more scaring to be done, by the Q anyway. And frankly, restaurants change hands all the time all over. Seriously, could we do much worse? LPT is barely better than an Applebees at this point. If you really think that LPT's food is to die for and think no other owner could do a better job, then by all means comment away, I expect LPT needs your support right about now. I expect the place to stay open til a buyer is found though, and it would be foolhardy not to keep the place a bar/restaurant. Who knows though. Foolish seems to be a popular enough pastime these days.

By the way, there are clearly people who like the place. Yelp is a fine place to start if you're seeking other opinions. Mine is mine alone, and I don't recall having one being a necessarily "hostile" act, as is suggested in a comment below. I'm actively encouraging your comments here, so prove me wrong. I frequently am. In fact, I'll take your challenge and give it yet another chance.

As to the "key fee" nature of the deal, whether true (Ge says it is) or not, all I can say is everything's negotiable, right? Even Rong's $84,000/yr house rental. But yeah, the "rent is too damn high," but whatevers. Welcome to NY.

FYI, a little secret. There are other storefronts and landlords in NW Flatbush and even right around LPT. The whole saga of that one strip housed in one building grows a bit tiresome, don't you think?

If anyone asked the Q, and they most certainly won't, Jim should keep open the bar (which seems popular enough) and let the restaurant slip into the hands of someone who really wants the business. The fact that he didn't want a little free advertising on a locally read blog speaks volumes to me. From the guy who practically started the neighborhood restaurant movement in Brooklyn (with the brilliant Patois on Smith Street), I really would expect more. And yes, Jim, if you want that puff piece I'm here; the offer stands.

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

I get rather tired of the Q at Parkside's insistent bashing of Lincoln Park Tavern. Since Q hardly ever seems to go there, he may be dealing with an imagined vision of the place, rather than the bar as it is. I am not surprised that Jim Mamary might have thought it wise to avoid an interview with such a hostile interlocutor.

Lincoln Park Tavern has evolved into an excellent "local" where you can easily meet and hang out with an endearing and varied mix of PLG neighbors. One reason the bar did develop into a go-to spot for much of the neighborhood is that Jim Mammary was tirelessly inventive in revising the place until it did become a place people were very comfortable with.

The cuisine that is served there is not haute, but there are times when LPT serves up astoundingly good comfort food. Unfortunately, it is true, the same dish may be delicious one day and a bitter disappointment the next. All in all, though there are reliable and not terribly expensive meals that are served with an often sardonic smile.

For a good while, until upstairs neighbors who were apparently misled by Rong Ge about the nature of the bar business below put a stop to it, Lincoln Park was a great performance venue, hosting an eclectic mix of excellent local bands and a very popular karaoke night. Charles Star still hosts a monthly comedy show at LPT, bringing in inventive and hilarious comics who have performed on Comedy Central and other television venues.

I don't know if someone takes over the same place whether it will be as good as LPT, as diverse as LPT, or as comfortable as LPT.

babs said...

I like the food and the vibe at the ex-Enduro's portion of the place and would be sorry to see it (and the people who work there) go.

The other side not so much. I have never been comfortable there (not really a fan of dive bars) and would prefer a higher-end place, like a wine bar.

babs said...

And in terms of the food, I would say that some things are actually quite good, like the tortilla soup, most brunch dishes, the grilled cheese, and the burgers. I had the shrimp and cheddar cheese grits the other day and was very happy. Maybe you should give them another chance, Q.

Anonymous said...

So I guess some people do eat there. Must be convenience, cuz the Q is telling it like it is. This place could be in the dictionary under mediocre. I guess somepeople just get attached to a place maybe cuz they drink there all the time?

The Snob said...

LPT is fine and accommodating of my exasperating children. The resto and the bar remind me of a college town, in a good way. But any readers hang out at Maximillian Bell's ever?

Anonymous said...

To be fair, you have a reputation among folks in that strip for being extremely biased toward Rong. The food has improved quite a bit in the last few months and most of the negative reviews are from people who aren't from this area and come in expecting some kind of Mexican experience and are put off by the Cheersesque environment. I get it - the service isn't what they are known for.

The reality is that this is a neighborhood with no real places to eat and hang out. If we ever hope to move forward, we need more opening up not closing. The two places likely can't be rented separately without work being done since theres a door in between the two. And while you may not like the owner (who does?), that doesn't mean that Lincoln road needs to continue to be abandoned.

I tend to come to this page for a lot of relevant information on this neighborhood, but it's long been a running joke among other readers that when it comes to Rong and her properties, you are very much biased one way and not the other. For someone who is so invested in the success of this neighborhood, you seem to be completely willing to disregard how important a local watering hole/hang spot is to the ultimate success (and desirability) of an area.

Clarkson FlatBed said...

Really, anon. And which way do you say I'm biased? I'd really like to know, because I think I've been pretty darn fair down the line.

Anonymous said...

Which Anon? At least two pointed out that you constantly bash a place that you then admit you don't have much experience with. You've misreported a few things about that spot over the last couple years, and this is coming from someone who stopped going more than rarely because I cannot stomach giving those scumbags money.

The owner is a scumbag and that sucks. But the landlady isn't a peach, either. And the neighborhood suffers. I'm just stunned by the eagerness of someone who cares deeply about this place to see more businesses close. Just because you walk down Parkside when you come home doesn't mean those of us walking down Lincoln want a ghost town.

Clarkson FlatBed said...

Frankly, you're not reading very closely. I've been critical of LPT's food - that's all. I've been super-willing and gone out of my way to ask them to respond to the landlady's own comments (not mine). And then right here in this post I knock her for charging too much money.

I don't think you're seeing the bigger picture, Anon. It takes two to tango, and I'm expressing dismay and fatigue across the board.

Clarkson FlatBed said...

What did I misreport? I reported actual comments from people who claimed inside information. I didn't make this shit up.

Please people, have a heart. I'm doing my best. And if I do express an opinion, which to date has been only about the FOOD which I've had on numerous occasions, why all the backlash? Sheesh. Start your own damn blog. I'm not the New York Times.

Clarkson FlatBed said...

Better yet, start your own restaurant. I get mighty tired of people complaining, but no one wants to stick there feet in the water. It's easy to bitch; not so easy to do something about it.

Anonymous said...

We'll agree to disagree, then. I'm guessing neither one of us have the time, interest, or desire to have some sort of internet argument over if my perceptions are right or wrong and if they will or won't change your view on your writing. I have no qualms with most of what is posted here ...except when it comes to Rong, who has questionably treated multiple tenants over a half a decade or longer.

Again - you can't really rent the two out separately without work being done, the landlady is a bear (saying she's difficult is a compliment), and no one on Lincoln or who uses Lincoln has any reason to rejoice about the possibility of ANOTHER place closing. Especially not leading into a summer that has been violent before it's even warm.

Clarkson FlatBed said...

Plus (then I'll shut up) I think most of these comments are coming from one person, perhaps two, with deep ties to the place. I should remember that before getting all worked up...

Fact is, I'm pulling for the whole lot of them. I've never once suggested I want anyone to fail. I spend more time on Lincoln Road than Parkside, fyi, and have plenty of enthusiasm for the whole neighborhood.

And yes, I know exactly who your are (at least one of you), so take the day off and go have a drink at LPT.

ElizabethC said...

I'm not sure pretending that a restaurant is better than it is helps anybody.

"Unfortunately, it is true, the same dish may be delicious one day and a bitter disappointment the next. All in all, though there are reliable and not terribly expensive meals that are served with an often sardonic smile."

A dish being good one day and dreadful the next is the very DEFINITION of unreliable. Why would I want to throw down my hard earned cash on a chance the food *might* be edible? At least with LPT being sold there's a chance someone might buy it who actually wants to serve GOOD food--not just mediocre food to a community with few options.

Anonymous said...

I do not have deep ties to the place although you could say I have deep ties to unaffiliated individuals who have negative relationships with Rong.

I have a career and have the sense to invest my money into something other than a restaurant in an area that isn't established.

And we've not met. I'm very sorry that you think there is only one person who reads your blog and occasionally goes to LPT. You should give yourself more credit than that - your viewership is pretty vast.

That said, I won't be going out of my way to comment again since this is not really constructive. Thank you for your time and I will continue to read. (and I'm each anon since 11:18).

ElizabethC said...

"Hostile Interlocutor" = 2nd new band name.

Clarkson FlatBed said...

My apologies then. To date, there's only been one regular commenter to take the time to consistently berate the landlady and come to a frothy defense of LPT.

I still think a more careful reading will show that I've not sided with Rong Ge...rather I gave her an opportunity to defend herself against what have been a steady stream of nasty comments, some not so subtly anti-asian. Then I reached out to Karl and Jim asking for their thoughts - on anything mind you, not just the landlady. I got nothing.

Then I've reported on the saga as it unfolds regarding the lease, and even held my tongue on "rumors" that Mamary wanted out. Now that it's clear he's leaving, I'm reporting on that.

Any inference that I have any skin in the game at all, other than the desire for a decent hamburger, is absurd.

Thanks for reading. Look forward to meeting you in the flesh and offering my humble apologies. Feel free to write me offline.

Anonymous said...

Take it easy Q. The guy is clearly too close to the folks at Lincoln Park Tavern to have any objectivity. The first anon sounded like a press agent for the place. The latter anon sounds like a regular. None of it's personal. Keep on telling it like it is.

Anonymous said...

I have eaten there a few times before and thought the food not very good although better than most places on Flatbush, can't wait for more choices to eat/takeout hopefully sometime soon!

Anonymous said...

Curiously, the link from the original article has been taken down. Any ideas as to why?

Anonymous said...

Pardon - that wasn't clear - the rental link from the original article was taken down. Any ideas as to why?

Anonymous said...

I'm a regular at LPT (both sides) and a regular reader of this blog. Let's face it - LPT is a dump; it's obvious that the owner hasn't had interest in the place for a very long time. Lashing out at the Q won't change that a bit.

Clarkson FlatBed said...

Well I'll be damned. You're right! The rental listing has been removed. The plot thickens like gravy!!

I'm too annoyed to follow up. Someone mind going into LPT and asking what the real story is?

Anonymous said...

Frankly I'm just assuming you are right. James left and Jimmy obviously couldn't care any friggin less about the place. There have been thefts, violence, and someone FELL THROUGH THE FLOOR a couple weeks ago. While I'd prefer this happen after the corner store/Tip of the Tongue open so more will be on that street, this, frankly, seems inevitable.

At least we have Mangoseed.

Anonymous said...

The signage for Tip of the Tongue got stolen! LOL this neighborhood is crazy.

Anonymous said...

The food could be better and the drinks could be cheaper but the best thing about LPT is that it's a neighborhood bar that represents the neighborhood. It's a great mix of people and more racially diverse than any other place around here. I can go down to Cortelyou and Sycamore if I want to hang with a hipstery all-white crowd.

Anonymous said...

This just posted on the Lefferts Yahoo email list:

Laura | laura@plgarts.org | Add to Contacts
Today, Friday, Apr 19 01:21 PM | Show Details | View source
[Lefferts] Re: Lincoln Park Tavern for rent?
This is a statement from the owners of Lincoln Park Tavern:

In regards to the recent real estate listing for Lincoln Park Tavern, the owners of LPT did not place that listing, do not know who did and were not even aware of it until it was mentioned on this listserve.

Lincoln Park Tavern is not closing, the owners did not place that ad, and any comments to the contrary are unfounded speculation and rumor.

If anyone has any information on who did place that fake ad, please speak to the manager at Lincoln Park Tavern ASAP.

Thank you,
Laura

Anonymous said...

I miss enduro. Used to go every week 6yrs to 4 yrs ago. i have stopped going since about two years ago. Just can't spend my small eating out fund on a place so awful

Anonymous said...

By the way, I'm the first poster, and I don't have any ties to LPT other than being a regular customer.

And don't be thin-skinned. Running a blog requires a thick one, and right now you're the only regularly active blog I know of dealing with the neighborhood. It would be unfortunate to see you go. You provide a lot of information not otherwise available to the PLG residents, and it is appreciated.

Your open comments policy is also appreciated, and makes this a better blog.

Anonymous said...

It makes no sense that that ad would be fake. Why would someone do that?

Anonymous said...

Or rather, if you think it's fake, why would you need to go to the community to find out who faked it, rather than just calling the realtor on the listing and asking who listed it? Craziness.

Seth said...

I agree with the first poster that you are openly hostile towards LPT and Jim Mamary. I'm really not sure why and I have just kind of accepted that's your viewpoint.

I don't think the owners and management are looking for a platform to address neighborhood rumors. They're mostly just trying to run a business.

Clarkson FlatBed said...

Seth: How many ways can I say it? Let me put it in a simpler format:

1. I don't know Jim; have never met him; have never said anything negative about him personally
2. Having an opinion about a restaurant's food or service or decor or bathrooms is not an openly hostile act, anymore than posting a Yelp review or saying the latest Radiohead record is a disappointment. It's a public place that courts business, and people are welcome to have their opinions about it.
3. I was actually not the first person to note the existence of that listing. It was public knowledge, not a rumor.
4. No one has made any attempt to contact me for the real story. I'm open to any explanation, no matter how implausible.
5. I plan on giving the joint another try and will happily eat my words if the place has evolved.

Sean said...

for the record i like the place a lot. there's some stuff on the menu that's really good, some that's okay and some that's barely passable. i stick to the stuff i really like. the brunch is great. drinks are really good too. just my opinion.

Anonymous said...

I like the latest Radiohead album a lot!

Clarkson FlatBed said...

And Thom Yorke makes a killer hamburger...

Bob Marvin said...

My wife and I just got back from a very pleasant brunch at LPT. I spoke to a long-time employee (who I've known since well before Enduro opened) who tells me that Jim M. has absolutely no intention of giving the place up.

RE: that spurious "for rent" ad, didn't Rong do something like that for the Papa & Son space a couple of years before they closed?

MadMommaCarmen said...

I've known the realtor, Steve Halpern, for over 20 years and can tell you with absolute certainty that the ad was real but it was not placed by Jim.