Barclays Center Has 'Brooklyn Taste,' Developer Says

The Barclays Center: it's here. The rust-colored behemoth by the Atlantic Terminal will open to the public next week with a musical performance by Jay-Z, and the newly-relocated Brooklyn Nets will begin their season there next month. All of which is cool (or, you know, maybe not), but obviously the most important question is: how's the food? Thankfully the Times is on it.

According to the newspaper of record, Barclays Center developer Bruce Ratner is calling the food program at the arena "Brooklyn Taste," taking the local and upscale stadium eating trends to the max. (A Chicago-based sports consultant tells the Times it's "hyper-local.") All told, 37 different Brooklyn restaurants and food purveyors will be represented at the arena, out of around 130 that were scouted.

Some highlights: Michelin-starred chef Saul Bolton (Saul, The Vanderbilt) will be there, serving brisket hot dogs at a stand called Brooklyn Bangers, as will Fatty Crew's Zak Pelaccio, doing barbecue brisket and pork sandwiches, and the Red Hook Lobster Pound will also have a stand. McClure's Pickles, Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain, and Nathan's Famous will also be represented. Of course, all of these spots will serve their food at the normal stadium high prices: those brisket hot dogs will go for around $10, while Red Hook Lobster Pound's lobster rolls will be $18.50.

So who knows whether or not the Nets will be any good, and the neighborhood sure is on edge about it, but hey, at least the food should be pretty good.
· If Only the Nets Live Up to the Arena Food [NYT]
· All Coverage of the Barclays Center [Curbed NY]
· All Coverage of the Barclays Center [~ENY~]