One of Brooklyn’s Biggest Black Brunch Spots Is at Risk of Closing

Petitioners are trying to save a Park Slope brunch spot from closing, and other openings and closings around town

In Park Slope, a nonprofit called the Black Institute is petitioning to save popular neighborhood brunch spot Woodland from losing its liquor license and closing. The group started the movement to keep the restaurant open, as well as spread awareness about the prejudices faced by black-owned businesses and businesses with black clientele. Owner Akiva Ofshtein has said that he believes neighbors are unhappy “because we mainly have an African-American and Caribbean-American clientele.”

On the Upper West Side, Mediterranean restaurant Vai has closed. But the neighborhood will gain an outpost of pizza chain La Vera Pizza at 2547 Broadway, where Two Boots Pizza once lived; and the Pier 72 diner has reopened at 72nd Street and West End Avenue. Morty’s Wine & Beer Bar — a wine bar from Morton Williams supermarket — is now open at 15 West End Ave., next to the market on 60th Street.

Over in the East Village, Black Iron Burger has closed for renovations at 540 East Fifth St., near Avenue B; and Neapolitan Express at Second Avenue hasn’t been operating for a few weeks.

Best Pizza gets flack for wanting “experienced NY #pizzamen only” at new shop

Beloved Williamsburg pizza shop Best Pizza just opened a new location in Montauk, and an Instagram post calling for new staff is getting some backlash for its caption: “experienced NY #pizzamen only” should apply. Several women commented on the photo, saying that using “pizza maker” would work just as well and that “#pizzamen is a little embarrassing.” The restaurant’s account responded: “Man , Women, fuckin Martians I don’t care as lonoas you can make 20’ pizzas. Have you worked making 20’ pizzas in the past? [sic]” Other defended the popular shop, saying that “pizzamen” is an old-school term that can apply to anybody.

Adidas [Official Photo]

Max Fish-branded sneakers arrive this week

The newest restaurant-branded sneaker has arrived: Legendary Lower East Side dive Max Fish has created an Adidas sneaker that sports the bar’s name and matches its blue and red color scheme. The shoes are called “Max Fish Campus ADV” and launch July 12; the bar and Adidas are throwing a party on July 14 for those who have been a part of its 30-year legacy. The shoes will be sold for a limited time at select national skateboard retailers as well as Max Fish.

A 10-year anniversary celebration at Joseph Leonard

Casual West Village restaurant Joseph Leonard is celebrating its 10th anniversary on July 14 and 15 with a 2009-themed party. Expect specially picked wines from that year, like a 2009 Chateau Musar Blanc from Lebanon, though the a la carte dinner menu will be available too. It goes down on Sunday, July 14, from 6 p.m. to midnight and Monday, July 15, from 5:30 p.m. to midnight.

What it’s like to be a first-time Smorgasburg vendor

A Times reporter recently followed a trio of vendors around for a day, documenting what it’s like to run a busy food stall at Smorgasburg. The day starts at 6:15 a.m. for the women that run Váyalo Cocina, a new Venezuelan stall at the Brooklyn food festival. The stall is run by two sisters Ana and Paola Fernández and Ana’s wife Katherine Rengifo, all of whom fled from Venezuela to the U.S. in 2016. It’s their first year at the food market, but Váyalo Cocina has been a hit, especially for its stuffed arepas and hot dogs topped with a slew of ingredients like bacon, onions, avocado, and several sauces.