Coney Island's Boardwalk, Re-Materialized At Prospect In Brooklyn
We've seen our fill of industrial-chic restaurants proudly showcasing their green-design savvy by way of reclaimed wood surfaces, yet very often the material in question is being hauled in from some abandoned out-of-state farm, or far-off upstate locale. The owners of Brooklyn's newly debuted Fort Greene restaurant Prospect, however, looked no further than Coney Island as their source.
"We wanted to use something special, something unique, that would stand out and would frame out our kitchen wall," says co-owner Alan Cooper, who enlisted the aid of designer Andrea Kent. "The process of getting the wood was pretty simple. We were able to purchase it through Olde Good Things." The city's park departments has been replacing rickety pieces of the famed boardwalk for the past few years, making the wood available for recycling projects such as this.
The seasonal menu at Prospect (think roasted and pickled beets with late-summer cherries, Hudson Valley foie gras with locally-grown apples, and Long Island black bass bouillabaisse) from chef Kyle McClelland includes plenty of nearby ingredients, which only adds to the restaurant's New York state of mind.
When it comes to authentic dining these days, it seems that local ingredients and sourcing are taking on all forms—not just what you see on the plate. Diners, this is the new New York.
Taking locavore to the next level: Prospect features dishes made with local ingredients, and wood recycled from within Brooklyn's borders.[/caption]
The bar brings Coney Island to interior Brooklyn. (Still, we recommend a trip to Ruby's for the real deal.)[/caption]
Prospect, 773 Fulton St., Brooklyn, NY, prospectbk.com