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Photo Album: First Brunch at Tom’s Coney Island by Bruce Handy

Posted in Food, Photo Album, Photography, tagged Boardwalk, Bruce Handy, Coney Island, restaurant, Soft opening, Tom's Restaurant on September 23, 2012| 7 Comments »

First Brunch at Tom’s Coney Island. September 23, 2012. Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary

Coney Island resident and photographer Bruce Handy was one of the first customers at Tom’s Coney Island’s soft opening at 9am this morning. “I had two eggs over easy, home fries, whole wheat toast and coffee, all good,” said Bruce, who posted these photos of Tom’s first Sunday brunch on his Coney Island Photo Diary.

Are they serving pancakes yet? “Not sure, guy next to me had waffles,” he said. On Friday, Tom’s manager told ATZ the full menu will be identical to that of Tom’s Prospect Heights location with the addition of seafood entrees, but their famous pancakes and some other items may not be available just yet. We’ll let you know later. ATZ’s afternoon plans include popping into Tom’s before heading over to a screening of four of these five Coney-themed films at the Coney Island Film Festival.

Update… Yes, Tom’s Coney Island has pancakes! We tried the Danish pancakes made with ricotta cheese and served with a choice of flavored butter. Delicious! Breakfast is served all day. Our friend had the turkey club sandwich which is his favorite at Tom’s in Prospect Heights. Vegetarians will be happy to know there’s a vegie burger on the menu and it is cooked on a grill separate from the one used for meat. Owner Jimmy Kokotas says weekday hours are 8am till 5pm. On weekends, he hopes to stay open till 7pm. In addition, Tom’s has a liquor license and is serving beer. Other alcoholic drinks will be available after they get a delivery, probably the end of the week or next week. At that time, beer and alcohol will be on a separate menu.

Tom’s Coney Island is located on the Boardwalk at the corner of Stillwell Avenue. Though the restaurant is opening near the end of the amusement park season due to months of construction, it is expected to initially remain open at least nine months of the year. We predict it will become a neighborhood favorite. Join us in welcoming Tom’s to Coney Island by dropping by for breakfast or lunch!

Tom’s Coney Island, 1229 Boardwalk (at Stillwell Avenue), Brooklyn, NY 11224. Phone 718-942-4200

Opening This Weekend: Tom’s Restaurant in Coney Island

Posted in Food, Food & Drink, tagged Boardwalk, Brooklyn, Coney Island, local, New Restaurant, opening, Tom's Coney Island, Tom's Restaurant on September 21, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Tom’s Coney Island Under Construction on the Boardwalk. August 25, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The long-awaited opening of Tom’s on the Coney Island Boardwalk is planned for this weekend, the manager at the restaurant’s Prospect Heights location told ATZ. We phoned Tom’s for confirmation after hearing from a friend who is a regular customer that Saturday was the day. Characterizing Saturday’s debut as a “soft opening” with the grand opening yet to come, the manager said “we’re trying to work out some last-minute details. Worst case scenario it will be Sunday. That’s why we’re not publicizing it.”

The full menu will be identical to that of the original location with the addition of seafood entrees~~, but their famous pancakes and some other items may not be available this Saturday.~~ Asked if we could go in and sit down and order an omelette and coffee, the manager said yes. Sounds like a plan for Sunday brunch! In this Brooklyn Independent Television segment on the popular Tom’s of Prospect Heights, owner Jimmy Kokotas says a combination of “the homey feeling, the service and the food” have made his family’s restaurant a neighborhood favorite since 1936.

Tom’s Coney Island is located on the Boardwalk at the corner of Stillwell Avenue. Though it is opening near the end of the amusement park season, the new restaurant is expected to initially remain open at least nine months of the year. The former location of Nathan’s and Cha Cha’s Club Atlantis (as well as the original Club Atlantis) required by far the most work and investment of any of the rehabbed Boardwalk stores. Due to structural issues, the place had to be completely gutted and rebuilt, including the roof and some of the brickwork. Windows were installed in the west wall. A new roof deck for alfresco dining will have spectacular views of the beach and boardwalk. Nathan’s moved to the Boardwalk and West 12th Street and Cha Cha’s relocated to the north side of Surf across from the original Nathan’s.

UPDATE September 23, 2012:

Yes, the full menu including pancakes is available! See Photo Album: First Brunch at Tom’s Coney Island by Bruce Handy

Photo Album: Magic Gyro & Coney Island Gourmet Food

Posted in Food, Food & Drink, tagged Coney Island, falafel, gyro, Magic Gyro, Stillwell Terminal, vegetarian on August 22, 2012| 1 Comment »

Magic Gyro at Coney Island Gourmet Food. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Since Coney Island Gourmet Food opened in Stillwell Terminal in November, its Turkish-American owners have kept it stocked with a variety of imported chocolate bars, cookies and bulk nuts, as well as freshly baked bread, teas and grocery items. It struck us as a convenient place to stop by on the way home from work rather than on the way to the beach. A “Magic Gyro” sign on the Stillwell Avenue facade and a corner kitchen were a promise of home-made take-out food to come. The kitchen finally opened for business a few weeks ago and ATZ was delighted to find some vegetarian options, which are scarce in Coney Island’s amusement area.

Magic Gyro at Coney Island Gourmet Food. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

In addition to chicken and veal sandwiches and entrees served with rice and salad, the menu offers falafel, hummus, babganoush, haydari (yogurt flavored with garlic, herbs and olive oil) and stuffed vine leaves. The food is very reasonably priced. A salad with pita bread is $2.99-$4.99, red lentil balls are 2 for $1.00, and spinach pie is $2.99. Last season, Coney Cones on the Boardwalk had panini but has taken it off their menu to focus on sweets and we miss it. We were happy to find the item available here for $3.49.

Did we mention that Coney Island Gourmet has the coldest air-conditioning in all of Coney Island? When we stopped by on one of those killer days in August, the cashier was wearing a polar fleece jacket. The cold drinks in the cooler are dazzling to look at and ice cold.

For dessert, try something different: Zefir, a traditional Russian marshmallow-like treat. Manager Umut Ozalp tells ATZ that the shop also has outposts at Brighton Beach, Kings Highway and 86th Street.

Coney Island Gourmet Foods, 2943 Stillwell Avenue (inside Stillwell Terminal), Brooklyn. 718-373-8400.