Serving it up Ink Well style

We checked out the "soft" opening of Ink Well last night on Rogers Ave. near Lefferts Ave.  We were greeted by a man in a suit proclaiming himself as our host and if we needed anything we should go to him (Dave?  We're not good with names).  The story is that it will be a jazz poetry comedy soul food restaurant and bar.  As of last night it was pure restaurant and bar, although we were told by the very nice bartender that the first comic will probably appear in October.

Ink Well has a good sound system that wasn't too loud - allowing for the loungy, meet-the-person-you're-standing-next-to feel - and there were roses decorating many surfaces.  The most striking thing was the number of flat screen TVs.  In the back room there are so many that if you threw in a
few treadmills it would pass for our gym.

We were happy with our Ink Well special sauce chicken and potato salad, though our friend complained about the dressing-less salad and what was perceived to include store bought yams  (it didn't help that our friend is a vegetarian; perhaps soul food is not the perfect mix for her).

Pending "hard" opening, check out Ink Well.  We're looking forward to seeing how they develop over time.

Comments

[babs]

I checked it out on opening night too -- was told that they hadn't hired a chef yet, so they were "auditioning" several, and you should tell them what you liked so they'd know which one to hire. However, getting any food seemed impossible, as the waitress seemed vey pointedly to ignore us (although she did bring small plates to several groups around us), and we finally gave up and went to Toomey's. Probably the late hour didn't help -- we arrived after 9. I don't really think they were ready for even a "soft" opening -- no taps at the bar for tonic, seltzer, etc. -- everything was out of bottles and they didn't have any tonic at all. Oh, well, what do you want for free? Otherwise, I think Ed's earlier comment might be right - but not because of the wrong place or the wrong time, but simple mismanagement.

[Ed]

Rogers Ave. appears to be cursed. Someone better have a lot of capital, significant experience, and a great business plan if they expect to kick off the apparently imminent Rogers Avenue restaurant/shopping district.

[babs]

You can get away with being undercapitalized and incompetent in some areas, which will attract business merely by virtue of their location, but a more off-the-beaten path spot needs to attract customers for a reason. And I know from the number of my neighbors I ran into there that a good spot would be supported. Just hope this one is able to get its act together. Otherwise I personally would love someone with lots of capital to open a good sushi or even Thai (I know I'm so cliche) restaurant -- while we waited for the rest of the nabe to catch up I'd patronize it almost every night, I promise!

[Ed]

I think a "gourmet takeout" place with reasonable prices would do great business - somewhere you could pick up something healthy on the way from the train. I think there is a huge market for people who don't have time to cook, but don't want to go out to eat, or be forced to eat heavy, fatty or fried foods. Of course, this wouldn't happen on Rogers Avenue - it would need to be on Lincoln Road by the train. I'm sure it would be a HUGE hit.

[Dan]

"I think a "gourmet takeout" place with reasonable prices would do great business - somewhere you could pick up something healthy on the way from the train."

I knew today was going to be special - I agree with Ed! Woo hoo! :-)

[jd]

I actually agree with Ed too. And yesterday he wrote something less than positive about the hood. It is amazing.

[Ed]

You know, Ed is usually on point - it's just not always the rosy picture the kids want to see...