Heights Bites: Foodie News From Flatbush to Franklin

Prospect Heights and Crown Heights are exploding with new restaurants, cafes and artisan food stores. Here's a round-up of the recently arrived and the soon-to-come:

Latin Bistro Replaces Carlton Park

SoHo's loss is our gain. Ideya, a Latin bistro, will replace the short-lived Carlton Park next month at the corner of Park Place and Flatbush Avenue. Owner Lauryn Small moved the restaurant to Prospect Heights after closing the 14-year-old W. Broadway restaurant following Hurricane Sandy. The restaurant specializes in Caribbean Latin cuisine, which includes a mix of Spanish, African and Caribbean ingredients. It will also have a full bar (mojitos are their specialty) and offer a toddler-friendly Salsa sing-along brunch once a month. No other musical events are planned. More on Ideya coming soon.

Moroccan Cafe Coming to Washington 

The long promised Moroccan wine bar and cafe is slated to open this summer on Washington Avenue between St. Marks and Prospect Place. Owner Abdu Kabbag promises to offer such traditional dishes as liver with sharmula as well as more eclectic offerings such as lentil tapas, a charcuterie plate and ginger lemonade. Kabbag is also planning open mic nights and live music.  

Barbecue Returns to Flatbush

Ever since Biscuit closed, Flatbush Avenue has been without a barbecue joint. After a five-year drought, a Texas barbecue and macaroni and cheese combo joint is coming to the strip, at the corner of St. Marks. The two places are under separate ownership but will share the same storefront. Last we heard there was still no name for the barbecue venture, but the mac and cheese operation is called Elbow Room, which already has a branch at the Barclays Center.  

A Cheese Shop for Franklin

The owners of Little Zelda opened a cheese and specialty food shop in the Brooklyn Larder model at 728B Franklin Ave. between Park and Sterling. Called "Wedge," the shop offers cheese, charcuterie, bread and other gourmet food items. They also offer classes on cheese appreciation and pairing and do a cheese plate and movie night with the bar Cool Pony once a month. See details on their facebook page.

Stocked Opens (With Glitches)

Stocked, a new gourmet prepared food shop and cafe replacing Back 9 Grill at 635 Vanderbilt Ave. held a soft opening Wednesday (but had to shut early due to some bad luck). The cafe offers healthy entrees, sides, salads and sauces for people to grab on their way home as well as eat-in service in a kid-friendly, laptop-friendly atmosphere. More here.