‘The Franks’ Will Rework Their Brooklyn Restaurant Empire

TO: Ms. Rao I do not know how to contact you directly and, therefore, I am trying this route. How could you make your article on the last tomato salad of the season not to be open to your readers' comments? I am sure we would have read many interesting thoughts pro and con tomatos and salads with or withou them.

Cafe Pedlar, their former coffee spot, was really the only coffee bar in the immediate hood. It mysteriously closed well over a year ago (maybe 2?), leaving a prime corner of the hood dark, and it's patrons scratching their heads as to what's going on? I get business is business, but for 2 guys apparently SO concerned with their legacy and the surrounding neighborhood, they really did the fair people of Cobble Hill wrong by leaving everyone in the dark. Given its prime location, it was an eyesore and sore spot for many who

“Carroll Gardens has changed, and the ambitions of the Franks.....have changed as well”. Interesting observation, considering the Franks have now decided to open a pizza joint right next door to long time neighborhood pizza favorite Layla Jones—owned/operated by a beloved neighborhood family. In my humble opinion the change in the Franks ambition has blinded them to the local community vibe that makes this hood so wonderful. C’mon guys, you know better.

Everyone in Brooklyn knows these guys are clowns. They were in the right place at the right time and still ran it into the ground. What a joke.

My two daughters and I have been going to Prime Meats weekly for nearly six years as they went to the International School of Brooklyn just steps away. We always had a great meal and pleasant service. The waiters and the managers knew us by name and inquired about life, school and vacations. We were shook (as the teens in my house say) when I read about the closing. The grilled Octopus and steak frites are fabulous and the changing drinks menu always offered a glorious surprise. Hopefully, the PM staff finds a home at the new space. I’m not big on Italian so it’ll be a bittersweet goodbye.

Yes these Franks are great, but they are being entirely greedy and narcissistic about their business. Look at what makes up your local corner block in nyc - diversity ... the Franks obviously ignored this as they decided to change Cafe Pedlar into a Slice Joint one shop away from a local family owned pizza establishment called Layla Jones Pizza! One shop away ! Seriously guys! Brooklyn is home to so many ideas and has so much space why and what are you hoping to achieve? Really a betrayal of all things authentic and real. Be greedy Be gone !

At some point Prime Meats forgot that if the cheapest entree is a $28 burger the service needs to be professional and it is no longer a neighborhood casual place. So after many great meals there but none recently I'll be happy to be able reserve a table at 457.

They have another pioneering restaurant concept in the works. They call it Franks' and Beans. Filling you up for under twenty with a culinary tank o' gas.

Too bad to hear about removing just the Grateful Dead. That was always a highlight to the visits !!!! Always such a shame that the West Village location didn't follow suit with the music choice. Don't change too much, Frankies !

For a visual delight Google maps, streetside, 547 Court St, Brooklyn, NY... wonderful street and location of Frankies 547. Also see their menu, lovely photo of the back patio.

But the real question is...will the expanded Frankie’s allow strollers?

Hope the Franks bring back the pork bracciole. We stopped going when it left the menu.

Maybe if the Franks want to be remembered fondly as a neighborhood institution, they should consider NOT selling pizza directly across the street from a long-time beloved pizza restaurant. My family and I have enjoyed Layla Jones for years and hope that all their loyal customers will continue to show the love.

Just wondering why you closed Cafe Pedlar. Great coffee, really hood baristas, good location. We loved it and miss it!

Along with the updates, They should revisit their customer service. I've been to Frankies many times, and have not always had great service. Some of the hostesses have had very snooty attitudes. I know they can pack a house, but don't forget about your loyal customers. I tell myself i go for the food, not the service, but as the prices keep getting extremely higher i should expect both.

Pizza restaurants, bank branches, drug stores, wine bars, women's clothing boutiques. Anything really new going on in New York City?

"When we first opened Frankies, we just wanted people to get in and out for under $20" . . . now you can't even get a cheese burger at Prime Meats for that much. That said - it's the best one I have ever had, so I hope it finds a place on the revised menu. Also, most of the neighbors are just renting those million dollar brownstones - there is still a thriving market for people who want to get in and out for under $20. Don't forget your bread and butter!

As someone who was born in Carroll Gardens and lived on LI, the Frankie's/Umbertos combo is a dream come true. Just hope the owners don't stray too far from what's made them successful - basic good food at a reasonable price...and don't let the wine bar leave out us beer aficionados!

Good for them. I tried Prime Meats a few times: it was fine at what it did but not really memorable and, as I remember it, the bartenders tended toward hipster self-parody. However, I am always drawn back to 457 for the simple and honest food. And the (unnatural) wine list. Play to your strengths - good call.

Such truth, "We’ve tried so many things but over time, it seems like what’s dear to us, what we really love, is this Italian thing,' Mr. Castronovo said. Mr. Falcinelli nodded. 'Coincidentally, it’s what everybody else loves, too.'" It's time that we got away from designer cuisine with decorated plates containing mere morsels of food for big price-tags. The gift of Italian cuisine!