By Alan Ferber & Friends
A few years after the Dodgers decamped for the west coast, leaving a trail of broken hearts (mine included), Anthony Affronti and his brothers began a tradition on Smith Street and realized their dream, which was to serve their neighbors the freshest and finest meats possible. To reflect the neighborhood, which was mostly Spanish and Italian speaking, and their ethos, they aptly named it Los Paisanos.
More than forty-five years later, Anthony’s son Mike continues the tradition of freshly cut (same day) quality meats, combined with impeccable customer service started by his father and uncles — and, if you are fortunate in your timing when you go in, Tony will be behind the counter and regale you with stories and Smith Street trivia. When it comes to his secrets of success, Mike doesn’t mind being called old-fashioned: “It’s pretty simple really, I treat everybody — customers, employees and neighbors — the way I like to be treated.”
And its no wonder that when you walk in, whether you are the head chef of one of the many great Brooklyn restaurants who are clients, or a twenty-year customer who used to live around the corner, but now drives in from Long Island every week, or one of his many long-time employees or a new Manhattan transplant walking in for the first time, you walk in on a red carpet.
If you have never been there before, you may not know what really, really fresh meat looks like. And they’ve got it all: beef, pork, poultry and lamb, to the more exotic game like elk and venison. They have grass-fed beef, organic, and high-grade Angus, to the dry (and finely) aged right where you can see it: NY strips, porter houses, t-bones, rib eyes, cowboy steaks and pursuito de parma. And if your thing is sausage, real sausage, just stop reading now and go in because space doesn’t permit me to gush over all the different kinds, tastes, and qualities of their lineup. And they do custom orders. Basically, if you have a hankering for anything or want to try something new, talk to Mike.
To continue the Los Paisanos tradition, Mike has changed with the times by offering more delicacies. They’ve got all sorts of great cheeses, designer olive oils, and olives. To satisfy customer demand, they started bottling their own brand of delicious sauces for grilling (or “ovening”). And for many years now, the Los Paisanos brand of quality has been extended to 52 varieties of ravioli: from broccoli & mozzarella, to sweet potato gnocchi, and don’t miss their walnut & gorgonzola.
Bottom line, there are no excuses for not having first-hand knowledge of the “Paisanos” south Brooklyn tradition. Mike and his team are open seven days a week, they deliver, they do custom and large orders, they have great quality meats and specialty foods, they’ve got answers or suggestions if you’ve got questions, they’ll treat you well and you’ll finally feel like you live in the neighborhood when you walk in on the red carpet.
It’s a funny thing about destiny and chance and why some ask ‘why?’ and others ask “why not?” I admit to being a bit shy when I actually walked into Salon de Quartier for the first time; after-all, I am (was) an old-school barber guy, and what business did I have walking into a high-end hair salon celebrating its seventh year on Smith? But after meeting Lina and seeing the Salon de Quartier experience, I have made appointments (and they do take same day walk-ins) for the foreseeable future (as long as I’ve got it).
My words will fail me as I describe the ambience, but I’ll try: You feel welcome as soon as you walk in the door. You know they are busy because your eyes can still see, but everyone is warm, beautiful, calm and “Brooklyn-friendly.” You are offered cappuchino (it’s good). You see a child laughing, getting his hair cut. You see a woman with foil in her hair and are told that’s part of the “coloring” process.
Another woman seems to be sharing a story with her stylist. And a couple are getting their heads massaged. Great wood floors, local art hanging, awards and write-ups from fashion magazines on the walls and the light is great. You realize you are in the midst of true professionals but they don’t have the “chi-chiness” (and there are other words for it) associated with the other boro, but instead you have the warmth and friendliness of the Borough of Kings (and queens, and young princesses and princes).
Seven years ago Lina, who lives in the neighborhood, was having dinner with her fellow expat Sebastian (she is from Naples, and he from Paris). They both talked about one day opening up their own full service, quality salon and why not in Brooklyn? Didn’t the neighbors deserve great service and hair within walking distance? As Sebastian walked back to the train that night, he saw the space with a “for rent” sign, and the next day he put down a deposit and Salon de Quartier (your neighborhood salon) was born. They joined forces and now they are partners. (Due to demand they have since opened up locations on the Upper East Side, and recently in Miami).
For Lina, who is as delightful as they come, it’s all about the client and providing great service. She has a great team of specialists, and you can see, loves what she does. Business has grown every year as word-of-mouth spreads and more people realize they don’t have to travel far to be good to their hair and themselves (and they do hair-extensions and weaves). They have a back room for really busy days, or it can be booked by a wedding party for a full-day of beauty (and champagne and memories). They love children and men are most welcome as well. And their gift certificates are popular.
So take my advice and skip straight to “why not?” and stop by your neighborhood salon to say hello, get a complimentary consultation, meet some good people, and treat yourself well.
Just a few Smith Street Specials:
Bar Tabac: Too many reasons to list, but you may want to stop by and reserve a spot for...two words…nouveaux beaujoulais (it’s soon time).
Angry Wade’s: Stop by Saturdays and Sundays for great draft specials and excellent and neighborly atmosphere. (Prices go down as his Wisconsin Badgers move up in the rankings).
Jenna G’s Army Navy Store: You’ll be shocked at the great assortment of cold and warm weather gear (and shoes) now on sale.
Bagels-by-the-Park: Having a lot of friends over? Save yourself the trouble (and be good to your friends) and customize huge hero sandwiches OR get many great handmade bagels and side treats to go.
CEOL: On Wednesdays and Sundays experience real Irish “sessions” (that would be that riverwalk dancing) and get drink specials at the longest bar in Brooklyn.
More retailers and great restaurants to come and thank you again for all of your support, and mostly for supporting our neighbors and our wonderful street — it’s a treasure. We’ll catch you up next week.
Please contact us at
smithbeat@brooklyneagle.net.
© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2006
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