(Photo: Daniel Maurer)
Last month when we brought word that the folks at Riis Park Beach Bazaar had decided to keep slinging drinks through the winter, and that one of its vendors, WildFeast, would be continuing on as a proper restaurant, it seemed too good to be true: year-round food and drink smack dab in the middle of Jacob Riis Park? During the off-season the place is pretty much the dictionary definition of “desolate,” with howling winds that will instantly peel off whatever is left of that summer tan.
But it’s actually happening. Last night we dropped into WildFeast at Riis during its second weekend in business. We were pretty much the only ones inside the historic Bay 9 pavilion to watch the Mets game.
But Bazaar owner and Greenpoint resident Belvy Klein assured us that brunch went over like hotcakes (the denizens of Breezy Point flocking to an Irish breakfast? go figure) and the previous week’s Oktoberfest celebration was off the chain. He’s expecting a similar turnout for the forthcoming dog costume contest.
As mentioned in our preview, WildFeast sources its fish locally, gets much of its meat from nearby, and sources veggies from its own one-acre farm in North Fork. The expanded menu features items like this sandwich of grilled local monkfish tail.
And these blackberry scones are on the brunch menu.
Here are the offerings at Riis Point Bar, as the beverage operation is called.
And, finally, the menus. Click for a larger view and next time you’re going through Rockaway withdrawal rest assured there’s mulled cider with your name on it at Riis.
WildFeast at Riis, 157 Rockaway Beach Blvd; open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 4pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm (brunch) and from 4pm to 10pm (dinner).