Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

Now Open: Botanica
220 Conover Street (between Coffey and Dikeman), Red Hook; (718) 797-2297
Amy Langfield’s New York Notebook reports that a lounge called Botanica is the newest addition to Red Hook’s nightlife scene. Cocktails, such as the Death in the Afternoon (champagne, absinthe, and bitters), cost around 10 bucks, and apparently, there’s a 25-ounce beer on the menu that costs a whopping $35. Will this high-end Red Hook bar be able to sustain itself? Perhaps the next Real World cast will help them out…

Coming Soon: The Oak & The Iris Cafe
Corner of Fort Hamilton Parkway and East 4th Street, Kensington
Posted on the door of the old Jimmy’s space: “Soon (August) we will be opening a beautiful healthy cafe with full coffee/tea/juice bar, breakfast and brunch; sit down for delicious meals and your essential groceries all in one. The Oak and The Iris Cafe, here to serve our community.” [Kensington (Brooklyn)]

The Times Visits Eton
205 Sackett Street (at Henry Street), Carroll Gardens; (718) 222-2999
“But what Eton lacks in polish it makes up for in spirit. For dumpling eaters, the sight of its cooks forming, crimping and frying a pan of potstickers rivals any million-dollar open kitchen. And each time somebody orders a Hawaiian-style shave ice ($3.75 for a small, $4.75 for a large), the restaurant seems to discover its own private stash of colors.” [NY Times]

After the jump: Heath Ledger’s posthumous bar project, the best sandwiches in South Brooklyn, and a new hot dog cart in Dumbo…

Heath Ledger’s Unfinished Project: FiveLeaves
Down By The Hipster posted this photo of FiveLeaves, “the nautically themed bar that is preparing to open in Greenpoint at the corner of Lorimer and Bedford… sometime in the next few months.” DBTH also reports that Heath Ledger “was a key backer of the the project and was going to be a full partner. His untimely death put the project in jeopardy, but his father became executor of the estate and because he knew how much the project meant to Heath, he released the funds to finish construction.”

Best Sandwich in South Brooklyn?
One sandwich-lovin’ Chowhound who works from home has been bummed out since Zoila on Hoyt and State and Chicory on Degraw and Clinton closed — and is seeking suggestions for stellar sandwiches in the Boerum Hill/Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens area. Other ‘Hounds have suggested Hanco’s for bahn mi and Caputo’s for Italian sandwiches. Any other suggestions around here or in the surrounding neighborhoods?

Now Open: The Landing at Fulton Ferry
A hot dog cart stationed across the street from Grimaldi’s
“Last weekend saw the debut of the Landing at Fulton Ferry, an old-style hot-dog cart with a contemporary fixation on details. The cart: It’s got oak wheels and handles. The dogs: There are just four combos, but they’re striving for cred. Try the Chicago Dog, with a Vienna beef frank and poppy-seed bun…” [TONY’s The Feed]