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Pizza, martinis & late nights: Meet the team behind Frenzie
Just one week ago, chefs Brendan Kelley and Daniel Grossman, the duo behind Confidant, opened their newest neighborhood venture right next door: Frenzie, a casual pizza and wine spot designed to carry the night a little later.
“As a team we really wanted to do something fun and casual,” they shared. “What could be better than pizza and wine?!” Originally envisioned with more of a daytime focus, Frenzie evolved into a nighttime concept after the team saw when customers were coming through the doors at Confidant. The result is a spot that works just as well for an early family dinner as it does for a late-night pizza and martini.
Kelley and Grossman bring experience from two very different heavy hitters in New York’s pizza scene, Roberta’s and L’Industrie. What they took from both was a focus on good products and attention to detail. “Our focus is simple: make good food with attention to detail and respect for the amazing ingredients we source.”
The team points to the sausage and peppers pizza and smashed cucumber salad as two favorites, along with the Frenzie martini and a shakerato, think an espresso martini-meets-carajillo made with Amaro Averna. If they were ordering for a first-timer, they’d go with a martini, pan con tomate, cucumber salad, steak tartare, vodka ’nduja pizza and tiramisu. Hot tip: only 16 tiramisus are available each night, first come, first served.
Frenzie is intended to be a livelier counterpart to Confidant. Earlier in the evening, expect a more relaxed atmosphere, and as the night goes on, the lights dim, the music gets louder while the pizza and drinks keep flowing.
“You can start your night at Confidant and end it at Frenzie, or you can flip flop.” — Brendan Kelley & Daniel Grossman, Co-Owners of Frenzie
The team says Atlantic Avenue’s energy made it a natural place to expand. “So many good options already exist, and we are just trying to add to that.” When they’re not at their own restaurants, some of their neighborhood favorites include Elsa, Henry Public and Long Island Bar.
As for what they hope Frenzie becomes for Cobble Hill, the goal is simple: staying power. “Longevity is everything,” they shared. “Being a place people can rely on carries significant weight. A place for everyone to create great memories for years to come.”
Frenzie is now open and currently walk-in only. Visit them at 129 Atlantic Ave..
Here’s what’s happening this week:
✨ Local Happenings and New Openings ✨
Carroll Gardens is getting a new all-day neighborhood coffee shop and bar. Light Switch - founded by Henry Cummings - is opening Summer 2026 at 333 Court Street (the former location of The Brooklyn Strategist), serving coffee, wine, beer, and light bites from morning to night.
Pony’s, a new Red Hook spot for everything from morning coffee to late-night martinis, is officially opening its doors this Saturday.
Val’s is coming to Red Hook! The new community-focused bar and diner is taking over the former Pitt’s space, with plans for classic diner fare, burgers, blue-plate specials, weekly pizza nights and a flexible space for co-working and neighborhood gatherings. Andrea Strong has more of the scoop.
The Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse is returning this fall, taking over the recently restored 1852 landmarked One Monroe Place. Open to the public from October 2–November 1, the historic mansion will be transformed by 17 designers and architects.
A floating pool prototype, being built in Red Hook and slated to debut in the East River in 2027, is nearing completion. The pool, which was initially proposed in 2021, uses filtered river water.
Brooklyn developers Tankhouse and Lonicera Partners are in contract to buy the historic church at 360 Schermerhorn Street in Boerum Hill for $28.3 million. The developers plan to demolish the 1890s-era building and replace it with a residential development.
Business Buzz:
Hotel Ceramics is popping up at Dinner Party this weekend. Stop by for brunch, sip coffee from one of Hotel’s signature chunky mugs while shopping the ceramics in person.
Thursdays are for Negronis at Table 87. Enjoy $9 Negronis all day every Thursday, with eight variations to choose from!
NYC Restaurant Week:
Just a couple weeks left of Summer NYC Restaurant Week! Check out these participating local spots: French Louie, Barbalu, Shan, Lele’s Roman, Malvan, Levant on Smith, ABC Kitchens DUMBO, and Aromi.
One more for your late-summer list: Leland’s garden patio is officially open and taking reservations! We recently stopped by for a garden party and it’s a lovely spot to make the most of these last summer evenings.
See you around the neighborhood!
Shannon
✨ Continue reading our ‘Cobble Hill Insider’ section at the bottom just for paid subscribers who want to stay a step ahead - soft openings & exclusives!
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Sponsored by MakeInspires
FREE Community STEAM Family Day at MakeInspires!
Looking for a fun Saturday morning with the kids? Join MakeInspires and Cobble Hill Collective on August 29 from 10:00am–12:00pm for a FREE Community STEAM Family Day at MakeInspires’ Brooklyn makerspace! Families can try hands-on STEAM activities, explore the makerspace, meet the instructors, join a Family STEAM Challenge, and hear from founder Travis Sluss during a live parent Q&A. Plus, enjoy coffee and pastries from Brooklyn Granary & Mill and offers from Sit Still Kids while you connect with other local families.
Have another question or topic you want answered? Leave us a comment on Instagram here.
Our Top Picks
Events with an asterisk* tend to sell out- reserve tickets early!
Today, August 20:
Movies with a View: Bridesmaids @ Brooklyn Bridge Park (6:00pm): The summer series continues with a free waterfront screening of Bridesmaids. Come early to picnic on the lawn and catch the sunset, plus grab a free sample of Rita’s new Shirley Temple Italian Ice from their treat truck!
Friday, August 21:
Pop Edit Night @ Loafer’s Cocktail Bar (9:00pm-1:00am): Enjoy a night of deep house, disco and pop edits with DJs Adam Ward and Mason Deruloo.
Saturday, August 22:
NYC Summer Streets @ Grand Army Plaza (9:00am-5:00pm): Summer Streets is taking over Eastern Parkway from Grand Army Plaza to Buffalo Avenue with a day of open streets and free activities for all ages. Walk, bike or explore the route and stop by community programming along the way, including free drop-in beadstringing with UrbanGlass.
Casanara 2-Year Anniversary Block Party @ 983 Fulton Street (12:00–7:00pm): Celebrate their second anniversary with a free community block party hosted by Saint James Joy.
Sunday, August 23:
Sachette’s Bakery Pop-up @ Anaïs Wine Bar (12:00pm-sold out): Enjoy this bakery pop up with cookies, galettes, cakes and more. Stop by early to snag your treats before they’re gone!
Summer Series with Arthur @ Popina (12:00pm): Popina is bringing back its Summer Series with Greenpoint favorite Arthur for a casual backyard dinner featuring a buffet of dishes from both restaurants, drinks and live music. Tickets are $85 and include two drink tickets for cocktails, beer or wine.
Submit an event to be considered for this weekly events roundup!
Neighborhood Job Board 📌
This week’s featured openings include an Experienced Cake Decorator at One Girl Cookies, several new roles at BRIC, and an Executive Initiatives & Board Liaison at Brooklyn Arts Council, plus dozens of other opportunities across nearby neighborhoods.
✨ Cobble Hill Insider ✨
This week’s Insider section includes:
A luxury skincare destination quietly opened its second Brooklyn location • One of Smith Street’s biggest properties just sold • A new wellness destination is coming to Brooklyn Tower
