Long ago, in days gone by the Park Luncheonette was truly a Greenpoint gem. Costas served up eggs mykonos, gyros platters, the ocassional beef-frank out the back window and egg creams. I went there nearly every day in the spring/summer of 2004. I spoke with the owner and his wife. I talked with the short-order cook Costas when things were slow (though through his thick accent and poor english I understood only about 20% of our conversations). I dated one of the polish waitresses. Then things changed.

The Williamsburg line seems to keep creeping up Driggs, Lorimer, and Bedford Avenue, devouring all things in it's wake (low-ish rent, vacant lots, bars, the McCarren Park Pool). The Park Lunchenoette was one of the first spots north of McCarren Park to go post-hipster. white table cloths. wine. candles. no more egg creams, then no more hot dogs out the back for park goers, then a 'double menu' at lunch consisting of the new 'fancy' menu and the old greek diner menu. then they dropped the greek diner menu. Costas? let go. Cute Polish waitstaff? no more. Prices? way up. Eggs mykonos (oh, my eggs mykonos)? don't even think about it.

I've only been there once since it fully transitioned. It was brunch. The owner asked about why I didn't stop by anymore and gave us a free round of bloody marys. I had eggs benedict. I'll never go back.

This photo is from the transitional period from greek diner to post-hipster hotspot (can you spot Adam and Dave?):