Two Over Easy at the St. Clair Restaurant

So McBrooklyn had two over easy this morning at the "New" St. Clair Restaurant, the old-time diner at the corner of Smith and Atlantic, near the jail -- and massive amounts of Brooklyn redevelopment. Sunday is the New St. Clair's last day. Mr. Costa, the owner, told McBrooklyn he's sold the building and is moving back to Greece. "After 40 years," he said.

Locals remember meeting at the New St. Clair (presumably dubbed "new" in '67, when the Costa family took over) to plan protest marches during the heady 60s. Now many of the same folks -- hair gray but still with fire in the belly -- drop by for reasonably priced, decent diner fare.

McBrooklyn overheard two women discussing the "Arrest Bush" march they participated in Tuesday morning. Another woman came in and sat at a nearby table. "Hey, I know you," one of the marchers said. "We both carried the same coffin over the bridge yesterday!"

Breakfast -- juice, coffee, two eggs, home fries and toast -- cost about five bucks. The service was spectacular. The home fries were that excellent sort of somewhat greasy diner accomplishment. (Don't try this at home.) The decor was perfectly tacky.

The Brooklyn Paper says that Spiro Katehis, owner of the Carroll Gardens Classic Diner, has bought the New St. Clair and will effect a "trendy makeover" over the next few months.

Photo by MK Metz