Ode to the "Garden Grill"

Below is a poem I have written regarding the closing (after 20 great years) of a neighborhood diner that became family to many of its customers, including my son and I. It was a sad day in "Old Williamsburg", Brooklyn, New York, when the GARDEN GRILL was forced to close (February, 2018) due to issues with their landlord. This was a family-owned business, owned and operated by a wonderful family. They knew our names, we knew theirs. The Garden Grill came at a time when Williamsburg began to change, due to gentrification and real estate developers. This diner helped keep the neighborhood quaint in its own special way. We still had a sense of family and community when we entered its doors. Parting was difficult for all.

Ode to the “GARDEN GRILL”

- written by: Phyllis P. Colucci (March 1, 2018)

‘Twas twenty years ago

 When you settled into town

Bringing comfort to Old Williamsburg

Placing “doting” roots down

You brought a sense of family

to a changing neighborhood

With subtle hints of love and joy

which we all understood

You knew our names, we knew yours too

As we built our family tree

Our lives became the branches

That would soar majestically

We laughed, we cried, we talked, we ate

We drank, we shared a special date

Whether breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack

We found a home; our destined fate

We learned some “diner lingo” too

That always brought a smile…

It was “Whiskey Down” or “Cowboy with Cheese”

In Garden Grill style

Then we heard the saddest news, one day

That shook us to the core

We had to say good-bye to you

The “ones” whom we adored

Our tears rolled, our hearts shattered

We prayed it wasn’t true

Because Williamsburg won’t be the same

Without the essence of “YOU”

We hope our paths may cross again

If you roll back into town

Now that would be a special treat

To ever come around

So if we ever “meet and greet”

in Old Williamsburg  -  Oh so sweet   -

There will be warmth, there will be love

There will be dancing in the street!