After searching for more than a year for the perfect spot to open a restaurant, Joe Campanale found what he was looking for in Brooklyn’s Park Slope.
When he learned that Franny’s, a Park Slope favorite, would soon be closing and the space was available, he felt lucky to land such a great location in an ideal neighborhood.
With his business partner, chef Erin Shambura, Campanale is now preparing to open Fausto, a wine-driven Italian restaurant that will keep the fire going in the open kitchen’s wood-burning oven.
Campanale, a New York City native, is thrilled to put down roots in Park Slope. “There’s something really serene and calming about it,” he says. “You’re in New York City, with access to all of its amenities, but it feels like you’re somewhere with a slower pace.”
From the symmetry of Grand Army Plaza’s stone archway to the wild nature of Prospect Park, Park Slope offers a unique balance. Strolling its tree-lined streets, Campanale draws inspiration from the historic brownstone architecture and takes pride in joining such a tight-knit community of independently owned businesses.
Having opened his first restaurant at 23, earning a spot on Forbes’ “30 under 30: Food and Wine” list, Campanale appreciates the dedication of other business owners—and neighbors—to creating such a tight-knit community.
“People here have so much pride,” he says. “That requires new businesses to be at the top of their game and pushes us to be even better.”
Whether reading the morning newspaper at his regular café or enjoying a tasting at the local wine shop, Campanale savors each moment in Park Slope.
Joe Campanale’s Park Slope Shortlist
- For the perfect picnic: Brooklyn Larder for cheese and charcuterie.
- Café Grumpy: his go-to for coffee
- Colson Patisserie: the “best” panini.
- Slope Cellars: best in Park Slope and one of the best in the city.