Brooklyn Label (CLOSED)

You’d think a place named for a borough would take pains to offer the region’s best. Not this café inside the landmark Astral Apartments. The pepper-happy Mayan hot chocolate was throat burning; Colorado chili—grits and shredded pork topped with a poached egg and slices of multigrain bread—was an overwhelming stew. The sole redemption is the pesto-and-Parmesan-laced “Green Eggs” on challah toast. Stick with the caffeinated-drinks menu (cardamom-and-honey cappuccino). This joint is more collegiate coffeehouse than neighborhood eatery: indie-rock playlist, a veneer counter and a slew of young, unkempt locals.