The people behind Flower Cat, the flower shop and cafe at 162 Noble Street in Greenpoint, are opening a restaurant next door. It will be called Bistro Cat, and Flower Cat says it is coming to Noble Street this fall, in the space next door where Sakura used to be.

Flower Cat describes the new place as a neighborhood restaurant and bar with a fuller menu than the cafe serves, carrying the same spirit into a bigger space. The shop compares the two this way: the cafe is the living room, and the restaurant will be the dining room.

Built partly by the neighbors

The build-out has had help from regulars. In September, Flower Cat held a two-day Water The Flower Cat fundraiser: a live-band karaoke night on Friday, September 25, whose proceeds went toward the expansion, followed by an all-day fundraiser festival on Saturday, September 26.

Who runs it

Flower Cat is owned by Suzanne Agbayani, who was born in the Philippines and lived in Hawaii for 24 years before moving to New York to earn a master's in architecture at Pratt Institute. She worked in architecture before changing careers to become a florist, and opened Flower Cat as a flower shop and cafe that doubles as a place for cat lovers. She lives with her two cats, Shrimp and Lilith.

Flower Cat sells floral arrangements, coffee and wine, and runs a steady calendar of evening events, from workshops to its live-band karaoke nights. Flower Cat has not yet posted Bistro Cat's menu, hours or an opening date, so the cafe's own channels are the place to watch.

What is on at Flower Cat this week

While the restaurant comes together, the cafe is keeping its Halloween weekend busy:

  • Thursday, October 29, 7 to 9 p.m.: Spiritual Alchemy Series: Embracing the Dark, a seasonal workshop with Brujula Healing built around a group tarot reading and journaling. Registration is through Flower Cat's events page.
  • Friday, October 30, 8 to 11 p.m.: Live Band Karaoke, Dead Band Karaoke Edition, with songs by late artists including Prince, Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse and David Bowie, plus witchy and monster-mash classics. Entry is free with a two-drink minimum; arrive around 8 to get on the list. Musicians are welcome to sit in on drums, bass, piano or guitar.

How to go

Flower Cat is at 162 Noble Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222, and Bistro Cat will open next door. The cafe's hours are Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. or later, Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 347-335-0906 or email hello@flowercat.nyc. The G train stops at Greenpoint Avenue, a short walk away.

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