New Ownership and Certification for Crown Heights Landmark
Biarritz Pizza and Wine Bar, a prominent dairy dining spot on Kingston Avenue in Crown Heights, has undergone a change in business structure. The restaurant now operates with a new partnership group. Longtime owner Clara Perez remains at the helm, but she is joined by a team that includes Yossi and Mica Soffer, who co-own the COLlive Media Group, alongside Shmulik and Aidy Soffer. This new investment comes as the restaurant secures a fresh kosher certification from the Crown Heights Beis Din, or CHK.
The CHK certification transition is a significant development for the local community. The restaurant previously relied on the Vaad Kashrus Mehadrin of Lakewood for its supervision. By moving to the CHK, led by Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba and Rabbi Yosef Braun, the establishment aims to align its standards with the specific requirements trusted by the neighborhood's residents and frequent visitors. Maintaining the status of Cholov Yisroel and Pas Yisroel remains a core commitment for the kitchen staff and management.
Heritage of the Kingston Avenue Site
This specific location at 268 Kingston Avenue holds a long history within the kosher dining scene. Clara Perez was a key owner of the original Basil Pizza and Wine Bar, which launched in 2010. During its tenure, Basil became a destination that drew diners from across the Tri-State region. The restaurant earned a reputation for its artisanal pizza and fresh fish dishes, often creating crowds that waited in lines around the block. That business served the community until its closure in 2023.
When Biarritz opened its doors in February 2025, the goal was to honor that legacy while providing a refreshed experience. Named after the French Basque resort town, the venue focuses on a menu of pizza, pasta, salads, and curated wine pairings. Despite the name change, the interior and atmosphere were designed to keep the site as a top-tier neighborhood dining room. The shift to the CHK certification now effectively reconciles the restaurant with the preferences of the local base that supported the previous iterations of the establishment.
Future Operations and Community Impact
The incoming partners bring a different entrepreneurial focus to the day-to-day operations. According to those close to the management, the group intends to introduce updates to the current menu and the overall service model. These changes are expected to roll out in the coming weeks. The intent is to modernize aspects of the dining experience while keeping the core appeal that customers expect from the Kingston Avenue location.
This development is the latest chapter in the evolution of local kosher dining. The combination of established culinary leadership from Perez and the new investment from the Soffer family signals a plan for continued operations. For the Crown Heights community, the transition to the CHK supervision likely marks the return of a staple that fits squarely within the neighborhood's standards. Observers should keep an eye on forthcoming announcements regarding the specific menu adjustments and potential interior updates scheduled for later this season.