I was recently walking around Williamsburg, when I discovered to my surprise that the quondam slipshod waterfront had been converted into a Yuppies paradise – high rise condos, expensive lofts, green bike lanes, and parks, namely, the East River State Park.
I remember climbing over the fence to sneak into this developing park, to sit riverside and meditate on the complexities of life, and the impossibility of permanence. Now, I can do that on the comfortable sanded down driftwood benches while watching the dudes with their fishing lines try to catch dinner.
Struck by the mild irony that for Brooklynites, the East River is really the West River, and that all of the city’s geography relates to Manhattan, I felt better knowing that we’re really getting the better end of the bargain.
Apparently they have concerts in this park, along with really sick views of the city. And did I mention that it’s a great place to view the city, especially when you want to see some fireworks without the crowds, this weekend being the 4th and all.
And while you’re there, check out the scene. With Bedford looking increasingly like 2nd avenue, you’ll be surprised at all of the new spots that have opened up.
We were a little surprised to hear that Brooklyn moms are choosing Manhattan hospitals for their deliveries. According to Gothamist, most of Brooklyn’s ritzy hospitals (Fort Greene, Park Slope, Cobble Hill) are seeing fewer patients than usual, while four in Manhattan have had almost a third more deliveries than usual.
On first glance, this news might seem outrageous, and further proof that those brownstone belt moms are really Manhattanites in Brooklyners’ clothing.
But maybe it’s not that bad. These Brooklyn moms aren’t choosing their doctors by borough alone. They’re looking at experience, reputation, etc. etc., and if those facts point to Manhattan, so be it.
It got us thinking, though — Which activities rightfully warrant a trip to Manhattan?
Shopping? For chain stores, definitely, though our borough can satisfy cravings for Brooklyn Outfitters (obviously) or economical Target expeditions.
Dining? Not at all necessary, but we don’t consider it a treachery to grab a bite on the other side of the bridge.
Finding a job? Either. For Brooklyn residents, staying in-borough might sound convenient, but it really depends on where. Many Brooklyners are closer to Wall St. than Bushwick.
Entertainment? There’s lots to do everywhere, thank god. Gotta love New York.
After you ride a crowded subway and traverse a crowded sidewalk, stand at a crowded bar and wave your hands (amongst the crowd) for a dry martini, it’d be nice to have some elbow room, don’t you think? That’s why we love Berry Park, a neat-o bar in Williamsburg’s least insufferable quartile (i.e., the one close to Greenpoint).
Essentially, Berry Park is what you get when you close your eyes and imagine the opposite of a New York bar — plentiful seating, clean bathrooms, affordable prices, and room to smoke. (Or, um, enjoy some fresh air.) BP features a pleasant and affordable menu of apps, sandwiches and entrees, with weekend brunches from noon to 4 p.m. The bar — or should we say bars? there are two — has 16 beers on tap and everything else you might expect.
berry park
But the highlight, of course, is the rooftop “beer garden” — presented in quotes because said spacious arena lacks the degenerate vibe we associate with the term. That being said, if we could strip all of our preconceived notions of beer gardens away, and recognize the term as simply a garden with beer, perhaps said label is appropriate.
Check out Berry Park at 4 Berry Street at N. 14th Street in W-Burg. 718.782.2829.
I’ll say this for those Absolut Brooklyn bottles — they’re pretty. Besides for that, though, Absolut’s newest city-inspired vodka might be more trouble than its worth.
To publicize the new brew, Absolut attempted a two-pronged approach. First, the company teamed up with director Spike Lee, a Brooklyn native, who designed the bottle and produced a neat-o spoken word video with local artist Lemon Andersen, featuring such linguistic innovations as “sloped parks” and “brightest beach.” Check out the trailer below, or watch the whole thing here.
Second, Absolut embraced the BK blogosphere, sponsoring Brooklyn Blogfest 2010 and treating a handful of bloggers to flip cameras and early-release Absolut Brooklyns in exchange for coverage. This business relationship angered certain bloggers on principle, while others were annoyed that not all of the sponsored parties admitted said sponsorship on their blogs, a violation of the FTC’s new regulations.
Absolut has been creating these nifty city bottles since 2007. Brooklyn was fourth on the list after New Orleans, Los Angeles and Boston — a position I take as a personal slight — but our borough is probably the first time these limited edition vodkas have caused such a fuss. And perhaps that is their most Brooklyn quality of all.
We wrapped up our Markowitz-themed post yesterday with a shout-out to Blue Marble, the organic ice cream spot for Brooklyn hipsters and… whoever else goes to Blue Marble.
With vicarious brain-freezing already altering our frontal lobes, we couldn’t help but notice our friends at Brokelyn debating the merit of two of Blue Marble’s peer institutions: Red Mango and Pinkberry. Brokelyn is accepting votes via comment — plus, all voters are eligible to win a $25 certificate to the froyo establishment of their choice.
At Brooklyn NY News, we took this question very seriously. Lists were made, ballots were taken. We briefly considered MacGyvering a podium.
But after said debating, one thing became clear: the winner is Red Mango. It’s always been Red Mango.
Why? Three reasons:
Bigger is better. Red Mangos are typically spacious and serene, affording New Yorkers used to rubbing elbows on the Subway/escalator/sidewalk/everywhere a chance to enjoy a larger sphere of personal space. Maybe somewhere there’s a Pinkberry with such immense dimensions, but we’ve never seen it.
Healthy delicious beats regular delicious. It’s a rare thing to enjoy something tasty without having to stifle any guilt, but Red Mango affords this experience every time. Comparing the pomegranates, for example — RM’s is juicy and light, while PB’s still feels heavy and sinful. And not good-sinful.
There’s actually a Red Mango in Brooklyn. Our borough is admittedly lacking in froyo eateries, but between Red Mango and Pinkberry, the score is 1 to zero. BK’s sole Red Mango is on Court St. in Brooklyn Heights. And, ugh, there’s even a Pinkberry in Queens. Bros before Flushing, man.
In an interesting form of protest, Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn’s Borough Prez, is threatening to — gasp — appear in a bathing suit in public unless Mayor Bloomberg reverses his decision to close the Gowanus “Double-D” public pool. Markowitz won’t be alone in his exhibitionism, as various city council members and other pro-poolers will be likewise suited.
The “Double-D” pool will take $200,000 to open, apparently. Is it worth it?
We’re just looking forward to all feeling better about our bathing-suit bods — seeing Markowitz in trunks is probably just as therapeutic as eating ice cream and watching The Biggest Loser.
Looking for a better way to cool down? We recommend Blue Marble, a purely Brooklyn ice-creamery with locations in Boerum Hill, Prospect Heights, and (newly) Cobble Hill. Plus, they added soft serve to their menu, at lease in some locations.
I straighten my hair every morning to glossy perfection. So, whenever it rains, I usually prefer to stay inside. Where it’s dry.
But last night I decided to venture out in the Prospect Heights vicinity toward Dutch Boy Burger — or, as I call it, “That place with the bourbon milkshakes.”
Because, if one thing’s going to get me out in the rain, it’s bourbon milkshakes.
Said milkshakes arrived shortly after the food, but they quickly stole the show. Featuring smooth vanilla ice cream (Blue Marble!) and a spicy hint of bourbon, my Dutch Boy shake was a palatable experience I will not soon forget.
What else is there to say? The veggie burgers are good (and better than their meaty counterparts). The Caesar salad — spelled “Ceasar” on my receipt — is a perfect B-. As for me, my flats and lower pants were soaked, my hair de-glossed to tragic degrees. The Dutch Boy’s front doors remained illogically wide open, turning a chilly experience into an even chillier one.
But you know what? It was worth it. That was some milkshake, after all.
Formerly a Dutch boy-themed paint shop, Dutch Boy Burger is located at 766 Franklin Ave., accessible via the 2,3,4, and 5 trains, and the ever-resilient Franklin Avenue shuttle.
According to their website BamcinemaFest, which starts wednesday, June 9th, is a presentation of twenty new feature films, including sixteen NY premieres, that represent the most creative, fascinating work being produced by many of cinema’s most dynamic contemporary filmmakers. BAMcinemaFEST brings NYers some of the most talked about films from Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, the Berlinale, and more.”
You can expect new and exciting works from up and coming filmmakers, plus special repertory screenings with live music, outdoor screenings, filmmaker Q & A’s and more. Tickets are moderately priced:
Opening night: $28 (there’s a free after-party for ticket holders chock with free beer from Brooklyn Brewery)
I’ve been spending a lot of time canoodling in Crown Heights these days — and despite the convenient Subway access and frequent drug busts, there was a time when I doubted I would ever be able to find a real restaurant (with waiters and everything) within walking distance.
Then I met Chavella’s.
Now, Chavella’s is actually in Prospect Heights, but still well within walking distance of my main squeeze’s CH pad. Anyway.
Chavella’s offers surprisingly authentic Mexican cuisine — the menu is full of spicy, succulent dishes, without a burrito in sight. Plus, it’s super-affordable: choose an inclusive brunch for $11.25, or à la carte options in the $3–$8 range. The drink menu is scant but satisfying, offering beer, sangria, red and white wine, and margaritas at times. (The Cinco de Mayo jalapeño margarita was a once in a lifetime experience — i.e., I wouldn’t try it again. It was delicious, but in a humbling, tongue-numbing sort of way.)
I recommend the tacos, which are $3 apiece, allowing for guilt-free experimenting, as well as the chiles rellenos con queso — the cheese-stuffed peppers that my Crown Heights amigo so enjoyed. But before you get to that stuff, be sure to order the guacamole app. It comes in an innocent looking animal-shaped bowl, but don’t be fooled — it will absolutely ruin guac for you anywhere else.
18-room apartment in Brooklyn Heights with 11 bedrooms (and 11 fireplaces), four-car parking, Southern-style garden and porch. Perfect for lavish parties and deviant vocal patterns. Tennessee Williams need not apply.
We’re describing 70 Willow St., the former home of legendary author — and all-around lush — Truman Capote. Said legend rented the residence from 1955 to 1965, where he partied hard, conceived of Holly Golightly, and wrote In Cold Blood.
The asking price is $18 million, which would easily be Brooklyn’s priciest real estate buy. (The current record is $12 million.)
Of course, $18 mil. is small potatoes in Manhattan, NY Daily News points out, as Madonna just dropped $40 million for her uptown crib.
But small potatoes or not, we love Brooklyn, and so did Capote — even before it was fashionable. In fact, the real estate listing even includes a quote by the former tenant himself:
I live in Brooklyn. By choice. Those ignorant of its allures are entitled to wonder why.
