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.

How’s this for a Craigslist ad?

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.

Photo via maximilian.jendralski on Flickr.

As with any other city or state, some neighborhoods in Brooklyn are safer than others. You have places like Park Slope, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn Heights, and Fort Greene, which are considered very secure. At the same time, certain areas like Bedford-Stuyvesant, East New York, and Bushwick and known for being more dangerous.

Of course, not everyone can afford a $500,000 home in Park Slope or even a high-rent apartment. But crime isn’t just about location—it can happen anywhere.

I grew up in a wealthy area of Pittsburgh that was usually considered safe, but every so often we would hear about break-ins and other crimes. Thus, while it’s important to think about crime rate while looking for Brooklyn apartments, you also need to think about what you can do to protect yourself and your family.

Although there is some information online, I prefer to speak to actual people when researching a neighborhood. These include potential roommates and landlords, local businesspeople, and friends in the area. This way, I can learn everything about a given neighborhood: how late people are still on the street, which areas are the most and least safe, how many cops patrol the streets, etc. With this information, you should be able to find the perfect part of Brooklyn for you.

Brooklyn just happens to be one of those cities split up into several different sections or boroughs. In fact, Brooklyn alone has something like 30 different boroughs where you can choose to live, and there is a place for just about everyone. This includes elderly couples, couples with children, young couples, and gay and lesbian couples—as well as singles! Different neighborhoods in Brooklyn also offer different styles of homes, such as brownstones, Victorians, lofts, and apartments.

For younger couples, I recommend shopping around in Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights. Both of these are ideal if you’re looking for restaurants, cultural activities, and convenience. Young singles can thrive here as well, in addition to Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill, which are already populated with people right out of college.

These areas are all fairly close to Manhattan’s lower tip, which means you’ve got some of the city’s hippest attractions only a short Subway ride away—only you get to go home to a significantly lower rent. For example, you can check out the East Village for a whole selection of restaurants, café, and coffeehouses.

The following are scheduled service changes with significant impact on Brooklyn straphangers that are scheduled on the subway system this weekend.  Unless otherwise noted, all changes will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning until 5:00 a.m. Monday morning:

Passengers heading from Brooklyn to Lower Manhattan should be aware that transfers between the #2, #3, #4, #5, and (A) trains will not be available at the Fulton Street/Broadway-Nassau Street station in Lower Manhattan due to Phase II construction of the Fulton Street Transit Center.  Passengers may transfer between the #2/#3 trains and the #4 train at Nevins Street, Boerum Hill; transfers between the #2/#3 and uptown (A) trains at Park Place/Chambers Street in Manhattan.

Travelers wishing to make a transfer between the uptown (A) and the downtown #4/#5 must ask the station agent for a transfer ticket, exit the station and reenter at Broadway…

Manhattan-bound (A) trains will operate local service from Euclid Avenue, East New York to Canal Street, Manhattan, express from Canal Street to 59th Street-Columbus Circle, local from 59th to 125th Streets, then express from 125th through 168th Streets for work on the Chambers Street signal modernization, 59th Street station rehab, and a track chip out at 163rd Street.

Brooklyn-bound (A) trains will run local between 168th Street and 4th Street, Manhattan, then over the (F) line between 4th Street and Jay Street, Brooklyn Heights, then resume local (A) service between Jay Street and Euclid Avenue due to the Chambers Street signal modernization.

Due to the modifications to the (A) train, (C) train service will not operate this weekend…

(D) train service will not operate between Pacific Avenue, Boerum Hill and 34th Street/Herald Square, due to construction of the free transfer passageway between the Broadway-Lafayette Street station on the (B), (D), (F), and (V) trains and the Bleeker Street station on the #6.  Alternate service is available via the (N) or shuttle buses in Manhattan.  Service adjustments will take effect tonight at 11:30 p.m. through 5:00 a.m. Monday…

(N) train service will be significantly modified due to various TA and NYCDOT projects.

Coney Island-bound (N) trains will operate via the (R) between Canal Street, Manhattan, and DeKalb Street, Fort Greene, then operate local service between Pacific Street, Park Slope, and 36th Street, Prospect Park, then express between 36th Street and Stillwell Avenue, Coney Island.

Manhattan and Queens-bound (N) trains will operate local beween 59th Street, Sunset Park, and Pacific Street, then operate via the Manhattan Bridge between DeKalb Street and Canal Street, Manhattan.

The adjustments are due to NYCDOT repairs on the 65th Street Bridge, maintenance in the Montague Tunnel, and other maintenance projects…

Manhattan bound (Q) and (R) train service will operate via the Manhattan Bridge between 6:30 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday due to maintenance in the Montague Tunnel…

In addition, a shuttle bus on the (R) will operate between 36th Street and 95th Street, Bay Ridge between 11:30 p.m. tonight and 5:30 a.m. Monday due to NYCDOT construction on the 65th Street Bridge.

For additional information on service adjustments, contact the TA Information Center at (718) 330-1234 or visit www.mta.info.

At his press conference last week, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters that Brooklyn was one of his favorite areas for fine dining.

“It is amazing the change in Brooklyn in the last dozen years or thereabouts. I’m going to have dinner tonight in Brooklyn,” Bloomberg said at his Thursday City Hall press conference on the Coney Island land deal.

“Time and time again, when I say, ‘Where do you want to go to have dinner?’ Friends who’ve come from out of town pick restaurants in Brooklyn, and that is really different,” the mayor added.

Now, whether or not Bloomberg meant it or was just trying to score points with Brooklynites could be open for debate.  In any event, Bloomberg has been a fairly regular customer at the Stone Park Cafe, 324 Fifth Avenue near 3rd Street, Park Slope, according to the New York Post.

Of course, Bloomberg can afford to dine out at a place where a salad runs between $11.00 and $15.00, a burger $14.00, and entrees around the mid-$20 range and nobody is going to confuse Stone Park Cafe with Nathan’s at Coney Island.

As a related sidebar, the Post also pointed out five other restaurants that its readers should check out (though, as a service to our readers, Brooklyn News is not only including locations, but, where applicable, web sites).

Vinegar Hill House, 72 Hudson Avenue, between Front and Water Streets, DUMBO

The Post says: “This old-fashioned restaurant in the shadow of the Brooklyn Navy Yard features a giant wood-burning oven, where its delicacies, including a tart drizzled with creme fraiche, are concocted.”

One would certainly hope this oven makes that $8.00 mashed potato dish as tasty as a potato one would by from the local grocer.

Located between the Navy Yard and the Manhattan Bridge, Vinegar Hill House is a short walk from the York Street Station of the (F) train.

Marlow and Sons, 81 Broadway, between Berry Street and Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg

The Post says: “This tiny eatery serves up fresh oysters and jalapeño-rum cocktails along with an oldschool atmosphere.”

And, there’s also the $9.50 roast beef sandwich on the lunch menu.  Other than the oysters, there isn’t a large menu selection, though the $22.00 brick chicken on the dinner menu certainly sounds tempting enough to try.

Marlow and Sons is located in the shadow of the Williamsburg Bridge; the nearest subway stop is the Marcy Avenue Station on the (J), (M), and (Z) trains five blocks to the east.

Tanorren, 7704 3rd Avenue, at 77th Street, Bay Ridge

The Post says: “A massive menu is among the highlights at this Middle Eastern restaurant, where garlic and spices aplenty adorn such dishes as ground lamb.”

The $15.00 chicken kabob appears reasonably priced, especially when served with rice and salad.  Half portions of these entrees are available between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Tanorren, which celebrates it’s 10th anniversary in Bay Ridge this year, is located one block away from the 77th Street/4th Avenue station on the (R) train.

Noodle Pudding, 38 Henry Street, between Cranberry Street and Middagh Street, Brooklyn Heights, (718) 625-3737 (no web site found; link to Menutopia’s listing)

The Post says: “It’s like a SoHo transplant with its trendy crowd and trendier wait time of up to 45 minutes, but the gnocchi and buffalo mozzarella are worth it.”

Bounded by the Brooklyn Bridge and the BQE, what is known about Noodle Pudding is that it’s an Italian restaurant.  Unless Menutopia is missing an item or two, the menu doesn’t seem as long as expected from a decent Italian restaurant.

Noodle Pudding is located across the street from Cadman Plaza Park and is accessible from the High Street Station of the (A) and (C) trains.

The General Greene, 229 DeKalb Avenue, between Adelphi Street and Clermont Avenue, Fort Greene

The Post says: “Check out the sangria and the candied bacon at this Southern tinged food hall, where the barstools are refurbished tractor seats.”

Seats in the dining room, however, appear to be only slightly more comfortable than a typical seat on the (L) train.  With that said, breakfast is served during the week between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., which seems a little odd, but if it works, more power to them.

The General Greene is located minutes from LIU-Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Hospital Center, Fort Greene Park, and the Brooklyn Flea Market.  The nearest subway stops are Clinton-Washington Station on the (G) train and Lafayette Avenue Station on the (C) train.

There are hundreds of restaurants in Brooklyn, and these are just five that the Post seemed to think quite highly of.  Of course, your mileage may vary, as the old saying goes…

The New York City Department of Transportation is announcing the following street closings that will impact neighborhood traffic flow this weekend:

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS – The southbound Adams Street service road (coming off of the Brooklyn Bridge) will be closed between Red Cross Place and Tillary Street on either Saturday or Sunday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. in order to facilitate crane operation.

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS - Remsen Street will be closed between Clinton and Court Streets (near the area of Borough Hall) between 9:00 p.m. tonight and 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning to facilitate crane operation.

EAST WILLIAMSBURG – The Grand Avenue Bridge connecting East Williamsburg with Maspeth, Queens, will be closed either Saturday or Sunday between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to facilitate bridge maintenance.  NYCDOT is recommending using Metropolitan Avenue as an alternate route during this closure.

For additional information, simply dial 3-1-1.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is planning service adjustments on several lines, including a shuttle bus though Brooklyn, due to scheduled construction work this weekend.  All service adjustments are effective from 12:01 a.m. Saturday until 5:00 a.m. Monday unless otherwise noted:

• Service on the (D) train will operate in local service between 36th Street/4th Avenue, Sunset Park, and DeKalb Street station, Fort Greene.
• Northbound (D) trains will operate over the (N) line (Sea Beach Branch) between Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station and 36th Street/4th Avenue; southbound (D) service between 36th Street and Coney Island is unaffected.  The re-routing is due to track panel installation north of 62nd Street.  The re-routing takes effect at 5:00 a.m. Saturday until 10:00 p.m. Sunday.
• Service on the (F) train will operate into two segments: Between Jamaica-179th Street, Queens, to Jay Street, Brooklyn Heights and between Church Avenue, Kensington to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue.  The re-routing is effective between 11:30 p.m. Friday through 5:00 a.m. Monday.
• (G) train service will operate in two segments: Between Court Square, Long Island City, Queens and Bedford Avenue-Nostrand Avenue, Bedford-Stuyvesant and between Bedford-Nostrand and Hoyt-Schermerhorn station, Brooklyn Heights.
• (N) train service will operate local between 59th Street/4th Avenue, Sunset Park and DeKalb Avenue, Fort Greene, then operate via the Manhattan Bridge instead of the Montague Tunnel.
• (R) train service will operate in two segments: Between 34th Street-Herald Square, Manhattan, and Forest Hills-71st Avenue, Queens and between 36th Street/4th Avenue, Sunset Park and 95th Street-Bay Ridge; no subway service will operate between Canal Street, Lower Manhattan and DeKalb Street, Fort Greene.

A shuttle bus will be implemented between Jay Street and Church Avenue stations, serving Jay Street, Bergen Street, Carroll Street, Smith St/9th Street, 4th Avenue/9th Street, 7th Avenue/9th Street, 15th Street/Prospect Park, Fort Hamilton Parkway, and Church Avenue.

The service changes will be in effect from Friday evening through Monday morning.  The changes are in effect due to ongoing construction on the Culver Viaduct and for maintenance in the Montague Tunnel.  The (N) and (R) train adjustments are due to track work at Cortlandt Street, Manhattan.

For additional information and updates on this service adjustments, please call MTA New York City Transit at (718) 330-1234 or visit the official MTA web site: www.mta.info.