Local DUMBO Bar Frequented by Media

Gridskipper offers a round-up of "media drinking hangouts" and 68 Jay St. is No. 7 on the list. I have always loved this understated bar. It's the kind of neighborhood bar everyone wants in their neighborhood. Plus they play great music, allow dogs and serve goldfish crackers as a snack. In the warmer months, they open the windows and doors and it's a great place to grab a pint after work.

Happy Hour Specials
Monday–Friday from 4 p.m.–7 p.m..
68 Jay Street, corner of Jay and Water
718.260.8207
Open Daily at 4 p.m.

Murakami Vuitton Bags to be Sold at Brooklyn Museum

A different kind of exhibit is slated to open on April 5 and run through July 13 at the Brooklyn Museum. According to the Daily News, a new line of Louis Vuitton bags designed by Takashi Murakami, "considered the Andy Warhol of Japan," will be on view and for sale at the Museum next month. Murakami is well known for his initial collaboration with the famous handbag maker - the limited edition Cherry Blossom line. (And another example.)

While some local folks quoted in the Daily News article thought the exhibit was out of place, a representative from the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles said the exhibit was their "most successful show of a living artist ever."

According to Wikipedia:

Murakami’s style, called Superflat, is characterized by flat planes of color and graphic images involving a character style derived from anime and manga. Superflat is an artistic style that comments on otaku lifestyle and subculture, as well as consumerism and sexual fetishism.

I for one would love to see this exhibit, although I doubt I'll be leaving with a bag. The exhibit is supposed to serve as a preview before the bags actually go on sale at stores.


Art and sculpture, as well as the Murakami bags and other less expensive merchandise, will be on view at the museum on April 5-July 13. For information, visit. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for older adults and students with valid ID; children under 12 are free.

Spring Classes at Brooklyn General Store

Brooklyn General Store has released their Spring Schedule of knitting, sewing and spinning classes.

Here is a link to the schedule. I did the Project Knitting class and loved it!

Hecho en DUMBO

I feel really silly having lived in the neighborhood for almost 2 years and having never eaten dinner at Hecho en DUMBO. I have had breakfast and lunch there several times but never made it in past 5 pm. Wow, have I been missing out!

We love Mexican food, but since I am pregnant with twins, I've been advised not to walk up the stairs -- which totally rules out Alma. Honestly, I don't think Alma is the best Mexican ever, but it does the trick when you crave it and the view is gorgeous.

We tried ordering from Pedro's the other week. The food looked good but arrived ice cold and my vegetable burrito was just a tortilla filled with rice & beans. A bit strange to me.

My husband and I went in last night for dinner after picking up a menu last Sunday during brunch. The music was lively and it was nicely crowded. The food was excellent and very affordable. We started with some guacamole and chips, which were freshly made and delicious (not oily). I had the Burritas De Res (wine braised local steak stewed in lime with caramelized onions). There were three to the order and they resembled mini burritos (no rice), about the size of a sushi hand roll. They were delicious and came with two different kinds of fresh salsa (a spicy red tomato and a less spicy green tomatillo salsa). My plate was only $8 and I was very full and content with the portion.

My husband had the sampler, which was still under $20 but more than enough food for two people. It offered a little bit of everything from the menu. I'd definitely recommend trying this if you go with a friend and want to share. One thing to note, it's cash only.

We'll definitely be back very soon!

Amazing Easter Cookies

I was reading the Wednesday Food & Dining section in The New York Times and saw these cookies from Betty Bakery in Boerum Hill. They are just amazing and so special.

Natalie Portman Films New Movie in Brooklyn

Natalie Portman is filming select scenes for a new flick called "New York I Love You" in Brooklyn Heights.

Interestingly, the article reports that the man playing Natalie's husband, a Hasidic Jew from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, quit the film. Being filmed and photographed, with images appearing on the Internet, was against his beliefs. Isaac Abraham, a Hasidic community leader, called him a "little naive."

Brooklyn Heights .... In Ohio?

Who would have thought that there would be another Brooklyn Heights in the U.S.? Apparently there is another Brooklyn Heights, but in Ohio. It's just Southeast of Brooklyn, Ohio (just South of Cleveland).

Brooklyn Heights is a village in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,558 at the 2000 census.

Chipshop Fries Up Well

My husband and I went to Chipshop a few weeks back and I've been meaning to do a post. We'd passed the restaurant several times (our vet is right nearby too) and finally got around to going.

If you haven't been, it's a small bar/restaurant that is smartly decorated with British paraphernalia -- from food items to rock band posters. They have a nice selection of traditional British fare (kidney pie, bangers and mash) as well as fried delights like their famous Fish N' Chips. For dessert (didn't have room), you can get deep fried candy bars (Mars, Twix, Snickers, Bounty). At first I used to think these were the grossest things, but when done right, they are a real treat (a once a year thing of course).

My husband ordered the Fish N' Chips and I got the chicken fingers. I know, kind of a wuss out, but I'm pregnant and couldn't remember which fish I was allowed to eat and which one I'm to stay away from (you can choose from Cod or Haddock).

Let me tell you, these were the best chicken fingers I have ever had (I am a bit of a connoisseur). The batter was amazing... not greasy at all! My husband felt the same about his dish.

He ended up going back last night with a friend for a few beers and dinner, and reported back to me that we have to go back and try the Mac N' Cheese. He said it was amazing.

So if you haven't already, go try Chipshop, either at its Atlantic St location or in Park Slope on 5th Avenue. They have a kids menu too, so bring the troops.

Brooklyn Restaurant Week

Brooklyn Restaurant Week is scheduled for March 24-31. For more information, visit here and here.

Dine-In Brooklyn, the biggest borough's restaurant week, will offer three-course prix-fixe menus for $23 at more than 175 food spots from March 24 through 31.

Applewood, Rose Water, Blue Ribbon, Alchemy, Stone Park, Tempo, Vesuvio, L & B Gardens, Queen, Tatiana, Alma, Crave, River Café, Chez Oskar, ici, and Junior's are among the restaurants taking part -- some for lunch, some for dinner, some for both. (And some may also opt out of the weekend.)

Baby Blogs & Mom Blogs

We've got babies on the mind and have been scouring the Web for good blogs to read. I love blogs for baby and parenting tips, products and news (of course wouldn't replace Consumer Reports), and have found a few that I really enjoy and read on a daily basis.

lilsugar
the poop
totsnob
storked
mommy track'd
babygeartoday
and of course, achildgrowsinbrooklyn

What are your favorites?