brooklyn enthusiast

We've Moved!

2009-02-17T14:40:00.000-08:00

Come visit us at Twinthusiast, a blog about, well, you guessed it!

MIA

2008-11-12T05:42:00.000-08:00

On June 26, 2008 our lives changed forever with the birth of our identical twin girls. We had to abandon our small DUMBO apartment for the burbs to be closer to our family. Thanks to everyone who read this blog and commented. We can't wait to bring the girls back to Brooklyn.

Local DUMBO Bar Frequented by Media

2008-03-28T13:36:00.001-07:00

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

2008-03-27T11:52:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-25T08:06:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-03-19T08:28:00.001-07:00

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

2008-03-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-06T08:01:00.000-08:00

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?

Fro Yo Wars

2008-02-28T13:47:00.000-08:00

The New York Times discusses the competition in the frozen yogurt space, with stores like Pinkberry and Red Mango popping up within blocks of each other in Manhattan. The story also highlights Brooklyn's \eks\ (which I have never been to, but now have to go).

After several trips to Pinkberry (come to DUMBO!) I have figured out my favorite combination. It's blueberries or mango, chocolate chips and mochi balls. Yes, it's super expensive but it's totally worth it in my opinion.

I remember when I used to think Tasti-D was the best thing ever, but now I know better. I still love me some Tasti-D, but Pinkberry is my favorite.

Greenpoint Concert Venue in the Works

2008-02-20T13:58:00.000-08:00

NYMag and Gothamist report that a new live music concert venue could pop-up in Williamsburg by next Summer to help balance the loss of McCarren Park pool.

As Gothamist aptly points out, "Wonder if the residents of the new luxury condos sprouting up in that area would prefer loud concerts or a power plant?"

More on the story here.

Why is Good Pet Care Hard to Find?

2008-02-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

For many of us, our pets are like children -- members of the family. That's Oscar, one of our cats. So when we go away, we want to be sure they are taken care of properly.

Since we moved to New York 4 years ago (Brooklyn 2 years ago), we have had a hard time finding a reliable cat sitter. You can't bring them to the kennel cause it makes them crazy (who wants to sit in a cage!!!). So we end up paying anywhere from $25-30 for a cat sitter to come, feed the cats at our apartment, scoop the litter box and hopefully pet the cats. Yes, that's $25-30 for EACH visit.

I have often thought about doing cat sitting myself. The idea of getting that much cash for something so simple is just golden. I mean are the cats really going to tell me whether someone played with them or just threw the toys around the apartment?

But what I find appalling, especially since this is technically a very simple job, is the fact that so many of these cat sitters -- many of which come highly recommended -- are completely irresponsible. I've had experiences where they have come several hours late or not come at all. You may be thinking that cats probably don't need the attention that dogs do because they go in a litter box inside the house, but some cats, including mine, get very anxious when their routine is messed up. As a result, they can get sick

To their credit (and I won't name names), I have received gracious apologies for these types of mistakes, even refunds. But does that mean I should use them again? Sometimes, I just don't have a choice unfortunately.

So, my question to you is whether or not you have had similar situations? Do you have a pet sitter you love? If so, tell me!

Why Give Chalky Hearts When You Can Give Chocolate?

2008-02-14T08:06:00.001-08:00

I was searching the Web for Valentine's Day stories and found myself laughing at this point-of-view on Conversation Hearts because it's SO TRUE!

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

Conversation hearts taste like crap: Much like the Marshmallow Peep at Easter, these little heart-shaped candies have developed a kitschy following -- mostly because of the little sayings stenciled on the front. (Too Cute! Love ya!) And also like the Peep, nobody actually wants to eat them. The yellow one has the faint taste of banana, but the orange, blue and white ones all taste exactly the same -- like little hunks of sugary chalk, with a hint of pineapple.

I picked up some chocolate treats from Jacques Torres last night and they were so beautiful. Some nice boxed truffles for my husband and these red colored, white chocolate pops in the shape of lips and the word Love for my girlfriends at work.

Impress Your Valentine With Red Velvet Cupcakes

2008-02-13T11:27:00.001-08:00

Recipe from Magnolia bakery (courtesy of Epicurious):

Cupcake Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups cake flour (not self-rising)
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 ½ cups sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
6 tablespoons red food coloring
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Frosting Ingredients:
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour three 9- by 2-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with waxed paper.

Cupcake Directions:
In a small bowl, sift the cake flour and set aside. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a small bowl, whisk together the red food coloring, cocoa, and vanilla. Add to the batter and beat well.

In a measuring cup, stir the salt into the buttermilk. Add to the batter in three parts alternating with the flour. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated, but do not overbeat. In a small bowl, stir together the cider vinegar and baking soda. Add to the batter and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl, making sure the ingredients are well blended and the batter is smooth.

Divide the batter among the prepared pans. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the layers cool in the pans for 1 hour. Remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.

When the cake has cooled, spread the frosting between the layers, then ice the top and sides of the cake with Creamy Vanilla Frosting.

Frosting Directions:
In a medium-size saucepan, whisk the flour into the milk until smooth. Place over medium heat and, stirring constantly, cook until the mixture becomes very thick and begins to bubble, 10-15 minutes. Cover with waxed paper placed directly on the surface and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.

In a large bowl, on the medium high speed of an electric mixer, beat the butter for 3 minutes, until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sugar, beating continuously for 3 minutes until fluffy. Add the vanilla and beat well.

Add the cooled milk mixture, and continue to beat on the medium high speed for 5 minutes, until very smooth and noticeably whiter in color. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes (no less and no longer—set a timer!). Use immediately.

Epicurious Test-Kitchen Tip:
This recipe also makes 2 dozen cupcakes. Use 2 muffin pans, each with 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups, and line each cup with a paper liner. (There's no need to grease the cups.) Arrange the oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and bake the cupcakes, switching positions of the pans halfway through baking, until a tester comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool the cupcakes in the pan 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool completely on a rack before icing. To ice, mound about 1/4 cup of frosting on top of each cupcake and use an icing spatula to make a swirl on top. If desired, decorate with colored sprinkles.

Paul Simon @ BAM

2008-02-12T08:34:00.000-08:00

I just got an e-mail from The Public Theater about upcoming performances at BAM. One of my all-time favorite artists, Paul Simon, will be performing at the Brooklyn Academy of Music this April.

Latin beats and 50s doo-wop fill New York City's nights with Songs from The Capeman. In Under African Skies, Simon rekindles a love affair with the sounds of South Africa and Brazil which began with his masterpieces Graceland and The Rhythm of the Saints. Finally, Simon revisits the quiet railway stations, urban rhythms, and immigrant dreams of his greatest American Tunes.

For tickets, click here.

Cutest Dishes from Fishs Eddy

2008-02-11T09:48:00.000-08:00

There used to be a store on Montague, but unfortunately it closed last year. But they are having a sale on their Elephant patterned plates, bowls and mugs -- all 50% off.

If you're a DUMBO resident, you're probably into the Elephant theme too, so thought I'd pass this along!

Chinese New Year

2008-02-08T06:48:00.000-08:00

For a more traditional experience than General Tso's, amNewYork offers its top picks for restaurants to celebrate Chinese New Year in the city. I heart dim sum and this place in Park Slope looks great. I have to check it out. My friend also loves the Vietnamese place listed below, which is across the river in Chinatown proper.

Park Asia
On Brooklyn's 8th Avenue lies New York's second Chinatown, though you won't find hawkers selling baby turtles and Gucci knock-offs. The neighborhood has an old-world flavor, as well as some of the city's best dim sum. Check out the modestly decorated Park Asia. As the cart touting goodies goes by, be sure to snag some crispy seafood rolls, taro dumplings and barbecue beef pastry. Bring an adventurous palate, because if you don't have a solid grasp of the Chinese language you're likely to bite into a crispy frog. 6521 8th Ave., Brooklyn; 718-833-1688; $7/person on average.

Nha Trang
While the Lunar New Year is most often referred to as Chinese New Year, few people are aware that the holiday is also celebrated by the Mongolian, Korean and Vietnamese cultures. For some killer Vietnamese food, head to Baxter Street's Nha Trang, where the portions are large, the tab is minimal and the service is lightning quick. The cornerstone of Vietnamese cuisine is Pho, a type of rice noodle in broth. The Pho Tai ($4.75) gets you a huge bowl with beef cooked just right. Locals go for the barbecue pork chop over rice ($5) and the squid, chili sauce and lemongrass ($8.75) is to die for. 87 Baxter St; 212-233-5948; $4.75-$8.75.

10 Romantic Restaurants for Valentine's Day

2008-02-05T10:13:00.000-08:00

Restaurant Girl offers her top picks for a romantic Valentine's Day meal:

RAOUL'S 180 Prince St., between Sullivan & Thompson Sts., (212) 966-3518. This quintessential SoHo bistro and its classic French fare make for an effortlessly romantic evening. The three-course meal ($75) features chestnut and foie gras ravioli as well as sea bass with Maine mussel fondue. Request the cozy enclosed garden, then retreat to the upstairs loft for an after-dinner reading from the resident fortune teller.

ELEVEN MADISON PARK 11 Madison Ave., at 24th St., (212) 889-0905. Serious food lovers can feast on acclaimed chef Daniel Humm's outstanding French fare and partake in a sumptuous, seven-course tasting menu ($225), including diver scallops with black truffles. Dine under exquisite vaulted ceilings or settle into one of the more intimate dining suites at Danny Meyer's lavish Flatiron destination.

DRESSLER 149 Broadway, near Driggs Ave., Brooklyn, (718) 384-6343. With its stunning chandeliers and mosaic tile floor, this polished New American is an enchanting Williamsburg oasis. The three-course tasting menu ($70) is scattered with a flurry of aphrodisiacs: oysters, foie gras, scallops and artichoke hearts.

PUBLIC 210 Elizabeth St., between Prince and Spring Sts., (212) 343-7011. If a dining room lit with one thousand flickering candles doesn't sound romantic enough, there's also the exotic allure of an Australasian menu with a five-course tasting menu ($90), featuring a New Zealand venison chop with truffle parsnip mash.

DESSERT STUDIO (at Chocolat Michel Cluizel), 888 Broadway, at 19th St., (212) 477-7355. You may want to skip dinner and indulge in a his-and-hers dessert tasting ($85 per couple), designed by whimsical pastry chef Will Goldfarb. Desserts at this sweets laboratory include a white chocolate spuma with rose Champagne gelee and a sampling of luxe Michel Cluizel chocolates.

ONE IF BY LAND, TWO IF BY SEA 17 Barrow St., near Seventh Ave., (212) 255-8649. Tucked into a West Village carriage house, this timelessly romantic backdrop boasts two fireplaces and a grand piano. Newly installed chef Craig Hopson will not only be preparing a four-course tasting menu ($150) on Feb. 14, but also a belated Valentine's Day tasting ($95) throughout the week. Dinner begins with American sturgeon caviar, a decadent rite of passage for a romantic meal.

CAVO 42-18 31st Ave., near 42nd St., Queens, (718) 721-1001. With rose petal-covered floor and long stem roses for the ladies, this chic Astoria lounge does all the romantic legwork for you. The modern Greek kitchen serves a tasting menu ($65) with chickpea-coated oysters, filo-crusted shrimp glazed in Cretan honey and a "Lover's Tasting of Desserts."

L'IMPERO 45 Tudor City Place, near 42nd St., (212) 599-5045. Spend the evening at this elegant Tudor City landmark, where you can sample chef Michael White's refined Southern Italian cooking and a stellar wine list. The four-course tasting menu ($110) includes lobster-filled ravioli and grilled lamb chops with escarole.

SILVERLEAF TAVERN 43 E. 38th St., at Park Ave., (212) 973-2550. If you're not the romantic type, this swanky lounge in Murray Hill celebrates the occasion with an Anti-Valentine's Day menu ($35) where couples can share small plates labeled "Unrequited Ribs" and "Angry Lobster," to name a few.

BACARO 136 Division St., near Ludlow St., (212) 941-5060. This bi-level, candlelit wine bar is intimately furnished with wood-beam ceilings, exposed bricks and cozy cafe tables to enjoy an extensive wine menu and Italian small plates like marinated sardines and gnocchi with mushrooms. With a no-reservations policy, this downtown Italian is a perfectly charming and low-key last-minute option.

Superbowl Countdown

2008-01-28T13:28:00.000-08:00

My husband is a sports fanatic and a huge Giants fan, so we are no doubt looking forward to this Sunday and Super Bowl XLII. Hopefully Eli and team will pull through for a victory!

Aside from the usual Super Bowl snacks, I decided I should try to cook up some other classic fare. I promised my husband I would make some chili -- something I have never done actually. I came across this recipe online for Turkey Chili, but he was disappointed it wasn't beef. I'll probably end up doing it with beef instead just because it seems so simple (I imagine it would work either way?). I also found this chili recipe from Tyler Florence, who is usually good for staple recipes.

Let me know if you have any good recipes!

30-Minute Turkey Chili (from Food Network Kitchens):

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 chipotle chile en adobo, coarsely chopped, with 1 tablespoon sauce
1 pound ground turkey
1 (12-ounce) Mexican lager-style beer
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, with their juice
1 (15 1/2-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Sliced scallions, cilantro sprigs, avocado, sour cream, grated Monterey jack cheese, and/or tortilla chips, for garnish, optional

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, salt, chili powder, and oregano and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and the chipotle chile and sauce; cook 1 minute more. Add the turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until the meat loses its raw color, about 3 minutes.

Add the beer and simmer until reduced by about half, about 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes--crushing them through your fingers into the skillet--along with their juices and the beans; bring to a boil.

Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 10 minutes. Ladle the chili into bowls and serve with the garnishes of your choice.

Tyler's Texas Chili

3 dried ancho peppers, stemmed and seeded
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons sweet paprika
2 tablespoons whole coriander
1 tablespoon cumin seed
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 onions, chopped
3 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 cloves garlic, chopped
1 canned chipotle chile, chopped
1/2 jalapeno pepper, chopped
2 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes, hand crushed
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons masa harina
1/2 tablet Mexican chocolate (about 1 1/2 ounces)
Grated queso fresco, for garnish
Cilantro leaves, for garnish
Lime wedges, for garnish

In a small dry skillet over low heat add the ancho peppers, oregano, paprika, coriander, cumin, and chili powder. Cook until they begin to smell, about 2 minutes. Put the spices into a spice mill or food processor and grind until they are powdered. Set aside.

Heat a large heavy bottomed casserole over medium heat; add 3 tablespoons olive oil and the onions. Cook until the onions are soft and beginning to caramelize, about 10 minutes. Pat the beef dry and season it with salt and pepper. Add it to the pot and cook, stirring frequently, until it has browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of the toasted spice mix, the garlic, chipotle, jalapeno, tomatoes, cinnamon stick, and sugar. Season with salt and stir well. Add some hot water until the meat is just covered with liquid.

Return to the boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the meat and shred it with a fork. Return it to the pot, stir in the masa harina and chocolate, and cook for another 10 minutes, uncovered, to thicken. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with the queso fresco, cilantro, and lime for garnish.

Mercury Levels Too High in Fav NYC Sushi Spots

2008-01-24T09:56:00.001-08:00

Say it ain't so! I just read this article in The New York Times about a recent sampling of tuna at popular NYC sushi restaurants. It's a story that has been circling the Web today and may make sushi lovers (well, probably not me) think twice about ordering tuna.

"... laboratory tests that found high levels of mercury in tuna bought at 20 Manhattan stores and restaurants, including the Gourmet Garage. Its tuna had the second-highest mercury level in the study, 1.25 parts per million."

According to reports, "mercury of more than 1 part per million is the 'action level' at which the FDA can take food off the market." OK, well I've never been there, phew!

"The federal Food and Drug Administration can move to have fish containing that much mercury taken off the market, though it rarely does so. The four restaurants are Nobu Next Door, Sushi Seki, Sushi of Gari and Blue Ribbon Sushi."

Shoot, I've been to 3/4 but I'm still alive and writing this blog so what should one believe? How much sushi does one have to consume to get mercury poisoning anyway?

"Hiro Nishida, the president of the company that owns Megu, said Megu served tuna that was almost mercury-free at its other restaurant, in the Trump World Tower at 845 United Nations Plaza. Mr. Nishida said that that type of tuna, kindai tuna, was developed at Kinki University in Japan ... kindai tuna cost 50 percent more than ordinary tuna, but that he had not raised the prices on items that call for kindai tuna."

There's still hope, if you can afford it.

Cobbile Hill's Alex McCord to Star in "Real Housewives of NYC"

2008-01-14T09:44:00.001-08:00

According to The Daily News and Gothamist, Bravo is launching a spin-off of their popular Real Housewives of Orange County series on March 4.

The show will focus on Bethenny Frankel, LuAnn de Lesseps, Ramona Singer and Jill Zarin of the Upper East Side and Alex McCord of Cobble Hill.

Alex McCord Born: Washington, D.C.
Lives: Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.
Married: Yes; husband works in boutique hotel management.
Kids: Two sons, ages 2 and 4.
Job: Works in visual merchandising for a major retailer.

Bethenny Frankel (website)
Born: New York.
Lives: Upper East Side.
Married: No.
Kids: None, but her boyfriend of 10 months has three, ages 4, 7 and 9.
Job: Frankel's health food company, bethennybakes, creates wheat-, egg- and dairy-free baked goods as well as tailored, healthy menus for clients.

LuAnn deLesseps (website)
Born: Connecticut.
Lives: Upper East Side.
Married: Yes, to Count Alexandre de Lesseps, a French aristocrat she met in the Swiss Alps.
Kids: 11-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter.
Job: Hosts "The Countess Report," her own cable show based in the Hamptons.

Ramona Singer
Born: Rhinebeck, N.Y. Lives: Upper East Side.
Married: Yes, and co-creating a jewelry line with her husband.
Kids: 12-year-old daughter.
Job: Buys and resells excess fashion inventory to discount boutiques and chains. Also developing her own skin-care products.

Jill Zarin
Born: Woodmere, L.I. Lives: Upper East Side.
Married: Yes, to second husband.
Kids: 15-year-old daughter; husband has three kids of his own, ages 25, 28 and 31.
Job: Owns Zarin Fabrics & Home Furnishings on the lower East Side.

Awesomeness in Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO?

2008-01-08T08:24:00.000-08:00

Was strolling the Chowhound boards and came across this new thread. Let this guy know he should take the plunge and move to Brooklyn. He's concerned there's no good food!

Brooklyn Oenology

2008-01-08T08:08:00.000-08:00

An article from a site called Lenndevours focuses on Brooklyn Oenology (BOE), a relatively new winery located in a converted Greenpoint warehouse. Apparently BOE wines are available at several NYC locations, including DUMBO's Blanc et Rouge and Rebar.

Here is a link to the Q&A with Alie Shaper, who is described as an "engineer-turned-winemaker." I should note that the grapes don't actually come from Brooklyn, they come from Long Island, but the production is all local.

Project Knitting @ Brooklyn General

2008-01-08T07:47:00.001-08:00

My favorite neighborhood knitting store, Brooklyn General, is starting up its weekly Project Knitting class. The instructor Kaitlyn is fantastic and I highly recommend trying it if you are interested in learning how to knit a scarf, hat, socks or sweater.

You should know the basics (cast on, cast off, knit, purl), but if you are a little rusty, Kaitlyn will show you the way. She's very patient and the class size is small, so you get the attention you need to finish a project with confidence.

The fee for the class covers instruction; you have to purchase materials separately. I took it this fall and knitted a lovely cable stitch hat. It looks really impressive!

Brooklyn General Store
128 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
718.237.7753

Off Topic Post

2008-01-08T07:45:00.000-08:00

I got one of those cute forwards this morning with the animals cuddling up together. I am such a sucker for those! Anyway, this was the last photo and I thought it was hilarious so I decided to post it here for you all to see:

Corcoran Group Releases Data on Brooklyn RE Market

2008-01-04T11:59:00.000-08:00

I'm late blogging about this since it's yesterday's news, but as a home owner in Brooklyn and avid real estate enthusiast, I found Corcoran's data interesting. Here's an excerpt from Brownstoner, specifically with regard to Brooklyn RE:

The Corcoran Group released its year-end market data today, and the brokerage’s stats show the ’07 Brooklyn market making healthy (if not huge) gains over 2006. The median sales price on all condos and co-ops was up 7 percent last year, to $590,000, while median townhouse values rose 2 percent in ’07, to $1.2 million."

"... Brooklyn Heights, where the median price shot up 19 percent, to $1.3 million. Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens, on the other hand, showed a median price decrease of 9 percent, going from $950,000 in 2006 to $860,000 in 2007. And Park Slope’s median price slipped from $999,000 in ’06 to $928,000 in ’07."

Best Smith Street or Court Street Restaurant

2008-01-04T11:24:00.000-08:00

Chowhound has a good thread on its outer borough board about restaurant recommendations on Smith Street and Court Street. One of the posters mentions Queen, a restaurant my husband and I have been interested in trying based on a recommendation from a family friend. We read mixed reviews of Queen online, but then on this thread it looks like a favorite.

New Year's Eve Prix Fixe

2007-12-21T07:47:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve gets very expensive in NYC. Everything has a cover, even the not-so-great bars, while the restaurants all have special menus that cost a lot.

We thought it might be nice to go with friends of ours to River Cafe for a low-key dinner. We were prepared for the $125 (still expensive, but worth it) prix fixe menu but when we called we were shocked to find out that the cost for New Year's was $450 per person, which includes a champagne and caviar cocktail hour. And can you believe it, it's completely booked as of this morning.

If you like seafood, one nice and well-priced option (in my opinion) is the Mermaid Inn. It's not in Brooklyn, but there is a location in the East Village and a new outpost on the Upper West Side. Here is a link to the menu. There are two seatings and the pricing is reflected ($50 & $70 menus).

Zagat offers a round-up of high-end prix fixe options, which does include the Mermaid Inn.

$7.8 M Penthouse Listing in Clocktower

2007-12-20T08:54:00.001-08:00

Check out this Sotheby's listing for a $7.8 million penthouse in the Clock Tower (1 Main St.) building in DUMBO. Pretty nice!

Brooklyn-Made Food & Drink

2007-12-14T12:12:00.000-08:00

A thread from Chowhound looks at food and drink native to Brooklyn. Here's the list that readers have come up with so far.

McClure's pickles
Junior's cheesecake
Brooklyn Brewery beer
Jacques Torres chocolates/hot chocolate mix
Steve's Keylime Pies made in Red Hook
Black Hound Cookies
Six Point Beers/Ales from Red Hook
Fox's U-Bet chocolate syrup
Baked brand cookies (my add)

Anything missing? What's your favorite?

Interview: Carla's Closets

2007-12-10T13:01:00.000-08:00

Whether you've been blessed with a big closet or are like most New Yorker's and your apartment resembles a closet more than anything, stylist Carla Nemiroff of Carla's Closets can help you get organized and make life, well, easier.

In this Q&A, Carla offers some helpful tips and tricks as we head into colder weather and a natural time to purge old clothes and coats to donate them to charity.

What is Carla's Closets all about?
Carla’s Closets is all about making your life easy. I believe that women especially need to make a conscious effort to treat themselves with lots of love, and Carla’s Closets is all about making this happen in a very practical way. The interior and exterior of us are one in the same; if you take care of one, the other feels better. I don’t promote being high maintenance and superficial. I encourage others to keep it simple and practical with moments of pampering and indulgence to create those simple pleasures, like putting on something that makes you feel just that fantastic.

What is the number one mistake people make when organizing their closets?
I think the number one mistake people make when organizing their closets is that they aren’t realistic. Most of us wear maybe 50% of our wardrobes if we’re lucky. There are things in each of our closets that for a number of reasons, we never want to put on. You’ve got to ask yourself why you’re not putting something on, and then decide how to change that, or get rid of it; they’re just clothes at the end of the day.

What advice would you give people as we head into sweater season in terms of organization?
As we enter sweater season it’s really important to take an inventory of what you’ve got in the closet already. Sweaters are the bulkier things in our closets and there’s only so much room for them. Take a count of how many sweaters you’ve got, and then break them down into categories by color and type. This could mean you’ve got 10 black sweaters and one non-black, so guess what? Don’t buy any black sweaters this season! (And maybe think about getting rid of a few you haven’t worn the last few seasons) Or this could mean that you’ve got 6 cruddy “raking the leaves” sweaters, and only 2 nice ones that could pass for a night out to dinner. Be real with what you’ve got and what you really need most. Many of us hold onto cruddy things for too long, and before you know it, that’s all you’ve got going on in your closet. No wonder you feel like a schlep!

When is it time to purge old clothes?
I try to encourage all my clients to purge each spring and fall from their closets. You have to get rid of at least a few things each year to make room for the new things that you are most definitely going to buy, don’t kid yourself. Anything that looks worn or just isn’t doing it for you anymore, lose it.

In terms of your style, what designers or celebrity looks inspire you?
I love classic designs with a twist that are going to fit my body and last me style-wise for a long time to come. A few of my favorites are Theory, Nanette Lepore, Diane Von Furstenburg and Mackage for outerwear.

What are some of your favorite stores?
Department stores will always be my number one when shopping with clients for the simple fact that I can hit so many different departments in the least amount of time. A few affordable chain stores I love are Club Monaco for classic looks and Armani Exchange for funkier pieces.

How can people get in touch to schedule a consultation?
If a client wants to get in touch have a consult they can just email me through my Web site or give me a call directly! www.carlasclosets.com

Worst Brooklyn Bartenders

2007-12-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

Gridskipper has posted its list of the worst bartenders in Brooklyn as part of what it's calling Mean Week.

DUMBO's Superfine made the list at No. 6. Here's what they had to say:

While many of the bartenders at Superfine are very nice not to mention super fine, there are a few that really go out of their way to not get you a drink. Often, beverage orders are accepted, then the bartenders… go and chat with their friends after belittling you for asking about the drink specials.

Monday Recipe: Holiday Biscotti

2007-12-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

I have never made biscotti, but when I saw Giada make her recipe on TV it actually looks quite simple. Below is her recipe from Food Network. I plan to make up a batch this weekend and will let you know how they turn out.

Holiday Biscotti
Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup pistachios, coarsely chopped
2/3 cup dried cranberries
12 ounces good-quality white chocolate, chopped
Red and green sugar crystals, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Line a heavy large baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the flour and baking powder in a medium bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar, butter, lemon zest, and salt in a large bowl to blend. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time. Add the flour mixture and beat just until blended. Stir in the pistachios and cranberries.

Form the dough into a 13-inch long, 3-inch wide log on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until light golden, about 40 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes.

Place the log on the cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the log on a diagonal into 1/2 to 3/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the biscotti, cut side down, on the baking sheet. Bake the biscotti until they are pale golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer the biscotti to a rack and cool completely.

Stir the chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water until the chocolate melts. Dip half of the biscotti into the melted chocolate. Gently shake off the excess chocolate. Place the biscotti on the baking sheet for the chocolate to set. Sprinkle with the sugar crystals. Refrigerate until the chocolate is firm, about 35 minutes.

The biscotti can be made ahead. Store them in an airtight container up to 4 days, or wrap them in foil and freeze in resealable plastic bags up to 3 weeks.

DOH Shuts Down Bubby's Tribeca for Roaches

2007-11-16T13:45:00.001-08:00

I've never been to the Tribeca location and haven't been to the DUMBO outpost in a while, but now I may rethink going back anytime soon.

From Eater.com:

Bubby's restaurant failed four inspections since June 2007. Inspectors observed evidence of vermin activity at each inspection, including rat activity during two of the inspections. The restaurant was closed following an inspection on 11/14/07. Violations at that time included food contaminated with over 200 live cockroaches in four areas, evidence of rat activity in two areas, fly infestation in four areas, food kept at unsafe temperatures, bare hand contact with ready to eat food and multiple conditions contributing to vermin infestation.

Red Hook: The Embers of Gentrification

2007-11-14T11:08:00.000-08:00

A feature story in New York Magazine takes a second look at the state of Red Hook, which for about a year or so has been penned as the next area poised for gentrification thanks to new restaurants, shops and large brands like IKEA and Fairway. But the article offers a healthy dose of the harsh reality.

For the last two years, people in Red Hook have been waiting—some hopefully, some fearfully—for that wave to crash, the hordes to come, the towers to sprout. Weirdly, though, none of that has happened. In fact, for all the heraldic attention, the neighborhood now seems to be going in reverse. The Pioneer bar has shut down. So has the bistro 360 and, just recently, the live-music venue the Hook.

In the past year, there has been a lot of discussion in the media about Red Hook as a great area to make a real estate investment, with apartments like this one regular being profiled in the Saturday Times' "Habitats" and "Living In" sections.

But the NYMag article suggests something interesting:

What if gentrification isn’t self-sustaining after all? What if, in fact, it’s exactly the opposite: a self-extinguishing phenomenon? What if it’s less a flood than a forest fire—wild, yes, out of control, absolutely, but destined to consume itself by burning through the fuel it needs to survive?

Is all hope lost for Red Hook or perhaps did people just over set expectations too quickly? Personally, I think Red Hook has some hidden gems, lovely views and good investment areas. I agree with Ben Schneider of the Good Fork (love that place) who is quoted in the article as saying that Red Hook is "definitely not for everyone." It's hard to get to and has its pros and cons, just like every neighborhood.

Monday Recipe: Tuscan Onion Soup

2007-11-12T09:01:00.000-08:00

This onion soup recipe can be made anytime but is suggested as a first course for Thanksgiving and comes courtesy of our family friend Pat (yields 4 servings).

Ingredients:

2 Tbs. butter
1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 ½ lbs. white onions, peeled, thinly sliced
¾ c dry white wine
1 tomato, seeded, diced (about ½ cup)
4 cups low salt chicken or vegetable broth
1 ounce thinly sliced prosciutto, chopped, (about ¼ cup)
½ tsp fresh thyme or ¼ tsp dried
4 tsps. Finely grated parmesan cheese

Directions:
Melt butter with oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Add wine; simmer until wine evaporates, about 4 minutes. Add tomato and sauté 1 minute. Remove from heat. Transfer 1cup of chicken or vegetable broth and puree until smooth. Return puree to pot. Add remaining 3 cups broth, chopped prosciutto, and thyme. Bring soup to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 30 minutes to blend flavors.

Ladle soup into bowls and top each serving with Parmesan cheese.

Friday Round-up: Links from the Blogosphere

2007-11-09T12:54:00.000-08:00

Downtown Brooklyn May Get Apple Store Over Williamsburg ... Brownstoner
Sponsor the PS8 Read-a-Thon ... Brooklyn Heights Blog
Pour a Local 1 Belgian Blonde Ale ... The Brew Basement
Evening of Champions in Dumbo ... DumboNYC
No Sign of Pulse for Red Hook's 360 ... Eater
Holiday Season Has Begun! ... Gothamist

Red Hook Dive Moonshine Cited for Violations

2007-11-06T06:37:00.000-08:00

Ever since we saw Anthony Bourdain visit Moonshine on his show No Reservations, we've always been meaning to go. Two of our best friends go all the time; it's down the block from one of them in Red Hook over near Wolcott St. Well we finally had the chance to go last weekend and I've already been plotting my next visit and telling anyone who would listen about how much fun we had.

Moonshine is the kind of place everyone wants at the end of their block with its casual atmosphere, inexpensive drinks, quality entertainment (Ms Pac Man, Photohunt, pool table, Buck Hunter and a juke box) and friendly service. They also have copious amounts of board games, including some of my favorites like Jenga and Connect Four (totally reminds me of the bar in Boston where I met my husband). But some of the things that differentiate this bar from others -- the bar's dog, opportunity to grill and chill your own meat in the back -- are apparently health code violations, according to The New York Times.

The bar's Web site now has the following posted in its BYOM section: "It is with great regret that we must announce the closing of the grills. The NYC Department of Health will not allow us to offer the grills to the public and therefore we have removed them from the premises. Feel free to BYOF...Bring Your Own Food."

What the NYT article so accurately points out is that some of these "violations" are just ridiculous and unavoidable. Ok, mice droppings... I get it. Fruit flies, yes gross, but who doesn't have fruit flies? I had flies in my sake at Nobu. Citations for bare-hand lime contact is just ridiculous.

A male worker observed having bare-hand contact with one slice of ready-to-eat lime while placing on top of beer bottle for patron in bar,” the citation, dated Oct. 9, states. Bare-hand contact? How else is a bartender supposed to get a ready-to-eat lime slice into a bottle of Corona for a patron? According to the health department, there are two solutions. Plastic gloves or tongs. In other words, every time a bartender in New York City puts a lime slice in that Corona with bare hands, he or she is breaking the law.

What do you think? I know I'll probably be back for more ...

Moonshine
317 Columbia St.
Red Hook Brooklyn
718.422.0563

Monday Recipe: Apple Corn Bread-Stuffed Pork Loin

2007-11-05T11:40:00.000-08:00

An oldie, but goodie from Cooking Light. I have been collecting recipes over the years and recently made this one again after having forgotten about it. My only suggestion would be to omit the "sauce," which is inedible. Otherwise, the dish is fantastic for a dinner party or small group of friends.

Apple and Corn Bread-Stuffed Pork Loin
The pork loin is stuffed with and baked atop apples. The apple wedges that the pork cooks over are discarded, but they contribute lots of flavor. The double-butterfly method used to flatten the pork for stuffing creates an attractive pinwheel pattern, evident when the pork is sliced.

Ingredients:

Cooking spray
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
1/2 cup diced peeled Granny Smith apple
1 1/2 cups corn bread stuffing mix (such as Pepperidge Farm)
1 1/3 cups apple juice or cider, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons dried rubbed sage, divided
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 (4-pound) boneless center-cut pork loin roast, trimmed
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch wedges
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450°
Heat a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; cover and cook 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add diced apple; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Place apple mixture in a large bowl, and cool slightly. Stir in the stuffing mix, 1/3 cup juice, 1/2 teaspoon sage, and egg; set aside.
Starting off-center, slice pork lengthwise, cutting to, but not through, other side. Open butterflied portions, laying pork flat. Turning knife blade parallel to surface of cutting board, slice larger portion of pork in half horizontally, cutting to, but not through, other side; open flat. Place plastic wrap over pork; pound to 1-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Spread stuffing over pork, leaving a 1/2-inch margin around outside edges. Roll up pork, jelly-roll fashion, starting with a long side. Secure at 2-inch intervals with twine. Combine 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon sage, and 1 teaspoon salt; rub over pork.
Arrange apple wedges in a single layer in bottom of a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; place pork on apples. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325° (do not remove the pork from oven). Bake an additional 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a thermometer registers 155°. Remove pork from pan; cover and let stand 10 minutes. Discard apple wedges.
(This is what I omit: Combine 1 cup juice, cornstarch, and broth in a small saucepan; stir with a whisk. Bring broth mixture to boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.)

Yield: 12 servings

Review: Frankie's 457

2007-11-03T09:14:00.000-07:00

Last night, we went with another couple to Frankie's 457 in Carroll Gardens. I had never been to that end of Court Street and anticipate I'll be back soon for more. The cozy atmosphere was a perfect complement to the cooler weather last night. The inside of the restaurant had exposed brick walls and a tin ceiling and wall.

We didn't have a reservation, but had a drink at the bar and it was only a short wait for a table. I would definitely recommend going as a party of four as there are some very small cramped tables of 2 in the front that seem less desirable than the other options.

After about 15-20 minutes, we were led to our table. When the host took us to the back door and outside I was very worried for a second, but we were taken to another structure in the back, which was almost like an old farmhouse inside. Brick walls and contemporary soft lighting filled the room and I felt instantly at home. This area would be fantastic for a small wedding reception, anniversary party or something of the like.

The menu was broken into several sections, including salads, sandwiches and specials (entrees), and a back-side with cheeses and meats. We all decided to get something different so we could taste a bit of everything. We ordered the chef's choice antipasti, roasted spicy eggplant on crostini and then we tried four entrees: squash and yam ravioli, sweet sausage roasted red peppers and onions over polenta, homemade spaghetti over mushrooms and homemade cavetelli with spicy sausage and brown butter.

My husband's pick -- the sweet sausage and polenta -- was the clear favorite and I would order it the next time for sure. All of ours were very good, but his was outstanding. The wine selection was also very good although I can't remember which bottle we shared.

There was ample street parking, but the restaurant is close to the F & G at Carroll Street. The bill for four with a bottle of wine and other drinks was very reasonable.

457 Court St
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: (718) 403-0033

Blue Ribbon Opens at Columbus Circle

2007-10-31T13:16:00.000-07:00

Zagat reports on the new Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill opening in Midtown:

Located inside 6 Columbus, Jason Pomeranc's new hotel across from the Time Warner Center, it will give area sushi fans a more affordable alternative to the $400 prix fixe at nearby Masa. Accessible via the hotel's lobby, it features a front bar that's already open for business, plus a den-like dining room that's all warm slatted wood. 6 Columbus Circle; 212-397-0404

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T10:53:00.001-07:00

Brooklyn, NY
Originally uploaded by URBAN ENVY, NYC

I came across this very nice photo stream of Halloween-inspired Brooklyn brownstones. A real diamond in the rough amid the hundreds of drunk Halloween party pics on Flickr.

Monday Recipe: Fiber One Muffins

2007-10-29T11:18:00.001-07:00

Sorry these Monday recipe features haven't been very regular. On that note, here's a heart healthy recipe that won't pack on the pounds, courtesy of my friend Stephanie.

Fiber One Muffins

Ingredients:

1 cup Fiber One Bran Cereal (the strands not the flakes)
2 egg whites
¼ cup vegetable oil (option to substitute olive oil)
2 containers (6 oz each) plain fat-free yogurt, such as FAGE
½ cups whole wheat flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar (or splenda)
1¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ cup fruit, such as blueberries, apples, strawberries or banana

Optional ingredients: Cinnamon, raisins and/or protein powder, if desired

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400˚F
2. Grease bottom of muffin cups or use paper baking cups.
3. Crush cereal
4. In mixing bowl, combine egg whites, oil, & yogurt. Stir in cereal and remaining ingreds.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned

Best of New York Dining from amNY

2007-10-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

amNY offers its list of the top dining spots and bars in New York. I was pleased to see that Sushi of Gari was named "best sushi."

Venues are organized by the usuals, such as "best burger," "best sushi," "best ice cream," in addition to "best place to be seen," "kid friendly" and "best place to take out-of-towners." I haven't been to all of the places they included and probably would have made different picks.

Local Brooklyn spots were featured, including: Barcade as "best bar to play games," Freddy's Bar & Backroom in Prospect Heights as "best dive" and L&B Spumoni Gardens as "best pizza."

Follow-up Knitting Post: Brooklyn General Store

2007-10-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, my friend took me to Brooklyn General Store on Union St in Carroll Gardens. They also have a wide selection of materials and instructional courses. Although what I learned at Knit New York was invaluable, it appears that you get more bang for your buck in Brooklyn.

I also found some lovely little decorative buttons - some in great animal shapes - to incorporate into my knitting products. They also feature a "pattern of the month" online to give customers new project ideas. Here is a link to their blog.

Knitting Rocks

2007-10-26T08:34:00.000-07:00

Learning to knit has been a line item on my to-do list for many years. I still have knitting supplies and failed projects that I purchased in Boston when I lived there more than three years ago. I learned to knit from my grandma when I was very young, but the intricacies of casting on and off have left my memory banks and I would love to move beyond the basic stitch.

I finally decided it was time to learn how to knit properly so that I could actually finish a project and cross that item off my list. So yesterday I took a "Knitting 101" class at a fantastic place called Knit New York on 14th street right off Second Avenue.

The class is small (4 people, 2 teachers) so you get 1:1 instruction and the fee includes everything you need -- supplies and instruction -- to knit a hat. It's the kind of place you want to hang out at after work and on lazy rainy days (well at least I do!). Everyone was knowledgeable, friendly and nice -- all-in-all a great vibe.

They have an expresso bar and a nice selection of beverages and penny candy for sale, with several seating areas. The walls are lined with yarn in all colors and textures, while impressive finished projects sit folded on shelves and hanging on racks -- all very inspirational.

I would love a place like this in DUMBO (and I think it would do really well), but I found that there are some great places in Brooklyn that offer knitting supplies, some with classes. But I would highly recommend Knit New York as it's a casual environment so there's no pressure!

Here's a link to a Web site that offers a round-up of NYC Knitting shops and resources.

Catch Some Burlesque in Brooklyn

2007-10-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, October 27 head on down to The Hook (yes, in Red Hook) for a night of music, entertainment (Burlesque!), carnival booths and burgers. Called the The Death of Astroland, doors open at @ 8 p.m. and the venue is on 18 Commerce St., b/t Richards & Columbia St., Red Hook (718-797-3007).

Burlesque shows are great fun, although I don't care for the Blue Bunny (he was mean to my friend on her bachelorette). A cool chic I met who works at No Idea Bar is also with a burlesque team called Lady Rizo and the Assettes. Next week on Halloween, starting at 9 p.m. they will be performing at the Brooklyn Lyceum as part of the NIGHT OF THE CONEY ISLAND DEAD (I sense a theme?).

Please Don't Judge Me: I Watch Gossip Girl

2007-10-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

Creating Gossip Girl was the least the CW could do after taking away my beloved Veronica Mars. Luckily, Kristen Bell has gone on to narrate Gossip Girl and take on the role of Elle, a new character on Heroes with an electric personality. Surprisingly the show's ratings have taken a dip when it just started to get good?!

Anyway, I had to share an excerpt from NYMag.com, which does a hilarious (and spot-on) write-up of Gossip Girl every Thursday offering points (+/-) based on the believability of each episode. Thought this portion was especially relevant regarding the ongoing discussion in the blogosphere about how Gossip Girls continues to use Brooklyn as its backdrop for what is supposed to be the lush, exclusive UES:

When Dan blows off Vanessa, she says he can make up for it by buying her "pierogies at Veselka." True, pierogies will right most wrongs, but they live in Williamsburg, so why deal with a weekend L when they can just go to Kasia's? Yet Vanessa somehow mysteriously manages to make it all the way into the East Village and then to Billyburg to get to Dan's house (which we all know is in Dumbo) before he gets home. Don't tell us bitch took a cab. She wears scarves in warm weather! She is not a girl who ponies up for the yellow chariot. Minus 2

Brooklyn Cupcakes

2007-10-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you know that cupcakes have made a real come-back in the last few years thanks to bakeries like Magnolia, Crumbs and Buttercu p. (Artie Lange from Howard Stern even has his own cupcake at Crumbs.) No longer are these trendy, bite-sized (sometimes 5-8 bites worth) of sugary deliciousness reserved for birthdays alone.

For work birthdays, we used to get to order from LES favorite Sugar Sweet Sunshine, but now we make them ourselves to show off the domestic goddess inside. But I really love the cake portion of the cupcakes from Magnolia as they are closer to a biscuit in consistency and texture, than a cake. But who wants to wait on that line unless you have someone from out of town coming to visit?

That's why a posting on a blog devoted to cupcakes caught my eye. It spotlights a Williamsburg bakery called Kumquat. The tiny cupcakes look delicious. From their Web site:

Keavy MacPherson has been making cupcakes from scratch, for her friends, for years. Word of mouth quickly spread about her delicious mini-cupcakes and catering orders started piling up. For the past few months she's been selling her delicious mini's underground to anyone who's heard about them, but now they're available to all.

Still I'd love cupcakes in DUMBO. I saw some good looking homemade ones at Forager's. The same blog mentioned above gives high marks to the cupcakes from Almondine. I also came across an old post in Gothamist about a cupcake bake-off last April at Brooklyn Kitchen. I will have to attend next year's event!

Anyone had cupcakes from Brooklyn that they love? Tell me!

If you are feeling adventurous, try to make the famous vanilla Magnolia cupcakes yourself, recipe courtesy of Food Network. Or, if you're not up to making cupcakes from scratch, my favorite "fake-out" is to buy a box strawberry cake mix and then frost with vanilla confetti icing.

Cupcakes:
* 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
* 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 2 cups sugar
* 4 large eggs, at room temperature
* 1 cup milk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Icing:
Vanilla Buttercream, recipe follows

Directions:
* Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
* Line 2 (1/2 cup-12 capacity) muffin tins with cupcake papers.
* In a small bowl, combine the flours. Set aside.
* In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
* Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
* Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not over beat. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure the ingredients are well blended.
* Carefully spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about 3/4 full.
* Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.
* Cool the cupcakes in tins for 15 minutes. Remove from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack before icing.

Vanilla Buttercream:
The vanilla buttercream used at the bakery is technically not a buttercream but actually an old-fashioned confectioners' sugar and butter frosting. Be sure to beat the icing for the amount of time called for in the recipe to achieve the desired creamy texture.

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
6 to 8 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition (about 2 minutes), until the icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency. You may not need to add all of the sugar. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. (Use and store the icing at room temperature because icing will set if chilled.) Icing can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Yield: enough for 2 dozen cupcakes or 1 (9-inch) layer cake.

Meet the Ladies Behind DUMBO's Nylon Cooks

2007-10-22T09:06:00.000-07:00

When I heard about Nylon Cooks a new venture started by local DUMBO chefs Lindsay Broder and Kristen Clay, I was definitely interested in learning more. I can certainly relate as someone who loves to cook but is short on time. The following Q&A offers insight into the thinking behind Nylon Cooks and why you should give it a try.

Q: Why did you decide to start Nylon Cooks?
A: We started Nylon Cooks because we wanted to improve the in-home dining experience for busy New York City dwellers. We give our customers an alternative to typical take-out by offering them pre-prepared meals with carefully selected ingredients.

Q: Is there anything behind the name of your company?
A: We get that question a lot! Kristen is from England and Lindsay is from New York. Ny=New York, Lon=London. Nylon Cooks reflects who we are and what we do!

Q: How does it work?
A: We offer a selective menu of pre-prepared entrees, side dishes and soups. We also offer a children’s menu of healthy alternatives to your kids’ favorite meals. We schedule deliveries twice a week. Meals arrive in oven-proof packaging with heating instructions. It’s as simple as turning on the oven, eating a delicious dinner and throwing away the container. No pots or pans required!

Q: Aside from the fact you live in DUMBO, why target DUMBO?
A: As we were planning Nylon Cooks we kept hearing from our neighbors that they struggle with putting dinner on the table each night. They don't have the time to cook a full meal and they find the options for take-out to be limiting. That's where we come in!

Q: What's your most popular dish?
A: Our signature Lasagna has been very popular, but we've been getting great feedback on all our dishes!

Q: Do you take special requests, for example if someone has food allergies?
A: Since we are a startup company and it's just the two of us we aren't able to accommodate such requests at this time.

Q: Do you see Nylon Cooks expanding to become a catering service one day?
A: We have aspirations to expand Nylon Cooks to other areas of the city and we hope that our customers will see the value in ordering Nylon Cooks in larger quantities for holiday dinners or for their dinner parties.

Q: Why should people choose Nylon Cooks over say the prepared food from Forager's, ready-to-cook meals from Fresh Direct or Busy Chefs in Brooklyn Heights?
A: Our food is not about reheating. They are not prepared meals. They are pre-prepared. We've done extensive testing on our recipes and figured out to what point each dish should be cooked in order to make sure that when it comes out of your oven that it tastes as if we've just prepared it for you in your own kitchen. And the best part is no pots or pans to clean up!

Q: How much does it cost?
A: Our entrees range from $12-$15 and our sides $6.50-$7.50. Our kids entrees are $7.50-$8.00. A pint of soup is $5.50 and a quart of soup is $10.00.

Triple Celebrity Sighting at Balthazar in SOHO

2007-10-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

We were with my parents today having lunch at Balthazar today in SOHO and experienced a triple celebrity sighting. I never see celebrities so I was pretty excited.

Bill Gates and Bono were eating lunch together with another woman (likely Melinda, although I don't know the face). Recently Gates has been out talking about his latest effort: to end malaria. So it makes sense to see him talking to Bono, who is also known for lending his celebrity status for philanthropic efforts in Africa. Bill was very casual (disheveled hair, sweater), almost undetectable without Bono at his side.

Sitting next to me was Sara Moulton, editor of Gourmet Magazine and former host of Sara's Secrets on Food Network. She said she's left the Food Network and going to PBS. Her new show starts in the spring. She was eating lunch with her daughter.

I'm huge U2 fan and work in technology, so the Bono/Gates combo was very exciting, but I think meeting Sara was cooler. I love her show and am glad to hear the the opportunity to teach people new things about cooking -- which is the essence of her show -- is the most important thing to her. She was very down to earth.

Brooklyn Fashion Week(end)

2007-10-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn Fashion Weekend kicks off today in DUMBO.

Brooklyn Fashion Week{end} made its debut in May 2006. The event was created by the non-profit Brooklyn Style Foundation, which was founded as an incubator for emerging design.

This season's theme is CIRCUS COUTURE (um, what is that? I am kind of scared) and will feature the Spring 2008 Collections of 21 emerging designers hand-picked by The BK Style Foundation.

The event is free, but you still need a ticket for admission. Get one here. However the site notes that once the venue reaches capacity, people will be turned away and invited to come back the following day.

What About the F?

2007-10-18T10:10:00.000-07:00

Newsday.com reports that the MTA plans to expand service on the L subway line, adding 23 new round-trip runs on weekdays and 30+ on weekends. The expanded services is expected to cost about $2.6 million a year.

Blue Ribbon General Store to Debut in Boerum Hill

2007-10-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

From a press release today:

Blue Ribbon General Store, an urban general store for a well-lived life, today announced its opening in Brooklyn's Boerum Hill neighborhood. Combining the charm of a country general store with the sophistication of a modern city lifestyle, the store features a unique assortment of home accessories and gift items for kids, pets and adults that represent the best of what life has to offer, all under one colorful and cozy roof.

365 State Street (corner of State and Bond)

Red Hook Bullies Attack at PS 27

2007-10-18T09:58:00.000-07:00

The story about a first grader falling fate to two 14-year old Red Hook bullies at P.S. 27 has been circling the airwaves. We all know kids can be mean -- trust me, I know -- but who ties masking tape around a poor little boy like a mummy and then threatens to toss him down the stairs?

This news has ignited a debate about whether or not children in such different age groups should be allowed to go to school in the same facility. For Red Hook families, there doesn't appear to be much of a choice, but overall it's a bad idea in my opinion. The article notes that only six of the city's public schools run from kindergarten through 12th grades, not including charter schools.

I went to Montessori school, a method of teaching that allows mixed age groups and focuses on "adapting the child's learning environment to his developmental level, and of the role of physical activity in absorbing academic concepts and practical skills." However, this learning environment is usually limited to pre-school and elementary grade levels.

What do you think?

Fireworks Last Night On Par with Macy's

2007-10-15T12:08:00.000-07:00

Living in DUMBO, we are often lucky enough to see fireworks on any given night over the harbor. But last night's show was like Macy's 4th of July and I couldn't keep my eyes off the colored lights above downtown Manhattan.

According to McBrooklyn, the show was for the Deepavali Festival. More on the show from Brooklyn Heights Blog.

I took a short video of the fireworks, which I'll try to upload from home later.

Shopping Guide: New York

2007-10-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

Home & Garden offers a local New York shopping guide that aims to highlight smaller, unique and boutique establishments. While chain stores offer decor on the cheap, some of these places look like amazing places to at least window shop for ideas and to score some great design elements that will make a statement. Also included are some good food finds.

Enjoy!

Gossip Girl Filming Tonight in DUMBO

2007-10-08T16:14:00.000-07:00

CW's Gossip Girl will be be filming down by Starbucks and West Elm on Front Street in DUMBO at about 8 pm tonight. As other bloggers have pointed out, Gossip Girl seems to do most of its filming in Brooklyn.

Other bloggers agree it's ironic the show is using Brooklyn as its backdrop to give viewers and eye into the elite lifestyle of the upper east side, whereas Brooklyn is portrayed as a lower class suburb on the show. For example, the blossoming freshman "Jenny" and her brother "Dan" (the blond, Serena's, love interest) are supposed to live in a poorer Brooklyn hood, but they live in a schnazzy loft that appears to be in DUMBO.

Apple Crisp

2007-10-08T16:07:00.000-07:00

I know I should be thankful for the warm weather and extended summer into October, but I can't help but desire a chill in the air and a fall treat like Apple Crisp.

Blackberry and Apple Crisp with Nut Topping

Filling
* 3 red apples—peeled, cored and sliced 1/4 inch thick
* 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries (feel free to sub for blueberries or another berry)
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Topping
* 1/3 cup rolled oats
* 1/3 cup whole almonds and pecans, coarsely chopped
* 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 3 tablespoons butter, softened

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Oil an 8-by-8-inch glass baking dish. In a bowl, toss the apples with the blackberries, sugar and 2 tablespoons of the flour. Scrape the filling into the baking dish.

2. In a bowl, toss the oats with the remaining » cup of flour and the nuts, brown sugar and cinnamon. Add the butter and rub it in thoroughly. Sprinkle the topping over the filling and bake for 35 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the top- ping is browned. Let the crisp cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe courtesy of Food & Wine

Definition: Red Eye

2007-10-03T13:49:00.000-07:00

I have been recently blessed with several free Starbucks coffee cards. While in line, I have overheard many people ordering a drink called a red eye, which is not on the menu. Given that I understand the meaning of the term from airplane related adventures, I assumed this had to be a super strong espresso drink.

I came across several good definitions, one of which was hilarious and I had to share:

Red Eye (n.) -- Someone who can 'drink' (i.e., choke down) a Red Eye deserves your respect. This drink is basically a cup of coffee (already well caffeinated) with either one, two, or three espresso shots added for good measure. People that drink these are either clinically dead and need resurrection, or are writing a doctoral thesis or something equally mind-numbing. You may want to think twice before ordering this drink.

The drink has also been defined by Wikipedia. Apparently, the red eye is the equivalent of Dunkin Donuts' Turbo drink, if that is even still available.

DUMBO Arts Festival 07

2007-10-02T12:33:00.001-07:00

DUMBO Arts Festival 07
Originally uploaded by blackoutny

I missed this on Saturday, but found a great picture on Flickr. They are pulling a manhole cover with someone sitting on it. I'm sorry, I don't get it.

Zakka Comes to DUMBO

2007-10-01T18:19:00.000-07:00

During the Art Festival last Saturday, I discovered a very cool store in DUMBO called Zakka. It was open on Saturday (down on Water St) but the man working said that it wasn't set to open until later this month.

According to its Web site, ZAKKA is "a shop and artists' space, where you can find graphic art-related books, as well as other select items boasting unique design, including clothing, music and stationery." Zakka highlights some of the latest Japanese subcultures and art scenes through its acclaimed selection of unusual merchandise. There were loads of interesting books, unique t-shirts and collectible items like tin Darth Vader figures. I will definitely be back when it opens to take a closer look.

Bedstuy & Breakfast

2007-10-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn entrepreneur-ess Diana Hussey (a.k.a. Miss Pets) recently opened the doors to her latest venture called Bedstuy & Breakfast. It turns out, B&Bs are very hard work even for celebrities with endless resources like Tori Spelling.

I haven't been down to check it out in person, but Diana and her brother are excellent pet sitters if you ever need someone. Located near Myrtle Avenue and Spencer Street, rooms are available for as short as three days, or up to three weeks.

The list of amenities includes: use of a full kitchen and large shared bathroom, air conditioning, washer/dryer, free WiFi, Wii & video games, ping pong, rooftop access and bicycles available to borrow.

Suites are cleverly named, for example the Sky Room:
Features a full-size bed in the sky, overlooking Bedford Avenue with a skyline stretching clear to downtown Brooklyn. A translucent wall permits all the light from outside in, but distorts shapes beyond recognition, protecting your privacy.

As it turns out, there are actually quite a few B&Bs in Brooklyn, although I haven't stayed at any of them. Seems like a nice option and one that would allow people to discover other neighborhoods.

Saturday: DUMBO Art Under the Bridge Festival

2007-09-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry there haven't been any recent posts, but I was away on a business trip the whole week in San Diego and I don't think it would have been of much interest to you anyway. Luckily, I got back in time for the DUMBO Art Festival.

There were a lot of great things I didn't get to see yet so I am going to walk around again today and go into the galleries. We had a lot of people with us in a large group, which made it hard to see everything. There was a lot of great performance art, including music and some more "out there" art, which I will try to get a picture of from my friend. The shaving cream cave was very cool and my husband especially liked the blond in the bathtub.

I got some nice new earrings from the sample sales going on in ReBar. They are from a designer named Nicole Gagne of leoworks.com. I got them at 40% off, which was a great find. OK, more to come later today.

This Sunday: Brooklyn Bourbon Festival

2007-09-20T14:13:00.000-07:00

LeNell's brings out open bottles of bourbon (corn, wheat, and rye, too) from its tasting cabinet. Choose up to three different bottles to sample or buy six bottles of American Wiskey for 10 percent off.

@ LeNell's
Sunday, September 23, 2007
12 Noon-9 pm
416 Van Brunt Street b/t Coffey & Van Dyke
Red Hook, Brooklyn

Beacon Retail Space

2007-09-20T06:19:00.000-07:00

A team of people have been working on the retail space for lease in the Beacon Tower on the intersection of Adams and York Street.

I have been so curious what is going in there, so this morning on the way to the subway I asked one of the contractors and he said they are in final negotiations but that the space will either be turned into a day care center or a hair salon. He proudly told me he would be doing the interior once a decision had been made.

Anyone hear different? I wonder what Beacon residents would think of having a daycare center in their building.

Round-up: Links from BK Blogosphere

2007-09-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

BK Links for Tuesday, September 18:

First Look Inside Hotel Blue ... HotelChatter
BK Nanny Spits Chewing Tobacco at Playground ... I Saw Your Nanny
Brooklyn Rules Hits DVD ... Amazon
Brooklyn Foreclosures Up ... Curbed
Getting Green: Brooklyn Event ... About.com

Monday Recipe: Spinach Cheese Poofs

2007-09-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

This simple recipe is sure to impress your guests. You can make them a few hours ahead and then warm them up just before guests arrive.

What you need:

1 box frozen chopped spinach
2 handfuls of grated Parmesan cheese
1 package of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls (I use the light version)
1 small package of soft, herb goat cheese (any pre-packed cheese in the dairy isle of supermarket will do)

What to do:

Preheat oven according to directions on Crescent Rolls container
Defrost the spinach in the microwave and drain the excess water. To get it completely dry, one trick is to use a kitchen towel. Just put the spinach in the kitchen towel and wring it out over the sink. You will get every last drop.
Flour a hard, cool surface -- either a baking sheet or counter top
Carefully pop and unwrap the dough from the packaging, unrolling it lengthwise and laying it out horizontally or "landscape" direction
Using the tips of your fingers, gently push together the dotted edges so that it forms a uniform sheet of dough. You can use a floured rolling pin to help this process, but it doesn't have to be perfect.
Take the cheese and spread it out on the dough.
Sprinkle spinach all over the top.
Layer a handful of the grated cheese on top.
Roll the dough lengthwise into a long log. Roll the log out a bit skinnier with your fingertips and then slice into even pieces, about a half inch thick.
Lay each little circle pinwheel on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
Sprinkle the rest of your cheese on top.
Bake according to package directions or until light, golden brown.
Serve warm or at room temperature.

Cranberry Street Fair: September 29

2007-09-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

From Mr. Fink at BHB:

The Cranberry Street Fair is set for September 29 from 11AM - 3PM on Cranberry Street between Hicks and Columbia Heights. Stop by for food and drink, books for sale, dancing, games, live music, raffle, flea market as well as "treasures." Proceeds of the Fair go to the beautification of the neighborhood.

The Cranberry Street fair coincides with this year's DUMBO Art Under the Bridge Festival, so it will be great weekend to experience South Brooklyn and offer an opportunity to check out what's going on nearby in Brooklyn Heights.

DUMBO on Food Network

2007-09-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

In one of her most recent getaways, Giada DiLaurentiis takes her "Weekend Getaway" show to New York City where she spends her first night in DUMBO. She hits the usual spots: Jacques Torres, River Cafe and Grimaldi's pizza.

Giada lets viewers in on little secrets, for example that you can taste test the chocolates at Jacques Torres before buying (she grabs a love bug, my favorite), something I was totally unaware of and plan to try out this week. She also has a cocktail and appetizer on the terrace at River Cafe, a great way to experience the menu and beautiful view -- all without the price and complicated procedure to book a reservation (involves faxing your credit card).

She smoothly sails into Grimaldi's for a pizza, offering narrative on the benefit of their coal ovens and "no slice" policy. It's unclear if she had to wait in line.

It's nice to see DUMBO tourist spots featured on shows like Giada's but the only unrealistic piece was when she hailed a taxi, announced her destination of "66 Water Street" and he then happily drove her to DUMBO. Tourists should know that NYC cab drivers won't be smiling when you say your destination is Brooklyn and that you should be prepared to have turn-by-turn directions as they often don't know the street names.

Pretty Inside Spa

2007-09-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

I finally had a chance to go to Pretty Inside, the spa in DUMBO that recently opened a sister salon. For my service, I had the basic 70-minute facial.

The Good: I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into the reception area as I immediately felt transported into a calm atmosphere. The receptionist was friendly and walked me into the locker room, where I changed into my robe and went to wait in the lounge area. The lounge was nicely decorated with ample magazine selection. Little snacks of brownie bites, cheese, cookies and cucumbers (the same fare as Bliss) awaited, as well as water and red wine, which was a nice touch but seemed counter intuitive... but what do I know... it was still a nice option.

A very pretty, friendly woman named Kelly Anne came to get me after a few minutes -- she wasn't late, just enough time to allow me to read a bit of the magazine and have a snack. It was nice not to feel rushed. I had a really nice facial and she was very attentive to my sensitive skin. She was also a massage therapist, which came in handy during the massage portion of my service. She also wasn't pushy about the product; more informative.

They use various product lines, but mainly Decleor. They also carried some Strivectin, Peter Thomas Roth and Bliss product from what I could glean from a distance. I didn't get to see the hair salon, but I was offered a free consultation and scalp therapy after my facial, but had to turn down the offer because I didn't have time.

The extractions also didn't make me look like an alien, which is sometimes how you feel leaving to walk home in public after getting a facial. This can be a problem living in NY when you can't just duck into your car and hide.

The Bad (although nothing really that bad): They don't have separate locker rooms for men and women so when I went to go change after my service, the receptionist had to come grab me and prevent me from going inside.

Also, I think $150 for the basic facial is a bit much, considering that the basic facial at Bliss is $100 (60 minutes). Although I guess I should consider that it's a fair price because I got two masks and at Bliss they try to up sell you a bit when you're in the chair by suggesting different masks, which is frustrating when you are trying to relax.

Pretty Inside has a lot of potential and is somewhere I would recommend to friends and family. I had a great experience. The spa was new, clean, the staff was friendly and my skin looks great! I would certainly go back.

TGIF Must Read: My Empire of Dirt - NYMag

2007-09-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already, pick up a copy of New York Magazine with the cover story, "My Empire of Dirt," or read it online if you prefer.

It is one of the most well written, interesting articles I have read in long time. It offers first-hand perspective from a Brooklyn "farmer" on the locavore moment, a mantra where people should endeavor to eat food grown within 100 miles of where you live.

They sent Fox's "Anne About Town" to his farm this morning, but the segment doesn't do it justice. You have to read the article.

(Photo: Andrew Eccles)

DUMBO Fight Night Next Week

2007-09-13T07:56:00.000-07:00

Next Thursday, September 20 is DUMBO Fight Night at St. Ann's Warehouse. It's a fundraiser event to help preserve DUMBO and features entertainment such as dance and boxing, a silent auction, art, food and fun for everyone! Tickets are $50 per/person and there is a $100 family rate. For more information, visit the above link.

The proceeds will go to a maintenance fund to restore the history of DUMBO, including its trademark Belgian block streets. Trust me, these are in desperate need of repair!

Sunday is International Pickle Day VII

2007-09-13T07:48:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn Bowling...I'm so There

2007-09-12T13:39:00.000-07:00

Gothamist has a post on the soon-to-be-opened bowling alley, The Gutter. It's apparently the first bowling alley to open in Brooklyn in a long, long time. I have had a bowling craving for the past few months so this is great timing!

WHO: The Gutter

WHAT: Bowling, Beers & Embarrassing Shoes

WHEN: "Soon" Mon.-Thurs. 4pm to 4am; Fri.-Sun. noon to 4am

WHERE: Greenpoint -- 200 North 14th St

WHY: It's fun, silly!

According to Gothamist, for a group of 4 (or more) it will cost you $48 per hour during the week; $56 per hour on weekends. Bring cash to pay for the game, but your card will work at the bar for drinks.

Tidbits From the Brooklyn Blogosphere

2007-09-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

F Express Update ... (Gowanus Lounge)
Incredibly Touching Reader Comments about 9/11 ... (Brooklyn Heights Blog)
New Blog: Deep in the Heart of Brooklyn ... (Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn)
Oktoberfest in BK ... (Clinton Hill Blog)
JCondo Video Walkthrough ... (DumboNYC)
Worst or Artist Expression ... (Kensington Blog)

Best Burger in NYC

2007-09-11T13:48:00.001-07:00

Gridskipper posts a round-up of the best burgers in the city, including a lovely map to help negotiate your way to the meaty goodness. While many of the top picks are located in Manhattan, the article highlights some burger hot spots in Brooklyn too.

In order: Blue 9 Burger, Shake Shack, Peter Luger, Better Burger, Chez Oskar, Dumont, Corner Bistro, Burger Joint, Good Burger and Royale.

I can't say that I have had burgers at all of these places, in fact only three, but notably missing is J.G. Melon -- my pick for top burger in NYC. It's cash only and no one cuts the line, but it's worth it. I mean what can be better than a burger cooked next to (or right in) the bacon? I pride myself on being a health enthusiast, but when you're having a burger you might as well get it done right!

Corner Bistro ain't bad either, but the crowd well, let's say "interesting" ...

What are your favorite picks?

Online Comic Channels Adventures in Brooklyn

2007-09-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

Check out this article from the NY Daily News that profiles online comic writer Meredith Gran.

According to the article, Gran's online comic strip, titled "Octopus Pie," follows the adventures of Eve and her roommate through Brooklyn.

For more information, click here.

West Nile Case Reported in Brooklyn

2007-09-11T13:18:00.000-07:00

A Canadian publication reports that a 41-year-old woman from Brooklyn has been confirmed as the first human case of West Nile virus by the New York City Health Department.

"The 41-year-old woman though became sick in the middle of August. She had a headache, fever, felt tired and weak, and also had muscle pain. She was put in the hospital on August 25th and is now back home recovering. She has now been confirmed as the first human West Nile case of the season for New York CIty."

West Elm Customer Service Lacking Luster Lately

2007-09-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

Normally I have fantastic things to say about West Elm, but recently their customer service has sucked of late.

On the floor, there are an infinite number of people trying to help you but unfortunately people go to the register first to ask questions. Rather than referring them to someone on the floor, they end up helping with the request, which in turn, backs up the register line.

The time they are taking to walk a customer through the catalog or answer questions could be deferred to an open sales person on the floor so they could instead concentrate on closing the sale.

I cannot tell you how many times I have abandoned purchases because I have been left to wait too long (more than 15 minutes) at the register. Anyone else have similar experiences?

On a more positive note, they are having a great in-store sale on accessories, which sounds like a broad category but is more limited to organizational items, and other select items.

Would You Like Flies With That? Thanks, Nobu!

2007-09-07T08:51:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of nearly eating a little something extra while dining at Nobu Tribeca on Wednesday night. I took some photos with my cell phone, but it was so dark in there they didn't come out well. If you don't believe me, I can send them to your phone.

We went for a special dinner with my mother-in-law, aunt-in-law and my husband. We sat up front at a nice table and prepared for a delicious sushi experience. My mother-in-law has recently come to appreciate the deliciousness that is sake and ordered a container of both hot and cold for the table.

We poured rounds of sake out of the hot caraffe most quickly and received a little surprise with the last pour, a dead fly. He lay still in my husband's cup. We called the waiter quietly to take it away as we didn't want to make a big deal. Hey, these things happen, right? The host came over and apologized and kindly ordered us another caraffe of hot saki.

My aunt-in-law continued to make headway on the cold saki and on her last pour, she too received a token fly in her cup, this one much bigger like a traditional house fly. We all burst out laughing... I mean what are the chances? But at the same time, we were pretty grossed out.

Nobu is considered one of the nicest places to eat in Manhattan for sushi and here we had been served two flies in less than two hours.

I must say that the staff was very accommodating. We didn't eat for free, but our bill was substantially reduced. I am sure that there will be a new procedure for cleaning and storing the saki containers -- upside down and triple rinsed.

BK Industries Hosting 4 Contests

2007-09-05T07:41:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn Industries is offering 4 different ways to win something cool.

2 Tickets to see Common on October 7th at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square, an autographed copy of his latest album "Finding Forever" and a limited edition lithograph.

2 Brooklyn Industries Messenger Bags filled with CDs from Barsuk Records. It also includes the Sept 2007 release: Kurt Cobain About A Son: Music From The Motion Picture CD.

2 Tickets to each Aesop Rock East Coast show of None Shall Pass tour. Three runners-up will win autographed copies of Aesop Rock’s new album None Shall Pass.

1 Signed copy of The Brooklynites, a book that offers a collection of images, interviews, and essays about the charismatic characters of Brooklyn. For over three years LaSala and Kushner trekked tirelessly across the borough, documenting the famous and the nameless, current residents and former inhabitants from Brooklyn Heights to Brownsville, Bensonhurst to Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bay Ridge and beyond. The Brooklynites is published by powerHouse Books and will be available September 20, 2007.

For details on how to enter.

Sinkhole in Manhattan: If Only it Was a Few Blocks Closer

2007-09-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

I saw the helicopters after lunch today but couldn't pinpoint what was happening. I work in Union Square and the helicopters are usually a good indication of something gone wrong -- something good enough for broadcast news.

I had forgotten about it this afternoon while I worked away in my little cube, but my friend just sent me a link to the news on Gawker about a sink hole that emerged on 17th between Fifth and Sixth Avenue.

Why couldn't my work building be sinking instead?! That would have been much more interesting and possibly could have led to an early closing.

More on the news from Gothamist.

Waiting on Whole Foods Brooklyn

2007-09-03T12:05:00.000-07:00

I was just thinking about the Brooklyn Whole Foods today as I had gone into the Bowery Store today for the first time. The place is massive, but it wasn't even 1/100th as busy as the Union Square location usually is. Maybe that's because of the holiday?

So I set out to see if the Web site had an update, but it just says TBA. Looks like there have been reports about delays on the store, according to A Brooklyn Life back in '06. Probably best just to do a drive by to see what it looks like now, which is usually a good indication of how close it is to being completed.

From around the blogosphere, there seem so be some more recent issues about the new location:
Poll: People Generally Psyched For Whole Foods ... Brownstoner
Whole Foods: The Petition ... Daily Slope
Do you want lies with that? Whole Food’s answers ain’t kosher ... Brooklyn Paper

Pinkberry, Part Deux

2007-09-03T11:51:00.001-07:00

After my first Pinkberry experience, I didn't think I'd be back. I thought it was really sour ... way too sour. But since that initial taste test, I have found the right topping combination (regular + rice cakes (these are fantastic) + chocolate chips + blueberries). There needs to be enough of a sweet blend or the sour of the yogurt is overpowering. Plus, I love mochi ice cream and the rice cakes taste like the outside of the mochi pod.

I took my husband today for the first time (Spring St. location). It was much less crowded than the Upper East Side location, but still hot inside -- likely due to the door opening and closing every two seconds. I think I would go crazy working there. I hope they pay those people well.

He liked it too (regular + fruity pebbles + banana + rice cakes), which totally suprised me because he hates fake versions of real things (frozen yogurt vs. ice cream). But today he also ate half my veggie burger so I must be rubbing off a bit in the right way.

According to their Web site, there are only 25 calories in 1 oz (no fat, only 5 grams of sugar). That's really good considering a big one plus toppings probably nets out to less than 200 calories assuming you likely won't be able to finish it since it's ginormous.

Wonder when Pinkberry will come to Brooklyn?

DUMBO Block Party - Saturday, September 8

2007-08-31T05:56:00.000-07:00

Halcyon is promoting the upcoming DUMBO Block Party on Saturday, September 8 from 1-7 pm @ Pearl Street Triangle right in front of their store.

So what's a block party you ask? It's a FREE family friendly event loaded with activities for kids of all ages - but don't be fooled - this is also a party with DJs and Live bands presented by halcyon and dubspot, and, erm... sanctioned mid-afternoon boozing and dancing on the streets of the city. And all in the cozy confines of the brand new quasi-park that used to be the local illegal dumping area!

BOUNCY CASTLE, ARTS & CRAFTS BY THE BROOKLYN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AND NYC PARKS DEPT., DINOSAUR EXHIBIT FROM THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, FACE PAINTING, BIKE SAFETY INSPECTION CHECKS, AND A MURAL PAINTING BY JIM AVIGNON.

OUTDOOR BEER LOUNGE BY RE-BAR, BBQ, PIZZA, TACOS & BURRITOS, COFFEE & TREATS.

PLUS A BAZAAR OF BOOTHS SHOWING OFF THE BEST OF DUMBO'S LOCAL OFFERINGS.

Mural vs. Condo - New BK Blog

2007-08-29T10:34:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Gowanus Lounge for flagging this new Brooklyn blog Mural vs. Cond o, a "personal account of development and gentrification issues in Sunset Park, Brooklyn."

Welcome, Amina!

Brooklyn Waterfront "Endangered"

2007-08-29T10:12:00.000-07:00

A new report issued by nonprofit organization National Trust for Historic Preservation highlights 11 endangered places in the U.S. that are "being disturbed or damaged."

"The 2007 list includes historic motels on Route 66 that are losing out to chain hotels and travelers who rarely slow down along the newer interstates. They are listed alongside the industrial waterfront of Brooklyn that is increasingly being bulldozed to make way for multimillion-dollar condos, and a World War II-era internment camp that once held Japanese-Americans that is slipping into decrepitude ...

... The historic dockyards and factories are being replaced by acres of condominiums in suddenly hip areas with new acronyms like DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). The trust wants to preserve at least a portion of the borough's 19th-century industrial heart."

From the Salt Lake Tribune.

Monday Recipe: Za'atar Chicken

2007-08-27T09:48:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite recipes of all time is from Nigella Lawson, the lovely British cook that has finally joined the Food Network with her own show. At my house, we call it "dirty finger chicken" and after making it you'll know why!

It's very simple and comes from her cookbook, Forever Summer, which is all around a great cookbook. I got it several years ago when I was still living in Boston and it was challenging to find Za'atar (thyme, sumac & sesame seeds), the key ingredient. You can find this spice in most Middle Eastern grocery stores, or in the spice section of Fairway, right before the coffee area.

It's so easy to make and is very cost effective. You buy a chicken, cut up into pieces, and then marinate them in ziploc bags overnight with olive oil, a generous amount of Za'atar, salt and pepper. Basically you put the chicken pieces in first (you probably need two large freezer Ziploc bags), add the oil to coat, and then the Za'atar to coat. You can also marinate for a few hours, but the longer the better!

Afterwards, dump the bags of chicken out into a baking dish and make sure to squeeze out the seeds and oil on top. You can add some more seasoning if some sides of the chicken pieces are bare. Pop the dish into pre-heated oven and roast at 425 degrees for 40 minutes or so, and the outside will be crispy delicious while the meat tender and tasty.

As a side, Nigella serves up fattoush salad, which I highly recommend. It's a blend of chopped ripe tomato, cucumber, scallion and toasted pita that has been broken up to absorb a basic dressing of olive oil, apple cider vinegar and a squeeze or two of lemon.

Enjoy!

Can You O.D. on Vitamins?

2007-08-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

I finally picked up some Diet Coke Plus this weekend and just sat down to have my first sip. As a Vitamin Water fan, I was excited to try a new take on my daily diet coke habit that offered an added bonus -- without the sugar.

The lovely rainbow and aqua blue branding on the outside of the can is so much nicer that the original can decor. Of course, it tastes the same but it's nice to know I am getting my vitamins and minerals.

According to Wikipedia, each "8-ounce serving of Diet Coke Plus provides 15 percent of the daily value for niacin and vitamins B6 and B12, and 10 percent for zinc and magnesium. In fact the second main ingredient in diet coke plus is magnesium sulfate."

The question I have is with all these new vitamin and mineral enriched foods/drinks, do I need to rethink my daily vitamin? I mean, I know too much Iron is not a good thing, and I think I remember reading that too much Vitamin A isn't good for you.

So, the question is: Can you overdose on the good stuff?

Flickr: Car Fire Brooklyn Bridge

2007-08-25T11:42:00.001-07:00

car catches on fire on Brooklyn Bridge
Originally uploaded by dietrich

Talk about being in the right place at the right time to get this kind of photo.

Reality Check: Brooklyn Apt Rental Round-up

2007-08-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday on the F Train, I overheard a man complaining about real estate prices in New York. He was also commenting on the planned conversion of the Peter Cooper Villages/Stuy Town buildings to condos. He said, "You know, the ones that look like projects?" I would have to agree with him on that one, at least from the outside.

Downtown Brooklyn: 1 Bdrm in 110 Livingston ($3,490/month)

Vinegar Hill: 1 Bdrm/Conv 2Bdrm, Duplex Loft on Gold Street (1 month free rent $3,208/month)

Carroll Gardens: 2 Bdrm 1 bath, elevator building, v. close to BQE ($2,800/month)

DUMBO: 2 Bdrm, 1 bath @ York & Adams ($4,700/month)

DUMBO Fights Back

2007-08-25T11:07:00.000-07:00

The Brooklyn Paper reports on the opposition to the proposed Walentas building near the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO.

But Walentas’s Two Trees Management plan still doesn’t cut it: “We do need a middle school, but this need … should not be used to leverage an out-of-scale development,” Karen Johnson, president of the DUMBO group told The Brooklyn Paper.

I fully agree ... but ...

"Walentas told reporters this week that the reappearance of his old foes wouldn’t stop him from continuing to seek support from the city on his plan."

Brooklyn Enthusiast's Sushi Picks Map

2007-08-21T10:06:00.001-07:00

This is a work in progress, but I am creating a map with Google Maps that offers a short review on all my favorite sushi places in Manhattan and Brooklyn. I will try to post when new places are added. See the map to the right.

Great Image: Coney Island

2007-08-20T17:06:00.001-07:00

run baby run
Originally uploaded by pixietart

Monday Recipe: Perfect Pancakes From Scratch

2007-08-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

I am going to start a new thing where I offer a recipe every Monday. When we woke up the other morning, my husband was craving pancakes so I decided to make some. I usually make South Beach pancakes because they are healthier, but we opted for the real stuff this time around and it was totally worth the calories.

I found a great recipe for "instant pancake mix" that allows you to make up a supply of the dry in advance and store to which you can add the wet ingredients. I love Alton Brown on the Food Network, although I can understand why some people may not. He mixes science and food, and his recipes offer the way to approach the basics.

If you don't feel like making a batch of the dry to keep on hand, use this recipe but only use 1/3 of the dry ingredients and combine with the wet ingredients as stated. This will give you enough pancakes for 4-6 people, depending on how big or little your appetite is.

Also, you can add some blueberries or bananas or sliced strawberries to each cake once you have spooned them out onto the griddle. And please, no Aunt Jemima!

"Instant" Pancake Mix
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

6 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda (check expiration date first)
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons sugar

Combine all of the ingredients in a lidded container. Shake to mix.

Use the mix within 3 months.

"INSTANT" PANCAKES:
2 eggs, separated
2 cups buttermilk
4 tablespoons melted butter
2 cups "Instant" Pancake Mix, recipe above
1 stick butter, for greasing the pan
2 cups fresh fruit such as blueberries, if desired

Heat an electric griddle or frying pan to 350 degrees F. Heat oven to 200 degrees F.

Whisk together the egg whites and the buttermilk in a small bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the melted butter.

Combine the buttermilk mixture with the egg yolk mixture in a large mixing bowl and whisk together until thoroughly combined. Pour the liquid ingredients on top of the pancake mix. Using a whisk, mix the batter just enough to bring it together. Don't try to work all the lumps out.

Check to see that the griddle is hot by placing a few drops of water onto to the griddle. The griddle is ready if the water dances across the surface.

Lightly butter the griddle. Wipe off thoroughly with a paper towel. (No butter should be visible.)
OR just use PAM cooking spray (I prefer this).

Gently ladle the pancake batter onto the griddle and sprinkle on fruit if desired. When bubbles begin to set around the edges of the pancake and the griddle-side of the cake is golden, gently flip the pancakes. Continue to cook 2 to 3 minutes or until the pancake is set.

Serve immediately or remove to a towel-lined baking sheet and cover with a towel. Hold in a warm place for 20 to 30 minutes.

Yield: 12 pancakes

Enjoy!

Mmmm is for Mercadito, and Mexican

2007-08-16T17:37:00.001-07:00

Sorry folks, this gem is in Alphabet City, but the reason we went tonight is because I am still on strike about Alma changing its menu.

I actually called and asked if they had the shrimp tacos on their menu and they said no, just the coconut shrimp, which is fried and gross, IMO. You can get that stuff frozen at Trader Joe's, but the shrimp tacos are delicious. I told the guy on the phone that he should get them put back on and that I wasn't coming back until they were back on the menu. I don't know how much that will actually do, but it was worth a shot.

Anyway, Mercadito ("little market") is a very small Mexican restaurant on Avenue B and 11th. It's a great place to go and share a bunch of dishes - if you do that sort of thing. We don't really like to share but we did tonight. They have amazing guacamole, but with twists like mango and chile, or other great combinations. Their house margarita has pineapple juice, lime and just enough chile to give it the right kick in the back of your throat. Amazing!

For dinner, they have like 10+ kinds of tacos, which come as four bite-sized tacos to an order. We had the baja ones, which are classic fish tacos - delicious. They had a comment card with the bill so I put a suggestion to open in Brooklyn, DUMBO preferably.

They do specials on Monday-Thursday from 4-7 pm with a $5 menu (margaritas, quesadillas, flautas, mexican wings) and then they have all you can eat tacos for $20 on Friday and Saturday night after 10 pm.

This place kicks Alma's butt, but I would say the best Mexican is still El Parador on 34th Street between First and Second.