Halloween Weekend in DUMBO

It's soggy, windy and cold. BOOOOO!

Michelle Caplan

For our wedding, a group of my friends gave us a comissioned piece of art. What that means is that we worked with an artist and worked together on the subject of the piece. The artist, Michelle Caplan, is a collage artist. Her pieces are incredibly beautiful, thoughtful and personal. The medium we picked for our piece was DUMBO since it represents our new beginning as a married couple. This photo does not do the piece justice, but hopefully you'll get a sense of her talent and check out her Web site. She's also in the latest issue of Real Simple magazine, which is the November issue.

My other favorite topic

When not writing about Brooklyn, my mind is on sushi. My favorite UES sushi spot Gari just opened a new venue in Chelsea. Read about it on Gotham Gal's blog. Also, I came across a blog about food in NY that other foodies may also find interesting.

Brooklyn Haunted House

So I LOVE Halloween and I heard this haunted house is super scary. The one on the LES is the famous one but now there is one in Brooklyn too.

UPDATE: Ok, so I heard now that this haunted house is kinda lame. If anyone knows of a good one, let me know.

DUMBO in NYT

DUMBO continues to be a popular topic among media. An article from Saturday's New York Times offers an overview of the area. I just adore the NYT real estate stories.

Chinese in the hood

The first time I ordered from Fortune House I wasn't impressed, but we decided to give it another try. I guess it's hard to like mediocre Chinese food when you're used to ordering from Pig Heaven on the Upper East Side. We used to pay extra to have the guy come from 81st down to 34th street. Kinda crazy, but we figured it was less than a round-trip cab ride and the tip was less.

Anyway, back to Fortune House. It's actually pretty good, especially classics like fried rice, moo shu, dumplings, etc. I just recently tried the Chicken Hunan and it's awesome. They send free soda and free sesame noodles when your order totals a certain amount. They are also super fast. Definitely try it!

Fortune House
82 Henry St, Brooklyn 11201
Between Pineapple & Orange St
Phone: 718-855-7055

Lady on Stilts Gets us into JCondo

Not sure whether it was the stilts, the chocolate or just curiousity, but we finally checked out the JCondo sales room. The units are really nice and the windows really do block out the sound. The sales guy said they were 80 percent sold - if you're interested they can even take you up in the real building and you can wear a hardhat. There will be a 4 floor parking garage and everyone will have a spot to lease if they wish. The units are expensive, as expected, and the A line has an especially nice floorplan. It has a panoramic view. Really nice. The sales person said they expect move in Summer/Fall 2007, which he chuckled meant late fall/winter 2007. Either way still not bad!

The DUMBO Arts Festival

My husband and I really enjoyed the art festival yesterday. The weather was perfect and we had a picnic in the park before going to the galleries. I was especially blown away by the Katrina exhibit and the hip hop exhibit. I took some pics so you all can see what it looked like, although these photos don't really do it justice.


Also, there was an awesome band on Washington Street that camped out until pretty late. I was also totally feeling the two man group in the loading doc on Main street. I really want a CD but I couldn't figure out what the name of the band was called. The flyer said one thing and then the singer announced they were called Project something. If anyone knows, drop me a comment.


Then there were also these pink ladies...we saw them for the first time on Friday night at Superfine around 10ish. There was also a marching band too. Guessing it was supposed to be street mob type buzz tactic to get people excited about the festival, but I have no idea really. Again, if anyone knows if they were associated with something, let me know.

30 Blocks of DUMBO Done Over With Artistic Flair?

Being in the PR field, I understand the importance of a catchy headline on a press release. This one offers details on the upcoming under the bridge art festival on Oct 13-15.

Although something seems fishy to me:

"The free three-day festival spans 30 blocks of DUMBO, Brooklyn."

So when have there been 30 blocks in our neighborhood? Maybe 10...

Also I hope this is a very overzealous estimate:

"when an anticipated 200,000 visitors descend on the locality to celebrate the creative ferment of a unique terrain."

Liking This Web Site

Found a very useful Web site that everyone else probably knows about but me. But anyway, it's the site of the Dumbo Improvement District and it has information about local events, news, etc.

Of note, Forager's is hosting a holiday party on December 7th from 5-9 pm.

"Free. To show their appreciation to the neighborhood, Foragers is hosting its first annual neighborhood appreciation discounted holiday shopping night to be followed by a holiday party at the General Store featuring hors d?oeuvres from Foragers, egg nog, champagne and holiday cheer."

Discounted shopping there is greatly appreciated!!!

Superfine is Super Delicious

Finally got a chance to have brunch at Superfine in DUMBO. It was so delicious and the people were so nice. They have a wide variety of yummy breakfast items all made with fresh, organic ingredients. Definitely order a slice of the banana blueberry bread to share. They make a great bloody mary too. Haven't tried it for dinner yet.

Bubby's does a great brunch too but it is really expensive. I do love Bubby's pancakes. Mmmm.

Brooklyn Fashion Weekend in DUMBO

This looks like fun! According to a press release, BK Fashion Week{end} will show spring 2007 collections on October 20-22 at Tobacco Warehouse at Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park in DUMBO. How fabulous.

DUMBO Block Party October 1

Another fun DUMBO block party is set for this Sunday, October 1. Wish I was small again so I could go on the bouncy castle!!!

For more details, visit

Sunday October 1st from 1pm - dusk
Pearl Street between Front and Water Streets

An all day, free, family-oriented outdoor community event featuring Ferrigno's BBQ and booths featuring outstanding products and services from local businesses and artists. Halcyon and Oblique Sound present a live performance by Tama Waipara and DJ's June Joseph and The Dahkter. Live graffiti art by James Top. To entertain the kids we'll have a bouncy castle, a face painter and Arts & Crafts activities brought to you by Half Pint and Jan Larsen Art.

A Chill in the Air

Nothing like the feeling of fall in New York. It's so nice to have the windows open and feel the cold breeze from outside.

Record Sale in BK Heights

The New York Daily News is reporting there may be a buyer for a very expensive townhouse in Brooklyn Heights. I read about the townhouse a few weeks back and was amazed by the description. It's a Corcoran listing (suprise!) for a cool $12.9 million dollars (reduced from $20 million - apparently no one was biting):

"Breathtaking Sunset River, Manhattan Harbor, and Skyline Views! This exceptional 25' mansion is for the discerning buyer who either: loves Brooklyn Heights or cannot find a home they love in Manhattan, and someone who appreciates the finest design and renovation! Hop across the bridge to Brooklyn Heights to see this truly exquisite historic renovation on the Promenade! This elegant home has views to the Statue of Liberty and the downtown city skyline from every one of the five floors. It includes an elegant English garden, plus 2-3 other terraces on the river. A formal parlor floor has an astounding living room with floor-to-ceiling windows leading to a custom-designed wrought-iron terrace and one of the finest formal dining rooms."

I think it would be really cool to live on Pineapple street. I just love that area. The firm also has another listing in The Heights on Remsen street for $12 million, and another on Montague Heights. It's amazing how much the price of real estate is in Brooklyn. My mom grew up in a brownstone in Park Slope on President street two blocks from the park. If only they hadn't sold it to move to Long Island ;-)

Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard Move to BK

According to the New York Observer, we have some new celeb company in Brooklyn:

Maggie Gyllenhaal and fiancé Peter Sarsgaard have just signed a contract for a vintage 3,600-square-foot brownstone in north Park Slope. The four-story house, which was selling for $1.75 million, had been an owner’s triplex with a top-floor rental apartment. But the Gyllenhaal-Sarsgaard family will not be a landlord: According to the Corcoran listing, the brownstone will be delivered vacant. Ms. Gyllenhaal confirmed the deal through a spokesperson, but Mr. Sarsgaard was filming and could not be reached.

I really can't look at Maggie the same way after that movie Secretary. I wonder what her baby will think of that movie. I do really like Peter Sarsgaard. He's a great actor.

Guinness and Oysters, Oh my!

One thing DUMBO is really great for is festivals. We have them all the time and there is one coming up next weekend that looks amazing:

The 3rd Annual Guinness Oyster Music Festival -- October 07, 2006
This street-wide event will feature:
-- a procession from Manhattan’s City Hall to Brooklyn’s Water Street with the NYPD Pipes & Drums of the Emerald Society Marching Band
-- a Guinness Beer Garden
-- oysters
-- 12 hours of live bluegrass, country and rock music
-- live performances outdoors (12 noon to 6 p.m.) and indoors (6 p.m.to midnight); and traditional Irish music and step dancers

Unfortunately, I made plans a long time ago to Austin that weekend so I will have to hear about how great it was from my husbund. For more information visit here and here.

Bad News for Greenpoint Residents

News sites including the NYPost.com picked up a story on Monday about recent tests done by The Department of Environmental Conservation for ExxonMobil, who spilled a 17 million tons of oil in the area in 1950. Tests show there are dangerous chemicals in the soil. Hey at least the Kielbasa hasn't been affected - yum!

"Brooklyn a Destination, Not a Side Trip"

My mother in law sent me this Associated Press article which ran in her local paper in CT. It's interesting to see this coverage, although not suprising. Brooklyn has a lot to offer.

Informal Bagel Test - H&H vs Bagel Delight

On Saturday I decided to go to Retreat for an H&H bagel. I felt really guilty walking by Bagel Delight... I even walked on the other side of the street. While the coffee (or iced latte) at Retreat was really yummy, the bagel didn't stack up. It was too dense and I couldn't get my veggie cream cheese I like so much. Perhaps they are better from an actual H&H location, but I think Bagel Delight reigns supreme.