I remember actually liking Foxy B at one point

Just came across something about Foxy Brown on MTV News about a press conference she held at her local Brooklyn church on Monday, protesting her innocence over her arrest last week on battery charges.

Seriously, that is some PR work right there but come on, it's all too transparent. Sadly, I used to really like Foxy Brown, well one of her albums at least. I even saw her in concert and was very disappointed when I realized she couldn't sing for her life. Oh the power of electronic distortion and beats.

And then in a related search I came across this blog post that talks about the demise of Brooklyn's hold over the hip hop community.

There was Foxy, Lil Kim, Mos Def, Fabolous, Talib Kweli, Memphis Bleek, and a few others putting in work for the rap game. But now? Most are sitting on the sidelines and, try as they might, are failing to catch a rebound.

It's kind of interesting to think about. And isn't Mos Def living in DUMBO or something? Anyone know where?

Bridge Apothecary Coming Soon

Super duper cool news for DUMBO residents. Just read on my pal dumbonyc's blog that we're indeed getting a pharmacy in the near future. The pharmacy will be called Bridge Apothecary, located mid-block on Jay Street.

No more treks to Duane Reade or CVS, which is closer. Seriously, I know it's not far but I'm lazy and like the convenience of having something closer. I like Peas & Pickles but it's overpriced for certain things. I'd like to be able to pick up my perscriptions in the hood.

I feel like so much is going to change when everyone moves into JCondo. And yes, I know, I am not the original DUMBO crew, but all I know is how the neighborhood is now and I hope it doesn't change too much as I really like it and the quietness of the streets.

Great Recipe

I love Giada De Laurentiis from the Food Network. I recently tried a new recipe for Sicilian Penne with Swordfish and Eggplant that I saw her make on her show Everyday Italian.

I halved the recipe and there was still plenty for four people. If you don't like swordfish, you could probably substitute chicken or even a less expensive fish like tilapia. But with the recipe in half, the fish wasn't expensive at all.

It was really delicious and worked well as lunch leftovers the next day. In fact, everything she makes from this episode looked really good.

Fairway too, becoming a mob scene

I usually do my grocery shopping on Sunday if I go to the store. Most of the time I try to use FreshDirect instead. But in recent weeks Fairway has just become a mob scene.

Yesterday, the word of the day was patience. I don't have a lot myself but it was horrendous.

First off, there isn't enough parking. People who do drive there can't drive, excluding myself of course. I waited forever for this woman to load up her car and pull out and finally when she did, she started making scary faces at me through her window as she wanted me to back up more for her to get back. The reality is that someone could have parked a yacht in between me and the back of her car. NY State needs to get her license revoked.

The place is designed to force traffic to move in one direction, moving from produce, to cheese/deli, to seafood, to organics to dairy and bakery, and then at last to frozen foods before check out. But what if you are like one woman I saw on Sunday who is at frozen and realizes she forgot something in produce. You're basically screwed and you might as well go somewhere else on your way home to avoid pissing off everyone else. Not to mention the fact the isles are too narrow so you have to go almost single file. God forbid you have to pass someone... it's really tight.

Then on the way to and from the grocery store, you're lucky if you don't lose a tire or a bumper. The roads are so horrible with major potholes everywhere. It's just a disaster. Then there is a detour on the way back.

Luckily, I like the quality of the product, which is what keeps me coming back.

F Train Makes Me Want to Say "F$%&@"!!!

I could not agree more with this Gothamist post about the recent delays and overcrowding on the F Train. I usually catch one shortly after 8 am and while the frequency isn't so much a problem, it's getting so crowded. Earlier in the year I always got a seat. It's not like I am lazy, I sit all day long it's more that I have totally noticed this as well.

Then on the way home ... please don't get me started on this topic. Going home on the F is a nightmare after work. It's usually super backed up. You end up waiting forever and then when the train finally comes along it's fully packed. You squeeze on, looking over your shoulder to plot your escape route for when your stop finally does come along and then ... the worst news ever: "THIS TRAIN IS RUNNING EXPRESS....." right past my stop. Sucks for me! That means I have to get off the train at the next stop, wait for another 20 minutes for the F Train that is supposedly right behind the one I just got off, delaying my commute by another 30 minutes.

The best part is that the V trains are just hanging out, all empty across the track. They fly by with no passengers. I totally agree with the proposal to extend the V into BK. It would be great.
I am just so worried that when the extra 500 people move into DUMBO at the end of 2007 that this will just get more out of control.

Plus, on the weekends my friends get totally stranded on the way. The F is usually not running or running on a different track entirely. Most of my friends live on the East Side in Manhattan so treking over to the ACE is out of the question. I wonder why no one comes to visit us!!

rebar

I really, really like this place. That is Rebar, in Retreat on Front Street. We went yesterday to check it out on the way home from work and ended up staying for two drinks and some appetizers. The bar was full, always a good sign.

It has a lot of seating at both the bar and at tables for more privacy. The bartender Luke was incredibly knowledgeable about the beers on tap and the wines they were serving, which is not always the case these days. He even bought us a round!

We ordered the small cheese plate and small mixed olives, and received a very generous portion of both for less than $10 together. My husband liked it so much he wants to go back tonight for dinner. I am looking forward to trying some of the other tapas selections soon.

My new favorite beer is ST. Bernardus Witbier. Really good and it comes in a cool glass. They also have live music on Thursdays. If you haven't already, definitely check it out.

Brooklyn Brews

Also, forgot to mention we went to Brooklyn Brewery for a long overdue tour on Saturday. It was so informative, fun and worth it, considering you can sample a wide choice of their brews for 2.50 each. Great deal and a fun way to spend the afternoon.

Nothin Like a Long Weekend

I cannot tell you how excited I am to have today off from work. I feel bad because I know some of my friends are at work right now. Sorry! Anyway, I am staying warm inside and catching up on Anthony Bourdain's travels.

Yesterday, my husband and I were out in the city for most of the afternoon and decided to go for an early dinner at Al Di La, one of our, if not our, favorite places in Brooklyn. We figured we had some time until they opened so we went to a bar across the street. It was pretty cool. The Lighthouse Tavern had some regulars there watching basketball and the game, and they had a pool table in the back. We had a few pints and then headed over to Al Di La thinking we would be so early. We get there at 5:30 and the place is packed. Like super packed, so much so there was only one table left in the wine bar. We gladly took it.

I can fully understand why this place is always packed. I have waited 2 hours for a table on the weekend and it's 100 % worth it every time. In fact, for comparison, we ate at the new trendy STK Steakhouse in Meatpacking on Saturday. The atmosphere was cool, trendy, upscale. But the main course - steak - just wasn't great. The appetizers were great and the dessert was good but you would just think that the steak would be amazing considering the whole restaurant is built around the concept. So our dinner at STK with drinks was nearly double our dinner at Al Di La (that included a bottle of wine) and it was 100 times better.

If you haven't been yet, you have to go... but go early. My favorite is the pasta with meat ragu, but the specials are always amazing. They have a winter white salad on the menu right now that is shaved raw vegetables and it's really good. My husband even liked it. Just remember, no reservations and get there early.

"Brooklyn: no longer Manhattan's poorer cousin"

An article by AFP compares Brooklyn to Manhattan noting that "average price of an apartment in Manhattan now stands at 749,000 dollars, the equivalent in Brooklyn is 491,000."

The story also highlights the development of the Williamsburg Savings Bank by Magic Johnson (a little fact I was not previously aware of) into luxury apartments. Some are on the market for up to 3 Mill.

Snowy Bridge Shot

DSC_0031
Originally uploaded by kenpete.

This is not from the most recent storm, but I just love this photo.

Jonathan Adler Sale

My friend just sent me a link to a sale going on at Jonathan Adler. If you're not familiar with the store, they have really nice apartment things -- very similar feel to West Elm but more upscale.

Worth Every Penny

The River Cafe was amazing. The service was excellent, the food amazing and the atmosphere couldn't be more romantic. I was really expecting to see some couples get engaged.

I know we only live a few blocks from the restaurant but I didn't want to walk in my heels all dressed up so my husband was going to pick me up. Then our stupid car got stuck outside on Washington Street!!! A nice couple helped push it off to the side and we left it and walked there.


It was freezing but memorable. We took some pictures along the way and they definitely captured the moment.

In the restaurant itself, there were lovely flowers in the entrance. So many that it looked like a flower shop. That's a picture of it above. All the ladies got a goodie bag upon exiting, which included a potted plant, a pansy. It was a sweet touch because in the restaurant all the tables were adorned with pansies so it was a memorable gift to take home.

Onto the food... I had the BeeGee Shrimp (roasted shrimp stuffed with crab meat) and the Lobster Tail (poached and the claw meat was used to make a lobster cake, like a crab cake). It was prix fix so you have to get the good stuff :-)

Then, incredibly full I managed to eat most of my chocolate Brooklyn bridge cake. It was really pretty and I felt bad eating it, well, sort of... they had sugared rose petals on the plate with a strawberry sorbet and some sort of custard. Delicious.

It was also really nice because we were there for a good two hours. We didn't feel rushed and it was an experience I'll never forget.

My Romantic Date Tonight

My husband is taking me to the River Cafe. I know, super fancy, but hey I deserve it ;-)

I am really excited. It's such an incredible experience dining at the River Cafe and they have a special menu tonight for the holiday. We ate there with his parents during the summer and being on the water was so tranquil. As the lights go down, you're floating on the water enjoying a fine dining experience. The Brooklyn Bridge dessert is a work of art!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

And one last picture for today

Ocean View Panorama HDR #1
Originally uploaded by Fraggle Red.

Uploading from Flickr is just so easy. I love sharing photos and looking at other people's photos. We're headed to Miami next month for our annual trip to Florida and with the snow/slush coming tonight, March 16th couldn't come quickly enough. Oh I can just picture stepping onto the beach it looks fantastic.

Downtown at Dusk

Downtown at Dusk
Originally uploaded by miguelkeenanan.

I love this photo from Flickr as well. The sun setting over Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty are just amazing. The colors are crisp and bright against the silouhette of the buildings/

Coney Island Fog

Coney Island Fog
Originally uploaded by mkaggen.

This is an eery, lovely photo.

Get Baked!

A story in The Brooklyn Paper offers a round-up of Brooklyn businesses where you can buy sweet treats for Vday. I forgot to mention that we recently got some desserts from Baked in Red Hook. They were incredibly decadent and delicious.

My husbund picked out some assorted mini dessert "bars," which in reality were enough for 3 people each. They were about 3x3 in and came in flavors like Rocky Road, Peanut Butter & Jelly and Pecan Pie. All amazingly rich. I think Forragers carries their cookies.

Article from NYT

Brooklyn Record points to a story from the NYTimes about experiences in finding roommates in the city. The article specifically examines how CraigsList has changed this process, focusing on Williamsburg as a key location where "coolness" is a factor in selection.

I remember college dwelling. Then, with my husband I remember when we first moved in together. It was in his studio when we were dating and I would go home on occasion to get clothing from my apt, which had essentially become an expensive closet. I just got sick of traveling back and forth (it was a whole 3 blocks). Luckily, we get along really well and he's not female. I find that living with other woman is challenging. Too much estrogen.

Sharing space is hard -- especially when it's an incredibly small space. It's just unnatural to share living space with other people - whether it's your friend or a stranger. Living space is so personal and sometimes you just want some alone time. Unfortunately, living solo in the city is muchos expensive and unrealistic for most everyone without a trust fund.

Jacques Torres in V-Day Mode

After my burger yesterday, we stopped into Jacques Torres. I mean, how could you not? The smell of chocolate is intoxicating -- in a good way of course -- and they are doing some special things for the upcoming holiday of love.

They have these cute pre-picked truffle combinations that include two of my favorite flavors: menage-a-trois and love bug, which is key-lime pie flavored. It's really good. The other is a chocolate liqour flavoring. Either way, both are delcious.

But above that, the chocolatiers were busy making these extraodinary chocolate heart boxes that were beautifully designed and filled with what else... more chocolate!!

If you get a chance, you should go check them out. They are pricy but would make a really special, memorable out of the ordinary gift for someone you love. I couldn't find a picture online, so you'll have to see for yourself.

Oh my, can I talk about anything but food?