On the heels of Buttermilk Channel’s well-attended Bonny Doon dinners last week comes An Evening of Oysters & Great American Wines. The five course wine dinner is planned for 18 March at 7pm and will include succulent east coast oyster dishes such as a Blue Point oyster pan roast with buttered toast, grilled “carpetbagger” steak stuffed with Bluepoint oysters and sauteed halibut with pickled cauliflower and fried Malpeque oysters. And though it doesn’t come from a shell, the candied lemon tart with poppy seed meringue makes for a nice finale.
The terrior-driven American wines paired with each course is being provided by Carroll Gardens neighbor Tony DiDio of Tony DiDio Selections . Want to reserve a spot? Call now at 718 852 8490. The price of the dinner is $85 per person, inclusive of tax and tip.
BococaLand
Archive for February, 2010
I’ll Meet You at Marius Cafe (Without Your 401K)
Took the kids to Marius Cafe for breakfast this morning at 520 Henry St. on Union. The corner eatery, formerly Henry’s, has a good atmosphere, awesome bagels (including my favorite pumpernickel everything), fresh baked goods and an array of breakfast standards. Its weekend brunch is $8 and includes two eggs w/ home fries, challah French toast with bacon or sausage or an omellette with two items from a long list of extras, served with toast. All come with a small coffee and the menu says it has new specials every week. There’s free WiFi for anyone who needs to do some work and a deli with a good selection of sandwiches and salads. There’s just one high chair and one booster so if someone gets there before you with little ones, expect some lap sitting.
It’s a little pricey (a bagel with flavored cream cheese is $3.20) but with little bits of drama like the one we found this morning, it’s totally worth it. As we were getting ready to leave, my husband decided to open the side drawer he found on our table and pulled out a little piece of paper. On it was written a note:
It was not a date. We’re only friends. I don’t care about your 30 ft. burning man. (or your 401lk either).
Ah, to be young again.
Superfund Scare Over Bococa Mortgages
A press release was issued earlier this week by a group called Clean Gowanus Now!, which are trying to stop the city from adding the Gowanus Canal from the list of “Superfund” sites. Though this would make the area a target for an EPA-led clean-up, the group also says the survey of major lending institutions-including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citibank and HSBC-reveals that individuals or families applying for mortgages to purchase, refinance or renovate homes in much of Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill and Park Slope will find it nearly impossible to obtain approval on FHA-insured loans if the Gowanus is designated a Superfund site. This is a direct result of a new federal rule adopted by the FHA in June 2009 that sets forth a requirement that could preclude the FHA from insuring any mortgages on residential units within 3,000 feet of a Superfund site. And that sounds like trouble.
Though the group includes a few big real estate developers and local realtors such as Africa-Israel, U.S.A.; Brooklyn Bridge Realty, Ltd.; L&M Development Partners; Nevins Canal Corporation/Nevins Street Realty; and Toll Brothers–it does seem like something that should be considered for anyone who owns property here or is thinking about doing so. I’m always wary of press releases like this, but if there’s another way to go about cleaning Gowanus up without messing with our mortgages, I’m game.
Our Park Can Beat Up Your Park?
A few evenings ago, the chief designer of Brooklyn Bridge Park spoke at the Brooklyn Heights Association’s 100th annual meeting. It was a momentous occasion in at least a couple of ways — the BHA is the oldest association of its kind in New York City, and Brooklyn Bridge Park might be the most sweeping and transformative project these parts have seen since the BQE itself moved in.
“The park is 65 acres, but experientially, in its scale, it is the size of Central Park,” said Michael Van Valkenburgh, the renown [sic] landscape architect charged with designing much of the park.
Van Valkenburgh said the park, which is being constructed in phases, is similar in scope to Manhattan’s 900-acre urban oasis, because of the 800-acres of water that frame it.
I’m as excited as anyone about Brooklyn Bridge Park, but really — “experientially” the size of Central Park? That’s a neat claim. Here’s how I might have put it:
Though it is modest in acreage, it will feel much bigger because of the views onto the harbor. And it will be better than Central Park because it will not be full of those, you know, Central Park type people.
I suppose the chief designer can’t say that at the BHA meeting, but you know people in the room were thinking it…
Snowiest. Month. Ever.
Yup, with 36.9 inches (an counting?) for the month, February 2010 goes down as the snowiest month on record for New York City. (Records go back to 1869.) Friday’s storm alone was 20.8 inches, the fourth-largest snowfall ever recorded.
Families First Closed Today
If you were thinking of pulling on the snow clothes and making the schlep to Families First today, think again. Along with the schools, the space is closed today.
We’ve done chocolate chip pancakes, coloring and a little Noggin. Next up? Maybe a rest? We’ll see.
Alternate Side of the Street Parking Suspended for Tomorrow
Just in case you were wondering, alternate side of the street regulations are suspended for tomorrow (Friday). Now let’s just hope we don’t get snowed in again! And while we’re on the subject, anyone have any ideas on how to keep my children from losing their minds at home all day? Feel free to comment. Seriously.
The Ukulale-Not Just for Irony Anymore
Staff photo by Megumi Rooze Texarkana
A few possibilities are being thrown around for this new wave of popularity. There’s the death of rock-n-roll, of course. And then there’s what is called recession-chic. That means, when people have no money they get the urge to play the ukulele. So Brooklyn, can’t afford a guitar? Grab a “depression-friendly” ukulele and make some beautiful music. We’re listening.
iPhones Under Attack
Next time you’re walking down the street engrossed in your iPhone, think about this: two people in the hood have recently had their their Apple smartphones snatched, according to The Brookyln Paper. Both were women, both were at night, and both reported a man pointing something in their back and demanding their iPhone–or he’d shoot. The first incident occured on Joralemon Street between Columbia Place and Furman Street while the second was on Henry Street.
What to Drink With the Stink
Enoteca on Court, that little Italian place at 347 Court Street (formerly Marco Polo Take Out), is holding educational tastings on March 2nd through the 10th. For $27 per person, you’ll be able to figure out which wines go best with stinky, smelly cheeses. The class is an hour long, from 7 to 8pm, and you can call (718) 243-1000 to make reservations.
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