Archive for June, 2010

Hudson Steals our Fire(works) — Again!

By , 30 June, 2010, No Comment

Courtesy Macys.com

As Brooklyn Heights Blog reports, Macy’s 4th of July fireworks will be exploding over the Hudson river again, not the East River as so many of us might expect. Macy’s has provided a strange explanation that indicates the show was moved because there are new effects that are more suited to the Hudson. And perhaps some day it may return to the East River: “innovation may lead to a change of venue in order for us to give a maximum number of spectators the opportunity to see the show.”

Doesn’t really pass the smell test, does it? The fireworks are in the sky. A lot of people in Brooklyn and Manhattan get a good view of them when they’re over the East River. A lot of people in Manhattan and New Jersey get a good view of them when they’re over the Hudson. If Macy’s want to move it to the Hudson because they reckon more people will see them there, then just say that, and admit that the change is (until further notice) permanent. Don’t give us some baloney about how there are new effects that would work better over the Hudson than they would over the East River.

The fireworks are in the sky. The river they’re over doesn’t matter.

And here is where I admit a little bit of cynicism — after being shut out of the jam-packed Promenade a few times, I gave up on 4th of July in Brooklyn. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who tried to watch last year’s show from here in Brooklyn — what could you see? Some of it? Most? Any? None?

Nabe Grillin’ Guide

By , 30 June, 2010, No Comment

If you love the local food scene, but haven’t heard of Nona Brooklyn, it’s time to swing by their site and take it all in. The website and blog gives you daily updates on a plethora of BK restaurants and shops–letting you know specials and what’s fresh on the menu. It even allows you to personalize your favorites and get specific posts from the bakers, butchers, brewers, restaurants, shops, bars and farmers at local farmers markets. Today they’ve got a great guide to grilling and Bococa has some fabulous options.

If Staubitz Market is the place you always seem to walk by (222 Court Street at Warren) but haven’t been to yet, we’ll give you a reason to check it out. A longtime Brooklyn institution for those in-the-know (since 1917), the Staubitz crew always serves up its famous Niman Ranch pulled pork and slow-smoked, St. Louis-style BBQ ribs if you’re looking for some great ‘cue. But for those of you headed out of town, Staubitz has another great option: the Weekend Package, where they’ll work with you to build a customized package of hot dogs, sausages, meats, and anything else you want, neatly wrapped up and packed in ice for your journey. And better yet, they’ll do this all for free for their grill-lovin’ brethen (and sis-stren)!
G Esposito and Sons (357 Court St), aka The Pork Store, is a Carroll Gardens classic that’s a mandatory voyage for any pork-lover or grill master. For sausage aficionados, they’ve got some excellent summer grilling choices, including a tomato-basil sausage and a pepper + onion sausage ($7/lbs for each). For those looking to shake things up, you can ask them to hit you up with some Spiedini (pictured), a pork tenderloin and mozzarella shish kebab with olive oil and bread crumbs. Expert grillers only–just kidding, these are really easy and really tasty.
Love fish on the grill but worried about where it’s coming from these days? The guys at Fishtales on (191 Court Street) have you covered. They get up at 2am to be first in line at NYC’s New Fulton Fish Market, and they tell us the swordfish, halibut, and salmon are looking fantastic. If you want to cook something up that’s light, tasty, and very quick, any one of those on the grill is a fantastic way to lighten up the meal. Red Hook Lobster Pound (284 Van Brunt St) has become an icon of the New Brooklyn Food Scene by putting a BKLYN-spin on a once-fancy food: lobster. What do we mean by BKYLN-spin? Quite simply, a focus on sourcing the best freshest lobster directly from the boats harvesting them in the Gulf of Maine, and a dedication to making the best, most authentic traditional lobster rolls you can get in New York City minus all the fuss and frills of our neighbor to the West. Owners Ralph Gorham and Susan Povich bring the lobsters down directly from Maine in the back of her tricked-out van in just a few hours (they stay nice and cool in their kiddie pool), and the freshness is insane. They are great in the old-school boiled approach, but if you haven’t tried lobsters on the grill before, please, just put a lobster-shaped search light in the sky and we’ll come over and help you. We’ll work for food, as usual.

Trader Joe’s Love

By , 29 June, 2010, 1 Comment

I know most of you don’t need a reason to head into Trader Joe’s on Court and Atlantic. The cavernous grocery has won hearts since it opened back in 2008. But last weekend, I threw a baby shower in my garden and after heading to my other true love, Sahadi’s, for chocolate seashells and dark chocolate covered orange rinds, I grabbed some last minute supplies at the Joe’s. I had no extra time to get flowers so I scooped up three bouquets of African roses for $3.99 each. They were small, delicate roses and I’m happy to report, still going strong on my table today (more than I can say for roses I’ve gotten from expensive flower shops in the hood). Secondly, I threw a container of the edamame hummus in my basket for luck. Out of all the things I put out for these ladies to nosh, everyone kept coming back to that–asking what it was and who made it. All in a day’s work on Atlantic Ave.

Movies with a [3D] View

By , 28 June, 2010, 2 Comments

In its 11th year, Movies with a View is moving to Pier 1 (every time I write that, I inevitably flash on images of candles, baskets and salespeople with royal blue aprons) from its previous home at the Empire Fulton Ferry section of Brooklyn Bridge Park. If you’re not familiar with the program, it’s a free outdoor film series–framed by a beautiful view of the Brooklyn Bridge. For the third consecutive year, starting 8 July, it’s being presented by the SyFy Channel and will include favorite films for the whole family–like The Big Lebowski, Dreamgirls, Rear Window and Annie Hall. And if that’s not enough, come 15 July to catch Monsters vs. Aliens in digital 3D (Time Out New York’s first-ever issue printed in 3D will provide a special promotion for the screening). SyFy is sweetening the pot by setting up a tent at the park which will offer weekly raffles, giveaways and popcorn. Along with special services like bike valet parking by Transportation Alternatives and pre-movie music by Brooklyn Radio, the channel will also provide a telescope station. Sa-weet! Here’s the full schedule in case you want to plan ahead.

You Go Double D

By , 28 June, 2010, No Comment

After a Father’s Day protest to stop the closing of the city-run “Double D” pool at Douglas and Degraw, the Boerum Hill oasis will be opening after all. We’re not sure how they could open Brooklyn Bridge Park with such fanfare, then close a pool that has been so well-loved (and well-used) since the 1970s, but we can all give thanks for its launch tomorrow, 29 June. Now, if anyone knows the schedule, please let us know!

Water Slide Park Coming to Coney Island

By , 25 June, 2010, No Comment

image via NY Daily News

Yup, it looks like Coney Island is promising even more fun for the kids in its new, 2010 iteration. According to NY1, the Parks Department confirmed a plan to build an inflatable waterslide park next to Steeplechase Pier, expected to open 4th July weekend. “…the centerpiece is expected to be a three-story waterslide. There will also be bungee jumping, beach chair rentals, and snack stands – including a Nathan’s franchise.” The Long Island-based Party Magic USA will run the park and it will remain open until Labor Day.

Happenings at Rat-Squirrel House

By , 24 June, 2010, 1 Comment

Taking out the trash at the Rat-Squirrel House

I walk by the aptly named Rat-Squirrel House at 149 Kane Street on a daily basis so it was a bit jarring to see some work being done on it this afternoon. Two people were carting out nasty old junk and the trash was piling up outside. Not sure if this is a harbinger of things to come, but I am more than tired of staring at the cemented windows, peeling blue scaffolding and general, decrepit state of the old brownstone. No wonder it was named number 10 on Curbed’s Top 11 Frightening Buildings–back in 2009!

The Hobbit Doors of Dennet Place

By , 24 June, 2010, No Comment

Gothamist picks up a Brooklyn Based story about the somewhat mysterious “Hobbit doors” of Dennet Place, a one-block stretch in Carroll Gardens where the houses have four-foot-tall entrances, complete with four-foot-tall doors, beneath the front stoops. Neither Gothamist nor Brooklyn Based came up with any conclusive information, but commenters at Gothamist seem to have it figured out:

“The doors were there for getting coal in and out of the cellar. ”

“They were probably put there for storage under the stairs.”

“Could the street level have been raised at some point..?”

“I believe those may be coffin doors – in the Victorian era it was unlucky to pass the dead through the front door.”

“These small doors are just a quick fix. ”

“That extra cost to build the building a little higher just wasn’t worth it to the developer.”

“Maybe there used to be stairs down to a larger door,”

…mystery solved. Next!

“Yellow Submarine” Outdoor Screening TONIGHT!

By , 24 June, 2010, No Comment

As we reported, the classic animated Beatles film Yellow Submarine will be showing in the P.S. 29 schoolyard in just a few hours from now.

FREE Drive-In Movie Night at PS29
Thursday, June 24th at 8:30pm
PS29 Schoolyard (425 Henry Street, entrance on Kane Street0

BIG MOVIES FOR LITTLE KIDS and ROOFTOP FILMS present an outdoor screening in the school yard. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets and get ready to sing along as the Fab Four save Pepperland from the evil Blue Meanies. (1968; rated G; color animation; 90 minutes)

This is event is co-sponsored by The Cobble Hill Association and the PS29 PTA
With thanks to The American Beverage Center of Cobble Hill and The Moxie Spot

For more information please visit: www.bigmoviesforlittlekids.blogspot.com

Well-Placed Pianos

By , 24 June, 2010, No Comment

Remember the CowParade back in 2000, when a cavalcade of painted cows could be found all over NYC? Well, here’s a new public art project sweeping the city. Called Play Me, I’m Yours, it consists of 60 pianos located in public parks, streets and plazas around the five boroughs–which are available for anyone to play from 9am to 10pm until 5th July. You can find all locations here, or just mosey down to the base of the granite prospect on Pier 1 to find the one in our hood. The project is presented by Sing for Hope, a charitable organization that mobilizes more than 600 professional artists in volunteer service programs that benefit schools, hospitals, and communities.