Whether you secret red wine in your spaghetti bolognese or embolden whipped cream with a splash of Cognac, you’re probably hip to the pleasures of booze-spiked food. So come share your recipes or just soak up the vibe at the incomparable The Brooklyn Booze Experiment . The cook-off comes to the Bell House (149 7th Street) this Sunday, 6 March, and you can sign up to compete here or just purchase tickets for $20. Competing dishes can be savory or sweet but as the website says, “Please people, no grapes crushed under foot or mash fermented in your tub, leave that to the experts.” Judges include Andrew Knowlton, Restaurant Editor at Bon Appétit; Tom Potter, Owner of New York Distillery; and Jordana Rothman, Food + Drinks Editor at Time Out NY. The event runs from 1pm to 5pm and your ticket will include a Buffalo Trace Bourbon Happy Hour immediately following in the Bell House front lounge. A portion of ticket sales will help support Ovarian Cancer Research.
BococaLand
Archive for February, 2011
Dumbo Hosts Kiddie Jam
Kids and rock n’ roll, it’s a Brooklyn parent’s legacy. And to help you bring your children one step closer to the hipster heaven they inhabit, Jam on Dumbo will begin this weekend, 27 February. A monthly concert series for all ages, the first season will take place at Water Street Restaurant (66 Water St.) and each event includes two concerts, face painting, balloons and other activities for families. This Sunday, you can enjoy the charms of Astrograss (3:15pm to 4:15pm) and Erin Lee and the Up Past Bedtime Band (4:30pm to 5:30pm). Tickets are $20 for the first child (parents included) and $10 for each additional child.
Clover Club’s Ode to Little Gold Men
Don’t feel like yelling snarky remarks at overdressed actresses while ensconced in pajamas? Come celebrate Hollywood in the heart of Brooklyn at Clover Club’s 1′st Annual Oscar Party (210 Smith St.). The prohibition-style lounge will be serving up cocktails, champagne and fancy hors d’ oeuvres (like truffled popcorn…mmmmmmm) for a night of fashion, film and food. So get out your Sunday best and head over to enjoy this night in style (and gin). Starts at 6pm for red carpet arrivals; 8pm for awards. Reservations are suggested by calling (718) 855-7939.
Boerum Hill Welcomes Van Leeuwen
Just a few summers ago, I was having a problem finding somewhere to take the kids for ice cream. This was before Blue Marble and Karloff on Court St. and Brooklyn Farmacy on Henry St.–which have all opened in the past year or so and offer organic, natural ice cream. And now you can add one more to the list. A new Van Leeuwen brothers’ ice cream shop opened this week in Boerum Hill, at 81 Bergen St. and Smith St., according to The Brooklyn Paper and will be offering Intelligentsia Coffee, hand-made pastries from Greenpoint pal Chelsea Wilkes and 13 flavors of ice cream.
South Brooklyn Baseball League Sign-Ups
Now that my son will be turning 5, I’m ready to sign him up for his first baseball league. And though I do love Prospect Park, I also know it can be tough to get there on the weekends with the F train out of service half the time and parking so scarce. So I was thrilled to hear about the South Brooklyn Baseball League (SBBL), which plays at DiMattina Field (on Hicks near the BQE) in Carroll Gardens. The Cardinals league is for kids aged 5-17, but there is also an Instructional Division for ages 4-6 who haven’t played before. You can go the site and mail in the registration form by 1 March to sign up, or head to the House of Pizza and Calzone (132 Union St.) this Saturday, 26 Feb, from noon to 2pm to do it in person.
Cobble Hill Landmark Gets Second Life
A few years ago, Long Island College Hospital sold a landmarked building on Amity and Henry St. for $6.1 million to help pay some debts. The plan by new owner Time Equities was to build a gated mews–but the Landmarks Preservation Commission agreed that the mews concept and gated compound didn’t reflect the historic district it would be part of. Since then (that would be 2007), the building and two adjoining lots on Henry Street have been derelict with chipped wooden planks covering up for the weed-choked yard. I was getting kind of tired of seeing that amazing-looking building sit empty–especially since it used to be a clinic for children with neurological problems–so good to hear it was finally picked up. This time, according to The Brooklyn Paper, “it sold to a trio of investors for $6 million, according to broker Eric Anton, and the new owners intend to transform it into three luxury units.” It should also be noted that last November, Landmarks did approve a smaller plan for a seven-unit luxury development in the building itself and three new three-story townhomes on the adjoining parcels. The way newly constructed buildings are selling around here, I don’t think they’ll have a problem getting rid of the units. But one thing I’m not sure of: is this location zoned for PS 29 or PS 8? Anyone know?
President’s Week(end) in Brooklyn
Yet another holiday is coming our way, though this one keeps the kids home all week. Looking for stuff to do? Here’s a few things–for adults and the children–to look into.
Shen Beauty is offering a FREE Spring fling makeover by a Becca make up artist on Saturday, 26 February. First come first serve at 315 Court St.!
The New York Sword Dance Festival is coming to Brooklyn Heights. Head to First Unitarian Church of Brooklyn, Pierrepont & Monroe Streets, at 12:30pm on Sunday to enjoy some dancing–with swords.
Come to Char No. 4 for President’s Day brunch at 196 Smith St. and get a complimentary chipotle bourbon bloody mary or mimosa by mentioning you heard about the special.
Mini Max Toys and Cuts at 152 Atlantic is offering free “presidential” arts & crafts all week (Mon. to Fri) from 11am to noon. Come on, you know you’ve been dying for your own powdered wig.
The Irondale Ensemble Project is running it’s production of Treasure Island until 26 March. Take your eight or older pirate fan Monday through Friday at 7:30 at 85 South Oxford St (between Fulton St and Lafayette Ave).
Kid’s Week at the Fort runs from Monday 21 Feb to Friday 25 Feb. Head to Fort Greene Park to learn about history and nature, then make crafts to take home. Ages 12 and under.
Reading Series at Cobble Hill’s Watty & Meg
If you haven’t noticed, Brooklyn is heavily populated by writers. So much so, Jonathan Lethem (author of Dean St. ode Fortress of Solitude and lit noir Motherless Brooklyn) just told the LA Times he moved to the west coast to escape the cacophony. However, the new reading series at Watty & Meg makes us glad this borough has such a collection of talent. Head on over to the Court Street (at Kane) bistro tonight and enjoy a reading from the Blue Letter, a literary publication done in letter form and sent through the postal service by Cobble Hill residents and poets Chris Hosea and wife Cecily Iddings. It begins at 8pm and in addition to the market-driven menu, you can enjoy $3 Yuengling, $1 off draft beers and $2 off selected well cocktails.
Calexico Grub to Hit Carroll Park
Today was a little taste of post-snowy weather. The hope is that in another month or so, we can all be running slush-free around playgrounds and parks Bococa-wide. And in a tip of their hat to the upcoming warmer times, local blog Pardon Me for Asking has reported that Calexico will be adding yet another spot to its already al fresco mini-empire (they’ve also got carts in Soho and Pier 1). “The Friends Of Carroll Park have confirmed with the Park’s Department that Calexico has been awarded a five year contract for food services at Carroll Park. ” Welcome indeed.
LICH Gets Grants to Stay Open
Well, that’s a relief. After just a few days of worrying LICH would be shut down as soon as next month , NY1 has reported the hospital will be getting the $62 million in grants it needs to merge with SUNY Downstate.
In a statement, Cuomo said he made the decision to go ahead with the grant, despite former Governor David Paterson’s concerns. Cuomo also said he consulted with local community and elected officials.
Hopefully, this also means there will be some upgrades going into the hospital with all that cash. But no matter, we’re glad we won’t have to schlep to Manhattan to get to an emergency room.
-
Want to advertise on BococaLand? E-mail Tobey, tgrumet[at]gmail.com
