Archive for February, 2012

Brooklyn Wine Exchange Class on Cotes-du-Rhone: Tonight!

By , 29 February, 2012, No Comment

I know, I know, it’s totally last minute. But if you have some free time tonight, you may want to swing by Brooklyn Wine Exchange at 7pm for a class on our all-time fave corner of France, Cotes-du-Rhone. Between the stony terroir and a pleasurable mix of grapes (the fruit of Grenache, the spice and heft of Syrah, and the animal meatiness of Mourvedre), you cannot go wrong buying a bottle of this beloved wine. So come join Philip Cooper from Weygandt Wines for an enjoyable, and scholarly, tour through this happy, sunny region. You can call 718-855-WINE (9463) to sign up.

PS: it’s not just awesomely good, it won’t break the bank either.

PPS: Brooklyn Wine Exchange is also offering a crazy discount on a case of Rio Madre 100% Graciano Rioja. If you buy 12 bottles before Friday at midnight, it will cost you just $115.20 (20% off). Click here to take advantage.

Brooklyn Purim Celebrations-Kind of Like the Jewish Mardi Gras

By , 29 February, 2012, No Comment

Purim, the holiday celebrating yet another narrow escape from extinction for the Jews–this time from a dastardly adviser to the King of Persia–is next Thursday, 8 March. Festivities are definitively more upbeat than some of the more serious holy days and include a raucous reading of the Book of Esther (or Megillah), dress-up parties, jam-filled cookies shaped like a hat, plays and skits, and lots of wine. Want to join the fun? Here are few things happening in the Brooklyn Heights/Cobble Hill hood.

For the adults, a masquerade party will be held next Wednesday, 7 March, at Congregation B’nai Avraham (117 Remsen St.). The theme is the 1920′s, so it’s a great reason to throw on your flapper dress or wing tips and throw back a few classic cocktails. Party starts at 8pm but feel free to come early for a reading of the megillah at 7pm. Just $18 a person includes food, an open bar and dancing to the live jazz band. You can RSVP to chanagreenbaum@gmail.com.

Want to get some use out of the kids Halloween costumes before they outgrow them? Here’s a few family celebrations you can hit:
This Sunday, 4 March, Kane Street Synagogue (236 Kane St.) will hold its Purim Extravaganza from 10:30am to noon. Expect face painting, hamantashen baking, a puppet show and prizes. The synagogue will also hold a megillah reading in English and costume parade for kids age 1-5 on Wednesday at 4pm.

Kiddie Korner Preschool will be holding its Purim Family Dinner on Thursday, 8 March, at the Dumbo Loft (155 Water St.). Dress those kids up and head over at 5pm for live music, puppets and lots of great food and drink. The cost is $25 a person or $50 a family. You can rsvp to ravrasking@aol.com

Gowanus Whole Foods Faces One More Obstacle

By , 28 February, 2012, No Comment

image via NY Times

About two years ago, we reported on a memo from Whole Foods itself, describing its upcoming store and Eco-friendly complex to be built in the heart of Gowanus (3rd ave and 3rd St). And many of you rejoiced. But there’s always another side to things, and now, here in 2012, there is just one more obstacle for this giant, 52,000 sq. ft. complex to hurtle before it goes into production. According to the NY Times, a city panel is scheduled to vote today on whether to approve a special permit for the store.

Several people who have attended the public hearings and have been closely following the discussions said it appeared that the panel, the Board of Standards and Appeals, was set to approve the zoning variance.
But members of the Gowanus Institute argue that a complex for small businesses and job training would better stimulate the local economy than one upscale store — suggesting the advice to teach a man to fish instead of giving him a piece of grilled salmon from the prepared foods section.
The institute has proposed an alternative plan emphasizing these elements: a complex comprising a 10,000-square-foot Whole Foods store that would sell only local products, a building for food production and culinary arts training, and a building for green and creative industries. This approach could produce as many as 950 jobs, the institute said. Other Gowanus workers fear that small businesses could be priced out of the neighborhood if, as expected, the store caused real estate values to soar.

What do you think? Are you for another large, corporate store to help (organically) beef up the desolate streets–or are you nervous this is the beginning of the Barnification of Gowanus?

Carroll Gardens Pop-Up Clothing Store This Weekend

By , 24 February, 2012, No Comment

This weekend, come by the ArtsCetera space (212 Smith st.) for the holy trinity of a clothing pop-up store. Bundle, Mint Julep and Pure T Maternity will combine inventory to help you pick out the coolest women’s, kid’s and maternity garb at 50-to-75-percent off. The event will run from 10am to 6pm om Sat and Sun, 25 and 26 February.

Free Local Wine and Spirits Tasting in DUMBO Tonight

By , 24 February, 2012, No Comment

To cap off a week of warm weather and children on winter break, tonight brings us a wine and spirits tasting at DUMBO’s Waterfront Wines and Spirits (360 Furman Street) from 6pm to 8pm. Drink Local is a free event featuring four Brooklyn wine and spirits makers who will be pouring tastings of their Brooklyn-made vodka, gin and wine. And to make it a little more interesting, the proceeds of any bottles you decide to buy will go to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s free events and activities in the park. Guest pourers include: BROOKLYN REPUBLIC VODKA, Kary Laskin; BREUCKELEN DISTILLING, Brad Estabrooke; NEW YORK DISTILLING COMPANY, Tom Potter; and BROOKLYN OENOLOGY WINES, Alie Sharper. Need more info? Give a call to Mike Holloway, 718-246-5101.

Carroll Gardens Gets Levi’s Pop-Up Boutique

By , 15 February, 2012, No Comment

image via Racked NY

Sometimes shopping is funny in this hood. No doubt you’ll find the hippest clothing and accessories at our upscale boutiques. But sometimes, just unearthing the basics can be tough. So here’s a small compromise: Levi’s Made & Crafted, the brand’s premium line of denim, is now available in a pop-up shop in the back of the handsome retailer, Smith & Butler (225 Smith St.). According to Racked NY, “The spring 2012 collection is inspired by Levi’s catalogs from the late ’60s, as well as the west coat prep sported by Steve McQueen and Jacqueline Bisset in the 1968 police drama Bullitt.” The pop-up won’t close until summer, so no need to bum-rush for your denim fix.

New Kid’s Boutique to Open in Cobble Hill

By , 14 February, 2012, No Comment

It’s been years since anyone has set foot in the tiny storefront at 192 Amity St. Formerly an upscale shoe store (damned if I can remember the name), it is finally getting ready to reopen in a new iteration. This time as Picnic, a kid’s clothing boutique. From the website, here’s what to expect, “Inspired by lazy afternoons in the park and hanging upside down on the monkey bars Picnic is the brain child of owner Lindsey Engler. Lindsey, a new mom and Brooklyn resident had always wanted to open a small, neighborhood boutique and after many years of work in Manhattan’s garment district she decided to make the move shortly after the birth of her daughter Grey. Picnic isn’t just a boutique, it’s a mind set… we want kids to run barefoot in the grass, gaze dreamily up at the clouds and get popsicle stains on their lips. In short, we think kids should be kids.”
Ok, I admit, I thought they were going to be selling sandwiches, but I’ll certainly stop in. Look to see doors open by March.

Brooklyn Farmacy Clicking V-Day Pics

By , 14 February, 2012, No Comment

After finding a romantic spot for drinks and dinner, the Valentine’s Day originality factor tends to be low. So why not try something a little more personal today? Head to Brooklyn Farmacy (513 Henry St.) with the kiddies or your mate of choice, and get your photo taken in the old-school soda shop. Burton Wells Photography will be hanging around all afternoon and will shoot a 5×7 black and white photo–which will be printed on the spot for your instant gratification. The cost is $15, but what’s a few bucks for a memory keepsake?

More Cobble Hill Charter School Furor

By , 10 February, 2012, 7 Comments

UPDATE: Here is a copy of the official petition to block the Cobble Hill Success Academy. Though it’s fairly long, it reinforces the idea that the school should not legally be allowed to exist outside school districts 13 or 14.
A group of angry parents are suing to keep Eva Mosokowitz’s Success Charter School from opening this Sept in a neighborhood high school. According to the Brooklyn Paper,

“They’re not playing by the rules,” said Coleen Mingo, whose son attends the School for International Studies, which shares space in the school building with the Brooklyn School for Global Studies. “They’ve left us no other choice but to sue.”
The State University of New York approved Moskowitz’s plan to “open, operate and maintain” a new charter school in Districts 13 or 14, which include Downtown, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Prospect Heights, and part of Park Slope — but not Cobble Hill, which is in District 15.
The city signed off on Moskowitz’s plan, but opponents say that approval is moot because the state never granted “Brooklyn Success Academy 3” permission to open in their neighborhood.
A spokesman for the Department of Education, which is also named in the suit, declined to comment, citing a policy about pending litigation. But a representative from Success Charter Network defended the school, saying there’s plenty of support for it in Cobble Hill.There’s already a waiting list of families who want to attend the charter school, said Jenny Sedlis a director with Success Charter Network.

What are your thoughts?

Carroll Gardens JakeWalk Makes Valentine’s Day a Three-fer

By , 10 February, 2012, No Comment

My husband and I never go out on Valentine’s Day. Firstly, it’s always hard to get a sitter and we never make plans far enough ahead. Plus, there’s just so much PRESSURE and the restaurants tend to have prix fixe meals and specific table sittings which make things even more confusing. So thank you JakeWalk (282 Smith St.), for making Valentine’s Day a three day affair. Yup, if you want to extend the romance to a better babysitting night (or just one with less expectations)–go by JakeWalk on the 13th, 14th or 15th and enjoy a special menu (no reservations required). You can order this menu a la carte or in full for $35. Add suggested wines for an extra $40.

1st
Lazy Lady Farm “Oh My Heart” for Two – $15
Organic Jersey cow’s milk served warm with pears, walnuts, quince and bread
Suggested wine pairing: Domaine Agape, Cremant d’Alsace, NV – $12

2nd
Raw Beet Salad – $7
Granny smith apples, walnuts, Valdeón aïoli
Suggested wine pairing: Hugel, Pinot Gris, 2008 – $13

3rd
Roasted Hangar Steak – $12
Chimichurri, fingerling potatoes
Suggested wine pairing: Uggiano, Chianti Classico Riserva, 2004 – $14

4th
Warm Chocolate Brownie – $6
Whipped cream
Suggested wine pairing: M. Chapoutier, Banyuls – $11

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