Hometown BBQ Review.

This review has been a long time coming.  The place has been open for about a month now and as you can see it gets pretty packed.  The line was nearly out the door when we arrived (see below).  How it works, much like most BBQ joints, is that you stand in line to order your food then grab a seat.  The bar is separate so you can get a beer for the line.  really great beer selection! It wasn't too long a wait though (maybe 20 or 30 minutes) and once we had our food a table was no problem.  Our food was amazing! The ribs were lean yet tender so so flavorful.  The beans were smokey, mac and cheese was creamy but not too greasy, and the collards were also really really flavorful.  The BBQ sauce is sweet with a little spice at the end.  We didn't get to see any live music.  I think we were there a little on the early side but we saw the stage area and the atmosphere was a perfect Honky Tonk vibe. Overall impressive! 

Beer Garden!

What does this neighborhood need?  Really good Chinese food? Yes. A delicious Indian restaurant? Sure.  Well, while we're waiting for those two wishes to come true how about a beer garden? Yes, please!  This beer garden and restaurant (pictured above in the early stages) is coming to Summit and Columbia Street.  We'll share more info as it comes our way.

The Total Gowanus Immersion.

Check out this event that we're sponsoring! The Total Red Hook Immersion was so much fun we're psyched to meet people out to have the same awesome time in Gowanus.  This neighborhood has so many great bars, shops, restaurants and venues.  If you haven't explored this hood now is your time.  It isn't until October 5th so mark it on your calendar.  You can find out all the info you'll need on BrooklynBased. 

More than Burgers at New Restaurant Vekslers.

We've blogged about the new "burger shop" coming to 521 Hicks, which we found out about through Grub Street.  This place is way more than just burgers.  In fact, they only have one burger, "the quarter pounder with cheese", on their small but diverse menu.  We've made the photo below extra large so you can see the delicious menu descriptions.  Because it says opening menu for the week we're sure it will be subject to change.  Definitely excited to try this place.  It's affordable too!

Whiskey Soda Lounge Sign Up.

We read back in December that Andy Ricker, of Pok Pok, was planning on opening up a bar down the street from his Brooklyn restaurant and now we have tangible evidence.  The sign is up for Whiskey Soda Lounge on Columbia and Kane!  Talk about cornering the market.  The droves that wait nightly for entry to Pok Pok can now go drink and snack at this bar while they wait.  Here's what they say about the Portland sister bar. "Whiskey Soda Lounge is a bar/lounge serving Aahaan Kap Klaem, the drinking food of Thailand." Bring it!

Ping Pong Wednesdays!

Walking by Alma recently and this sign just popped out!  The sign has been up for a while since it says "starts in November".  But somehow we just noticed it though, it sounds awesome, so we thought we'd share for anyone else who didn't know.  Ping pong tournaments??!! Yes please!! Even if just to watch.  It's the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month and sign up begins at 7pm.  Bar tab prizes! Sorry for all the exclamation points...we're pretty psyched.

Our Favorite Neighborhood Bars for Winter.

Bars are a refuge for many of us during the winter months.  A warm place filled with other people to complain about the temperature with over a warming drink.  It's perfect!  We have so many wonderful bars in the area but here are a few of our favorites.


Brooklyn Buschenschank is a great spot.  In the summer the giant windows are open and you feel like you're at a beer garden.  When it's too cold out, though, the frosted windows shut out the winter and all you see is the beautiful tavern filled with candles.  Amazing beer selection too!

These next two bars are on the list, not only because we love them all year round, but because when you find yourself going out more often you may want to opt for a place with good drink specials.  Red Hook's Brooklyn Ice House and Cobble Hill's Boat fit that bill.

Char No. 4 is our last pick.  What warms you up better than whiskey? This place has more than 150 varieties of it as well as some very creative winter-themed cocktails, such as the "Noreaster" -Ginger beer, lime, maple syrup.

Two Smith Street Staples Gone.

We saw a couple of signs back to back on Smith Street earlier this week.  One at 193 Smith, NY Perks, and one at 195, formerly Robin De Bois.  These two places have been around for a while and have both now closed.  NY Perks was a nightclub/bar that received mixed reviews on yelp and you may not have even noticed it walking by because you could never see inside the tinted windows.  It now has a for lease sign out front.  Right next door, Robin De Bois also got mixed reviews but you couldn't help but notice it because it had some really crazy window displays.  That space, as you can see above, will soon be a brick oven pizza restaurant.  We'll see what's to become of the space at 193 Smith.

St. Patrick's Day at Lucey's Lounge

So, Saint Patty's Day is on a Saturday this year. That means we can celebrate all day!!!! By all means pace yourselves. Also, drop by our friends new bar that will have it's grand opening on this holiday Saturday. It's called Lucey's Lounge and it's right around the corner from the Bell House at 475 3rd Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets. It opens at noon and of course they'll have drink specials all day long. They'll also have free food all day long so back to the pacing yourself topic. No better way to do that than by complimenting that green beer (literally or figuratively) with some free food! So, go check them out this Saturday! Have fun and be safe.

Wednesday's at MikNic.

Wondering what to do tonight? Want to shake up your usual Wednesday night of doing the same old same old? Well, Bingo we've got it! That's right Wednesday night is Bingo night at MikNic Lounge. There's a ton of pub trivia but pub Bingo? Now that's pretty unique. Sounds like fun, though. You can play for free and win prizes.

MikNic Lounge is located at 200 Columbia Street (corner of Sackett) and games begin at 8:30 PM every Wednesday.

Gowanus Yacht Club Open For Season!

Nothing says warm weather is finally here like cherry blossoms and tulips blooming, picnics on long meadow, and Gowanus Yacht Club opening their gates for the season! They reopened on April 29th and informed people of their reopening simply with a sign outside earlier that week saying "Beer Friday". And what a gorgeous weekend to start off the alfresco brew-drinking season! As you may be able to see in the picture above, the sign reads "Please Tell The Blogs". Consider us informed and passing it on.

New Burger Bar

There seems to be a trend of new restaurants opening in the Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens areas and this trend is beefy and between two buns. Yup, the all american burger. Whether it's on the fancier side offering up the lamb or the truffle mushroom stuffed variety, such as Dubuque, the family friendly joint, such as Vinzee's, or your traditional fast-food style sandwich, such a Five Guys, everyone's got burgers on the brain. Which burger reigns supreme? That is yet to be determined. We'll all have to restaurant hop to taste and decide. A spot to add to your list just opened last Wednesday at 282 Atlantic, aptly called two8two bar and burger. We were unable to go inside as they were still setting up when we stopped by but we did get a peek. It has a nice big bar and a simple bar and grill type look to it. If anyone's tried this place let us know what you thought. Your comments are always welcome!

Hours of Operation: Sunday-Thursday 5PM-12AM, Friday and Saturday 5PM-2AM

Grand Opening Party at MikNic!

MikNic Lounge, named so for it's owners Miki and Nicki, is having a bash this Saturday from 4pm until about 4AM to celebrate their opening and introduce themselves to the neighborhood. The place is really cute with a very laid back feel to it. They've been open since December and had, what they call in the restaurant/bar biz, a "soft opening" with friends and family but now they'd like to invite Carroll Gardeners, Cobble Hillers, (and Red Hookers?),make that Red Hookians, alike to come out and have some drinks. They'll be serving food too! Add a DJ pumping out Soul, Funk and R&B jams and you have yourself a party.

MikNic is located at 200 Columbia Street (corner of Sackett). Show up early for their happy hour. $1 off all drinks and $2 well drinks 4pm-8pm.