News from Portside

Waterfront Visions Last Monday, NYC released a new comprehensive waterfront plan, Vision 2020 and the EDC companion piece of implementation projects WAVES.    Both plans reflect a major shift in city policy from focusing on the land to the water part of the waterfront , or what PortSide calls the BlueSpace.  We at PortSide are thrilled with the direction of the plan, because we were founded to help cause this shift in policy, to deliver programs in that spirit, and to create a place where we would do that. That place will be Atlantic Basin, and we are pleased to report that Vision 2020's recommendations affirm PortSide's plans for that site and that all our recommendations for Red Hook made the plan. These include promotion of the Red Hook port as a hub for distributing east of Hudson freight and considering a boathouse for Valentino Park. We thank the planners and The City for launching Vision 2020 on the Brooklyn waterfront which we think merits special attention given its sprawling size, diversity of waterfront uses, and proximity to other major waterfront points. We encourage all of you to read the plan and engage in the implementation process so the vision becomes real.  Due to the large size of the plan, even at low resolution, it may be easier to download it in segments here than as one file here. Regarding WAVES, the EDC has released a Comprehensive Citywide Ferry Study.  We recommend reading the site profiles to understand the methodology and demographics used to come up with the results. The EDC will soon release a RFP for wharfage in Atlantic Basin for the tie-up spaces that are not intended for PortSide use. News of the PortSide Board We are pleased to announce that Bob Balder has joined our board. Balder is the Regional Director of Planning and Urban Design at Gensler, a global architecture, design, and planning firm, where he provides leadership in domestic and international projects. Balder's experience includes business development, project management, sustainable land planning, feasibility analysis, and facilitating outreach and public approvals for cultural, commercial, retail, residential, industrial, and waterfront projects. Before joining Gensler in 2005, Bob was at the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) where he served as Executive Vice President of Real Estate and directed a staff of over 100 development, construction, and property managers. More under board bios on our webpage contact. Jeanne Marie Van Hemmen's term on our board has expired, and we thank her for her enthusiastic and energetic networking that connected us to WISTA and other individuals and organizations supporting PortSide thanks to her efforts. Tsunami The images and stories are grim, overwhelming and not over. To the Japanese people, we offer our condolences and best wishes.   To those of us thinking about waterfront planning in New York, this tragedy is a reminder of what the sea can do and should be a lesson in resiliency planning. This is a time to reflect on how other cultures, the Dutch and Japanese for example, have thought more about what water can do and accordingly planned, built and rehearsed evacuations.    For an example of how sensitive our system is to much smaller weather events, here is a video showing a surge of litter and sewage entering the Gowanus Canal after the tornado last September.   For educators, the New York Times has prepared lesson plan concepts for how to learn from the earthquake and tsunami. Harbor seal There is local good news.  A Harbor seal graced us with a visit on March 16th at 5:15pm.   The seal was spotted 25' off the Mary A. Whalen. It dove, resurfaced and swam to the shore south of Pier 9B, Red Hook where it explored the raggedy remains of the Hamilton Avenue ferry terminal.  This is the first time we have seen a seal in the Red Hook Container Port. For more information about the return of seals to the harbor, see a feature article in the current issue of the New Yorker.

Return of the Red Hook Crit

Red Hook is different. It's not just the maraschino honey and the pupusas. This weekend brings the return of yet another event that sets this neighborhood apart from the rest of the city: The Red Hook Criterium bike race. The Crit, as it is known, is not for the faint of heart: for a preview, watch this footage from last year's race. If you're ready to dodge photographers, dogs, and custom vans while sprinting across the bone-rattling cobblestones of Beard Street, register here. (Track bikes only, please.) The non-insane can just watch.

Petition to have the salt pile removed on Pier 9!

WE ARE NOW FACING A 3RD YEAR OF THIS HAZARD as a new huge mountain of salt is loaded onto the site. We petition the City of NY, The Port Authority of NY & NJ and ASI to REMOVE THE SALT PILE ENTIRELY to another location where it can be safely and properly stored.

Since 2009 our neighborhood has been plagued by the city's storing of a massive quantity of road salt on Pier 9 at Kane & Columbia Streets. Residents and elected officials have asked American Stevedoring Inc. (ASI) & the City of NY to remove the salt pile to no avail.

Covering the salt pile is NOT a solution. The salt pile is uncovered for months at a time while being used, loaded and unloaded, and on windy days when the covering comes loose. This substance gets airborne and disperses throughout the neighborhood.

Salt is an irritant, can irritate the respiratory tract and causes hypertension. Some pet advocacy groups claim that road salt is harmful to dogs, and aquatic life may be particularly susceptible. Canada has considered listing road salt as a toxic substance due to the salinity itself.
Some evidence suggests that sunlight and bacteria can trigger a toxic substance (cyanide) to be released from road salt.
Salt entering the port of New York in 2005 was of Chilean origin. It contained perchlorate, a contaminant regulated by the EPA. Perchlorate may affect the functioning of the thyroid gland in humans. In addition, the use of this location for the storage and loading of this corrosive substance is incompatible with the new waterfront park and greenway development plans.     

Please read and sign the petition here:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/removethesaltpile/

JAPAN BENEFIT CONCERT at I-beam this Sunday!

Tonight Sunday March 20, a Japan Benefit Concert to raise money for the victims of the Japanese earthquake and it's after-effects. They have a really terrific group of musicians lined up, it is a rare treat to see all of these... wonderful people together in one evening...  

They would love to see as many of you there as possible, please help them to get the word out even if you cannot attend! 

All proceeds will be donated directly to the Japan Society's Earthquake Relief Fund:
https://www.japansociety.org/japan_earthquake_relief_fund
That is an excellent place to donate whether you can attend or not.

From 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm.
Venue: I-beam

168 - 7th Street

Brooklyn, NY

http://ibeambrooklyn.com/

PERFORMERS ARE:
6:00-6:30 Kathleen Potton Harris
6:30-7:00 Magali Souriau Trio with Chris Cheek and Matt Pavolka
7:00-7:30 Sara Serpa & Andre Matos Duo
7:30-8:00 Jen Shyu
8:00-8:30 Kyoko Kitamura
8:30-9:00 Yayoi Ikawa
9:00-9:30 Jesse Stacken, Akiko Sasaki(koto), YUKARI (flute) & Gerald Cleaver (d)
9:30-10:00 Trio This w/George Schuller, Barney McAll & Matt Pavolka
10:00-10:30 Amy Kohn
10:30-11:00 Akiko Pavolka's House Of Illusion with Nate Radley, Matt
Pavolka and Bill Campbell
11:00-11:30 The Four Bags with Michael McGinnis, Jacob Garchik, Sean Moran and Brian Drye

DINE IN BROOKLYN .... Make your reservations now!

After the New York restaurant week last month, it is now to Brooklyn to organize its culinary event.

Brooklynites, make your reservations now, Dine in Brooklyn kicks off MONDAY MARCH 21!

The 10-day event includes 200 borough restaurants with prix fixe meals, $25 for dinner and $20.11 for lunch. A smaller list of restaurants offers a 2-for-1 deal: Two brunch & lunch meals together for $20.11 as well.

It is now time to test some great restaurants and why not some French like "Le Saint-Germain" in Bay Ridge, "Bacchus" in Boerum Hill, "Ici" and "Chez Oskar" in Fort Greene, "Autour du Monde" in Clinton Hill or "Moutarde" in Park Slope...

Neighborhoods from Bushwick to Bensonhurt, and even pricey restaurants like the River Cafe in Dumbo will participate in the special, which ends March 31.

Some tips!

- Choose Restaurants Where the Deal Is Unique

- Choose Restaurants With Representative Menus

- Make Sure It's Really a Deal

- Don't Forget About Brunch

- Roll The Dice

Bon Appetit!

 

Dine In Brooklyn Restaurant Week Restaurant List: 

Bay Ridge

• Areo Restaurant -- Bay Ridge -- Italian
• Tanoreen -- Bay Ridge -- Middle Eastern
• 101 Restaurant and Bar -- Bay Ridge -- Italian/American
• Amnesia Supper Club -- Bay Ridge -- Brazilian
• Beebo Seafood and Raw Bar -- Bay Ridge -- Mediterranean
• Hunter's Steak and Ale House -- Bay Ridge -- American
• The Pearl Room -- Bay Ridge -- Italian
• Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse and Sushi Bar -- Bay Ridge -- Japanese
• Colandrea New Corner Restaurant -- Bay Ridge -- Neopolitan
• Gino's Restaurant -- Bay Ridge -- Italian
• J.T.'s Restaurant -- Bay Ridge -- Italian/American
• Petit Oven -- Bay Ridge -- French/American
• Saint Germain -- Bay Ridge -- French
• Sancho's -- Bay Ridge -- Spanish
• Tuscany Grill -- Bay Ridge -- Italian
• Yellow Hook Grille -- Bay Ridge -- American
• Cappuccino Cafe -- Bay Ridge -- American Bistro
• Casa Calamari Pizza and Pasta -- Bay Ridge -- Italian
• Casa Pepe -- Bay Ridge -- Spanish/Mexican
• Cebu Bar and Bistro -- Bay Ridge -- American
• Fushimi Japanese Cuisine and Lounge -- Bay Ridge -- Japanese
• Greenhouse Cafe -- Bay Ridge -- American
• Nouvelle Restaurant -- Bay Ridge -- Japanese/Thai
• Sofia Ristorante Italiano -- Bay Ridge -- Italian
• Turqua Grill -- Bay Ridge -- Turkish/Mediterranean
• First Oasis -- Bay Ridge -- Middle Eastern
• Vesuvio -- Bay Ridge -- Italian

Bed-Stuy

• Sugar Hill Restaurant -- Bedford-Stuyvesant -- American
• Peaches HotHouse -- Bedford-Stuyvesant -- Traditional Southern
• Peaches Restaurant -- Bedford-Stuyvesant -- Contemporary Southern

Bensonhurst

• Jamie-Lynn's Kitchen -- Bensonhurst -- American
• Pino's Ristorante -- Bensonhurst -- Italian

Boerum Hill

• Bacchus -- Boerum Hill -- French Bistro
• Downtown Atlantic Restaurant -- Boerum Hill -- New American
• Lunetta -- Boerum Hill -- Italian
• Quercy -- Boerum Hill -- French
• Rothschild's -- Boerum Hill -- Southern
• Apartment 138 -- Boerum Hill -- American
• Jolie Restaurant -- Boerum Hill -- French
• La Flor Del Paraiso Restaurant and Bar -- Boerum Hill -- Latin

Boro Park

• El Gaucho Glatt Steakhouse -- Borough Park -- Argentinean
• China Glatt -- Borough Park -- Chinese
• Glatt Ala Carte -- Borough Park -- Fusion/Steakhouse

Brighton Beach

• Tatiana Restaurant -- Brighton Beach -- Russian/American

Brooklyn Heights

• Seasons -- Brooklyn Heights -- American
• Armando's Restaurant -- Brooklyn Heights -- Italian
• Caffe Buon Gusto -- Brooklyn Heights -- Italian
• Eamonn's -- Brooklyn Heights -- Irish American
• The Atlantic Chipshop -- Brooklyn Heights -- English Pub
• Heights Cafe -- Brooklyn Heights -- American International
• Morton's The Steakhouse Brooklyn -- Brooklyn Heights -- American
• Queen Ristorante -- Brooklyn Heights -- Contemporary Italian
• Waterfront Ale House -- Brooklyn Heights -- American

Bushwick

• Northeast Kingdom -- Bushwick -- American

Carroll Gardens

• Alma -- Carroll Gardens -- Mexican
• Sue Perette -- Carroll Gardens -- French
• Olga's on Smith -- Carroll Gardens -- Fresh American
• Mazzat -- Carroll Gardens -- Middle Eastern
• Bino Brooklyn -- Carroll Gardens -- Italian
• Chestnut -- Carroll Gardens -- New American
• Hana Cafe -- Carroll Gardens -- Japanese
• Petite Crevette -- Carroll Gardens -- French
• Seersucker -- Carroll Gardens -- Seasonal American
• Marco Polo Ristorante -- Carroll Gardens -- Italian
• Provence en Boite -- Carroll Gardens -- French
• Jake's Bar-B-Que -- Carroll Gardens -- Barbecue
• JB Burgers -- Carroll Gardens -- American

Clinton Hill

• Anima -- Clinton Hill -- Eclectic Modern Italian
• Dajeh Restaurant and Wine Bar -- Clinton Hill -- Caribbean Fusion
• Soule International Restaurant -- Clinton Hill -- Caribbean/Soul
• Autour Du Monde Restaurant -- Clinton Hill -- French
• Five Spot Soul Food -- Clinton Hill -- Soul Food
• Il Porto Ristorante -- Clinton Hill -- Italian
• Maggie Brown -- Clinton Hill -- American
• Mojito Cuban Cuisine -- Clinton Hill -- Cuban

Cobble Hill

• Sweet Melissa Patisserie -- Cobble Hill -- American
• Bocca Lupo -- Cobble Hill -- Italian
• Hibino -- Cobble Hill -- Japanese
• Strong Place -- Cobble Hill -- American Bistro
• Broken English -- Cobble Hill -- Italian

Coney Island

• Gargiulo's Restaurant -- Coney Island -- Southern Italian

Ditmas Park

• Purple Yam -- Ditmas Park -- Filipino Pan-Asian
• Picket Fence Restaurant -- Ditmas Park -- American
• Mimi's Hummus -- Ditmas Park -- Middle Eastern

Downtown

• Kevin Barry's Bar and Grill -- Downtown -- American
• Grubstake Brooklyn -- Downtown -- American
• Junior's Restaurant -- Downtown -- American

DUMBO

• RICE -- DUMBO -- Pan Asian
• The River Cafe -- DUMBO -- American
• Bubby's Main Street -- DUMBO -- American
• Water Street Restaurant and Lounge -- DUMBO -- American

Dyker Heights

• Mama Rao Cucina Italiana -- Dyker Heights -- Italian
• MEZE -- Dyker Heights -- Greek
• Vaccaro Ristorante -- Dyker Heights -- Italian

Flatlands

• Tasty Tavern -- Flatlands -- Chinese

Fort Greene

• Madiba -- Fort Greene -- South African
• Scopello Restaurant -- Fort Greene -- Italian
• Chez Lola -- Fort Greene -- Bistro
• Chez Oskar -- Fort Greene -- French Bistro
• iCi -- Fort Greene -- French Bistro
• Luz Restaurant -- Fort Greene -- Latin American
• Mullanes Bar and Grill -- Fort Greene -- Irish American
• Olea Mediterranean Taverna -- Fort Greene -- Pan-Mediterranean
• Aqualis Grill -- Fort Greene -- Mediterranean
• Graziella's Italian Restaurant -- Fort Greene -- Italian
• The Smoke Joint -- Fort Greene -- Barbecue

Gowanus

• Michael and Ping's Modern Chinese -- Gowanus -- Asian

Gravesend

• Sahara Restaurant -- Gravesend -- Turkish

Greenpoint

• Cafecito Bogota -- Greenpoint -- Columbian
• Krolewskie Jadlo -- Greenpoint -- Polish
• Karczma -- Greenpoint -- Polish
• Lokal Mediterranean Bistro -- Greenpoint -- Mediterranean

Kensington

Prospect-Lefferts Garden

• Back to Nature -- Kensington -- International

Marine Park

• Dougies BBQ and Grill -- Kensington -- BBQ
• Mango Seed Restaurant and Bar -- Lefferts Gardens -- Caribbean
• T-Fusion Steakhouse -- Marine Park -- Fusion/American
• Tea For Two Lite -- Marine Park -- Italian/Sushi
• Buckley's Restaurant -- Marine Park -- American
• Michael's Restaurant -- Marine Park -- Italian
• Salvi Restaurant -- Marine Park -- Italian

Midwood

• Estihana Brooklyn -- Midwood -- Asian

Mill Basin

• Mama Lucia's Restaurant -- Midwood -- Italian
• D'Amore Pizzeria and Restaurant -- Mill Basin -- Italian
• Il Posto -- Mill Basin -- Italian
• Mill Basin Kosher Deli -- Mill Basin -- New York Deli

Park Slope

• al Di La -- Park Slope -- Italian
• Stone Park Cafe -- Park Slope -- New American
• 200 Fifth Restaurant -- Park Slope -- American
• Anthony's -- Park Slope -- Italian
• El Pollito Mexicano -- Park Slope -- Mexican
• Kappa Sake House -- Park Slope -- Japanese
• Moim Restaurant -- Park Slope -- Modern Korean
• Palo Santo -- Park Slope -- Latin
• Soigne Restaurant and Wine Bar -- Park Slope -- Modern American
• The Park Slope Chipshop -- Park Slope -- English
• AOC Bistro -- Park Slope -- French
• Aperitivo Cafe -- Park Slope -- Italian
• Barrio -- Park Slope -- Mexican
• Benchmark Restaurant -- Park Slope -- New American
• Sotto Voce Restaurant -- Park Slope -- Italian
• Baluchi.s Restaurant -- Park Slope -- Indian
• Cantina -- Park Slope -- Mexican
• Piramide Bistro -- Park Slope -- Mexican
• 12th Street Bar and Grill -- Park Slope -- American
• applewood -- Park Slope -- American Seasonal
• Aunt Suzie's -- Park Slope -- Italian
• Babouche Restaurant and Lounge -- Park Slope -- French Moroccan
• Bar Tano -- Park Slope -- Italian Bistro
• Bar ToTo -- Park Slope -- Italian
• Belleville Bistro and Lounge -- Park Slope -- French
• Blue Ribbon -- Park Slope -- American
• Blue Ribbon Sushi -- Park Slope -- Japanese
• Bogota Latin Bistro -- Park Slope -- Pan-Latin
• Dizzy's -- Park Slope -- American
• Fornino Park Slope -- Park Slope -- Italian
• J Pan Sushi -- Park Slope -- Japanese
• Juventino -- Park Slope -- American
• Melt -- Park Slope -- American
• Miriam -- Park Slope -- Middle Eastern/Mediterranean
• Mulino Ristorante Italiano -- Park Slope -- Neapolitan
• Nana -- Park Slope -- Pan Asian
• Okeanos -- Park Slope -- Greek/Mediterranean
• Peperoncino -- Park Slope -- Southern Italian
• Provini -- Park Slope -- Italian
• RoseWater -- Park Slope -- Seasonal American
• Santa Fe Grill -- Park Slope -- Southwestern
• Pizza Plus -- Park Slope -- Italian
• Luscious Food -- Park Slope -- American
• Alchemy -- Park Slope -- American
• Campo De Fiori -- Park Slope -- Italian
• Fonda -- Park Slope -- Contemporary Mexican
• Moutarde -- Park Slope -- French Bistro
• Scottadito Osteria Toscana -- Park Slope -- Italian
• Sette Enoteca e Cucina -- Park Slope -- Italian

Prospect Heights

• Abigail Cafe andWine Bar -- Prospect Heights -- American
• James -- Prospect Heights -- Seasonal American

Red Hook

• Kevin's -- Red Hook -- American

Sheepshead Bay

• Liman Restaurant -- Sheepshead Bay -- Eastern Mediterranean
• Randazzo's Clam Bar -- Sheepshead Bay -- Italian/Seafood
• Osaka Japanese Restaurant -- Sheepshead Bay -- Japanese
• Clementes Maryland Crabhouse -- Sheepshead Bay -- Seafood
• Il Fornetto Restaurant -- Sheepshead Bay -- Italian
• Il Fornetto Restaurant -- Sheepshead Bay -- Italian
• Baku Palace -- Sheepshead Bay -- Middle Eastern

South Slope

• Gialeti's Cafe -- South Slope -- American

Sunset Park

• Maria's Bistro Mexicano -- Sunset Park -- Mexican

Williamsburg

• Baci and Abbracci -- Williamsburg -- Italian
• Barberry Restaurant -- Williamsburg -- New American
• Hachi -- Williamsburg -- Pan Asian
• Loreley -- Williamsburg -- German
• Tabare Restaurant -- Williamsburg -- Uruguayan
• La Piazzetta -- Williamsburg -- Italian
• Miranda Restaurant -- Williamsburg -- Latin American/Italian
• Cadaques -- Williamsburg -- Spanish Tapas
• DeStefano's Steakhouse -- Williamsburg -- American
• My Moon Restaurant -- Williamsburg -- Mediterranean
• PT Restaurant -- Williamsburg -- Italian
• Zenkichi -- Williamsburg -- Modern Japanese
• Kenny's Trattoria -- Williamsburg -- Italian
• Aurora -- Williamsburg -- Italian
• Bamonte's Restaurant -- Williamsburg -- Italian
• Giando on the Water -- Williamsburg -- Italian
• Le Comptoir -- Williamsburg -- French American

Windsor Terrace

• Le P'tit Paris Bistro -- Windsor Terrace -- French Bistro