Santa Meeting

Let the holiday events begin. We've already talked about a tree lighting ceremony and winter festival now here's an interesting event we heard about that's going on this weekend as well. A pancake breakfast with Santa? I'd say if I were a kid that would sound like just about the coolest thing ever. For $10 per person or $30 per family head down to the First Presbyterian Church at 124 Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights for either the first seating at 9:30am or second at 10:30am. Eat pancakes, make crafts and get your picture with Santa. This sounds like a much better option than going to a mall and waiting in line after shopping all day. More relaxing and definitely more delicious. In case you can't see the photo we posted it says that seats are limited so here's the number to call to reserve a spot, 718-624-3770. Ask you're kids if they want to have breakfast with Santa this weekend. They'll probably say yes, unless they are terrified of the jolly bearded fellow like I used to be...then you may want to just wave to him from afar at the tree lighting ceremony on Friday instead.

Winter Festival

It's getting colder towards the end of this week and will be gin to feel a little more wintery. Let's celebrate by eating lots, drinking lots, and dancing! Only for the sake of keeping warm, of course. The most important part to keep warm and cozy is your heart (please excuse the cheese factor). You can keep warm, inside and out, by giving to this charitable cause. The Gowanus Canal Conservancy will be hosting a winter festival on Saturday, December 3rd at 69 9th Street (between 2nd ave and the canal). From 6:30-midnight indulge in a three-course meal, drinks, and live music, and all for a good cause! Tickets for the event and a conservancy membership are $60, event only $40, and concert only (which begins at 9pm) are $15. If you're already a member you can buy up to 10 tickets for a discount of $30 each. Let's help clean up the Gowanus Canal and have fun while doing it!

Christmas Tree Lighting

As we all know, one holiday ends and preparations for another one begin. This is especially so with Christmas. We see it as we enter the stores around the neighborhood and see Christmas decorations being sold and hear "Jingle Bell Rock" pumping out of the speakers. It's time to get in the spirit and you can start by going to a tree lighting ceremony at Carroll Park this Friday, December 2nd (rain date Dec 9th). The festivities begin at 6pm and will include singing carols and, of course lighting the tree. Also, Santa and his elves will be there and their will be free refreshments a gifts for the children. For anyone who's been to this annual event, you know that the kids really love it and it's good times for all. The forecast is looking good as well so it should be a beautiful night for a tree lighting!

Small Biz Saturday!

Okay, we're all stuffed from gorging ourselves turkey dinner yesterday and leftovers today. It's Black Friday and time to shop it off right? We say wait until tomorrow! Small Business Saturday. Rest off that meal today and get ready to support our local small businesses tomorrow. We know you don't need more incentive to shop at the awesome boutiques and shops in the hood but here is some anyways. Amex has a promotion going on for tomorrow only. Spend $25 or more at any independently owned business and they will credit you $25 on your account, which you should receive at some point next week. This goes for any small business, including restaurants. All you need to do is register here or go to the American Express facebook page and sign up there. So, forget hitting the big department stores today. Sit down, have some more pie, and relax. Tomorrow is go time!

Sadie's Kitchen Once More.

(photo taken from bococaland)

Okay, I know we've written a couple of blogs about this new restaurant already but we've finally gotten a chance to visit and taste and the verdict is a delicious one. We like to keep you updated so hear it is. Yes, the menu is mostly mac-n-cheese but the variety is incredible. From shitaki mac with brie and truffle bread crumbs to buttered lobster mac with fontina and herb bread crumbs to kielbasa and gorgonzola mac with brussel sprouts. Everything sounds unique and extremely mouth-watering. It doesn't disappoint either. They do have a handful of equally unique biscuit sandwiches if the former isn't up your alley. Fried catfish, jalapeno jack, slaw and pickled okra tartar is one. Another is made with bbq duck, spicy plum sauce, arugula and brinjal chutney. Anyways, we can list off the whole menu but you can just pick one up for yourself. We're making ourselves too hungry with all these descriptions anyways. They started delivery service at the beginning of the week so if need to change things up with your delivery repatoire this is a good option. Mac keeps well when traveling. Oh, we almost forgot the pies! Shoo fly, pumpkin spice, and more for $20 each. You may still be able to order one or two for tomorrow. Check them out.

Deals in the hood.

We wanted to let you guys in a a couple of internet (a la groupon) deals going on in the neighborhood. We can we say. We like to pass on the savings.

Amazon local is offering a $25 credit for only $10 for Verde restaurant on Smith Street. That's 60% off. If you've never been to this Italian restaurant then buying this coupon would be a great way to check them out for the first time. Make sure you read the rules before buying. They are the usual "dine-in only" and "only one per customer" type stuff. Also, you only have until the end of today to secure this deal so get on it.

One of our favorites has a deal going on with NYC Downtown through Google offers. Buy an meal worth $50 at Alma for $25 on this site. You can spend it on food and drinks, and use it between November 24th and May 21st. Again you only have a short time (about 2 days) to buy this deal so check it out if you're interested.

We love our neighborhood restaurants and we love deals!

Top Five for Thanksgiving Shopping

We've put together a list of the top five (in our humble opinion) places to buy food for the Thanksgiving holiday. Whether you're cooking the whole meal or need to bring some nice snacks to someones home who you're celebrating with here's where you can go.

Stinky Bklyn- Since they're expansion they have twice as much room to house twice as many delicious cheeses, meats, and other gourmet treats. They also have free-range antibiotic and hormone-free turkeys ranging in weight from 12-24 pounds from Stonewood & Misty Knoll Farms in Vermont. Call to see if they have any Turkeys available (they go quick). This is the perfect place to pick up an appetizer for a party.

Fairway- Of course this is on our list. They pretty much have everything you may need. May be crowded and hectic but you'll find what you're looking for.

Court Street Grocers- They had Turkeys but the deadline has passed. Who knows though give them a call. Also though, like Stinky they have a lot of delicious treats to bring if you're attending as a guest...including pies!!!!

Sadie's Kitchen- Although we have yet to check this place out we've been hearing good things. They are on our list for one reason alone...well a few. Pies, pies, pies! They have pecan, sweet potato and other southern and Thanksgiving-friendly pies. Call ahead to see if you can order one or two or several!

American Beer Distributing and Thrifty Beverage Center at 256 Court Street- Now there are so many wonderful wine stores we could have included but decided that this place might be the best for this occasion. They have wine and beer (and a giant selection) but they also have a huge selection of soft drinks in case you have kids or non-drinkers attending that might like something special to drink for the holiday.

Well, there it is. Now get out there and shop away!

Caselnova, Now serving Brunch!

Our favorite neighborhood Trattoria, Caselnova, has just started serving brunch. The first day they opened for brunch was last Sunday. Along with some traditionals, like Eggs Benedict, they have an Italian twist on breakfast by serving things such as breakfast pizzas and Italian (instead of French) toast. All of this comes with a complimentary cocktail. Being right near our Columbia Waterfront office, the restaurant is at 215 Columbia, we order from there all the time and can vouch for the tasty food (especially the pizza, which you can see in a small photo below). They're playing Monday night football, as well, and they also have weekly specials, such as 1/2 price bottles of wine on Wednesdays. Last we looked kids ate free on Tuesdays and Mondays were 2 for 1 pizza nights. Check in with them on that as it may have changed. You can follow them here on facebook for more daily specials. So, if you haven't checked this place out yet you should. And definitely keep them on your brunch list.

Sadie's Kitchen now open!

Blogs across the web are and have been a buzz about the opening of this new restaurant, Sadie's Kitchen at 243 Degraw, which was scheduled to open Monday! Between reading through all the other blogs and articles, including a sweet spread they got last week in the NY Times Diner's Journal, and walking by and peeking in the windows ourselves, here's what we've found out. Like we suspected from the name and decor, it's a southern comfort food menu. Mac and Cheese is a big item on the menu and they'll serve it plain or dressed up with other ingredients. Biscuit sandwiches will also be on the menu, which seems to be very affordable ($7 for the plain mac and $8 for the sandwiches), and, of course pies pies and more pies!!! Since the space is so small they plan on doing more take-out business than anything else, but the inside is so inviting with a 30's retro diner look that I can't imagine people won't want to go in and soak up that atmosphere. If you've tried it already we'd love to hear a review! We're definitely going to try it soon ourselves. We're ready to be comforted!

New Music Store

A piano music store just opened up at 177 Smith Street. For anyone in the neighborhood who owns a piano or has just glanced in a window and caught sight of a beautiful grand piano while strolling through Cobble Hill, you know that a store that sells and refurbishes pianos should do pretty well in this area. Big Wrench Piano Care will hopefully thrive. If you walk by and look in the window of this new music store you'll see pianos of all shapes and sizes. It's Registered Piano Technician, or RPT, is a Brian Whiton. He's got a pretty good resume from the looks of the website. He "commenced the study of the art and trade of piano tuning and repair in Minnesota at the Steinway and Sons retail giant Schmitt Music. Since moving to Brooklyn in 2001, he has worked with several of the finest piano rebuilders and tuners in New York City.

But mainly he has a passion for what he does. "Like all successful tuner-technicians, I have a deep love for the instrument," Brian quotes. "I realize I'm fortunate to make a living in an interesting and challenging field." So if you're in the market for buying, need a tune up or repair, this place is for you.

Book Release Party

Ok all you Red Hookers..um Red Hookians? Whatever the correct term is. It's time to show your Red Hook pride by coming out this Thursday, November 17th at 7pm for a book release party of "Here in Red Hook". It's a photography book by Andy Vernon-Jones about the things that make Red Hook. According to the bio,"the book is composed of photos taken in the streets, alleys and abandoned lots of the Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook and combine a documentary approach with an art-photography sensibility. The photos express the beauty and struggle of life in Red Hook. Many of the portraits are of young people who are at the cusp of adulthood; their gazes show their toughness and their hope for the future. " The party will be held at the Lucky Gallery, 360 Van Brunt Street (between Sulivan and Wolcott) and there will be food and drinks from local establishments. Baked, Breuckelen Distilling, The Brooklyn Ice House, Esser Vineyards, The Good Fork, Kevins, Sixpoint Brewery, and Steve's Key Lime Pies will all be providing refreshments. With a list like that how could you not come hang? See you there!

Red Hook DOT meeting

A lot is being talked about for improving transportation and walking paths for getting in and out of Red Hook and you should be part of the discussion if it affects you. On November 17th there will be a CB6 Transportation Committee meeting at 6:30pm at a location TBD – check for updates at www.brooklyncb6.org/calendar/. Among topics discussed will be enhancing the pedestrian environment (details below) and the B61 bus. Here are some of the proposals:

An enhanced crossing at Clinton Street, improvements to the W 9th Street median under the Gowanus Expressway, and a new signalized pedestrian crossing at Mill Street will make access on foot to the subway system easier and safer for Red Hook residents. In addition we have completed a study of a proposed new intersection at Mill Street/Garnet Street and Hamilton Avenue and determined that there would be local bus travel times savings of 25-50% and no major negative traffic impacts. We believe this project will not only improve transit but also help to knit together the neighborhood’s pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile transportation network.

Be there to keep informed and put in your two cents.

Pedagogy Musical

Falconworks Artists Group will be performing a special work-in-progress presentation of Pedagogy of the Oppressed - The Musical this weekend, November 11th, 12th and 13th. The Friday show will begin at 7PM and Saturday and Sunday's will be at 3PM. Admission is pay-as-you-wish and since the space is pretty cozy (Cora Dance Studio, 201 Richards Street in the Red Hook Studios building, buzzer #15) you should probably make a reservation, whihc are required, as soon as possible by clinking here http://pedagogymusical.eventbrite.com/. Come out and support them! More info about the show is below.

Based on the famous work by Brazilian educator Paulo Freire this original work which features music by Alex Hills and dramaturgy by Virginia Vitzthum, dramatizes the experience in public schools and the moments that influence our ideas about education. The performance will be facilitated by Reg Flowers and features Matt Behan, Anthony Cowen-Wilson, Chris Hammett, Alex Hills, Olivia Hockenberry, Alys Lugo and Virginia Vitzthum.

Tiny Rhino

We came across this very interesting sounding event the other day. We hadn't been to the Brooklyn Lyceum in a while and were wondering what's going on there. For those of you who don't know what the Brooklyn Lyceum is you may have passed it before. It's the building on 4th Avenue between Union and President that stands out more than any other building in the area. It's been around since 1910, when it opened as a bath house, and now it hosts events from art shows, to plays, to craft fairs. It's a really cool place and you should check it out if you haven't already.

Anyways, the event that we saw on the website that really stood out is called Tiny Rhino. It's a series of plays, six in total, with five dramatic elements. And here's the interesting part. Whenever one of the five elements show up throughout the six plays the audience has to take a sip of their beer. Yes, it's a drinking game! Now the bit that made us really intrigued and actually want to attend was this little blurb we spotted on their website. "Leave the mindless boozing to the frat boys - we're artists and therefore sadists by definition. Fair warning: these plays will venture down a darker path than your average drinking game."

So, if this sounds like a fun thing to do on a Monday night, join them November 14th or December 12th at 8PM, pay $10 at the door and sip away!

Art and Cake!

What a delicious combination! Art plus cake equals happiness. Are we right? This Saturday, November 12th, between 2pm and 4pm you can enjoy both. The Kentler International Drawing Space, located at 353 Van Brunt Street, is having it's 21st birthday and you're invited. It's $15 at the door for adults and $5 for kids. And it's all for a good cause. He's a little about that that we pulled off of their website.

Kentler International Drawing Space, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization dedicated to bringing contemporary drawings and works on paper by emerging and under-recognized national and international artists to the public; and to providing artists the opportunity to experiment, explore and expand the definition of art in society.

Programs: Exhibitions and events, The Kentler Flatfiles, K.I.D.S. Art Education

So come and enjoy some lovely art and specialty cakes made by Red Hook's favorite sweet stop, Baked!

Char 4 contest

So, we here about these Char 4 events all the time via email. They have a lot going on over there. We've posted about them in the past, although it's been a while, so we usually just read them but don't normally consider sharing. This last subject really caught our eyes though and we had to share. Our inbox read "Drink Turkey Win a Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey". Hmmm. Visions of some roasted turkey concoction danced through our heads for a moment but then we came to our senses. Char 4 is a whiskey/bourbon bar so, of course they're talking about Wild Turkey Whiskey. Yet the whole "Win a Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey" was still intriguing, so we checked it out. Apparently every 1oz and 2oz tasting of Wild Turkey Rare Breed that you order at Char 4 between now and November 18th will count as one entry into a contest to win a 14lb house-smoked turkey. Your Thanksgiving can be the tastiest, not to mention easiest, ever this year if you won. Your order will also get you a 20% off discount to buy a bottle of the same whiskey at Smith and Vine. So, if this contest interests you and you've got a taste for whiskey head down there. You can enter as many times as you want just make sure you "enter" responsibly.

Bake Sale Tomorrow Morning!

PS 29 is having a bake sale tomorrow between 6:15AM and 9PM. So, this being election day, if you were planning on and are zoned to go down there to vote you may want to pick up some brownies or cookies to help support the elementary school while you're at it. Even if you're not zoned to vote there...hey, it's baked goods! What other excuse do you need to take a walk over there? PS 29 is located on Henry Street on the corner of Kane and the bake sale will be going on in the lobby. Come on come all. Bring your friends and bring your sweet teeth!

New Yoga Studio on Smith

At 229 Smith street, a pretty hard to miss awning has gone up to announce to coming of a new yoga studio. It's Prana Power Yoga and they have studio's through Massachusetts and New York. They even have a restaurant in Newton, MA. Could one be coming to Brooklyn also?

The Prana Power Yoga studio offers many types of classes, from all levels classes, to mommy and me yoga, to something called power hour. Some are in heated studio. You've heard of these sweaty and challenging classes and now you can try them for yourself. If this interests you go to their website to find out more about pricing and schedules.

BK Swappers get your tickets!

BK Swappers will be swapping in the neighborhood yet again come November 20th. 61 local is the perfect venue for this event, which will take place between 4pm and 7pm. Not only does the "keep things local" message match up with that of the swappers, but the space itself is large with big long tables. Perfect for displaying your baked goods or other treats you brought along to swap. I'm sure the swappers are happy to be back there. As you may already know, or may not, the event is free but you have to get tickets and they go quickly. In fact, all the spots are already gone. So why am I blogging about this you ask? Well I noticed that the waiting list is still open and saw this footnote on eventbrite. "(A note about cancellations and the waiting list: If you don't land a spot and wind up on the waiting list, have no fear—people always cancel and most folks on the waiting list end up getting in)". So, there you go. You not only still have a chance of getting a spot, it's actually very probable. Get on it! Go to this link to sign up and swap your heart away (not literally of course).

Greenway Party at Alma

The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative will be having a "Rooftop Reception" in support of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. The party will take place on Monday, November 7th from 6:30pm-9:30pm at one Columbia Waterfront's favorite restaurants, Alma (187 Columbia at the corner of Degraw). What to expect. Well drinks, mingling with members of the community, delicious food, of course, and great views. If you've never been on Alma's rooftop you need to check it out. It's got a great view of the Manhattan skyline. Also, you'll get a sneak peek of the plans for Columbia Waterfront Park. Everyone else will have to wait until the mid-November meeting to see the conceptual design rendering for the future site. Sponsors of the event are Alma Viva Restaurant, Brooklyn Brewery, Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies and Waterfront Wines & Spirits. Click here for more info and tickets.

Post Halloween Post

If you've got kids one thing you'll need to think about after all those sugary treats they consumed this weekend and yesterday (and probably days and days to come) is getting them to a dentist. If you don't already have a family or pediatric dentist you may want to look into this new pediatric dentist we spotted a few months ago located in Brooklyn Heights. The office is beautiful, they have a playroom as well as a waiting area and the treatment rooms don't look like your normal sterile and scary dental rooms. They are colorful and kid-friendly. Their approach seems just as welcoming as the atmosphere. Here's a quote from their website.

Our goal is to make the children feel the gentleness, encouragement, affection and understanding during their visits. with this in mind, our treatment methods are often fun and relaxed.

That sounds like a refeshing change from your average experience at the dentist. The office is located at 148 Atlantic Avenue. Check them out!