New Tenant at Old Five Guys.

Now, this is irony.  The space at 266 Court Street in Cobble Hill that used to be a Five Guys Burgers and Fries will soon become a fitness studio.  We saw this sign recently.  It's called Pure Barre and according their website it "is a total body workout that lifts your seat, tones your thighs and burns fat in record-breaking time. Utilizing the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to fantastic music".  The Five Guys tiles are still up so it may be a little while before the transformation but this sign is a start.

Sandy Survivor Get Together.

This Sunday residents, friends and other local businesses are welcome to join us at 351 Van Brunt for the third monthly Sandy Survivor Get Together.  More info is below.  Also you can look at the flyer here.

Have some Sandy issues you want to discuss? Want to talk to people who will understand what it’s like to deal with Sandy, still?

- recovery info & moral support
- storm preparedness info
- strengthen neighborhood bonds

- Learn about the new NY State resiliency planning process for Red Hook “NY Rising CRP.” Share your vision for Red Hook.

Free cookies & coffee. Please pass the word!

To help or RSVP sandy6mo@gmail.com

Arranged by PortSide NewYork & Realty Collective

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. 

Us and Them Filming.

We saw this sign on Clinton Street just south of Pacific.  They'll be shooting Us & Them, a new FOX series starring Jason Ritter and Alexis Bledel along with an amazing co-starring cast, tomorrow in that area.  You can check out more about who you may expect to see if you're around that neighborhood on IMDB. The show looks pretty good.  Part comedy and part drama.  You can see a preview here.

New Restaurants.

There are so many places opening up or "coming soon" in and around the neighborhood, it's almost hard to keep up.  Here are some pics we've snapped in the last week alone.  The place above is in Red Hook on Seabring and Columbia.  Camila's Cafe.  From the looks of their facebook page it will be a coffee shop of sorts.  The place below on Smith Street right next to Flight 001, is Hanco's.  They started out in that very small space at 85 Bergen and look to be expanding.  And lastly, the one below that, Taperia, is tapas on Montague. 

Bergen Hill Menu.

We haven't tried Bergen Hill yet but walked by and saw the menu, above, and it looks wonderful.  They've only been open a few weeks now.  We're definitely going to try it soon and will let everyone know if the menu is as good as it looks.  In the meantime, has anyone been there and would like to share?  We'd love to hear what you thought!  Also, if you'd like to see a pdf of the menu click here.  So many delicious sounding places opening up in the area (such as Hometown BBQ which opened less than two weeks ago), so little time!

Columbia Waterfront Fall Fest Pics!

The kids were happy, which means our table at the Columbia Street Fall Festival last week was a success! Columbia waterfront resident, Sharon, had balloon animals, face painting and glitter tattoos.  We had a great time.  Thanks to Sharon and everyone who came out!  Enjoy the pics.

Free Small Business Workshop Tonight!

There will be a free workshop tonight on the Affordable Care Act and it's impact on business.  It's presented by the SBA and the Carroll Gardens Association.  It starts at 6pm at 201 Columbia Street and runs until about 7:30pm.  Refreshments will be served as well.  To see this flyer up close and read about the upcoming workshops, as this one tonight is just one of many coming throughout the fall, click here.

New Salon on Court.

Replacing Nectar, which moved out of this space at 198 Court Street not that long ago, is a salon and "finishing bar" called Fox and Jane.  Apparently you can sip on some complimentary wine or beer while getting your hair done according to an article in TimeOut.  It's a nice intimate space.  Nectar is still serving out of Strong Place at 270 Court for the time being, although last we heard they were still looking for a new spot of their own.

Film Shoot on Warren.

There will be a film shoot on Warren Street, near Clinton, today and tomorrow.  It's something called "The Affair" and the only thing we could find with that title that's in pre-production is a TV Movie.  The storyline is below for those curious.  Add this to the long list of films shot in our scenic hood!

Centers on Noah, a married father of four, who becomes involved with Allison, a married woman mourning the loss of her child, after a chance meeting at the beach.

Fornino Pics.

Last time we blogged about Fornino in Brooklyn Bridge Park they weren't quite open yet.  They have a window that serves ice cream, ice and popsicles that's been open for a while.  They now have a lunch menu and have been pretty crowded for the last part of the summer.  Here are some pics above and below.  It's great space, as you can see, with indoor and outdoor seating.  This is location number three in Brooklyn, the first two being in Williamsburg and Greenpoint.  If you haven't tried this place you really should while it's still relatively warm out!

New Pizza coming to Atlantic.

A new pizza Napoletana-style restaurant is opening at 145 Atlantic Avenue pretty soon. Can't tell what's going on behind the brown paper but the new awning is up that says Luzzo's Brooklyn so it'll be any time now.  There is a Luzzo's in the east village that gets great feedback.  You can tell it's yummy from the pizza pic from their facebook (below). We'll try this!

Farmer's Market on Pier 6.

There's a newish farmer's market, as you can see in the pics above, at Pier 6 on Sundays.  When we went last week they had picnic tables set up and it looked really nice.  One vendor sells homemade pop tarts and another has great looking breads.  There was also a table with a huge variety of pickles and a fish monger!  There were a few other tables set up but it was pretty small in general.  Delicious array of treats, though!

Fifth Annual Fall Frolic.

This wine and dinner event, presented by Tony Didio Selections and Heights Chateau, will take place on September 23rd, 6:30pm at Frankies 457.  If you love wine, this event should be very special and worth checking out.  The cost is $90, cash or check only, and that is all-inclusive.  For more info or to RSVP email info@heightschateau.com or call 718-330-0963.

New Liquor Store on Columbia.

With the Clockworks Puppet Theater out of the space for a while now, 196 Columbia has opened up with a new tenant.  It's a wine and liquor store.  It's been having it's grand opening for the last week or so.  We were definitely sad to see something like the puppet theater (such a unique and creative place) go but hopefully these new tenants will do well here!

Della Pietra's Gourmet Meats Pics!

We popped into the new butcher and gourmet goods shop at 193 Atlantic last week.  It's only been open for about 3 or 4 weeks now.  It looks beautiful inside and out.  You can't tell from these pictures but their windows has a really nice aged beef case displayed.  Everything looked delicious, especially those golden roasted chickens!  Check out the pics below.  They really don't do the place justice though, it was a little too dark to get good shots of that meat selection.

PortSide NY September Happenings.

PortSide will be around for a couple of events happening in the neighborhood this month.  One being tomorrow at Pig Island at IKEA Red Hook.  The other September event , Columbia waterfront Fall Festival, will happen on the 14th between noon and 6pm.  For both fests they will have line-throwing for kids and adults.  Here's a video you can watch of a previous event where they offered line-throwing. 6pm. 

Best Grilled Sandwich in Brooklyn!

We've all been to BBQ contests and there are plenty of contests for baked goods of all sorts, but have you ever been to a "Best Grilled Sandwich" contest?  You may have since this years will be the third annual but if you haven't you can this Saturday 3pm at The Amazing Garden (Carroll and Columbia).  It's $15 to get in and all revenue will go to beautify the garden.  Competitors this year are Lauren Rauh of Iris Cafe, Josh Kaplan of Dassara, and Morgan Jarrett of Nightingale 9.  Hosting the event is Dan Pashman.  Come out and you be the judge!

Carlos Menchaca Kicks Off 'Get Out the Vote' in our Office!

Our office in Red Hook, 351 Van Brunt, is going to be campaign headquarters for City Council candidate Carlos Menchaca for the next 7 days.  We are so happy to be a part of this campaign and to be able to help in some way.  Read more about Menchaca, our involvement with his past works (plus a very nice accolade!!), and what to expect at our Red Hook office over the next week in the press release below!

 Public servant and City Council candidate Carlos Menchaca will open a ‘Get Out the Vote’ office in Red Hook to kick off the last week of his campaign. “It gives me great pleasure to be opening up a GET OUT THE VOTE campaign office in Red Hook, Brooklyn today. It was in this neighborhood, on these same streets where I was first inspired to run for City Council. The Realty Collective office space at 351 Van Brunt was instrumental in our general emergency operation post-Sandy. The leadership of Victoria Hagman, Carolina Salguero and others who ran the communications and general information hub out of this space for the community was tremendous!” During the next seven days, the office will serve as headquarters for the campaign’s effort to target Brooklynites who believe in active and vocal representation for their neighborhoods, and ensure they get to the polls on Primary Day. Menchaca will deliver remarks, and there will be opportunities for photo and video.

Supplies for Back to School.

School starts in less than a week and many parents will be running out to grab items on their giant list of supplies their children will need.  Here are a few spots to hit and one spot you may want to stop by if you'd like to give back and donate supplies.

Staples on 4th Avenue and 3rd Street is a great choice for one-stop shopping but a little far if you live in the Columbia Waterfront, Red Hook, or Cobble Hill communities.  But it's huge and should have everything you need.

The neighborhood pharmacies are an obvious choice but you may have to hit more than one to get everything you need.  Places are running out of things quickly.  Try Clinton Apothecary on Clinton and President.  They have great prices!

Winn Discount may not come to mind when thinking school supplies but they'll probably have most of what's on your list also.

And once you've found a good spot to shop you may want to get extra and stop by the Carroll Gardens Library.  They are taking donations for school supplies.

New Restaurant on the Block.

The new spot we're talking about is called Bergen Hill, which will highlight seafood and raw fish on their menu, and the block is Court between 1st and 2nd.  It's in the spot formerly, and briefly, occupied by Bourgeois Pig Brooklyn.  There's been a buzz about this place, which is supposed to open tomorrow according to their website.  The buzz mainly comes from the names involved.  Timeout magazine reports that the raw fish trend is coming to Carroll Gardens "thanks to Ravi DeRossi (Death & Company, Proletariat), who banded with Interpol guitarist Daniel Kessler to open this Brooklyn drinkery. The nightlife guru has tapped Top Chef alum Andrew D’Ambrosi (Le Cirque) to helm the menu".  We snapped this picture last week they looked about ready to open.