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A Beer Guy Testifies for Lobo’s Margaritas
Gabrus | July 21, 2007
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I am a beer guy, not a beer snob, but a fan. I never drink anything else (unless it is a shot out of someone’s belly button). When I eat Italian, no vino for me, I have a Peroni. Seafood doesn’t get paired with a white; I go with a pilsner. When I eat Mexican, it’s Dos Equis not Sangria. That was until I found Lobo. I have ‘eaten’ at Lobo on Court Street twice in the past week. I use the term ‘eaten’ loosely as I usually order nachos as an excuse to put back three or four of their delicious margaritas. That’s right, only a select few things can steer me away from the lovely world of yeast and hops. One of which is the aforementioned naval shot, the other being Lobo’s ‘ritas. They have several awesome flavors, though I’ve stuck primarily with mango and passion fruit, and only the former because my girlfriend made me. That’s right, I order a passion fruit margarita with dinner now. I recommend you try all flavors…at one sitting…in their sweet back garden…alone…then maybe order some food. If I remember correctly, the food tasted pretty good too.
Take a Chance on this dirt cheap happy hour
Rachel Markowitz | July 19, 2007
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In case you were wondering what the deal is with those ominous tinted windows on the corner of Smith and Butler, they belong to French-Chinese fusion restaurant, Chance (get it, China + France = Chance?). Don’t be fooled by Chance’s trendy appearance; the restaurant is surprisingly low-key, and on a weeknight you can enjoy a quiet meal without worrying about being caught up in a “scene.”
My favorite thing about Chance right now is its amazingly cheap happy hour. From 5 pm – 10 pm Sunday through Thursday, enjoy $3 beer (and I’m not talking PBR either…they have Brooklyn Lager on tap among others), $4 glasses of wine and $4 for a “Chance Fusion.” The “Chance Fusion” comes in both blue and green varieties and when you stir it up it looks somewhat like a magic potion. Poof, you’re drunk! Happy hour is at the bar only, and the last time I was there, an especially cute bartender chatted with me about his tattoos. With cheap drinks and attractive servers, this has quickly become my favorite after-work spot.
While you’re drinking why not order some food? Items on the menu include filet mignon in a miso marinade, and brook trout in a sake butter sauce, served with rice pilaf (or “pealof” as its written on the takeout menu). Chance also has an entire dim sum menu that includes specialty items such as the steamed foie gras and shrimp dumplings. Despite its chic décor, Chance isn’t all that pricey, with most entrees under $20.
Chance is located on 223 Smith Street on the corner of Butler Street. It’s open 12pm-11pm Sunday-Thursday and 12pm-12am Friday and Saturday.
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s new floating pool
Rachel Markowitz | July 17, 2007
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Most have probably heard by now of Brooklyn’s latest summer attraction: our very own, brand spankn’ new floating pool. At a glance, the 25-meter pool has the appearance of an in-ground, crystal blue, members-only swimming club. However, it’s actually a big barge floating on the east river. From the south end of the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights, you can get a good view of the long line to get in, as well as the make-shift beach that lies amidst the urban landscape. A free shuttle runs from the Borough Hall and High Street subway stations to allow neighbors an easy way to get there.
I have to say, my first thought when I heard about a brand new, free-for-everyone pool was, this sounds like a really great way to get herpes from a toilet seat. It’s hot out, and the majority of us are not, believe it or not, weekending at the Hamptons. If Water Taxi Beach attracts a large crowd on hot days, just imagine the congestion at a place where you can actually swim. I pictured lots of accidental skin to skin contact with large strangers while trying to maneuver around the pool. And just thinking about the bathroom gave me that creepy crawlies. After reading up on it, however, it seems as though they’ve got a good system down.
The pool has a 175-person capacity, so the personal space thing is not an issue. And you don’t have to worry about that loud family of seven on line in front of you, hogging your pool time either; guests are let in on a session-basis, most sessions lasting from an hour to 90 minutes. Guests are given wristbands for a particular session, one hour before sessions on weekdays and 30 minutes before sessions on weekends. Sessions are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. While you wait, the idea is to hang out on the large block of sand called Brooklyn Bridge Park Beach. The beach has concession stands and promises games of volleyball and soccer. Umbrellas are also available for rental. I haven’t yet visited the floating pool, but now that I know the risk of acquiring a social disease is minimal, I might just go check it out. I’ll be back soon with swimmer reviews to share.
The Floating Pool at Brooklyn Bridge Park Beach is open 7 days a week. The closest subways are the 2/3/4/5 trains to Brooklyn Borough Hall or M/R trains to Court Street. See www.brooklynbridgepark.org/pool for more details.
Petanque is a resounding success…vive La France!!
Josh Guttman | July 16, 2007
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Up at 9, showered and dressed by 9:30, campaigning in front of Petanque tournament registration table by 10. To summarize the day, the Bergen Carroll-sponsored team, Les Trois Chapeaux, gained last-minute entry into the competitive field of 80. Our record of 0-3 was unimpressive, but we fought a good fight and gave some experienced Boule rollers a run for their money. The scores of the matches were 11-7, 11-3 and 11-4, though the third was by far the most competitive and went neck-et-neck for 40 minutes, until two big rolls sealed our fate. Our opponents, who seemed to be an accurate cross-section of the field, were a mix of serious, and sometimes slightly snobby, Petanque players from the NY/CT/NJ region and local hooligans. We fit into the latter bunch. By the third match, though, we picked up several of the finer points of Petanque strategy, which should lift us a notch in competition next year. Pictured below is Les Trois Chapeaux as well as a dejected and beaten Brooklyn Eagle (I think he heard Bergen Carroll knocking on his door).
More photos from Petanque 2007 here.
Bastille Day means Pétanque on Smith
Josh Guttman | July 13, 2007
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Tomorrow is Bastille Day and that means Sunday is the annual pétanque tournament on Smith Street. This is one of my favorite days in the neighborhood. Sponsored by Bar Tabac and supported by the other Frenchie establishments, Smith Street is closed from Dean to Bergen for the day, and pétanque courts are rolled out, two wide. There are 80 teams of three vying for the title (don’t get any ideas, the tournament sold out the first day), in what claims to be the largest pétanque tournament in the country. Beer is flowing, Blue Orchid (our local 1920s jazz band) is playing and this is one day when the neighborhood shines. Most of us probably know Bastille Day is French Independence Day, their July 4th, or Le Quatorze Juillet as they say. But what the hell is pétanque?
Well, I did some research and this is what I found. Pétanque, pronounced “pay-tahnk”, is a distant relative of horseshoes and a first cousin of the Italian ‘bocce’. The game originated in Provence in the early 1900’s. The goal is to roll a number of steel balls (”boules”) as close as possible to a small wooden target ball, called “but” or “cochonnet” (translated “piglet” in French). Players take turns and the team that ends up closest to the target ball when all balls have been played wins. Unlike horseshoes, where the aim stake is fixed, pétanques’ target ball may be hit by another ball and moved, which can turn around the score at the last second. And whereas bocce rules call for a smooth, prepared court with markers and sideboards, pétanque can be played on most outdoor surfaces. According to Pétanque America, “pétanque can be – and usually is – played while enjoying a cool drink (the French will often go for pastis) and some tasty snacks!”
I was already excited about Sunday, but I’m a little moreso now:)
Dining in The Grocery’s matrimonial back garden
Josh Guttman | July 13, 2007
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My mom and sister came to Brooklyn last night for dinner. We walked down Smith Street and ended up at The Grocery around 9pm. The hostess sat us in the delightful back garden, which conjures up visions of elegant wedding decor – ivy-covered brick walls, flagstone patio, an outdoor bar covered by white canopy and a tall pine tree stretching up over it all. There’s something nice about strolling into a restaurant that, according to Zagat ranks in NYC’s top 20, keeping the same company as Nobu, Babbo, Il Mulino and Chanterelle (all restaurants with a 27 for food), without any reservation and being seated immediately at a prime table in the garden (in 2004, Zagat ranked The Grocery #7 in NYC). I probably shouldn’t let this secret out, but of the four times I’ve indulged at this neighborhood institution, only once did I call ahead for a reservation, and I’ve never had to wait more than 15 minutes. Perhaps it’s my local nature and they give me preferential treatment.
My mom and sister shared the teenage greens with squash blossom, while I ordered the rosted beets with goat cheese ravioli to start. Both were delicious. For our main courses, I took our servers rec to heart and tried the farm-raised trout with couscous arugula pudding. My mom and sister both ordered the slow-rendered duck (a house specialty). To cap off the meal, we split the dessert special – a peach and blueberry cobbler a la mode. I’ve never met a cobbler I didn’t like, and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. All of the dishes were yummy with inventive sauces and flavor combinations, and the 2004 Chablis nicely complemented it all (so nicely that my mom jotted down the name). The best thing about The Grocery, though, is the no-attitude, no frills, casual approach that chef-owners Sharon Pachter and Charles Kiely instill in the place. It’s all about the food here, and this makes it a gem of the neighborhood.
The Grocery is located at 288 Smith St between Union and Sackett. Their number is (718) 596-3335.
Top 10 things someone moving from Manhattan should consider
Josh Guttman | July 12, 2007
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The Bergen Carroll staff got together tonight and came up with this list of ten things someone moving from Manhattan should consider before they come.
10. You’ll need to make new friends because your Manhattan ones won’t come to visit as much.
9. It’s much harder to cure late-night munchies (though I’m told the diner at Smith/Bergen is 24/7).
8. Weekend subways are always screwed up and running off schedule.
7. It’s not the West Village….please leave your M. Blahniks at the door.
6. We have a bar – Brooklyn Social Club – that’s been ranked in the Top 100 in the world.
5. Most of our restaurants have outdoor gardens in the back.
4. If you’re coming from Minnesota, it won’t be any warmer because you’ll spend more time outside.
3. Taxis are much harder to find so get used to riding the subway (see #8 above).
2. If a date comes to meet you from Manhattan, there’s a better chance he/she’ll stay the night.
1. We don’t like “Rats”.
Local up-and-coming designer gives neighbors first dibs
Rachel Markowitz | July 11, 2007
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On a recent Saturday afternoon, as I walked down Douglass Street, I felt magnetically drawn towards what appeared to be a better-than-average stoop sale. Pretty, boutique-quality dresses hung from a rack, and it was obvious from just a quick glance that these were not someone’s second-hand toss-aways. And the prices were actually within my budget.
I returned a bit later, freshly showered. I brought along a friend, and together we gushed over the array of dresses, ranging from the work-appropriate, the elegant, to the sexy-casual summer variety. Each garment is designed by Melissa Bell, Douglass Street resident and up-and-coming designer. She designs and sews all her garments in her home, and began doing sample sales last summer. Aside from women’s dresses and tops, Ms. Bell also designs and sells dresses for girls and babies. She says the response so far has been great, with many repeat clients. She hopes to begin selling her garments to boutiques soon.
I was able to try on dresses right in Ms. Bell’s vestibule, where she has conveniently placed garment hooks. There are full-length mirrors outside, and Ms. Bell is more than willing to help find a dress that is flattering on you. In the end, I decided on a brown and black strapless that looks adorable. As soon as my roommate saw it, she ran out and bought one for herself. With most garments under $50 (some as low as $15!), it’s hard to walk away empty-handed.
Melissa Bell will be having her designer sample sales throughout the summer into October. Her sale is on the stoop of 33 Douglas St., between Smith and Court. Look for signs around the neighborhood for upcoming dates.
Gowanus Yacht Club "temporarily" loses grill
Josh Guttman | July 10, 2007
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This just in from a reliable source….The Gowanus Yacht Club has apparently lost their grill. For the time being, they are cooking all their savory hot dogs (veggie and meat), burgers and pulled pork sandwiches on a stainless steel cooking surface (similar to a double boiler) in the spot where the grill formerly resided. I had a veggie dog last night and can attest that they just aren’t the same. Apparently, a neighbor “who lives 1/2-mile away” complained about something or other and forced the grill’s exit. A few of the regular bartenders assured me with some level of confidence that the grill would make a come-back before the summer is over. I don’t imagine that it will particularly hurt Gowanus’ business, but it sure is a better place with the grill there.
Shadow graffiti artist Ellis G. adorns Bergen Street
Josh Guttman | July 9, 2007
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The Carroll Gardens artist known as “Ellis G” has made a career and built quite a neighborhood following out of his own form of graffiti – shadow art, which he also calls ocular echoism. The form was inspired by an incident in the neighborhood during which he was robbed. For a while thereafter, he became fixated on shadows and the first manifestation of shadow art happened spontaneously one evening. His work is most often spotted near subway stops, storefronts or street poles, often ones with bikes attached. His pieces are typically signed “© Ellis G. 2007″ and his work usually takes place in the evenings. Were it not for this NY Times article that appeared 18 months ago, that might be all we know about Ellis G. It turns out that Ellis Gallagher has quite a colorful history in the tradition of NYC subway graffiti. After a friend (his partner on an evening mission) was struck and killed by a train, he decided to reconsider his craft. “The originality and innocence of his work is what makes it so cool,” explained long-time neighborhood resident Gian Trotta. I agree. It’s one of the unique things that makes our neighborhood special. The Brooklyn Museum has recognized Ellis G’s work with an interview posted on their website. He is also profiled in this video on Current TV. Ellis has a book coming out this year with Powerhouse Books.
