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Cafe on Clinton kicks it into high gear with weekend brunch
Josh Guttman | August 31, 2007
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Café on Clinton, under the new management of Charlie Statelman (formerly of Patois fame), opened for dinner a week or so ago. Last Wednesday, they expanded operations by beginning lunch service. And this weekend, they put on the final touches with brunch!! Its been a slightly bumpy transition for Charlie and his team, largely because Barry Brockway, the previous owner of 18 years, developed such a loyal following, most of whom have given Charlie the Nth degree for (gasp) changing the menu by tailoring it to what he does best….French Provencal-inspired bistro dining. For what it’s worth, I think the changes are all positive. The space is cleaner and more comfortable, after significant repairs and updates, many of which Charlie did himself. While my favorite dish from the old menu, the tuna/wasabe mash, is noticeably absent, the new menu is more interesting overall with several fish and meat options. They also recently added a lighter fare menu, which is equally compelling. Opening a new restaurant is never easy, particularly when you’re in the shadow of a neighborhood legend, but Charlie and his team are off to a great start and I predict the new Café on Clinton will quickly win over the neighborhood with its improved cuisine and uber-quaint neighborhood vibe.
Wyckoff’s Corner Pharmacy wins by delivering the personal touch
Josh Guttman | August 30, 2007
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I recently had a prescription to fill with a somewhat hurried deadline. My current insurance coverage was nearing its end and I wanted to get them to pay one last claim. I visited Duane Reade and CVS, but neither had the drug in stock, and furthermore, couldn?t provide any reassurance that it would be ordered and received in time. Walking home frustrated, I decided to check out the independent pharmacy on Court and Wyckoff. I had passed Wyckoff?s Corner Pharmacy hundreds of times, but on the few occasions I perused the shelves, it struck me as an odd store with a paltry selection. I approached the pharmacist, Bassam, on the off chance they could order and fill the prescription in less time. To my surprise, he had it in stock. Moreover, he told me that he uses a digital ordering system (unlike the larger chains), so if it hadn?t been in stock, he could have had it for me in two days. Amazing. With this one experience, this business won me over. It quickly became clear to me that this little independent pharmacy delivers a level of personal care and attention that I had never received at the larger chains. Not only do they fill prescriptions fast and efficiently, they deliver them to your home!! A top 10 rating on Yelp! shows that other people have also recognized Wyckoff?s top notch service. The next time you need a prescription filled, check out Wyckoff?s Corner Pharmacy. They are part of the reason we love living in this neighborhood.
Wyckoff?s Corner Pharmacy is located at 205 Court Street. Their phone number is (718) 923-1122.
Subway Stop Shenanigans
Rachel Markowitz | August 29, 2007
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Saturday night was a wild night in Cobble Hill. At least that’s what I inferred Sunday morning while waiting for the F train. In my hung-over state I thought at first that maybe I was seeing things. But someone actually had taken the advertisement posters off their boards and re-stuck them onto the station wall. I was able to snap a photo of one of the transported posters before jumping on the train, and as you can see, it was relocated to just at the end of the “Bergen Street” sign. It reminded me of Sunday mornings in the college dorms when I would wake up to find bulletin boards on the floor, broken exit signs hanging from the ceiling and even the occasional pile of puke on the stairs. It was how I knew that the majority of my neighbors had had a wild night. So I’m going to take this as a sign that Cobble Hill had some fun Saturday night. And then practiced their interior decorating skills in the subway station.
Movement to convert Engine 204 into performing arts center gains momentum
Josh Guttman | August 28, 2007
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Local residents are rallying around a new movement to transform Engine 204 -the old firehouse at 299 DeGraw Street- into a community arts center. The plan calls for a multi-use arts center that will engage visiting artists and host programs that celebrate the ethnic and cultural diversity of the community. Suggested programming includes music, repertory dance and filmmaking, educational exhibitions and lectures, poetry and readings. The firehouse has sat silent since May 30, 2003, when it was closed by the city in the midst of budget cuts. Formed in 1855 as the Montauk horse and hose company, it later became Company 4 of the city of Brooklyn Fire Department. Engine 204 was the last firehouse in the Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens neighborhoods.
To support this project, please sign our online petition. To read more about the proposal, visit the Brooklyn Center for the Arts website.
Jess Does Jessie’s
Jessica Clegg | August 27, 2007
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I passed under the chipper blue and yellow awning of the new takeout-oriented restaurant, Jessie’s Brooklyn Kitchen, with every intention of being a good objective reviewer and ordering two main courses, maybe even an interesting side salad or dessert. My plan was foiled, however, by the $14 plus price tags on all entrees. I couldn’t quite countenance spending 30 bucks to dine alone on my very own fold-out tray table.
Jessie’s food is mostly available for preview behind the glass counter. The salads, including one with sliced plums and sprinkled parmesan, looked like something I could put together after a gourmet market run, so I turned to the hot plates. The entree selection included pork shoulder, meatloaf, crab cakes, most partially or entirely organic. The restaurant also covered its vegetarian bases with polenta and tofu specials. I ordered the Coq Au Vin, braised chicken in wine sauce, mainly because the sides, parmesan polenta and local sweet and sour peas, interested me the most. The chicken was moist, but there just wasn’t enough of it. The one thigh was overwhelmed by the massive pile o’ polenta, kind of a wannabe macaroni and cheese flavored mash; and the pea and onion mixture was mysteriously doused in vinegar. The entire presentation overwhelming reminded me of those dinner platters you can buy at Whole Foods, though for probably half the price. If I were going to splurge on gourmet home cooking style takeout, I would want some twist on the classic, more spice than salt, not reheated versions of what your grandmother used to make.
It should be noted that Jessie’s also has an array of breakfast and lunch options, which I did not try, but are probably more suitable to my budget. The staff was friendly and very flexible about substituting side dishes.
Jessie’s Brooklyn Kitchen is located at 200 Smith St at Wyckoff.
LUCKY to live in the neighborhood
Rachel Markowitz | August 24, 2007
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Warning: those of you worried that the neighborhood will soon be overrun by pushy celebrities jacking up the real estate may find this news disturbing.
The September issue of Lucky (the self-proclaimed magazine about shopping) has a feature on “The top 100 boutiques in
The
I always wondered why the chic boutique next to the Wamu was called Dear Fieldbinder. I mean, what the hell is a Fieldbinder? Sounds like some guy who’s hired to tie people up and leave them in fields as punishment for jay walking. The reality is not as exciting – it’s named after owner Laura Fieldbinder.
The garments at Ohio Knitting Mills come from the archives of a shuttered area mill on
The fourth boutique is located on
I have a confession to make: I have not been inside any of these boutiques. I’m sure they’re all fabulous and fashion-forward, but like most of the goods talked about in Lucky, way out of my price range. Maybe some day I’ll window shop, cry, and long for brighter days when my paycheck can buy me more than a pair of socks at a fancy boutique.
Cast your vote: What should become of the red deli?
Josh Guttman | August 23, 2007
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This is a question that has plagued Cobble Hill for the past few weeks as scores of walkers-by pause daily to peer in the window of the decrepit space that was once our treasured little coffee shop/sandwich bar. Little did we know that the space is roach-infested, as the weekly exterminator reports – three in total – every-so subtly proclaim on the front door, as if to say, “we’re closed for now, but please come back another time.” Several rumors (spurred by inside information) have circulated as to what will replace the deli. Discussion includes: a pizzeria, a Greek restaurant, a bank, an antique store(?) and another coffee shop. We would like to put it to a vote. What do you think? What should become of the red deli? Please cast your vote in the right column of this page.
Got other ideas for the space? Feel free to email us at editor [at] bergencarroll [dot] com.
In our previous poll, Bergen Carroll-readers deemed graffiti a genuine form of art by a vote of 17 to 14.
"AskTell Mario" goes roofing
Sobeit Union | August 22, 2007
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After the recent torrential rains and nearby tornado, our very-own “Ask Mario” producer, who used to work as a roofer, spent the day walking his neighbors’ roofs and giving them assessments of damages. An especially sticky situation ensued as Mario had to be informed of why his brand new roof didn’t weather the storm well. We hope you’ll find this edition of “Tell Mario” as enjoyable as the usual “Ask Mario”….
Remember, to ask Mario a question, email him at askmario [at] bergencarroll [dot] com.
A secret garden in Red Hook
Rachel Markowitz | August 21, 2007
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At the corner of Columbia and Carroll lies a secret garden tucked into an otherwise urban intersection. When I first heard about this place, I was suspect so I recruited a friend who agreed to get lost in Red Hook with me. At first, all we found were a few private gardens and abandoned car lots. Luckily we ran into a local mother and daughter who pointed us in the right direction.
Sure enough, a block away, I found what has been named the Amazing Garden, a community garden developed by Red Hook neighbors. The garden is supported by an organization called Green Thumb, a program that provides materials and assistance to the volunteers who run community gardens. Green Thumb’s support includes warehouse distribution and educational workshops for community garden managers.
I spoke with Kathleen Mangan, the co-coordinator of Amazing Garden. Mangan and co-coordinator Christina Curran were among the founding members of the garden, who in January 1995 decided to take an active role in beautifying their neighborhood. Since then it has been an excellently preserved garden, a place where members of the community like to sit and read the paper on a Sunday morning.
Upon arriving at the garden, I noticed that the lush plant life and vegetation were surrounded by a locked gate. Become a member and you get a key! Here’s the deal about membership: call either Curran or Mangan. They will take note of you, and invite you to their next scheduled meeting. At the meeting, you will learn more about the garden and agree to commit at least eight hours of your time to work the land. There is no waitlist to become a member, and there is no cap on general membership! However, if you want to work on one of the 17 raised beds (which include vegetables, herbs, and other exciting plants) you must get in line as they are currently full. But don’t be too heart-broken; there are plenty of other flower beds in the garden that need weeding and other work, and all members are welcome to help.
Both members and non-members are permitted to host events at the Amazing Garden. However, there is no alcohol allowed and parties cannot be private. As long as the gates are open, the public is welcome, member or not. The Amazing Garden also has open weekend hours where all are welcome to come and enjoy the garden. Otherwise, you gotta wait until a member opens it up for you. So what are you waiting for? Get involved!
Amazing Garden is located on 261-265 Columbia Street. If you are interested in becoming a member, call Christina Curran at 718-858-5268 or Kathleen Mangan at 718-852-7759. For more information on Green Thumb, visit their website.
Weekend update – Music on the Gowanus
Josh Guttman | August 17, 2007
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I just received this email from Jenny of the Mean Red Ladies. Sounds like it could be a good time for those in town this weekend….
Get ready for a day of the unexpected when Sex Mob, Bjorkestra and Landau Orchestra bring their variant interpretations of instrumental music to The Yard this Sunday at 3pm. With jazz covers of The Cardigans and The Smashing Pumpkins, orchestrated scores of Bjork-themed ballads and a hefty dose of “electro-acoustic awesome!”, the day is sure to be full of surprises. So come, pull up a seat, and relax by the Gowanus as these three bands remind us why musical boundaries are made to be broken.
The Yard is located at 388-400 Carroll Street between Bond & Nevins.
