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Nectar Update – fresh fruit is back
Josh Guttman | October 27, 2008
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A July article on Bergen Carroll inquiring about Nectar’s smoothy ingredients caused quite a stir, receiving links from notable local food blogs and attention from neighborhood residents. But after all, that’s the point of a neighborhood blog, isn’t it?
Since then, I’ve had several conversations with Nectar’s owner, Jeff, who happens to be a very genuine guy who is committed to the neighborhood. Apparently, his supplier discontinued several products on him, leading to a temporary unavailability of the natural peach nectar they had been using. Since then, it seems that they’ve moved to all natural fruit, a move that leaves me thrilled . This morning, I visited Nectar and ordered my ol’ standbye, “Hometown Squeeze”. This time, the ingredients I saw go in the mixer were 100% natural fruit – apples, peaches, bananas and blueberries. I couldn’t be happier about this change and hope they stick to their guns. Thanks to all our readers for caring and thanks to Nectar for listening.
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Gowanus Harvest Festival – this Saturday 10/11
Josh Guttman | October 10, 2008
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What’s become a bit of an annual tradition now, the Gowanus Harvest Festival will take place this Saturday at our neighborhood’s makeshift outdoor waterfront venue, The Yard. These guys are doing great work in the name of charity. The events has been somewhat hit or miss though, in the past. Nice fall outdoor experiences sometimes offset by long lines, expensive beer and poor sound systems, not to mention musicians of questionable talent. I’m hoping the organizers continue to improve on past events though, because the space has enormous potential. Official event announcement follows….
Brooklyn! Fall! Brews! Bounty! Yes, its that time of year again. The Yard is once again hosting a day of farm fresh food, live music, local vendors, delicious brews and other triumphs of sustainable urban living. Join us! Last year, over 1,000 people flocked to the banks of the Gowanus Canal. This year, with pony-rides, arts n crafts, pumpkin carving, pie bake-offs, urban chickens, raffle prizes, composting, transportation alternatives, voter education, and tons of surprises… it will be a day to remember. Best of all, proceeds from the Gowanus Harvest Festival will be donated to Just Food.
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Atlantic Antic returns to Atlantic Ave Sunday 10/5
Josh Guttman | October 3, 2008
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This Sunday, our neighborhood’s famed main street extravaganza – The Atlantic Antic – returns.
“Spanning 10 blocks of Atlantic Avenue, from 4th Avenue in Boerum Hill all the way to Hicks Street in Brooklyn Heights, the Atlantic Antic is New York’s number one street festival, offering something for everyone!”
The festival is known for its eclectic delicacies, with an exciting array of foods from around the world, representing the shops that line the thoroughfare from baklava and funnel cake, to grilled sardines and pulled pork sandwiches, to street fair favorites like fresh lemonade, fried mozzarella, and roasted corn. This year, the Atlantic Ave Local Development Corp released this 2008 Food Map detailing the varieties so we can all be super-efficient in getting our munchies on.
Ten live musical stages will offer free performances all day, featuring blues, rock, country, R&B, jazz, music for kids, and belly-dancing. As always, Atlantic Avenue’s trendy restaurants and boutiques along with a host of local vendors, craftspeople, and nonprofits offer a hodgepodge of one-of-a-kind merchandise (as the local restaurants and boutiques continue to improve, so does the festival).
There will also be pony rides, face painting, balloon sculptures, live storytelling, and more for kids and families!
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Trader Joe’s to open doors September 26
Josh Guttman | September 16, 2008
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The Brooklyn Paper has reported that the long-awaited Trader Joe’s on the corner of Atlantic and Court will open its doors on Friday, September 26. Great news for all of us foodies who live in the ‘hood. I can’t wait to get my hands on the wide assortment of fresh produce, bulk grains and general healthy goodness they offer. But it’s not necessarily as positive a development for many merchants who have been our trusted suppliers over the years. Certainly, Pacific Green and Key Foods will both feel some pain as Trader Joe’s intercepts customers that once relied on those two outposts. I think it’s no coincidence that Key Foods recently stepped it up a notch with an elaborate flower and plant stand, though not sure if this will compensate for the gap in product. I predict people will look back on this as perhaps, the single most transformative thing to happen during the neighborhood’s ascent. It’s true, a good supermarket can move mountains.
Cafe Carciofo shut down by DOH with 11 violations
Josh Guttman | August 21, 2008
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Cafe Carciofo, the cute neighborhood Italian spot on Kane/Court was shut down by NYC Dept of Health a few weeks ago. Restaurants are shut down all the time in NYC though, including some famous ones like DiFara Pizza recently. Often, this is a temporary situation that is quickly remedied. The Dept of Health website posts the scoring sheet used during inspections, where violations totaling 28 points or more require additional inspections to ensure compliance. Certain violations, however, must be corrected immediately to prevent closure. In Cariofo’s case, they got hit with a whopping 97 violation points, which followed a 46 point assessment in early July. To put this in perspective, the only restaurant in the neighborhood to be assessed a score even close in the past four years is India House on Court Street with 89 and from the looks of that place, it’s not surprising.
Recent violations at Carciofo include:
- Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained.
- Plumbing not properly installed or maintained; anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.
- Pesticide use not in accordance with label or applicable laws. Prohibited chemical used/stored. Open bait station used.
- Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to vermin exist.
- Sufficient refrigerated or hot holding equipment not provided to meet proper time and temperature requirements for potentially hazardous foods.
- Evidence of flying insects or live flying insects present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
- Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
- Appropriately scaled metal stem-type thermometer not provided or used to evaluate temperatures of potentially hazardous foods during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding.
- Food item spoiled, adulterated, contaminated or cross-contaminated.
- Cold food held above 41°F (smoked fish above 38°F) except during necessary preparation
There are rumors circulating in the neighborhood that Carciofo has been put up for sale. The gate has been closed for two weeks without much movement so this may be true, but it’s a real shame because from a ambiance perspective, it was a charming neighborhood corner bistro. With Chicory closing earlier in the summer and now Carciofo, we’ve lost two precious neighborhood spots. I hope someone picks up the slack and replaces them.
Nectar Smoothies…a little too sweet?
Josh Guttman | July 24, 2008
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I walked over to Nectar on Court Street today and ordered a smoothie – The Hometown Squeeze in this case – as I do once or twice every week. I’ve always assumed this to be a healthy breakfast or snack, made only with natural ingredients and fruits. The menu says The Hometown Squeeze contains “peach, blueberries and banana”. When the man preparing my smoothie grabbed a plastic juice bottle from the shelf, I was confused so asked to see the bottle. It turns out the Peach Nectar that they were using instead of actual peaches, wasn’t even pure juice. The bottle listed high fructose corn syrup among its ingredients and also claimed “contains 32% real juice”. Needless to say, drinking my smoothie took on a very different experience this morning. Why is Nectar using artificial and unhealthy ingredients in their smoothies? How do people feel about this?
Quick and Easy Cooking Class in Carroll Gardens on Saturday, July 26
Josh Guttman | July 15, 2008
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Chefs Dina & Carina of Tall Order are hosting a Brownstone dinner on Saturday, July 26 in Carroll Gardens. These expert chefs promise a delicious and entertaining meal. They’re also hosting a cooking class entitled “Everyday Easy: Four Meals on the Fast Track” on Wednesday evening, July 23, from 6:30 to 10pm at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Food & Health (in Manhattan, on 21st Street between 5th & 6th Ave). There are still seats available for both – call the Natural Gourmet directly to enroll at 212-645-5170 ext. 4. Scroll down for a description of the class and the menus we will be preparing.
This month’s BROWNSTONE DINNER on Saturday, July 26 at 8pm.
Enjoy a fabulous 4-course dinner at our Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn brownstone
(corner of President and Smith Streets – Carroll Street stop on F/G line).
This Month’s Menu
Chilled Tomato Tarragon Soup with Croutons
Spinach, Strawberries and Toasted Pecan Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette
Grilled Asian Flank Steak with Sweet Slaw, Fingerling Potatoes with Chives and Tarragon and Grilled Zucchini
or
Soba Noodles with Summer Vegetables, Crispy Tofu and Toasted Sesame Seeds
Mango Blueberry Pudding with Almond Cookies
Call or email to reserve your seat NOW!!! $55 per person
Email: chefs [at] tallorderonline [dot] com or call: 917-328-6348 www.tallorderonline.com
Bastille Day means Pentanque on Smith – this Sunday
Josh Guttman | July 11, 2008
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One of my very favorite neighborhood weekends of the year is upon us. It’s Bastille Day!! Bar Tabac (128 Smith Street/Dean) and Ricard celebrate Bastille Day on Sunday July 13 with the annual street festival and Petanque tournament. This event, now in its seventh year, closes down Smith Street every year, as the street is covered in sand for the Petangue courts. The event is organized by Bar Tabac, Robin des Bois and the local Community Board.
80 teams participate in what has become the largest Petangue tournament in the U.S. Players from around the world, including France, Italy, Thailand, Australia, the U.S. and Canada, as well as Brooklyn locals, will fight it out for the prize of top team.
Special cocktails made with Ricard and sandwiches from Bar Tabac’s outdoor grill, including the popular merguez sandwich with frites ($6), will be served. Neighboring restaurants join in as well, serving food and drink to the spectators.
Music will be provided by Baby Blue Orchids, an American big band, and the Francois Wiss Ensemble, playing French gypsy music.
When: Sunday July 13, 2008 – Noon – 8pm
Where: Smith Street between Bergen and Pacific
The wait is over, red deli reopens Friday as Ted & Honey
Josh Guttman | June 25, 2008
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Well, it’s been a long time coming. Roughly 12 months ago, the red deli abruptly closed its doors in a bizarre development that found its long-time owner, Christophe, in China and the deli in shambles. We reported on it here, here and here again. Nearly a year later, the space has been completely refurbished – new paint, new floors, new ceiling, new kitchen – and most importantly, new ownership, and is putting the final preparations in place for a grand opening this Friday!
Long-time neighborhood resident Michelle, who learned her trade at a Danny Meyer Manhattan restaurant, convinced her brother Ted, to leave his position as chef at Six Penn Kitchen in Pittsburgh and move up to the big leagues of Brooklyn. As I’ve had a bird’s eye view of the deli’s implosion and resurrection, I’m predicting great things from this bro-sis combo and I think it will have been worth the lengthy wait.
They’ve definitely gone upscale in both menu and preparation from previous ownership, though thankfully, prices have remained reasonable. They are sourcing almost all the food from local farmers and purveyors, including a special custom blend of d’Amico coffee and ice cream from Blue Marble. Ted prides himself on making everything in-house, right down to the mayonnaise. You’ll notice his herb plants sitting in front of the deli during the day. The space was designed by a team of artists, led by Michelle’s husband’s marketing firm. Along with coffee, espresso, snacks and sandwiches, they are adding a full breakfast menu and a weekly take-home dinner menu that offers a different dish each night. Some highlights from the dinner menu include smoked chicken jambalaya and lamb bolognese pappardelle. The breakfast menu is also stepped up, now including an assortment of crostinis (a nod to the neighborhood’s Italian heritage), breakfast wraps (including one made with grits, cheddar, ham and eggs) and rhubarb strawberry cream cupcakes – yum! They also plan to have seasonal soups and lots of goodies for kids. They’re making a real effort to keep the place eco-friendly, with low impact biodegradable cups, plates and utensils. While they lean free range/organic, Ted believes “locality and carbon footprint are as important as organic designation. Everything we prepare is artisinal in nature and made with a lot of love.” If Ted and Michelle deliver on their vision for Ted & Honey, I think that love will be returned many times over.
Welcoming the coolest new bar on Smith Street – Clover Club
Josh Guttman | June 19, 2008
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Score one for Cobble Hill. Clover Club opened with much anticipation yesterday (they’ve been working on the space for over a year) and the early indications are that it may have been worth the wait. I predict this place will quickly assume the role of swankiest/hippest bar in the neighborhood, without the pretencion or tackiness that has been a frequent doomed mis-step of Manhattan business owners expanding to the neighborhood.
The space is designed as a throwback to the days when most of Brooklyn was still farmland, and a group of Philadelphia pioneers formed one of the original drinking clubs, held together by a favorite location, a single cocktail and a name: The Clover Club. The masterminds behind the spot are Julie Reiner and Michael Brais (Julie also did the Flatiron Lounge in Manhattan). The cocktails are old-school, epitomized by the house cocktail The Clover Club (Plymouth gin, dry vermouth, lemon juice and house-made raspberry syrup) and punches served in antique bowls big enough for eight (seems like they borrowed a page from Zombie Hut here)—meaning you can hunker down at a leather booth and engage your whole entourage in some communal punch-bowl boozing through a straw.
The space is chic. Antique pressed tin/copper ceilings in the front room open up to mirrored ceilings in the back, and both spaces are adorned with dark wood floors and vintage wallpaper (local resident, Jennifer Wood, contributed to the space’s design strategy). The ambiance is slightly clubby with oriental carpets, chandeliers, and upholstered sofas along with an antique mahogany bar. The backroom evokes a hint of privacy/exclusivity with a second bar and fireplace and will likely double as a choice space for private parties. They’ll be serving a menu of small plates and offer probably the best drink menu in the neighborhood, including a full array of sours, highballs, fizzes, cobblers, royales and swizzles.
Clover Club is located at 210 Smith Street, between Baltic and Butler
