Life Below the Carroll Street Stop

So, it looks like life below 2nd Place in Carroll Gardens is stirring. A few months ago, Minibar opened, on Court Street, between 2nd Place and Nelson. It's a teeny-tiny bar, but lately business has been picking up, perhaps due to their frequent pre-7:30 happy hour specials. Across the street, Frankie's Sputino has been getting its share of press attention. Its little toasts are fine, but the drinks are superb, especially the espresso martini, pulled with a real shot of espresso, yum! Also in the works, a Japanese restaurant between 2nd Place and 3rd Place or is it 3rd Place and 4th Place, my memory fails me. And, shocker of all shockers, a bagel place appears to be going at the corner of Smith and 9th Street, right by the subway. It has pretty glass windows. First the expanded cell phone and video store at Court and 9th and now a bagel place. Gasp! Maybe those candy lofts going condo have done something to the 'hood after all.

Oh, and here's some New York Times love for the neighborhood. I'm going to have to check out the House of Pizza and Calzone's specialty, a deep-fried calzone!